Lily Beach Resort & Spa Maldives 2026 — Whale Sharks, Premium AI

Opened 1994 · Renovated 2009

Lily Beach pioneered luxury all-inclusive in the Maldives — and the Platinum Plan remains the benchmark that other resorts try to match. Combine that with one of the country's best house reefs, year-round whale shark access in South Ari, and a 25-minute seaplane from Malé, and you get a resort that consistently justifies its reputation.

01 Villas· 02 Dining· 03 Inclusions· 04 Activities· 05 Reef· 06 Transfer· 07 Verdict·08 FAQ

Lux Pulse™Updated Sep 27, 2026How we score

Cooling Off

522 new reviews in the past 6 months across Google, TripAdvisor & Booking.com. Average rating 4.6 / 5 from 7,762 total reviews.

+17% review volume vs. prior 6 months

How we score

Awards
since 2019

Leading All-Inclusive Resort

World Travel Awards '25

Leading All-Inclusive Resort

World Travel Awards '24

Leading Family Resort

World Travel Awards '24

Award of Excellence

Wine Spectator '24

Best All-Inclusive Resort

Forbes '23

How It Compares

Lily Beach vs. Other Resorts

Where this resort sits across the dimensions that matter most when choosing a Maldives property.

BudgetUltra-Luxury

Adaaran Club

LUX* South Ari

Soneva Fushi

Lily Beach

LivelySecluded

Kuredu

Kudadoo

Lily Beach

Easy AccessRemote

Gili Lankanfushi

Anantara Kihavah

Park Hyatt Hadahaa

Lily Beach

CouplesFamily

Komandoo

W Maldives

Siyam World

Lily Beach

BoutiqueLarge Resort

Makunudu (36)

Coco Bodu Hithi (100)

Meeru Island (286)

Lily Beach (125)

Poor ReefExceptional

Finolhu

Vilamendhoo

Lily Beach

Reference resorts

@lilybeachresortmaldives80K followers

Accommodation

Choose Your Villa

Lily Beach spans beach, overwater, family and signature categories. The entry Beach Villa is compact at 68 sqm, but overwater options scale up to the 182 sqm Sunset Water Suite with infinity pool. Pool access varies by category — choose carefully.

Beach2 of 4

Beach Villas

From

$1,248

68–76 sqm · 44% smaller than avg

Beach Suite with Jacuzzi at Lily Beach Resort & Spa

Beach Suite with Pool at Lily Beach Resort & Spa

Beach VillaSleeps 4 · max 3 adults68 sqmNo pool$1,248

Beach SuiteSleeps 4 · max 3 adults76 sqmNo pool$1,

Beach Suite with JacuzziSleeps 4 · max 3 adults76 sqmPool$1,

Beach Suite with PoolSleeps 4 · max 3 adults76 sqmPool$1,

OverwaterAll pool

Water Villas

From

$1,

90–182 sqm · Average size

Deluxe Water Villa with Plunge Pool at Lily Beach Resort & Spa

Sunset Water Suite at Lily Beach Resort & Spa

Lagoon VillaSleeps 4 · max 3 adults90 sqmPool$1,

Deluxe Water Villa with Plunge PoolSleeps 4 · max 3 adults126 sqmPool$1,

Sunset Water SuiteSleeps 4 · max 3 adults182 sqmPool$2,

FamilyNo pool

Family Villas

From

$2,

136 sqm · Average size

Beach Family Villa at Lily Beach Resort & Spa

Beach Family VillaSleeps 6 · max 4 adults136 sqmNo pool$2,

SignatureAll pool

Signature Collection

From

$2,

225 sqm · 70% larger than avg

Beach Residence at Lily Beach Resort & Spa

Beach ResidenceSleeps 4 · max 3 adults225 sqmPool$2,

Not sure which villa is right? We'll match you based on your group size, budget and priorities.

Villa prices are rack rates per night — the lowest on the resort's current contract, before any offer. Today's offers are applied in the packages below and in your quote. We'll confirm exact pricing for your dates. Rates as of 2 Oct 2026.

Packages From Get your secret price

$3,435 / couple

4 nights · Beach Villa · All-inclusive · Green tax included · Transfers extra

Check-in

Check-out

Adults

Children

Preferred room type

Lux Partner Rate

Save $1,797 per couple

4 nights in the Beach Villa with All-inclusive — $3,435 for two including Maldives Green Tax, travelling 12 Apr – 30 Sept 2027. 35% off the villa rate. Transfers extra.

From $3,435 $5,232 SAVE 35%

More inclusions than booking direct

New! Quote Yourself Now

Quotes handled by Tym's team of Maldives travel professionals. 24-hour response.

Deal Alerts

Be first to know when Lily Beach has a deal — exclusive rates and upgrades, sent only when there's something worth sharing.

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Season & Pricing Guide

Dec 20 – Jan 10Peak · Highest rates

Jan 11 – Apr 15High · +30–50%

Apr 16 – Jul 15Shoulder · +10–20%

Jul 16 – Dec 19Low · Best value

Peak season fills 4+ months ahead. Shoulder season offers the best balance of weather, price and availability.

Similar Resorts

LUX* South Ari

South Ari · Same atoll

SPECIAL $1,530 / 5 nights

Vilamendhoo

South Ari · Same atoll

SPECIAL $1,506 / 5 nights

Hideaway Beach

Haa Alifu · Remote luxury

SPECIAL $2,112 / 4 nights

Dining

4 Restaurants

Four distinct restaurants under the resort's single Platinum Plan. From the sand-floor buffet at Lily Maa to Wine Spectator-awarded fine dining at Les Turquoise d'Aqua.

Lily Maa

International

The main restaurant with sand floors and panoramic lagoon views. Daily-changing international buffet with live cooking stations and themed dinner nights — from Maldivian to Mediterranean. Open for all three meals, this is where most guests start and end their day.

SettingSand floors · Lagoon views

Our tipThursday Maldivian night is the standout dinner theme

Les Turquoise d'Aqua

Fine Dining

Five-course degustation menus paired with wines from an award-winning cellar — Wine Spectator 2024 recognised. The most refined dining on the island, with lagoon views and a sommelier who takes the pairing seriously.

SettingPoolside · Lagoon view

Our tipReserve on arrival — only seats around 30 guests

Tamarind

Thai & Indian

Authentic Thai curries and Indian tandoori dishes served oceanfront under the stars. The fusion menu bridges both cuisines well.

SettingOceanfront · Open-air

Our tipThe lobster curry is the signature — don't miss it

AQVA Teppanyaki

Japanese

Live teppanyaki grills with Wagyu beef, lobster and fresh seafood — small and intimate, the chefs put on a genuine show. Perched at the AQVA Bar over the lagoon, this is dinner as entertainment.

SettingAt AQVA Bar · Overwater

Our tipThe Wagyu is the standout — book early in the week

Meal Plans

Dining Inclusions

Lily Beach operates exclusively on the Platinum Plan — there's no half board or room-only option.

Plan	Restaurants	Alcohol	Minibar	~pp/day
Platinum Plan (All-Inclusive)	All 4 restaurants	Premium	Daily	Included

Platinum Plan (All-Inclusive)Included

All 4 restaurants

AlcoholPremiumMinibarDaily

Meal plan prices are a guide only — generally an average across the year. Resorts can change them at any time, they often vary by season, and a plan sold in one season may not be offered in another. We'll confirm what's available and the exact price for your dates.

Experiences & Activities

Your Days on the Island

The Platinum Plan covers non-motorized water sports, snorkeling gear, three excursions, kids club and daily yoga. Between the house reef, whale shark safaris and overwater spa, most guests find they don't need to leave the island.

Water Sports & Diving

Non-motorised sports included in Platinum Plan. PADI center on-site.

Snorkeling gearComplimentary — included in Platinum Plan

Kayaking & SUPComplimentary

Catamaran sailing

Windsurfing

Glass-bottom canoePaddle over the reef without getting wet

PADI dive centerBeginner to advanced · whale shark dives · night dives

House reef access from 10 entry points. Shore entry to a sloping wall dropping to 40m — reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays and mantas within metres of the beach. One of the top-rated house reefs in the Maldives.

Excursions & Cruises

3 excursions included in Platinum Plan. Additional trips bookable.

Whale shark safariSouth Ari is the world's best spot · ~80% success rate year-round

Sunset dolphin cruiseTraditional dhoni · spinner dolphins

Sunset cruiseChampagne and canapés on the lagoon

Big game fishingHalf and full-day charters

Local island visitExperience Maldivian village life

Whale sharks year-round. South Ari Atoll is the world's most reliable location for whale shark encounters. Lily Beach runs regular safaris with around 80% sighting success — these gentle giants feed in the atoll's plankton-rich channels throughout the year.

Spa & Wellness

Overwater Tamara Spa. Yoga included in Platinum Plan.

Tamara SpaOverwater treatment rooms · couples suites

Sound healing sessions

Crystal bowl therapy

Daily yogaComplimentary — included in Platinum Plan

Pilates & Zumba classes

Sports & Recreation

Gym, courts and group classes all complimentary.

Tennis courtFloodlit

Beach volleyball

Fully-equipped gymOpen 24 hours

Yoga pavilion

Pilates & Zumba

Kids & Family

Turtle Kids' Club included in Platinum Plan. Ages 3–12.

Turtle Kids' ClubAges 3–12 · 9:00–17:30 · free

Treehouse with slideOutdoor adventure playground

Children's poolDedicated shallow pool for kids

Babysitting serviceOn request · $15/hr

Family beach activities

Resort Facilities

What's on the Island

Checked against the resort's own information. If something you need isn't listed, ask us before you book.

Dive centre
Spa
Gym
Yoga
Tennis court
Kids club
Lounge at Malé airport

Family & Kids

Family-Friendly Features

Lily Beach is one of the Maldives' best family all-inclusives. The Turtle Kids' Club runs daily for ages 3–12 at no extra cost, with a treehouse playground and dedicated children's pool. The single Platinum Plan means no bill anxiety for parents.

Turtle Kids' Club

Ages 3-12 · 9:00-17:30

Babysitting

$15/hr

Overwater Min Age

12+ years for water villas

Shallow Lagoon

Calm, shallow water safe for young children

Highlights for Kids

Treehouse with slideChildren's poolWhale shark safarisWalk-in house reef

Family Villa Options

Family Beach Villa

Snorkeling & Marine Life

House Reef & Underwater

8.8

Excellent House Reef

Lux Atolls Reef Score · top 5% of Maldives resorts

Shore entry · 10 access points · Drop-off 10–20m from beach

Sloping wall to 40m · Whale sharks year-round · 100+ fish species

Lily Beach has one of the most celebrated house reefs in the Maldives. Ten entry points give direct shore access to a sloping wall that drops to 40m, teeming with reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays and over 100 fish species. The South Ari location adds year-round whale shark encounters — something very few house reefs can offer.

PADI dive center on-site. Night snorkeling available. Marine life observations sourced from dive logs and guest reports.

Regularly spotted here (+8)

Reef Sharks

Blacktip & whitetip — frequent at reef edge

Sea Turtles

Hawksbill & green — daily sightings from shore

Tropical Reef Fish

100+ species — parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, clownfish

Dolphins

Spinner dolphins — regular on sunset cruises

Whale Sharks

Year-round in South Ari · ~80% success rate on safaris

Manta Rays

Seasonal visitors — best Nov–Apr

Eagle Rays

Regular sightings along the reef wall

Nurse Sharks

Often resting under coral overhangs

Not typical at this reef (−2)

Stingrays

Not commonly reported at house reef

Octopus

Not commonly reported at house reef

Getting There

Transfer from Malé

Lily Beach is in South Ari Atoll — one of the more accessible premium atolls. A scenic 25-minute seaplane from Malé lands you on the resort's doorstep, making this one of the quickest luxury transfers in the Maldives.

Transfer

Seaplane (TMA)

Direct from Malé · ~25 min · Daylight only

~$500 pp roundtrip

Seaplane daylight only. Arrivals after ~3:30pm need an airport hotel overnight. We arrange everything.

Resort island map — Lily Beach Resort & Spa

Our Take

Who This Resort is For

Reviewed by Tym Lewtak, founder of LuxAtolls Updated Sep 27, 2026

Lily Beach set the standard for luxury all-inclusive in the Maldives and the Platinum Plan still holds up. The house reef is genuinely world-class, South Ari delivers whale sharks year-round, and families are well served by the Turtle Kids' Club. If you want one price and one decision, this is the benchmark.

Ideal for

All-inclusive purists — the Platinum Plan is the only board basis sold here, so there's zero bill anxiety
Snorkelers and reef lovers — one of the Maldives' best house reefs with 10 entry points, reef sharks, turtles, and eagle rays steps from your villa
Families wanting quality kids facilities — Turtle Kids' Club (3–12) with treehouse playground and children's pool
Whale shark enthusiasts — South Ari Atoll offers year-round encounters with an 80% sighting rate on dedicated excursions

Consider elsewhere if

Guests wanting meal plan flexibility — the Platinum Plan is the only option; there's no BB, HB, or à la carte pricing
Those seeking ultra-modern minimalist design — the resort was rebuilt in 2009 and feels contemporary but not cutting-edge
Budget travellers — the all-inclusive-only model means entry rates start around $760/night with no stripped-back alternative
Couples wanting adults-only exclusivity — this is a family-friendly resort with a dedicated kids' zone and children's pool

Included in your stay

What every stay includes

Taken from the resort's current contract — the same terms behind the prices on this page. Celebrating? Extra touches are included for honeymoons and anniversaries — tell us when you enquire.

Meet, greet & assist at Male International Airport by airport representatives and hotel staff
Complimentary VIP Lounge Access at Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) Sea Plane Terminal on arrival
3 excursions to choose from 4 (Coral Garden Snorkelling, Sunset Fishing Trip, Sunset Cruise, Local Island Visit)
Buffet Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Lily Maa Main Restaurant with Live-Cooking Stations, Grill, BBQ
One visit per person per week to Tamarind Specialty Restaurant (Thai and Indian cuisines)
Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, juices, soft drinks, tea and coffee at AQVA Pool Bar
Unlimited cocktails, signature drinks, fresh juices, soft drinks, tea and coffee at Vibes Bar
Selection of 80 Premium Wines available in restaurants and bars
Unlimited signature drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, coffee, juices and soft drinks at Spirit Bar & Lounge
Unlimited alcoholic, non-alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and juices at Beach Bar
Premium Mini Bar maintained daily with beer, wine, soft drinks, water and snacks
Complimentary snorkelling equipment
Complimentary non-motorized water sports (except diving)
Complimentary free Wi-Fi throughout the resort

Honeymoon inclusions

Stay 4 nights and receive:
Bottle of Sparkling wine - Special cake - Fruit basket - A Special 04 Course Romantic Candle-light Dinner on the beach for the
couple - Voucher of 50 USD per person @ Tamara Spa (on treatments, except Pedicure and Manicure) & In-Villa Bed and Bath decoration.
&
Stay 7 nights and receive:
Bottle of Sparkling Wine - Special cake - Fruit basket - A Special 04 Course Romantic Candle-light Dinner on the beach for the couple - 1 Balinese massage of 50 mins for the couple @ Tamara Spa & In-Villa Bed and Bath decoration

Anniversary inclusions

Stay 4 nights and receive:
Bottle of Sparkling wine - Special cake - Fruit basket - A Special 04 Course Romantic Candle-light Dinner on the beach for the
couple - Voucher of 50 USD per person @ Tamara Spa (on treatments, except Pedicure and Manicure) & In-Villa Bed and Bath decoration.
&
Stay 7 nights and receive:
Bottle of Sparkling Wine - Special cake - Fruit basket

Pricing by travel date 6 travel windows · $3,435–$7,848

Travel window	Beach Villa	Lagoon Villa	Beach Family Villa	Beach Residence
16 Oct – 31 Oct 2026	$3,606 +$878/night	$3,903 +$952/night	$6,835 +$1,685/night	$7,808 +$1,928/night
1 Nov – 23 Dec 2026	$4,146 +$1,013/night	$4,488 +$1,098/night	$7,871 +$1,944/night	$8,994 +$2,224/night
24 Dec 2026 – 7 Jan 2027	$7,848 +$1,938/night	$8,856 +$2,190/night	$15,002 +$3,726/night	$18,325 +$4,557/night
8 Jan – 11 Apr 2027	$5,242 +$1,286/night	$6,048 +$1,488/night	$9,962 +$2,466/night	$13,425 +$3,332/night
12 Apr – 30 Sept 2027	$3,435 +$835/night	$3,778 +$920/night	$6,591 +$1,624/night	$7,397 +$1,825/night
1 Oct – 23 Dec 2027	$5,496 +$1,350/night	$5,952 +$1,464/night	$10,463 +$2,592/night	$11,960 +$2,966/night

4 nights per couple. Extra-night rates shown beneath each price. Transfers are quoted separately — ask us and we’ll confirm the exact total for your dates.

Why Book Through Lux Atolls

More Than Just a Booking

What you get with us vs. booking direct or through a generic OTA

Book with Lux Atolls

Best rate guarantee on partner resorts — we match or beat what you find elsewhere

Exclusive package inclusions negotiated through our direct resort relationships

Transparent pricing — transfers, taxes, and meal plans quoted upfront, no hidden fees

Personal trip advisor — villa matching, meal plan guidance, and honest recommendations

Maldives-only expertise — we know every reef, transfer route, and seasonal sweet spot

Direct resort contact — if something needs fixing, we call the GM, not a call centre

No booking fees, no hidden charges — the price we quote is the price you pay

Book Through Others

Published rack rate — no negotiated extras

No package inclusions beyond the standard rate

Transfer costs and taxes added at checkout

Generic customer support with no local knowledge

One-size-fits-all recommendations across dozens of destinations

Issues routed through a ticketing system, not a person

Hidden fees and service charges added late in the process

Frequently Asked Questions

Lily Beach Resort & Spa — FAQ

What is included in the Lily Beach Platinum Plan?

Everything. All meals at four restaurants, 80+ premium wines, Taittinger champagne, daily minibar refill, three excursions (including whale shark safari), non-motorized water sports, snorkeling gear, kids club, and daily yoga. There's no cheaper plan — Platinum is the only option.

Is Lily Beach good for snorkeling?

Exceptional. The house reef is rated 8.8/10 with 10 shore entry points. A sloping wall drops to 40m within 10–20m of the beach, home to reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays, mantas, and 100+ fish species. South Ari also offers year-round whale shark encounters with around 80% sighting success.

How do you get to Lily Beach Resort?

A 25-minute seaplane from Malé (~$500 pp roundtrip). Seaplanes operate during daylight only, so late afternoon arrivals require an airport hotel overnight. The resort arranges everything.

Is Lily Beach good for families?

Yes. The Turtle Kids' Club runs daily for ages 3–12, included in the Platinum Plan. There's a treehouse playground, children's pool, and shallow lagoon. Babysitting is available at $15 per hour. The Family Beach Villa offers two interconnected villas with 136 sqm of space.

Can you see whale sharks at Lily Beach?

South Ari Atoll is the world's most reliable location for whale shark sightings. Lily Beach runs regular safaris with around 80% success rate year-round. Three excursions are included in the Platinum Plan, and whale shark safaris are one of the most popular choices.

Lily Beach Resort & Spa

Lily Beach vs. Other Resorts

Choose Your Villa

4 Restaurants

Dining Inclusions

Your Days on the Island

What's on the Island

Family-Friendly Features

House Reef & Underwater

Shore entry · 10 access points · Drop-off 10–20m from beach

Transfer from Malé

Who This Resort is For

Ideal for

Consider elsewhere if

What every stay includes

More Than Just a Booking

Lily Beach Resort & Spa — FAQ

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