A 1.8 km island in the heart of whale shark territory, with eight restaurants, Forbes Five-Star service, and a playful take on luxury that works equally well for families and couples.
Forbes Five-Star Seaplane 25 min Whale Sharks Family Friendly
Atoll
South Ari
Villas
193
Transfer
Seaplane
Transfer Cost
~$390 pp RT
Packages From
$3,269 / couple
Meal Plans
BB / HB / FB / AI
$3,269 / couple
Save $2,680 per coupleSAVE 45%From $3,269
Get a Personalised Quote
More inclusions than direct
Opened2000Renovated2016
LUX* South Ari is the rare large resort that genuinely earns its Forbes Five-Star rating — not through formality, but through warmth, variety, and attention to detail. Eight restaurants, whale sharks on the doorstep, and a kids-to-couples range that few properties can match. It's social, colourful, and unapologetically fun.
237 new reviews in the past 6 months across Google, TripAdvisor & Booking.com. Average rating 4.5 / 5 from 3,920 total reviews.
+15% review volume vs. prior 6 months
8
Awards since 2022
Five-Star Hotel
Forbes Travel Guide '25
Five-Star Hotel
Forbes Travel Guide '24
Four-Star Spa
Forbes Travel Guide '25
Best for Families
Conde Nast Johansens '25
Top Resorts in Asia
Travel + Leisure '24
How It Compares
LUX* South Ari vs. the Field
Where this resort sits across the dimensions that matter most when choosing a Maldives property.
BudgetUltra-Luxury
Adaaran Club
Soneva Fushi
LUX* South Ari
LivelySecluded
Kuredu
Lily Beach
Kudadoo
LUX* South Ari
Easy AccessRemote
Gili Lankanfushi
Anantara Kihavah
Park Hyatt Hadahaa
LUX* South Ari
CouplesFamily
Komandoo
W Maldives
Siyam World
LUX* South Ari
BoutiqueLarge Resort
Makunudu (36)
Coco Bodu Hithi (100)
Meeru Island (286)
LUX* South Ari (193)
Poor ReefExceptional
Finolhu
Vilamendhoo
LUX* South Ari
LUX* South Ari
Reference resorts
Accommodation
Choose Your Villa
Beach or overwater, pool or no pool — plus dedicated family categories and two-storey signature villas. Entry-level Beach Pavilions start at 60 sqm, while the top-tier LUX* Villa spans 360 sqm with its own pool and butler service.
Beach2 of 4
Beach Villas
From
$320
60–136 sqm ·16% smaller than avg
Beach Pavilion60 sqmNo pool$320
Beach Villa95 sqmNo pool$420
Beach Pool Villa116 sqmPool$580
Beachfront Infinity Pool Villa136 sqmPool$680
Overwater1 of 2
Water Villas
From
$520
98–110 sqm ·35% smaller than avg
Water Villa98 sqmNo pool$520
Romantic Pool Water Villa110 sqmPool$720
FamilyNo pool
Family Villas
From
$480
120–130 sqm ·54% smaller than avg
Two-Bedroom Family Beach Pavilion120 sqmNo pool$480
Family Lagoon Pavilion130 sqmNo pool$520
SignatureAll pool
Signature Collection
From
$1,200
206–360 sqm ·55% smaller than avg
Temptation Beach Pool Villa206 sqmPool$1,200
Temptation Pool Water Villa220 sqmPool$1,400
LUX* Villa360 sqmPool$2,800
Not sure which villa is right? We'll match you based on your group size, budget and priorities.
Prices shown are indicative low-season per night. See the season guide in the sidebar for how rates vary by time of year. We'll confirm exact pricing for your dates.
Dining
6 Restaurants
Eight dining venues in total, six proper restaurants — more variety than almost any resort in the Maldives. The all-inclusive covers most, with a $30 credit toward the two fine-dining options.
MIXE
International
The resort's main buffet with live cooking stations and global cuisine. Open-air beachfront setting with themed dinner nights rotating through Italian, Asian, and seafood.
SettingBeachside · Main restaurant
Our tipThursday seafood night is the week's highlight
East Market
Southeast Asian
Southeast Asian street food elevated — Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian. The overwater setting and open kitchen make this the most atmospheric breakfast alternative to MIXE.
SettingOverwater · Lagoon views
Our tipBreakfast here is quieter than the main buffet
Senses
Middle Eastern
A poolside journey through Middle Eastern and Indian Ocean flavours — mezze, tandoor, and seafood. The open-air setting and shisha lounge create a relaxed evening atmosphere.
SettingPoolside · Open-air
Our tipThe mezze platter is generous enough to share
Beach Rouge
Mediterranean
Mediterranean-inspired beach club with a pool, DJ, and rosé on tap. The most social dining spot on the island — wood-fired pizza, grilled seafood, and sunset cocktails.
SettingBeachside · DJ & pool
Our tipSaturday is the big sunset session with live DJ
Allegria
Italian
Intimate Italian fine dining with handmade pasta, imported cheeses, and a curated wine list. The most refined setting on the island — reserve early, as it's the smallest venue.
SettingBeachfront · Intimate
Our tipBook for your first night — it fills fast
Umami
Japanese
Japanese fine dining overwater — sushi bar, sashimi, and a teppanyaki grill where chefs perform tableside. The lagoon deck at sunset is one of the best seats on the island.
SettingOverwater · Lagoon deck
Our tipTeppanyaki seats are limited — book at check-in
Meal Plans
Dining Inclusions
Four plans from BB to all-inclusive. The AI is the standout — it unlocks all restaurants, alcohol, minibar, snorkeling gear, and kayaks. Most guests go HB or AI.
Plan
Restaurants
Alcohol
Minibar
~pp/day
Bed & Breakfast
MIXE or East Market (B)
—
—
Included
Half Board
MIXE/East Market/Beach Rouge/Senses (B+D)
—
—
+$65
Full Board
+ Lunch · $30 credit Allegria/Umami
—
—
+$110
All-Inclusive
All 6 + bars · $30 credit Allegria/Umami
Premium
Daily
+$195
Bed & BreakfastIncluded
MIXE or East Market (B)
Alcohol —Minibar —
Half Board+$65 pp/day
MIXE/East Market/Beach Rouge/Senses (B+D)
Alcohol —Minibar —
Full Board+$110 pp/day
+ Lunch · $30 credit Allegria/Umami
Alcohol —Minibar —
All-Inclusive+$195 pp/day
All 6 + bars · $30 credit Allegria/Umami
Alcohol PremiumMinibar Daily
Experiences & Activities
Your Days on the Island
The 1.8 km island means there's genuinely a lot to do — from whale shark safaris and manta trips to a Forbes-rated spa, kids club, teen studio, beach cinema, and eight restaurants to work through. You won't run out of options.
Water Sports & Diving
PADI center on-site. Kayaks and snorkeling gear included with AI plan.
Snorkeling excursionsGuided reef trips · gear included with AI
Kayaking & SUPComplimentary with AI plan
Jet ski rides
Catamaran sailing
Windsurfing & parasailing
PADI dive centerBeginner to advanced · night dives · 30+ nearby sites
Whale shark capital. South Ari Atoll is the only place on earth where whale sharks are reliably seen year-round. Excursions depart daily — ~20 minutes by boat — with sighting success rates above 90% in peak season.
Excursions & Cruises
Bookable through the resort. Whale shark trips depart daily.
Whale shark safariYear-round · ~20 min by boat · ~$95 pp
Sunset fishing on dhoniTraditional handline · cook your catch
Private sandbank picnic
Local island visit
Daily whale shark departures. Unlike most resorts where whale sharks are a lucky bonus, LUX* runs dedicated daily excursions to the South Ari whale shark zone. Multiple guests describe swimming alongside 8-metre sharks as the highlight of their trip.
Spa & Wellness
Forbes Four-Star rated spa. 15 treatment rooms including hammam.
Studio 17 teen loungeAges 12-17 · gaming, music, hangout space
Babysitting service$25/hour · on request
Family beach dinner setups
Shallow lagoonSafe paddling for young children
Family & Kids
Family-Friendly Features
LUX* is one of the few Forbes Five-Star resorts that genuinely caters to families at every age. The PLAY kids club runs free daily programs for ages 3-12, Studio 17 gives teens their own social space, and the shallow lagoon is safe for paddling toddlers. Whale shark excursions are a once-in-a-lifetime family experience.
LUX* doesn't have a walk-in house reef — snorkeling requires a short boat trip. But what it lacks in convenience it makes up for in megafauna: South Ari is the only atoll globally where whale sharks are seen year-round, and Madivaru's manta cleaning station is 20 minutes away.
Regularly spotted here (+6)
Reef Sharks
Blacktip & whitetip — common on excursions
Sea Turtles
Hawksbill & green — regular sightings
Tropical Reef Fish
Parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, clownfish
Dolphins
Spinner dolphins — frequent on sunset cruises
Whale Sharks
Year-round in South Ari — the world's most reliable site
Manta Rays
Madivaru cleaning station — peak Jun–Nov
Not typical at this reef (−2)
Stingrays
Not commonly reported at house reef
Octopus
Not commonly reported at house reef
PADI dive center on-site. Night snorkeling available. Marine life observations sourced from dive logs and guest reports.
Getting There
Transfer from Malé
South Ari is one of the most accessible atolls by seaplane — a scenic 25-minute flight from Male. The resort arranges everything once your flights are confirmed.
Recommended
Seaplane (TMA)
Direct from Male · ~25 min · Daylight only
~$390 pp roundtrip
Seaplane daylight only. Arrivals after ~3:30pm need airport overnight. We arrange transfers.
Resort island map — LUX* South Ari Atoll
Our Take
Who This Resort is For
LUX* South Ari is the Maldives resort that does everything well and a few things brilliantly. The whale shark access is unmatched globally, eight restaurants mean you'll never eat the same meal twice, and the kids-to-couples balance is genuinely rare at this tier. It's not the most secluded or the most exclusive — it's something better: a resort that's actually fun to stay at.
Ideal for
Whale shark enthusiasts — South Ari is the only year-round aggregation site globally, with trips three times weekly and a 70% sighting rate
Families with kids and teens — PLAY kids club (3–12), Studio 17 teens lounge, shallow lagoon, and 40+ complimentary activities
Couples seeking social luxury — Beach Rouge DJ nights, romantic overwater villas, and a Forbes Five-Star spa make this lively without losing intimacy
Food lovers wanting variety — eight restaurants and five bars is among the highest counts in the Maldives, from teppanyaki to beach club
Consider elsewhere if
Snorkelers wanting a walk-in house reef — there's no shore entry here; snorkelling requires a short boat transfer to nearby reef sites
Guests seeking ultra-private seclusion — 193 villas on a 1.8 km island means you'll share the beach, pools, and restaurants with others
Ultra-luxury purists — LUX* is playful rather than formal, with DJ nights and ice cream bikes over white-glove butler service
Budget travellers — seaplane transfers add ~$910 per couple on top of villa rates that start at $730/night
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.
Why Book Through Lux Atolls
More Inclusions, More Maldives
What you get booking with us vs. going direct or through an OTA
Book with Lux Atolls
Best rate guarantee — avg. 11% below OTAs
Complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability)
Welcome bottle of champagne on arrival
One complimentary 60-min couples spa treatment
Early check-in / late checkout (subject to availability)
Personal trip advisor — villa matching, transfers, meal plan guidance
Direct resort relationship — we resolve issues in real time
Book Through Others
Standard rack rate
Room type as booked — no upgrades
No welcome amenities
No spa inclusions
Standard check-in/out times
Generic customer support
No direct resort contact
Frequently Asked Questions
LUX* South Ari Atoll — FAQ
Can you see whale sharks at LUX* South Ari?
Yes — South Ari Atoll is the only place in the world where whale sharks are seen year-round. The resort runs daily excursions (~$95 pp) to the whale shark zone, about 20 minutes by boat. Sighting success rates exceed 90% in peak season (Nov–Apr).
Does LUX* South Ari have a house reef for snorkeling?
No walk-in house reef — snorkeling requires a short boat trip. However, the surrounding South Ari reefs are excellent for guided excursions, and the whale shark and manta ray access more than compensates for the lack of shore snorkeling.
Is LUX* South Ari good for families with children?
Excellent. The PLAY kids club (ages 3-12) runs daily from 9am to 7pm for free. Studio 17 is a dedicated teen lounge for ages 12-17. Children under 12 stay free, the lagoon is shallow and safe, and babysitting is available at $25/hour.
How many restaurants does LUX* South Ari have?
Eight dining venues, including six restaurants: MIXE (international buffet), East Market (Southeast Asian), Senses (Middle Eastern), Beach Rouge (Mediterranean beach club), Allegria (Italian fine dining), and Umami (Japanese/teppanyaki). The all-inclusive covers all with a $30 credit toward Allegria and Umami.
How do you get to LUX* South Ari Atoll?
A scenic 25-minute seaplane flight from Male International Airport, costing approximately $390 per person roundtrip. The resort arranges all transfers. Seaplanes operate in daylight only, so late arrivals may need an airport hotel overnight.
Packages From
$3,269 / couple
5 nights · Beach Pavilion · All-Inclusive · Transfers extra
Quote Request Sent
We'll reply within 4 hours with a personalised itinerary and exact pricing.
Lux Partner Rate
Save $2,680 per couple
5 nights in a Beach Pavilion with full All-Inclusive (all meals, unlimited drinks, snorkelling gear, kayaks, minibar). Honeymoon extras: sparkling wine, couple massage, cake and bed decoration. Upgrade to Water Villa from $4,219 or Romantic Pool Water Villa from $5,109 per couple. Seaplane transfers ~$455 pp extra.
