Swim with whale sharks year-round, cross the Maldives' longest bridge between twin luxury islands, and settle into an all-pool villa in waters that are some of the richest near the equator.
The newer, more contemporary half of a twin-island complex in the deep south — connected to Falhumaafushi by the longest private bridge in the Maldives. 79 all-pool villas, access to 9+ restaurants and two spas across both islands, plus year-round whale shark encounters. The trade-off: a domestic flight plus speedboat, not a quick seaplane.
83 new reviews in the past 6 months across Google, TripAdvisor & Booking.com. Average rating 4.5 / 5 from 2,132 total reviews.
+7% review volume vs. prior 6 months
6
Awards since 2022
Best Luxury Resort
World Luxury Hotel Awards '23
Travellers' Choice
TripAdvisor '23
Best Dive Resort
Maldives Tourism Awards '22
Best Twin-Island Resort
Luxury Lifestyle Awards '22
How It Compares
The Residence vs. the Field
Where this resort sits across the dimensions that matter most when choosing a Maldives property.
BudgetUltra-Luxury
Adaaran Club
LUX* South Ari
Soneva Fushi
The Residence
LivelySecluded
Kuredu
Lily Beach
Kudadoo
The Residence
Easy AccessRemote
Gili Lankanfushi
Anantara Kihavah
Park Hyatt Hadahaa
The Residence
CouplesFamily
Komandoo
W Maldives
Siyam World
The Residence
BoutiqueLarge Resort
Makunudu (36)
Coco Bodu Hithi (100)
Meeru Island (286)
The Residence (79)
Poor ReefExceptional
Finolhu
Vilamendhoo
The Residence
The Residence
Reference resorts
Accommodation
Choose Your Villa
Every villa at Dhigurah comes with a private pool — no exceptions. 12 categories span beach, overwater, sunset, and multi-bedroom residences. Sizes start at 150 sqm and go up to the 800 sqm Presidential Suite. The sunset-facing water villas at the end of the jetty are the standout.
BeachAll pool
Beach Villas
From
$550
150–336 sqm ·62% larger than avg
Beach Pool Villa150 sqmPool$550
Deluxe Beach Pool Villa188 sqmPool$650
Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa336 sqmPool$1,100
OverwaterAll pool
Water Villas
From
$650
170–336 sqm ·57% larger than avg
Lagoon Pool Villa170 sqmPool$650
Deluxe Lagoon Pool Villa208 sqmPool$750
Water Pool Villa170 sqmPool$700
Deluxe Water Pool Villa208 sqmPool$800
Two-Bedroom Water Pool Villa336 sqmPool$1,300
SunsetAll pool
Sunset Water Villas
From
$750
170–208 sqm ·36% larger than avg
Sunset Water Pool Villa170 sqmPool$750
Sunset Deluxe Water Pool Villa208 sqmPool$850
SignatureAll pool
Residences & Presidential
From
$2,200
500–800 sqm ·4.7× larger than avg
Three-Bedroom Beach Pool Residence500 sqmPool$2,200
Presidential Suite800 sqmPool$3,500
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
5 Restaurants + 4 via Bridge
Five restaurants on Dhigurah plus access to all four restaurants on sister island Falhumaafushi via the 1km bridge — giving guests 9+ dining options in total. The bridge makes this one of the most restaurant-rich resort experiences in the Maldives. Half board covers The Dining Room; full board adds Café del Sol and The Beach Club.
The Dining Room
International
Dhigurah's main restaurant — international buffet with live cooking stations and daily-changing menus. Indoor and outdoor seating with lagoon views. The breakfast spread is generous and varied.
SettingBeachfront · Main restaurant
Our tipRequest the outdoor terrace table for dinner
Café del Sol
Mediterranean
Mediterranean cuisine served poolside. Paella, tapas, and grilled seafood in a relaxed setting. The natural lunch stop between pool sessions.
SettingPoolside · Open-air
Our tipThe paella is the signature dish — order it
Li Bai
Cantonese
Authentic Cantonese fine dining — dim sum, Peking duck, and wok-fired dishes. The most refined dining option on Dhigurah, with an intimate atmosphere and attentive service.
SettingIndoor · Elegant
Our tipThe Peking duck needs advance ordering — request it when you book
The Beach Club
Grill
Barefoot beachfront dining — grilled seafood, burgers, salads and fresh juices. The most casual option on the island, directly on the sand.
SettingBeachfront · Casual
Our tipBest for a relaxed lunch between snorkeling sessions
Private Dining / Vibes
Private Dining
Bespoke dining experiences from chef's table dinners to private beach setups. Four tiers from $125 to $300 per person — each curated with dedicated menus and settings.
SettingBeach, in-villa, or private sandbank
Our tipThe sandbank dinner is the most memorable option if weather permits
Meal Plans
Dining Inclusions
Half board (breakfast + dinner at The Dining Room) is the standard option, with the flexibility to dine at Li Bai on included nights. Full board adds lunch at Café del Sol or The Beach Club. No all-inclusive is available — but the bridge to Falhumaafushi's restaurants means you can dine à la carte across both islands.
Plan
Restaurants
Alcohol
Minibar
~pp/day
Half Board
Dining Room (B+D) + Li Bai
—
—
Included
Full Board
HB + Café del Sol / Beach Club (L)
—
—
+$60
Half BoardIncluded
Dining Room (B+D) + Li Bai
Alcohol —Minibar —
Full Board+$60 pp/day
HB + Café del Sol / Beach Club (L)
Alcohol —Minibar —
Experiences & Activities
Your Days on the Island
The twin-island setup and deep south location create a unique activities portfolio — whale shark encounters year-round (unique to Gaafu Alifu), a PADI 5-star dive centre, and access to both islands' facilities via the 1km bridge. The bridge walk itself is an activity — spot marine life from above at sunset.
Water & Marine
Year-round whale sharks. Euro-Divers PADI 5-Star. Direct shore entry to house reef.
House reef snorkelingDirect shore entry from beach villas · excellent coral
Euro-Divers PADI 5-Star CentreAll certification levels · pristine deep south dive sites
Whale shark excursionsYear-round in Gaafu Alifu — unique to the deep south
Manta ray snorkelingSeasonal encounters at nearby cleaning stations
Dolphin sunset cruise
Night divingPelagic encounters in the deep south channels
Wreck diving
Water sportsKayak, SUP, catamaran, jet ski
Year-round whale sharks. Gaafu Alifu is one of the only atolls in the Maldives where whale sharks are sighted year-round — not just seasonally. The deep south location and channel currents attract these gentle giants consistently, making Dhigurah one of the top whale shark destinations in the Indian Ocean.
Excursions & Cruises
Sunset cruises, fishing, island hopping, sandbank picnics.
Sunset cruise on traditional dhoniSpinner dolphins common at dusk
Big game fishingDeep south channels — tuna, marlin, barracuda
Local island visits
Private sandbank picnicDropped on a deserted sandbank with gourmet hamper
1km bridge walkSpot rays and reef sharks from above — best at sunset
Spa by Clarins & Wellness
Overwater treatment rooms. The only Clarins spa in the Maldives (via bridge on Falhumaafushi).
The Spa by ClarinsOverwater treatment rooms — access via bridge to Falhumaafushi
Yoga sessionsComplimentary scheduled classes
Fully equipped fitness centre
Meditation and wellness programmes
Sports & Recreation
Tennis, infinity pool, cycling, twin-island exploration.
Tennis court
Infinity poolOne of the largest in the deep south
BicyclesComplimentary — explore both islands
Water sports centre
Twin-island accessAll Falhumaafushi facilities available via 1km bridge
Babysitting serviceOn request · so parents can enjoy spa or dinner
Family snorkeling trips
Two-Bedroom and Three-Bedroom villasPurpose-built for families — up to 500 sqm
1km bridge explorationKids love spotting marine life from above
Family & Kids
Family-Friendly Features
The Kids Club at The Residence Dhigurah runs daily activities for ages 4–12 on a long natural island connected to sister resort Falhumaafushi by a 1-kilometre bridge — the longest resort jetty in the Maldives. Children can walk between the two resorts and access all dining and facilities, effectively doubling the family experience.
The Kids Club
Ages 4-12 · Free
Babysitting
Available on request
Snorkeling & Marine Life
House Reef & Underwater
8.8
Excellent House Reef
Lux Atolls Reef Score · top 10% of Maldives resorts
Direct beach villa entry · Exceptional visibility · Deep south marine diversity · Euro-Divers PADI 5-Star
An excellent house reef with direct shore entry from the beach villas. The deep south Gaafu Alifu location near the equator means warmer water year-round, exceptional visibility, and marine diversity that rivals UNESCO-protected atolls. The highlight: year-round whale shark sightings in nearby channels — something almost no other atoll can claim. Green and hawksbill turtles are resident, and manta rays visit seasonally.
Regularly spotted here (+8)
Reef Sharks
Blacktip and whitetip — frequent at reef edge and inter-island channel
Sea Turtles
Green & hawksbill — resident on the reef, daily sightings
Stingrays
Eagle rays in the inter-island channel
Tropical Reef Fish
Parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, clownfish — 250+ coral species support rich diversity
Octopus
Common on reef formations and during night snorkeling
Dolphins
Spinner dolphins — frequent on sunset cruises
Whale Sharks
Year-round sightings in Gaafu Alifu — unique to the deep south
Manta Rays
Seasonal visits at nearby cleaning stations
PADI dive center on-site. Night snorkeling available. Marine life observations sourced from dive logs and guest reports.
Getting There
Transfer from Malé
Dhigurah is in the deep south — Gaafu Alifu atoll, roughly 400km from Malé. No seaplane reaches this far; it's a domestic flight to Kooddoo Airport plus a short speedboat. The journey is part of the experience, and the resort handles everything from Malé airport arrival.
Only Option
Domestic Flight + Speedboat
Malé → Kooddoo Airport (55 min) + speedboat (5–7 min)
~$450 pp roundtrip
No seaplane option — domestic flight only. Multiple daily departures. Last transfer departs Malé around 4pm. Share your flight details 14 days ahead to lock in your seat.
Resort island map — The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah
Our Take
Who This Resort is For
Dhigurah is the modern, all-pool half of one of the most unusual resort concepts in the Maldives. The twin-island bridge effectively doubles your options — 9+ restaurants, two pools, two islands to explore. Combine that with year-round whale sharks and some of the most pristine diving in the country, and you get a resort that rewards the longer journey to reach it.
Ideal for
Whale shark enthusiasts — year-round sightings in Gaafu Alifu, unique to the deep south
Couples wanting variety without sacrificing privacy — twin-island concept with 9+ restaurants
Serious divers — Euro-Divers PADI 5-Star, pristine deep south sites, night diving
Guests wanting remote luxury without total isolation — the bridge to Falhumaafushi adds social variety
Families — kids club, spacious multi-bedroom villas up to 800 sqm
Consider elsewhere if
Quick getaways — the domestic flight adds time and cost vs seaplane resorts
Budget travellers — premium pricing plus transfer costs
Those wanting all-inclusive — not available, though full board covers most needs
Guests who prefer single-island intimacy — the twin-island concept is the opposite of that
Season & Pricing Guide
Dec 22 – Jan 10Peak · Highest rates
Jan 11 – Apr 15High · +30–50%
Apr 16 – Jul 15Shoulder · +10–15%
Jul 16 – Dec 21Low · 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
The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah — FAQ
How do you get to The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah?
A 55-minute domestic flight from Male to Kaadedhdhoo Airport, followed by a 10-minute speedboat. Alternatively, a seaplane transfer is available. Located in Gaafu Alifu — one of the most remote and pristine atolls in the Maldives.
Is The Residence Dhigurah all-inclusive?
The Residence offers multiple meal plans from half board to all-inclusive. The resort is a luxury 5-star property with a focus on personalised service, featuring a dedicated butler for every villa.
What makes Dhigurah Island special?
Dhigurah is a 1.5 km long natural island — one of the longest in the Maldives. The resort sits on one end with a long white sand beach. Its remote Gaafu Alifu location means pristine reefs, less tourist traffic, and exceptional diving.
Does The Residence Dhigurah have a house reef?
Yes. The remote Gaafu Alifu location means the reef is healthy and relatively undived. The resort's dive centre runs trips to nearby channel dives with mantas, sharks, and large pelagics. Snorkelling from shore is also good.
Packages From
$4,119 / couple
5 nights · Sunrise Beach Pool Villa · All-Inclusive · Transfers included
Quote Request Sent
We'll reply within 4 hours with a personalised itinerary and exact pricing.
Lux Partner Rate
Save $1,540 per couple
5 nights in a Sunrise Beach Pool Villa with All-Inclusive (dine-around at both Residence resorts, unlimited drinks). Free return domestic flights and speedboat transfers. Upgrade to Lagoon Pool Villa from $4,919 or Water Pool Villa from $5,319 per couple.
