The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah 2026 — Whale Sharks, 79 Villas

Opened 2019

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.

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

Lux Pulse™Updated Aug 14, 2026How we score

Steady

81 new reviews in the past 6 months across Google, TripAdvisor & Booking.com. Average rating 4.5 / 5 from 2,290 total reviews.

+7% review volume vs. prior 6 months

How we score

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. 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

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

Reference resorts

@residencemaldivesdhigurah16.8K followers

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 · 72% larger than avg

Beach Pool Villa150 sqmPool$550

Deluxe Beach Pool Villa188 sqmPool$6

Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa336 sqmPool$1,

OverwaterAll pool

Water Villas

From

170–336 sqm · 67% larger than avg

Lagoon Pool Villa170 sqmPool$6

Deluxe Lagoon Pool Villa208 sqmPool$7

Water Pool Villa170 sqmPool$7

Deluxe Water Pool Villa208 sqmPool$8

Two-Bedroom Water Pool Villa336 sqmPool$1,

SunsetAll pool

Sunset Water Villas

From

170–208 sqm · 44% larger than avg

Sunset Water Pool Villa170 sqmPool$7

Sunset Deluxe Water Pool Villa208 sqmPool$8

SignatureAll pool

Residences & Presidential

From

$2,

500–800 sqm · 5× larger than avg

Three-Bedroom Beach Pool Residence500 sqmPool$2,

Presidential Suite800 sqmPool$3,

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.

Packages From Get your secret price

$4,119 / couple

5 nights · Sunrise Beach Pool Villa · Full Board

Check-in

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Adults

Children

Preferred room type

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.

From $4,119 $5,659 SAVE 27%

View full list of inclusions →

More inclusions than booking direct

Get a Personalised Quote

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

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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.

Similar Resorts

The Residence Falhumaafushi

Gaafu Alifu · Sister resort

SPECIAL $3,689 / 5 nights

Raffles Maldives Meradhoo

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

Kids & Family

Kids club, babysitting, spacious multi-bedroom villas.

Kids ClubSupervised activities · crafts, nature walks, marine education

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

Shore entry · 250+ coral species · Year-round whale sharks nearby

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.

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 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

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

Lux Special Inclusions

More inclusions than booking direct

Everything bundled into the package price above — taken directly from the package terms we'll honour at booking time.

Accommodation staying at The Residence Maldives Dhigurah
Meet & greet at the airport arrival gate by a representative Residence Maldives Dhigurah
Complimentary cold towel and welcome drink on arrival
Breakfast, lunch & Dinner dine around at both resorts
Unlimited alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks at both resorts
In-room Minibar with beer, bottled juices, soft drinks, Cashew nuts & chips (refilled once daily)
Complimentary access at Moonimaa Lounge Male Airport on Arrival with snacks and beverage & internet access
43-inch Smart TV in the bedroom, personal safe, coffee machine with daily refillable capsules.
Daily supply of 3 bottles of bottled drinking water (1000ml) per villa
Complimentary access to the common beach pool with comfortable sun lounges & towels.
Complimentary bicycles to explore the resort
Shared Buggy transfers around the islands
Complimentary yoga class; Sunrise or Sunset (based on scheduled classes and available on sign up while in the resort)
Complimentary use of gymnasium
Complimentary use of non-motorized water sport (excluding lessons)
Complimentary Wi-Fi in the villas + access to The Library Bar with access to a selection of books, board games, internet services or select the DVDs (available at Front Office) to watch in the comfort of your villa
Access to Castaway Island via 1.2km Long Bridge
Snorkelling equipment for use throughout the stay
Non-motorised water sports (Kayak and Stand-Up Paddle board)
Movie Under the Stars available once a week based on resort's schedule
DJ music night at The Beach Club - based on resort's schedule
The Residence Weekly Activities such as Golf putting, billiard, Chef's Carving classes, and Marine Talk
Turtle Kids' Club with Kids and Teens activities and games for child aged 3-17-year-old from 0900hrs to 1800hrs
Only Honeymooners will receive A bottle of wine on arrival, 10% discount at The Spa by Clarins, A sunset cocktail for two with canapés at The Beach Bar (once during the stay), A romantic in-villa bath set up (once during the stay), An in-villa breakfast during the stay (once during the stay)

Pricing by travel date 1 travel window · from $4,119

Travel window	Sunrise Beach Pool Villa	Sunset Beach Pool Villa	Lagoon Pool Villa	Sunrise Water Pool Villa	Sunset Water Pool Villa	Sunrise 2 Bedroom Beach Pool Villa	Sunrise 2 Bedroom Water Pool Villa
11 Jan – 21 Dec 2026	$4,119 +$819/night	$4,309 +$859/night	$4,919 +$979/night	$5,319 +$1,059/night	$5,529 +$1,109/night	$8,219 +$1,639/night	$9,839 +$1,969/night

5 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

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.

The ResidenceMaldives at Dhigurah

The Residence vs. Other Resorts

Choose Your Villa

5 Restaurants + 4 via Bridge

Dining Inclusions

Your Days on the Island

Family-Friendly Features

House Reef & Underwater

Shore entry · 250+ coral species · Year-round whale sharks nearby

Transfer from Malé

Who This Resort is For

Ideal for

Consider elsewhere if

More inclusions than booking direct

More Than Just a Booking

The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah — FAQ

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Maldives at Dhigurah