OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort
A private island in South Ari Atoll, built around reef, beach, and open water.
A resort island in South Ari Atoll
OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort occupies its own island in the South Ari Atoll, reached by a 25-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport. The reef surrounding Maafushivaru is one of the reasons people come here: whale sharks and manta rays move through these waters year-round, and the resort runs a fully equipped PADI dive centre with a resident marine biologist. Accommodation runs from beach villas set among vegetation to overwater villas with direct lagoon access and private pools. Six restaurants, the Navasana Spa, and a fitness centre with ocean views round out the on-island setup. Rates start from USD 1,876 per night.
Who it's a good fit for
A well-run five-star private island with serious marine credentials, strong dining variety, and villa categories to suit couples, honeymooners, and families.
Best for
- Couples and honeymooners
- Divers and snorkellers
- Families wanting dedicated kids' programming
- Travellers wanting overwater or beachfront pool villas
Less suited to
- Budget-conscious travellers
- Those who prefer road or ferry access over seaplane travel
The island and its reef
Maafushivaru sits in the South Ari Atoll, 95 km from Malé. The surrounding reef supports whale sharks, manta rays, and nurse sharks. A resident marine biologist leads coral revitalization work and runs ocean conservation presentations on the island.
Overwater and beach villas
Beach villas sit directly beside the shore with private decks and sun loungers. Overwater villas extend across the lagoon and include king beds with daybed and lagoon views. Pool categories add a private plunge pool, with the largest overwater pool villa reaching 151 m².
Six restaurants and bars
Koto is the resort's Japanese fusion restaurant, set over the sunset lagoon. Moodhu Grill focuses on South Asian cuisine from fresh regional produce. Art-I-San sits above Edgewater bar with panoramic Indian Ocean views. Cuisine Gallery handles beach-side breakfast and dinner buffets. The property's own Kofee 'n Chill is on site.
Navasana Spa and fitness
The Navasana Spa handles the wellness side of the island. A fully equipped fitness centre with ocean views is available for those keeping to a routine. The spa and gym are both on-site.
Water sports and dive centre
The on-site PADI dive centre has multilingual instructors covering all skill levels. Above water, the activity list runs to parasailing, wakeboarding, jet ski, jet board, canoeing, and windsurfing. Sunset fishing and big game fishing are also arranged from the resort.
Where you'll stay
1 bedroom over water Villa
95 m² · sleeps 3 · 1 twin bed and 1 king bed
- Air conditioning
- Attached bathroom
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
- Free toiletries
1 Bedroom Beach Villa
99 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Air conditioning
- Attached bathroom
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
- Free toiletries
1 Bedroom Sunset Over Water Villa with Jacuzzi
95 m² · sleeps 3 · 1 twin bed and 1 king bed
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
- Free toiletries
1 Bedroom Beach Villa with Private Pool
120 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Air conditioning
- Attached bathroom
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
- Free toiletries
1 Bedroom Over Water Villa with Private Pool
151 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Air conditioning
- Attached bathroom
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
- Free toiletries
1 Bedroom Sunset Over Water Villa with Hot Tub
151 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
- Free toiletries
2 Bedroom Beach Villa with Private Pool
184 m² · sleeps 2 · Bedroom 1: 1 king bed Bedroom 2: 1 king bed
- Air conditioning
- Attached bathroom
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
- Free toiletries
Inside OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort
Amenities at OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort
Most popular facilities
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Spa and wellness center
- Fitness center
- 6 restaurants
- Beachfront
- Family rooms
- Free Wifi
- Bar
Great for your stay
- 6 restaurants
- Private bathroom
- Air conditioning
- Spa and wellness center
- Free Wifi
- BBQ facilities
- Fitness center
- Non-smoking rooms
Bathroom
- Private bathroom
- Free toiletries
- Bathrobe
- Hairdryer
Outdoors
- Outdoor furniture
- Beachfront
- Sun deck
- Private beach area
- BBQ facilities Additional charge
- Terrace
- Garden
Activities
- Cooking class Additional charge
- Happy hour Additional charge
- Themed dinners Additional charge
- Movie nights
- Beach
- Water sports facilities on site Additional charge
- Snorkeling Additional charge
- Diving Additional charge
Media & Technology
- Telephone
- TV
Arriving
OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru is on Maafushivaru Island in the South Ari Atoll, approximately 95 km from Malé. Transfer is by seaplane from Velana International Airport, with the flight taking around 25 minutes. The seaplane journey itself gives a clear view of the atoll geography before landing.
Seaplane transfers typically run $250–600 per person round trip, booked through the property. A few islands in this band are also served by a domestic flight to a nearby regional airport plus a short boat — ask the property which routing is faster for your dates.
OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru holds a 4.8/5 Google rating across 340 reviews. The property was recognised in the Luxury Lifestyle Awards Top 100 Hotels and Resorts in 2022. Multilingual staff and personal experience curators are frequently mentioned aspects of the service approach.
Reviews scoring 9–10: 28 · average 9.8
They wrote about: staff, breakfast, room
Reviews scoring 7–9: 1 · average 8
They wrote about: location, staff, breakfast
Reviews scoring Under 5: 1 · average 4
They wrote about: staff, room, breakfast
No reviews in the selected score range.
Guest reviews summarised from Booking site partners.
Things to know
Before you arrive
- Check-in
From 2:00 PM
You need to let the property know what time you'll be arriving in advance.
- Check-out
Until 12:00 PM
- Cancellation/ prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Enter your stay dates and check the conditions of your selected option.
- Age restriction
The minimum age for check-in is 18
- Pets
Pets are not allowed.
- Groups
When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and additional fees may apply.
- Cards accepted at this property
Cash is not accepted
As published by the booking provider · always reconfirm with the property
Common questions
How do I get to the resort from the airport?
The resort is reached by seaplane from Velana International Airport in Malé. The flight takes approximately 25 minutes and covers around 95 km to Maafushivaru Island in the South Ari Atoll.
What room types are available?
The resort has overwater villas, beach villas, sunset-facing overwater villas, pool villas in both over-water and beach categories, a suite, and a two-bedroom beach villa with private pool. Sizes run from 95 m² to 184 m².
What is the starting price per night?
Rates start from USD 1,876 per night for the 1 Bedroom Over Water Villa. The two-bedroom beach villa with private pool starts from USD 3,132 per night.
Which restaurants are on the island?
There are six dining venues: Cuisine Gallery for beachside buffets, Moodhu Grill for South Asian cuisine, Koto for Japanese fusion over the lagoon, Art-I-San for panoramic Indian Ocean views, Edgewater poolside bar, and Kofee 'n Chill for specialty coffees and teas.
Is there a dive centre on the island?
Yes. The resort has a fully equipped PADI dive centre with multilingual instructors covering all experience levels. It operates directly from the island, with dives across the South Ari Atoll reef system.
Can I see whale sharks and manta rays?
The South Ari Atoll is one of the more reliable areas in the Maldives for whale shark sightings. The resort runs dedicated Whale Shark Quest, Manta Ray Excursion, and Nurse Shark excursions as part of its marine programme.
Is the resort suitable for families?
Yes. The resort has family rooms, a Treehouse Kids Retreat with dedicated programming, kids' meals available on request, and the two-bedroom beach villa with private pool for families needing more space.
What water sports are available?
On-site water sports include parasailing, wakeboarding, jet ski, jet board, canoeing, and windsurfing, available at an additional charge. Snorkelling and diving excursions are also arranged from the resort.
Is there a spa on the island?
Navasana Spa is on-site at Maafushivaru. A fitness centre with ocean views is also available as part of the resort's wellness facilities.
Is Wi-Fi available throughout the resort?
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort, including in all villa categories.
Are there any conservation or marine biology activities?
The resort employs a resident marine biologist who leads coral reef revitalization sessions and runs marine biology presentations open to guests. Ocean conservation activities are part of the regular programming.
Can the resort arrange a vow renewal ceremony?
Yes. Vow renewal ceremonies on the beach can be arranged through the resort's personal experience curators, who also help customise other aspects of a stay.