We are Sakis & Rozenn, respectively photographer and travel writer. Together, we are dedicated to show you the Best and Essential of Maldives. Since 1999, we travel From South to North of Maldives to bring you new Photos and Experiences. All featured news, information, reviews, images and videos that you will see and read on our website are independently and carefully selected by us.
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This unique feature is the definitive guide to the Maldives Dreamiest & Essential Resorts. Choose the next Island of your Dreams with the most complete information available around. All Resorts featured in this section have been tested by us !
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Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is a superbly designed Resort. Conceived and refined in the most subtle ways you can imagine. Impeccable at all levels of services, Gili Lankanfushi is a Dream Come True for all Water Villa Lovers and Eco-Luxury Retreat seekers. An Incredible Island beyond any words and expectations.
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is a superbly designed Resort. Conceived and refined in the most subtle ways you can imagine. Impeccable at all levels of services, Gili Lankanfushi is a Dream Come True for all Water Villa Lovers and Eco-Luxury Retreat seekers.
An Incredible Island beyond any words and expectations.
#Water Villas #Complete Seclusion #Gastronomy #Eco-Friendly #Quiet and Scenic #Service #Mr & Mrs Friday
Category 5***** Ultra | Number of Villas 47 Water Villas | Location North Male Atoll | Island Size Width - 240m / Length - 650m | Transfer 20 mns by Speedboat | Airport distance 14km (9 miles) | Diving Very Good | Snorkeling Light snorkeling at proximity. Necessary to swim 10/15 mns to reach the closest spot. | Lagoon Very Good
Our Favourite Moments & Places
Where is Gili Lankanfushi Maldives ?
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives stands in the middle of an endless blue lagoon, at a short distance by speedboat from Male airport. The sumptuous resort embraces a sophisticated simplicity along with very high luxury standards and service levels.
One of the resort Dreamiest concept resides in the accommodation with 47 Water Villas impressively floating above the lagoon. Crafted in a Rustic-Chic style and built with natural and noble materials, they all offer the ultimate feeling of living by the water's edge. The Designer's idea behind the concept is clear : to get the best of the blue from wherever we stand. All Water Villa living areas, including the bedrooms and the bathrooms, are completely open on the outside with big doors and windows looking over the ocean, open-air walkways and rooftop sun decks. On the inside, harmonious interiors boast surprising dimensions, soothing natural light and materials highlighted with warm colours and fabrics along with delightful amenities. In the same style, if you look for a complete Robinson experience, you can also choose to stay in one of the 7 Crusoe Residences or at the exceptional 1700 m2 Private Reserve - the largest Water Villa in the world, all standing away from the island and accessible only by your own private boat.
The range of Gourmet experiences is a fantasy and an endless journey for the senses with a stunning choice of set-ups and menus based on top ingredients only, including fresh products harvested from the island organic garden and prepared by passionate Chefs from around the world. From dining inside the Water Villas to underground chocolate cave, from a floating lounge deck to a restaurant uniquely set on the beach, an elevated table hidden in the middle of the coconut tree palms and a stunning Japanese restaurant and so many more ...Everything is thought of to surprise us.
Various activities awaits for you. According to your mood and rhythm, you can start the day with a free Yoga session or a meditation in front of the sea, sail on the wide lagoon or explore the atoll amazing diving spots and end your day by a private cinema screening in the jungle or a Champagne in the middle of the Ocean.
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is at a close to over 20 local and 6 Safari Dive sites. There are plenty of beautiful Diving spots to explore and discover with daily exploration organized in both North and South Male Atolls.
Beside sports, leisure activities and entertainment offered by the natural surroundings and daily schedule, one of the favourite activity at Gili Lankanfushi is the beautiful Over Water Spa, member of the Healing Hotels of the World and dedicated to absolute relaxation with a superb choice of Holistic treatments and retreats.
The lay back and just enjoy feeling is everywhere on the island. The resort philosophy "No News No Shoes" is immediately embodied by putting your shoes in a little cute bag during your transfer to the resort. Various moments and experiences are carefully created and organized to make you live the most extraordinary Island Experience. Besides caring employees and management, Mr and Ms Friday, you private butler, will also ensure that everything runs smoothly and according to your mood and wishes.
Gili Lankanfushi moments and places are so dreamy and outstanding that a long list is coming to my mind. We've experienced them all. Here are some of them...
Just swim or take a canoe to reach a beautiful swaying hammock that stands right in the middle of a perfectly pristine lagoon. It is one of the best place to relax ! At low tide the lagoon uncovers a sandbank...Another magical moment.
In the middle of a coconut tree Jungle, elevated on a beautiful wooden platform with panoramic views above the lagoon and the resort organic garden, experience a 6 course Dinner Menu to challenge all your senses.
It might sound a bit classical, mostly in Maldives, but it has been made so incredibly good and extraordinary that this "standard" moment has become a Dreamy moment. The In-Villa dining is a Must at Gili Lankanfushi !
Just imagine yourself laying in the middle of the nature on comfy lounge beds. Order pop corns, a dinner, a Champagne, whatever comes in your mind and just enjoy a private screening.
Gili Lankanfushi has a floating Deck with big lounging beds and huge cushions in the middle of the lagoon where you can have a fruit juice meanwhile you snorkel or a cocktail at sunset time. This place is just outstanding.
North Kaafu (north Male)
Latitude 4.294214
Longitude 73.558111
Gili Lankanfushi has Water Villas only. The 47 sumptuous floating Villas are a Dream come true for Water Villa Lovers. Designed in rustic chic style and conceived in the most eco-friendly way as possible, all Water Villas show surprising dimensions, large open-air areas, a living room with daybeds, a dining area and refined decoration made of noble materials and beautiful colours. Interior design superbly mixes teak wood, bamboos, recycled wood and soft colourful cotton linen.
Each Water Villa has its own private water garden, one or several sun decks at just a few centimetres above the water with fabulous overwater net hammocks, a roof-top terrace and a beautiful bathroom opened on the blue and accessible along an open-air walkway.
Mr & Ms Friday, named after Robinson Crusoe’s loyal assistant and dear friend, attend to every need during your stay at the Resort with a personalized in-water villa butler service.
Available 24 hours a day, from your arrival until your departure, they will take care of all your requests throughout your stay : an excursion, a snorkeling tour, an island discovery, a spa appointment, a restaurant reservation, a special moment...just name it. Parents will be pleased to know that Mr & Ms Friday can also keep the little ones entertained with tailor-made activities !
Friendly, discreet, creative and efficient Mr and Ms Friday are just the perfect and most affable Holiday creator you can wish for.
Villa Amenities
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The Villas Suites are located all around the island. They all offer a large open-air living room with daybeds and dining area, a Rooftop sun deck with daybed and dining facilities, an Over-water sun deck with sun loungers and an Open-air private bathroom with separate glass walled shower area.
The Residences are located at the end of each jetty for more seclusion and privacy and have a panoramic view on the Ocean. Their design is similar to the Villa Suites and offer a wider air conditioned living room convertible in a second bedroom, a glass bottom floor, a kitchenette and an additional television.
The Crusoe Residences have the same space, design and amenities as the Residences. The amazing Water Villas stand alone at 30 meters from each other in the middle of the lagoon and are reachable only by boat. A private rowing boat is attached to their private deck for your own pleasure and need and a pontoon boat shuttle will come accordingly to your wishes.
The Private Reserve is a floating fantasy set independently at 500 meters from the island in the middle of the lagoon. Made of 5 separate buildings, the 2 storey Water Villa houses 1 master bedrooms and 1 duplex, 1 guest room, 1 private pool with Jacuzzi, a private spa with steam room, sauna and massage pavilion plus an a/c gym, numerous private indoor and outdoor relaxation areas and sundecks, 2 Private Butlers with their own private quarters, 100 square meters private bathroom, a Gourmet kitchen and a wine cellar, personal Sommelier, a concealed entertainment center, a large living area, 2 private boats and a big water slide are some of the incredible features available.
Mr Friday™ Services • Rooftop sun deck with daybed and dining facilities • Large Overwater Nets • A wide bathroom with open views on the ocean • A separate glass walled Shower area and staircases leading to the lagoon • Pillow Menu • Mosquito net • Chess & Backgammon table • Air-condition • Ceiling fans • Outside Bathroom • Wi-Fi • IDD telephone • 1 dock station and 1 160 GB iPod loaded with music and movies • Stereo System and speakers everywhere in the Villa • LCD satellite TV • Surround sound system music player • Espresso machine • Extensive Mini bar • Personal safes • Hairdryers • Golfing umbrellas • Torches • Mosquito repellents • Bath-robes • Slippers • Complimentary toiletries made from natural products • Beach and swimsuit bags
Children are welcome. If the Resort has no particular activity nor areas for them, Mr or Mrs Friday can help taking care of them with tailor-made activities like water sports, island and nature discovery, pizza and sushi cooking classes, Biking tours... anything that is available on location. This is just perfect if you want to spend a private moment !
The resort aims to awake our senses and among them "Taste" is King. Top-quality ingredients are sourced from wherever possible including the superb island organic garden and local fishermen. Coming from many horizons, several Top Chefs all work together to provide their guests with the absolute most exciting culinary experiences. Each menu, each moment, are carefully invented to give us the most amazing sensations as possible. More than anywhere else, in Villa dining becomes a bliss. The food, the location, the service, the choice, the set-up, the atmosphere ...everything is absolutely perfect. And if you feel to bring your senses higher, then you will have plenty of other options to choose from. Nothing has been omitted and even more : every little detail has been thought of.
The main restaurant is a sand-floor restaurant widely open on the beach with large alcoves and tables set inside or on the beach, in front of the lagoon. Stunning breakfasts open the day right on the beach with innumerable fresh fruit Cocktails, healthy food, fresh pastries worthy any french bakers, carefully selected fruits, cheese and cold cut cellar.... The culinary experience continues during dinners with exceptional international Buffets and Grills set on the beach or over water.
For Breakfasts & Dinners.
See Menu
By-The-Sea Japanese fusion restaurant, Sushi Bar and Teppanyaki table. Prepare to enter a very special place that will tickle both your eyes with an amazing design and your taste buds with one of the finest dining offered in Maldives. Located at the top of a big stylish thatched Roof house, the restaurant features an exclusive dining experience with only five tables and daybeds, a Sushi Bar and bistro seating and Sushi Cooking classes with a Master
For Dinners & Sushi Classes.
See By-The-Sea Menu
The Underground Cellar is a sweet provocation for the senses. Located under the sand, the incredible cave proposes 600 varieties of wine from more than 30 regions around the world. This is the secret RendezVous for Gourmets for a wine tasting session and delicatessen such as delicious cheeses, cold cuts and hand-made chocolates. The place is a true fantasy if you seek for special sensations.
Open all day.
See Wine Cellar Menu
The Over Water Grill operates seasonally and serves the freshest seafood and choice cuts of meats cooked on a lava stone grill. Just name your choice, pick your cut and request a precise cooking time. Each cut is served with your preferred sauce, vegetables and herbs all freshly picked from the organic garden. The over water restaurant is also used as main restaurant for lunches and dinners.
For Breakfasts, Lunches & Dinners. Open from 05.00 pm
The 360 Table is surrounded by lounge benches and huge colourful pillows, the big wide wooden table ensures absolute privacy, by being uniquely situated on an elevated platform in the middle of the coconut jungle with stunning 360 degree sea and organic garden views. The 360 Table is a very special place for a special feast of the taste buds with an incredible night Dinner around a 6 meal menu designed to challenge our senses.
On Request.
See 360 Table Menu
The Over Water Bar is beautifully set over the turquoise blue lagoon with 360-degree views. In the middle, surrounded by comfy lounge chairs, stands a wide round space opened on the shallow waters. Very quiet and perfectly relaxing, it is ideal for a fresh fruit cocktails during the day or a drink at sunset time. A lunch buffet made of fresh salads and delicacies for all tastes is served from 12.30 to 03.00 pm
For Drinks and Lunches. Open from 11.30 am until late.
Horizon is a fantastic culinary experience at a table dug into the sand. For Very Special Dinners and Gourmet Barbecues on the beach, your toes into the sand.
On Request
Lagoon Champa is located at a far distance from Gili Lankanfushi, right in the middle of the blue lagoon and reachable only by private boat or by pontoon boat, this beautiful pavilion is an ideal place for an intimate dinner with stunning sunset views.
One Palm Island is a small private island exclusively used by Gili Lankanfushi. Located at 5 mns by pontoon boat or with your own dingy motor boat, the small private island can be yours for any special occasion.
The Jungle Cinema is an open-air cinema where you can watch your favourite movie under the stars at and enjoy a private tailored Dinner.
See Jungle Cinema Menu
Alike many guests staying at the resort, private in-villa dining is one of our favourite option and one of a kind at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives. The all set-up and organisation around it brings this usual service to a new level of excellency.
If you like to bring your senses higher, many more Dining experiences await for you. One of them is dedicated to organic Food Lovers who will love Leaf, settled in the Resort organic garden. For menus exclusively based on the island local biological ingredients or a "Zero Carbon Menu"- a Must. Have a chat with Mr/Mrs friday for more.
Gili Lankanfushi is one of the few resorts in Maldives where a complete Holistic journey can be combined with a luxury Holiday. Meera Spa is a member of the prestigious Healing Hotels of the World which gather the Best Spas and Retreats offering holistic health in luxury surroundings. Located overwater, the beautiful and spacious Spa not only proposes a complete list of delicious massages but also particular Holistic therapies such as Reiki, Yoga, meditation, Tibetan Singing Bowls and several advanced well being services with the “Masters in Residence” program.
The Spa is composed of several rooms for one or two persons with views on the lagoon. Meera Spa proposes a very wide range of massages and therapies from all over the world mixing traditional and modern knowledge.
The highly trained international team utilizes exclusive products based on hand harvested seaweed, flower petals, organic herb and essential oils. Bamboos and other accessories like Tibetan singing Bowls are used to provide some deeper and more specific treatments. The “Masters in Residence” program is organised throughout the year and conducted by renown healing specialists who especially stay at the resort for a definite period of time as practioners and healers. Each specialist has his/her own gift to offer and can include sound and crystal therapy, craniosacral therapy and other healing modalities.
Massages & Bamboo Massages • Scrubs • Wraps • Hot Stones • Manicure • Pedicure • Facials
Yoga • Meditation • Reiki • Tibetan Singing Bowls • Ayurveda • Crystal & Craniosacral Therapy
From relaxing Yoga to exciting Water Ski, Gili Lankanfushi Maldives offers a wide range of activities that will suit to anyone and any mood and make you busy from dusk to dawn. The island huge lagoon makes it an ideal playground if you like to sail on the blue. More activities are also available inside the island with a wide range of sports and activities, including a tennis court and a beautiful Fitness center, a Yoga pavilion, and a cinema hidden in the middle tropical jungle ! Bicycles for the all family are at your disposal during all the stay. Simple but very enjoyable.
See Water Sport Prices
You can explore Gili Lankanfushi Maldives surroundings in a range of excursions proposed in groups or privately.
Gili Lankanfushi Ocean Paradise Dive Centre offers diving in both North and South Male atolls to some of the most exciting diving spots. The Center offers beginner’s discovery courses to more advanced Nitrox, rescue dives and has a range of programs and discoveries to suit everyone.
Gili Lankanfushi is gifted with one of the largest lagoon in Maldives, which means, like it is usually for islands with big lagoons - that the best snorkeling sites are located further than the island shores. Beginner snorkelers and children will surely enjoy the beautiful shallow waters directly from their water villas with a first discovery of Maldives magical underwater world. Snorkeling equipment is also at your disposal for free.
The past years, the lagoon has been carefully taken care of by the resident Biologist and his team who have planted a wide coral garden all around the Island, giving new homes to little fishes and fascinating little creatures. Some interesting growing coral formation can also now be seen at a step from your deck.
Gili Lankanfushi coral garden is a perfect starting place to initiate yourself to the pleasure of snorkeling.
For more exploration and a wider adventure, advanced swimmers and snorkelers will have to swim 15 minutes in the shallow lagoon to reach the closest spot along the atoll reef. Some interesting spots can be discovered on the sunset side of the Island directly from your Water Villa. Reef sharks can be seen around too ! Besides this long reef, you can enjoy a much richer snorkeling by swimming to the entrance of the island lagoon located on the sunrise side. Mr or Mrs Friday will bring you there with great pleasure !
Pay attention : Before exploring the lagoon, I advise you to visit first the Dive Center to meet the resident Biologist who is in complete charge of the Island underwater World and has many interesting information and tips to give you before you go. Don't miss a snorkeling guided tour too ! You would miss so much....
If you prefer not to swim, you can enjoy one of the excursions to further Atoll spots. Please click on the right picture for a better look and understanding of the Island snorkeling area.
With over 20 local and 6 Safari Dive sites, there are plenty of beautiful spots to explore and discover. Dive schedule includes 2 boat dives a day to a variety of nearby reefs, 2 house reef dives per day, 1/2 and Full Day diving trips by speedboat, night diving and a full range of PADI diving courses. Private diving are available on request. In 2012, Gili Lankanfushi Dive Centre was awarded PADI Green Star Award for demonstrating a commitment to environmental conservation and later became certified by Green Fins, an organisation working to help dive centres around Asia become more environmentally friendly.
Coral Lines is a one-of-a-kind project and the first reef rehabilitation project in Maldives. Conducted since 2010, this scientific research, solely based on the help of ropes, aims to help coral to grow again by nursing it in an environmental friendly and efficient way.
All divers are required to have an international Diving License together with their logbook.
Orientation Dives and Insurances : - You must do an orientation dive, unless you have logged a dive within the last three months in the Maldives or in another Ocean Paradise Dive Center who will ask you to demonstrate four skills : Regulator recovery and clear, Mask clearing, Neutral buoyancy (hovering) and Alternate air source breathing. After demonstrating these skills, you will be guided around the house reef to enjoy the interesting marine life. - You must have your own diving insurance. If not, a short term insurance is available for purchase from the Diving Centre.
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is located in North Male Atoll, a diving area known for its shipwrecks (some of which are amongst the most exciting in the Maldives), its famous “Manta Point”, its several “Thilas” (Dhivehi name given to pinnacle reefs) and some of the Maldives Top Diving spots for large species.
Multilingual instructors conduct all level of PADI courses, from Discover Scuba Diver up to Dive‐master.
First fully certified Eco Dive Center in Maldives, the Diving Centre is very well equipped with the latest in Mares diving equipment, a modern 15 meters luxury fully geared diving boat and Marine biology station.
Multilingual instructors conduct all level of PADI courses and a large variety of specialty courses :
Private Courses, PADI Discover Scuba Diving course, Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver and Divemaster courses, Bubblemaker course (8-9 Years old),Bio-fluorescence night dive, Specialty courses such as Nitrox, wreck, digital underwater photography and many more...
The following equipment is included in the price: mask, snorkel, fins, BCD, regulator, octopus, depth gauge, diving computer, wetsuit, weights and weight belt and tank. Besides, the Dive center also proposes :
Available for rental : Nitrox, Night Dive Floro equipment, Dive Propulsor Vehicle ( with DPV certification only ), Underwater digital cameras,Go Pro Cameras.
Dive spots are reached with a modern luxury diving dhoni equipped with the latest navigation system, oxygen, radio and first aid. A relaxation area with pillows is featured on the top deck.
On board there are: oxygen kits, first aid kits, refreshments, GPS and radio.
English, French and Japanese
Divers Gili Lankanfushi Maldives has officially been certified as the first eco dive center in the Maldives, offering the international recognized Reef Check for all Gili Lankanfushi Maldives guests.
The Eco-Diving program features : a Marine biology station, Guest educational programs, presentations, guided trips, a Resident marine biologist, Reef Preservation, some environmental initiatives like reef clean, training staff environment awareness, informing guests for environment awareness, Coral planting workshop and more...
Diving are scheduled twice a day with a selection of over 20 dives spots. Night dives and private dives are available on request.
Among many famous spots, you will discover : Rasfari, Bodo Hiti Thila, Rameez Place, Thila Faru, Shallow Point, Manta Point, Himmafushi Corner...to name just a few.
See Diving Rates PAGE 1
See Diving Rates PAGE 2
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