Set in the South Ari Atoll—a region celebrated for its thriving marine life—the new five-star, all-inclusive resort Meliá Whale Lagoon Maldives the Spanish hospitality group to the archipelago for the first time. Its setting is not incidental. The resort sits at the gateway to the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), one of the few places in the world where whale sharks can be encountered throughout the year.
After landing in Malé, guests board a 30-minute seaplane transfer, skimming over coral atolls and shifting shades of blue before touching down in a lagoon that feels like a world unto itself.
The resort comprises 100 private villas, each positioned to maximise privacy and uninterrupted ocean views. Overwater villas hover above the lagoon, their terraces opening directly onto the sea. Sunset Suite Villas add private pools and generous living space, designed for couples seeking seclusion. For those drawn to the tactile pleasures of island life, Beach Villas place white sand quite literally at the doorstep.
While many Maldivian resorts promise immersion in nature, the South Ari Atoll delivers it with particular intensity. Snorkelling excursions reveal reef systems teeming with life; diving ventures venture deeper into manta ray territory; paddleboarding and kayaking offer active encounters with the lagoon’s shifting light.
Back on land, four restaurants and bars offer a culinary programme that blends Mediterranean influences with international flavours, reflecting the brand’s Spanish heritage while embracing global tastes. Two infinity pools anchor the communal spaces, while the spa offers a serene counterpoint: a sauna, steam bath, and treatment rooms designed for slow recovery after sun-soaked days.
Programming extends beyond the expected. Evenings may unfold with live music or open-air cinema under the stars, while cooking classes and family-friendly activities ensure the resort appeals to multigenerational travellers as much as to honeymooners.
For Meliá, the opening marks a strategic expansion into one of the world’s most competitive luxury markets. For guests, it offers something simpler: a front-row seat to one of the ocean’s most extraordinary ecosystems, paired with the ease of an all-inclusive stay.
To find out more about Meliá Whale Lagoon and book, visit the links below:
Meliá Whale Lagoon
Bodufinolhu Island
Fenfushi 20209
South Ari Atoll
Maldives
Web: melia.com
Tel: +960 6683000
Email: reservations.meliawhalelagoon@melia.com
Instagram: @meliawhalelagoon