Vaali Beach Dive Lodge is located on the beautiful atoll island of Felidhoo, 78 km and easily accessible from Male International Airport. The atoll has the longest unbroken barrier reef in the Maldives, with numerous channels that are famous for drift dives where you can encounter plenty of sharks and rays.
Set on a remote corner of the atoll, overlooking the beach, this family-built and operated lodge is a wonderful secluded escape from the modern world, and offers calm relaxation while taking in the beautiful views of the Indian Ocean. It is a place where guests are treated to heartfelt hospitality as friends of the family. The property is proud to say that there is no television or radio. Instead, guests can enjoy the natural pleasures of Maldivian life with loved ones, family and friends.
Felidhoo is one of the least populated atolls but one of most abundant in terms of marine life. These are truly diverse and unspoiled waters, teeming with colour and dramatic topography, and offering superb diving and snorkeling. The diving is particularly good for drift diving as the atoll has the most channels of any atoll in the entire Maldives archipelago. These channels provide exciting, adrenaline-fueled underwater experiences as they act as magnets for marine life, attracting a large number of sharks, schooling fish, and other pelagic species. The dive sites are located just a few minutes from the lodge, and there is an excellent house reef right in front of the property.
Accommodation is simple yet comfortable. The lodge has just 8 rooms, together with a lobby, dining and lounge area with courtyard offering guests ample space to unwind. All rooms are tastefully decorated with private bathrooms. Air-conditioning and overhead fans, hot and cold water, have been installed to ensure comfortable living conditions in the warm Maldivian climate.
The Courtyard is a relaxed space at the heart of the lodge, where guests can converge to meet other guests. Buffet meals are served here al fresco. The informal atmosphere makes it perfect for morning coffee, afternoon tea, or a leisurely drink at the end of the day. Meals have a particular focus on home made traditional Maldivian dishes. A la carte options are available too, including pastas, pizzas, burgers, salads, and desserts. As much as possible, seasonal home-grown ingredients are used, either from the atoll, Male, or from the lodge's own organic garden.
Other than scuba diving, there are different ways to spend your day. Depending on your mood, you can choose from snorkeling (guided tours available),, fishing, dolphin watching, sandbank trips or visit to local islands (half- or full-day picnic options).
Child policy: Children 0-6 years old pay Green Tax only. Children 7-15 years old pay half of single adult rate.
Destinations:Felidhoo Atoll (Diving environment: drift diving, beginner and advanced divers, off the beaten track; Highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics) - including Fotteyo Kandu, Miyaru Kandu and Alimathaa .
No scuba on day of arrival and the day of departure.
Resort diving includes:
Dives (as detailed in the packages above), boat rides to sites, experienced English-speaking divemaster (maximum 8 divers per guide), towels, tanks, weights and weight belts, snorkeling equipment, drinking water, soft drinks, hot drinks, snacks. Diving excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own):
Scuba equipment (US$ 12 per day), dive computer (US$ 5 per day), diving insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash (USD), credit card, bank transfer). Optional extras:
Extra dives (US$ 55), night dives (US$ 70), torch (US$ 8 per day), underwater camera rental. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased on site are subject to change.
Resort accommodation includes:
Bed, breakfast, lunch, dinner, welcome drink and snacks on arrival, 1 bottle drinking water per day, hot drinks, snacks, return Male International Airport-resort transfers, internet access, Green Tax, 16% GST on package price. Accommodation excludes (mandatory):
Single supplement on single travellers only, payable in advance. Single Supplement:
This is a compulsory additional charge on single travellers for the sole occupancy of double/twin accommodation. Optional extras:
Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival.
How to get there:
Vaali Beach Lodge Maldives can be reached by 3 main transfer options:
- Speed boat transfer from Male Airport. Operates on a fixed scheduled before 4 pm. Takes 75 minutes to reach the atoll. This is the standard package transfer option for guests of Vaali.
- Private speed boat transfer from Male International Airport or Male City.. Can be arranged at any time and any day. Takes 75 minutes to reach the island. This option can be provided in the standard package for groups.
- Ferry transfer from Male City. Operates on fixed schedule. Takes 5 hours to reach the island and is the cheapest option.
In case a same day transfer is missed, you will need to stay overnight in Male. In such circumstances, the lodge will be happy to help you find accommodation.
For more information (including airlines) see our How to get to the Maldives section.
Dive clubs and group discounts:
8th person in group of 8+ pays only US$ 123 per night. For a group of 6+, a complimentary wreck snorkeling trip is provided.
Vaali Lodge has 5 stylish deluxe rooms with contemporary interior design. Each room has plenty of space for an extra bed or cot. They feature a comfortable bed, high ceilings, and large open-air bathrooms. These are premium choice at the property.
The 3 standard rooms also have ensuite bathrooms and are comfortable and cozy. The décor is warm and simple, and they are a perfect choice for couples.
The lodge's very own Felidhoo Dive Club is the first and only dive center on the atoll, and it runs daily dive tours (max. 3 dives per day) in the morning and afternoon to marine life enthusiasts to explore a unique underwater world all year round. Diving is conducted at distant sites as well as the House Reef (for Intro dives). Dives are a maximum of 1 hour and the boat returns to the lodge after every dive. Whether you have never dived before or are an experienced diver, Felidhoo Dive Club welcomes you.
it is a well equipped center, with full sets of rental scuba equipment, including BCDs, regulators, dive computers, underwater torches, 3 mm neoprene shorties, masks, snorkels, fins, as well as weight belts and weights. Large tanks are also available to rent.
The dive boat is a 14m wooden hull dhoni with a maximum capacity of 23 passengers. that cruises at 7-9 knots. It is equipped with GPS, fresh water, life vests, medical oxygen and first aid kit. Food is served during trips, and there is also a sundeck to rest or sunbathe between diving or snorkeling. Night dives and House Reef dives can also be arranged.
The dive centre has equipment storage. Fresh water showers and rinse tanks (including separate camera tank) are available at the centre. The staff provide a kit transfer and rinsing service.