Travel Guide – Veligandu Island
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Hidden gems five minutes away from Veligandu Island

Are you looking for some exciting adventures to try during your visit to Maldives? You are on the right article. Veligandu is a top romantic beach resort in the Maldives where you can be as relaxed or as active as you like. Veligandu offers plenty of adventures within the island itself, but if you desire to explore more, here are six of the top recommendations by the Veligandu team. These Must-Visit wonders are just 5 minutes from Veligandu.

  1. The Manta Cleaning Station
  2. Finding Hammerhead Sharks
  3. Wonder Rock Expedition
  4. Turtles Encounter
  5. The sea anemones – Finding Nemo
  6. Dance with the Dolphins under the sunset hues
1. The Manta Cleaning Station:

A large congregation of Manta Rays can be found at The Manta Ray Cleaning Station located just 200 meters northwest of Veligandu, reachable by a 3-minute boat ride. This easily accessible manta sighting spot suits all levels of snorkelers and divers.

Read more on Manta Cleaning Station »


2. Finding Hammerhead Sharks

Diving in Hammerhead Shark Point is an adrenaline-filled deep blue dive experience. This is an adventure only suitable for passionate, advanced scuba divers with excellent buoyancy.

The Madivaru Corner, world-famous Hammerhead Shark Point, is just a 3-minute boat ride from Veligandu. Here, mostly seen are Scalloped Hammerhead sharks traveling in schools. Occasionally, Great Hammerhead Sharks are also spotted. These giant sharks are sighted all year round at a depth of 30 meters. The best time to spot them is early morning, before sunrise; particularly from December to April. The diver must hover in the deep and wait patiently for the hammerheads to appear from the depths.

Tip: A plethora of blue plankton is a surefire sign that the Hammerhead sharks are nearby. Hammerheads pose no threat to divers and feed in deeper waters at night.

3. The Sea Anemones – Finding Nemo

The fluorescent sea anemone with tentacles is a trendy spot for vibrant clownfish to hang out. Visit the sea anemones to find the clownfish-Nemos hiding in the Veligandu house reef and at Madivaru Corner. The Madivaru Corner is just a 3-minute boat ride from Veligandu. The good news is that you can see them any time of the year, day and night.


4. Searching Turtles

The turtle reef is on the east side, between Madivaru Island and Veligandu. Sometimes there is a nice ocean current making it very suitable for drift dive. There is no specific time to spot the turtles. However, there is a high chance of spotting turtles from November to April.

Tip: A plethora of jellyfish, sponges, and seagrass is a surefire sign that a turtle is nearby. Batfish are often seen around turtles because they love to feed on sea turtle poop.

5. Wonder Rock Snorkeling Expedition

The Wonder Rock is a twin coral rock formation in the crystal-clear lagoon of the breathtaking sandbank, Madivaru Finolhu. You can reach this wonder in 5 minutes via a speedboat from Veligandu. Here you are guaranteed to find Bluestripe Snapper, Lionfish, Moray eel, Anemone fish, Blue Surgeonfish, Glassfish, and many more colorful fishes. Often our snorkelers have spotted turtles and stingrays here. Our expert team member will be your snorkel buddy and guide you throughout the exploration. This fascinating expedition is suitable for beginner to advanced-level snorkelers.

6. Dolphin Sighting and Dolphin Cruise

Join the Sunset Cruise and dance with the Dolphins under the sunset hues on a traditional Dhoni.
The possibility of seeing dolphins are all year round but the best time is during or right before sunset between November to April when the sea is calm. The likelihood of seeing dolphins in the open ocean depends on the weather. The dolphins tend to hide if the ocean is rough and in June to August, the dolphins tend to hide away in the deep sea.
There are two to three spots around Veligandu where you can spot an abundance of dolphins swaying and twisting. The dolphin show starts around 6 pm and is 3-5 minutes from Veligandu.


Don’t miss out on the opportunity to observe these majestic creatures and unique experiences in their natural habitat. Most importantly, don’t forget to capture all your moments for your adventure memory book.
Let’s say you don’t have a GoPro, this is the moment we say options are limitless and the choice is yours. You can either;

Use your phone with an underwater cover – you can find the water-resistance covers in the Veligandu Gift Shop

Buddy with one of our professional photographers

We love the sea. It brings the most beautiful feeling of connection. Do you feel the same? It is also one reason why so many of you are visiting us. It is also one reason why we have frequent explorers from all around the world.
Remember, you have never completed your visit to Veligandu until you have explored these wonderful wonders near the island.

Note:

  • These are wild animals in their natural habitat and there is a chance that they will not be found.
  • The Maldives bans all forms of shark and turtle fishing.

Visiting Veligandu?

The island will reopen on November 1, 2024. Contact reservations@veligandu.com for future reservations.

When the resort reopens, guests can directly access the house reef to see turtles from their villa or islands beach by taking an excursion with Veligandu or with the Veligandu dive centre.

Choose Veligandu Island Resort & Spa As Your First Couples Holiday Destination in the Maldives

Couples Holiday - Veligandu Maldives

Couples Holiday in the Maldives

Deciding where to go on your first romantic getaway? If you are looking for a destination where you can relax and escape from it all, the idyllic shores of the Maldives are waiting for you.

Veligandu Island Resort & Spa is the perfect destination for a luxurious couples holiday, where you can share pure bliss and intimate moments amidst the inspiring beauty of the Maldives.

Find out why our romantic Maldives resort is the ultimate choice for your first vacation away together.

Experience Romance, Veligandu Maldives-style

Couples Holiday - Proposal_Veligandu Maldives

Voted a top romantic hotel in Asia and the Maldives, Veligandu offers an idyllic paradise with a whole host of romantic experiences. On the guests’ bucket list are:

 • Romantic Love Boat Sailing takes couples to a private sunset sailing experience across the Indian Ocean;
• Sleeping under the Stars on a Private Island provides couples with an exclusive paradise for a night of romance;
• Stargazing Cruise offers a whimsical star-watching experience that provides lovers with an intimate evening together as they cruise along Maldivian waters;
• Signature Private BBQ Dinner treats couples with a private barbecue on a secluded beach.

Begin your Life-long Journey Together 

Couples Holiday - Veligandu Maldives_Weddings

Veligandu is the ideal setting for an unforgettable Maldives wedding. Say ‘I do’ overlooking the sparkling turquoise lagoon on the undisturbed stretch of palm-lined beach. Whether you are newly married or celebrating your anniversary, there is no place like Veligandu to fall in love  all over again.

Embark on Relaxation and Adventure 

Couples Holiday - Veligandu Maldives

There is no shortage of things to see and do in our secluded haven. With a myriad of activities to choose from, lovers can fill their days with pure relaxation, island adventure, or both.

Therefore, whether your idea of a perfect getaway together consists of once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as swimming with sea turtles, dolphin spotting expeditions, or private dining on a luxury yacht, or is all about those days lazing on the beach or winding down at an over-the-water spa, our resort offers the perfect mix of bliss and adventure.


Be sure to contact the friendly team at Veligandu Island Resort & Spa to find out more about our romantic couples holidays in the Maldives.

Travelling in the ‘New Normal’ – Have A Safe Holiday Experience at Veligandu
Quick Links

Your Questions Answered Before You Travel | Facilitating PCR Testing at The Resort | Travel Flexibility & Cancellation Policy UpdateGuest Reviews

Planning to visit Veligandu Maldives?

Here is a selection of offers for your Veligandu holiday. See All Offers »

We continue to allow maximum flexibility given these unique circumstances.
Book now at your convenience with the freedom of FREE Cancellation on Room Rate for cancellation received 3 days prior to arrival.

Travel Inspiration for Your Much-Awaited Maldives Getaway 

Travel Inspiration for the Rest of 2021

Offering some of the world’s best beaches, two vibrant house reefs, and an exclusive island all to itself, Veligandu Island Resort & Spa provides the perfect setting for that long-awaited safe and beautiful holiday experience after months spent in lockdown and restricted by postponed travel plans.

We have some travel inspiration to help you plan your next vacation experience – and you never know, it might lead you to our secluded island in the Maldives. 

Summer Getaway (August – September): Make it a summer to remember with lots of experiences to discover. From kayaking through a turquoise lagoon and snorkelling around our beautiful house reef to indulging in delightful cuisine and getting pampered at our tropical, overwater Duniye Spa. At Veligandu, you can enjoy paradise precisely as you wish.

Autumn Escape (October – November): With regular whale shark and manta ray sightings being common in Ari Atoll, make sure to add these incredible wildlife encounters to your bucket list of adventures to be checked off this autumn.

Sun, Sea, Sand, and Sparkle (December): Festive season in the tropics awaits you with many surprises and ’tis the season to be merry’ moments. Be spoilt by choice with our festive offerings, including a delectable selection of gourmet delights, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day events, and the appearance of Santa himself!

End the Year with a Dose of Paradise: The ample space on our tropical island lends itself perfectly to natural seclusion, ideal for enjoying togetherness with those you love. But when it is time to celebrate as the year draws to a close, you can discover a range of year-end entertainment and activities to enjoy.

Romance, Relaxation, and Endless Sunshine Year-round: Voted a top romantic hotel in Asia and the Maldives, Veligandu offers a relaxed atmosphere perfect for days of unwinding on the palm-lined beaches, admiring endless tropical views, or simply enjoying intimate moments with your significant other.

Book with Flexibility

The World's Best Beach - Veligandu Island

We have put flexibility at the heart of every booking. Our ‘Travel Flexibility’ policy allows you to cancel or move your stay dates just in case your holiday plans are compromised due to the ever-changing travel restrictions.

Please view our selection of special offers, including last-minute deals.

See All Offers »

Featured image: Private sandbank excursion with Veligandu Maldives, courtesy of @eagleviewportugal

Yachting With Veligandu, The Secluded Island In Maldives

Veligandu’s Gadha (lovingly named as the strong-one-of-the ocean in Maldivian language Dhivehi), is a tastefully appointed Nomad 65 by Gulf Craft.

65ft long (20.06m) and 18ft (5.55m) wide, this tri-deck, modern luxury motor yacht with crafted interiors and comprise of three guest cabins on the lower deck, fully air-conditioned living area, a bar along with a kitchen on the middle deck and an open air space at the top deck to wallow in the breath-taking ocean views.

Powerful and elegant, Gadha is versatile and is made for long-range performance. The yacht is available for day-long Ari atoll cruising, for dive and snorkelling trips, gourmet dinner cruising at sunset and a choice of deep-sea sailing options for romance, star gazing and relaxation.

Yachting inspirations

Day-Long Escapade Cruise
Exploit Ari Atoll by snorkelling through the exuberant coral reef enriched with abundant marine life like sharks, multi-coloured fishes, dolphins, turtles, manta rays, etc.… POA

Half-Day Escapade Cruise
Snorkel around the most popular best snorkelling point, Madivaru corner at Rasdu Atoll to gawk the amazing beauty beneath the serene sea.  POA

Amorous Tale Cruise
Indulge in three courses set gourmet cuisine while the sunset cast its golden rays down upon the tranquil water on ablaze and the clouds blushing at the warm touch of the sun setting as a yellow fireball. POA

Romance-Away Cruise
Relax and unwind with Champagne and Canapés drifting into romance as the sun cast its golden rays down upon the clouds of billowing smoke, turning them bright red. POA

Mysterious Romance Cruise
Make a treasurable memory while you are still on our secluded island. Awe yourselves into a new world at a luxury cabin, tantalize your taste-bud with a luscious dinner on the yacht deck while ample of twinkling stars shine upon you. POA

Curated itinerates, wedding abord Gadha and private transfers – POA

See yachting package rates  »


Living in the ‘new normal’ – Have A Safe Holiday Experience In Veligandu
Quick Links
Your questions answered before you travel  |  Facilitating PCR Testing at Resort  |  Travel Flexibility & Cancellation Policy Update
Guest reviews – holidaying in the new normal

Special Offers
Last-minute and 2021 travel deals. See All Offers »

We continue to allow for maximum flexibility given these unique circumstances. Book now to your convenience with the freedom of FREE Cancellation on Room Rate for cancellation received 3 days prior to arrival.

Veligandu’s Scuba Diving and Snorkelers Calendar For North Ari Atoll Maldives

Scuba Diving and Snorkelers Calendar for North Ari Atoll Maldives

Veligandu is renowned as a top romantic hotel in Asia and the Maldives. Besides the seclusion on a charming tropical palm fringe isle with its own sandbank, long beach encircling the island and turquoise lagoon, the waters around Veligandu is well-loved by the guests for diving and snorkelling.

Blessed with two house reefs of its own with frequent turtle sightings, Veligandu offers over guided 15 dive excursions with the resorts dive operator Ocean Dive & Sports Centre for divers and snorkelers of every skill level.

When is the best time to dive in Veligandu?

Veligandu is a year-round dive destination and offers dive enthusiastic the pleasure of witnessing a variety of marine creatures, soft and hard corals.

Veligandu Dive Calander

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Whale Sharks Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hammerhead Sharks Yes Yes Yes Yes Low Low Low Low Low Yes Yes Yes
Manta Rays High High High High Low Low Low Low Low High High High
Eagle Rays Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Sting Rays Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Silvertip Sharks High High High High Low Low Low Low Low High High High
Grey Reef Sharks Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
White Tip Reef Sharks Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Blacktip Reef Sharks Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Nurse Sharks Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Dogtooth Tuna Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Napoleon Wrasses Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hawksbill Turtles Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Green Turtles Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Night Diving Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ideal for new divers Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Guests of Veligandu have ease of access to a range of dive sites from the famed Madivaru Corner in the south of Rasdhoo Atoll where the currents attract pelagic fish in large numbers, such as sharks, rays, tunas, jacks and Napoleons. Also, small ocean creatures can be found here, like the resident leaf scorpionfishes.

Advance divers enjoy the weekly early morning dive to the Hammerhead Shark Point – Big Blue, where advanced divers with luck, have the chance to spot Hammerheads in the deep blue water at 30m depth. Weekly excursions are also arranged to spot the elusive and gentle giants, the whale sharks.

View Snorkeling Map

Dive Site Distance by boat
Veligandu East 5 minutes
Madivaru Beyru 15 minutes
Madivaru Corner 15 minutes
Big Blue 15 minutes
Madivaru Thila 15 minutes
Rasdhoo Reef 20 minutes
Kuramathi Thila 20 minutes
Holhi Faru 20 minutes
Three Palms 25 minutes
Bodu Gaa 25 minutes
Caves 40 minutes
Bodu Miyaru Faru 30 minutes
Miyaru Faru 25 minutes
Beyru Kandu 12 minutes
North Channel 10 minutes
Veligandu North 8 minutes
Veligandu Beyru 5 minutes
Veligandu House Reef West 0 minutes

The Ocean Dive Centre in Veligandu is one of the Maldives’ most experienced dive operators and as a PADI 5 Star Centre, they offer the full range of PADI courses catering to all experience levels – from beginner to professionals. Guests can also enjoy speciality courses such as underwater digital photography, DPV (Diver Propulsion Vehicle), night diving and underwater naturalist during your Maldives vacation.

Veligandu’s underwater gardens, the House Reefs

The beautiful house reefs provide an underwater garden for leisurely divers, snorkelers and for underwater photographers.

As explained by Nicola (Nic) Stratmann, Dive Manager of Ocean Dive & Sports Centre in Veligandu;
“Veligandu Island is very fortunate to have two house reef sites which are located at different ends of the island. The first house reef option is located directly in front of the dive centre facing west, towards the inside of the atoll. You can especially see the juvenile blacktip reef sharks having a stroll on the reef as well as an abundance of different types of coral, with the most colourful reef fish all around.

The second house reef is located on the south-east side of Veligandu Island, facing the outside edge of the atoll. This site is the perfect place to go snorkelling if you want to spot turtles! Of course, here you can also find all other fish and coral types seen at the west side. Please be aware of the current here, as it can get a bit stronger due to the location of the reef. For scuba diving purposes we only access the south-east side by boat, but for snorkelers it is just a 5-10 minutes swim off the beach.

All dive activities are guided dives.”


Living in the ‘new normal’ – Have A Safe Holiday Experience In Veligandu
Quick Links
Your questions answered before you travel  |  Facilitating PCR Testing at Resort  |  Travel Flexibility & Cancellation Policy Update
Guest reviews – holidaying in the new normal

Special Offers
A choice of offers for your Veligandu holiday in 2020 and 2021. See All Offers »

We continue to allow for maximum flexibility given these unique circumstances. Book now to your convenience with the freedom of
FREE Cancellation on Room Rate for cancellation received 3 days prior to arrival.

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