We love —
- Setting off at dawn on a traditional fishing trip, casting your line into calm turquoise waters as the island slowly awakens.
- Dining barefoot on the beach, savouring fresh seafood under a canopy of stars.
- Snorkelling in crystal-clear lagoons, discovering vibrant coral gardens just steps from your villa.
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected for our members by our experts
After a few days at Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat 4*, I really had that rare feeling of being cut off from the world, without ever having to compromise on comfort. What I appreciated most was the elegant simplicity: just a few villas, plenty of space, and nature all around. You quickly feel at home, thanks to the sincere and discreet service. It’s the sort of place you don’t choose to be seen, but to truly experience
Included transfer: soaring by Seaplane —
Step aboard a sleek seaplane and glide above the Maldives’ shimmering turquoise lagoons, vibrant coral atolls, and pristine white beaches.
The islands reveal their full splendour, crystal-clear waters, lush greenery, and winding sandbanks bathed in brilliant colour. Your journey begins the moment you take off, offering a truly unforgettable introduction to your Maldivian escape.
Practical information:
Departure: From Malé International Airport (MLE)
Seating capacity: Up to 14 passengers
Flight duration: approx. 35 minutes
Suitcase weight: Maximum 20 kg hold luggage and 5 kg hand luggage per person
Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat 4* —
Just for you:
- Roundtrip seaplane transfers included
Set within the South Ari Atoll, Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat is a new 4* boutique, adults-only (18+) island hideaway in the Maldives, located around 90 kilometres south-west of Malé and reached by a scenic seaplane journey over endless shades of turquoise. Once an untouched sandbank surrounded by thriving coral reefs, it has been gently transformed into an intimate retreat while preserving its raw, castaway spirit.
Embracing the “no news, no shoes” philosophy, it invites guests to disconnect from digital noise and embrace a barefoot way of life in harmony with nature. With just a handful of Beach and Water Villas crafted from natural materials and inspired by traditional Maldivian design, the island offers a serene escape where simplicity, ocean life and slow, unhurried living define every moment.
Your room —
Choose between a stay in a Beach Villa, a Water Villa or Best of both (equal time spent in each Villa).
Beach Villa (39 m²)
Tucked beneath swaying palms, the Beach Villa invites you into a sanctuary of rustic Maldivian elegance, where whitewashed interiors, handcrafted wooden touches and a king-size bed draped in a delicate canopy open directly onto powder-soft sands and uninterrupted turquoise horizons.
Water Villa (54 m²)
Perched on stilts above a shimmering turquoise lagoon, the Water Villa offers a serene retreat where floor-to-ceiling windows, a king-size bed and a sun-drenched private deck invite you to wake to the gentle rhythm of the ocean and slip directly into crystal-clear waters below.
Best of both (equal time spent in Beach Villa & Water Villa)
Don’t know what to choose between the Beach Villa and the Water Villa? Don’t, embrace the best of both worlds and savour equal time between powder-soft shores and serene overwater living, where each stay unveils a new facet of island bliss.
Choose your prefered length of stay:
- 5 nights: 2 nights in Beach Villa + 3 nights in Water Villa
- 6 nights: 3 nights in Beach Villa + 3 nights in Water Villa
- 7 nights: 3 nights in Beach Villa + 4 nights in Water Villa
- 8 nights: 3 nights in Beach Villa + 5 nights in Water Villa
- 10 nights: 5 nights in Beach Villa + 5 nights in Water Villa
- 14 nights: 7 nights in Beach Villa + 7 nights in Water Villa
The order will be confirmed at check-in, subject to hotel availability and your preference.
Your dining choices
This is an all inclusive stay. Your breakfast, lunch, and evening meal will be served in the main restaurant, with a selection of snacks and drinks. Please see the ‘details’ tab for more information.
Set on a tiny, untouched island in the South Ari Atoll, the resort offers a single, intimate dining concept where the open-air restaurant serves freshly prepared buffet and à la carte dishes inspired by European and Asian flavours, with an emphasis on locally sourced seafood and vibrant Maldivian influences. You can also enjoy relaxed, barefoot moments at the beachfront bar, where light snacks, tropical cocktails and curated wines are served throughout the day as the sun sets over the lagoon.
Your time
Just for you:
- 1 x group fishing trip during your stay per person, per stay
- 1 x 60-minute Thai massage per couple during your stay per person, per stay
- 20% discount on spa treatments
Unwind in pure Maldivian serenity where indulgence and nature meet, as days drift effortlessly between the tranquil overwater spa, offering holistic treatments inspired by Indonesia, Thailand and India, and a world of ocean adventures, from guided snorkelling over vibrant coral gardens to manta ray and whale shark excursions in the crystal-clear waters of South Ari Atoll.
For those seeking gentle discovery, sunrise and sunset fishing trips, dolphin cruises and island-hopping journeys reveal the atoll’s timeless beauty, while kayaks and paddleboards invite peaceful exploration of the lagoon at your own pace.
Your journey to the Maldives —
Flights:
You will be able to choose your airline and flight times when you make your booking, in either Economy, Premium, or Business class, depending on the destination and carrier. This flight may include one or more stopovers. Please review your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ, in order to offer the best price.
Luggage information
Luggage, meals and other services on board may be subject to an additional fee on certain airlines. It is possible to view details of luggage allowances when you choose your flights at the next stage of the booking process. If luggage is not included with your flight, please go to the airline's website before your departure to purchase your luggage for an additional fee.
For domestic flights, airlines do not always offer the option of reserving luggage. In this case, you will need to pay for it at the airport counter.
You will receive all the information you need to check in for your flights after you have made your reservation.
Transfers:
Sit back and enjoy the ride with included transfers to and from your beautiful hotel. The type of transfer is dependent on your hotel location and can be a domestic flight, speedboat or seaplane transfer (or a combination). Additional information for seaplane transfers (if included in your offer only):
If you choose one of our non-flight inclusive offers and wish to book your own flights to the Maldives, please plan to arrive in Malé before 3pm and depart after 10am, in order to take advantage of the seaplane/ speedboat transfers. If you plan to book your own flights outside the above-suggested times, you may need to source your own overnight accommodation (at your own expense).
- The seaplane transfer provider imposes a maximum luggage allowance of 20kg per person for hold luggage, and a maximum of 5kg per person for hand luggage. Additional weight will be charged per kg.
- Luggage for children under 2 years of age is not included in the luggage allowance. A supplement of $5 per kg will be payable on the spot.
- The hotel and transfer provider cannot be held responsible for any claims arising from missed international flights, delays in seaplane transfers caused by adverse weather conditions, or force majeure.
- Seaplanes operate during the day only. If you arrive in Malé on an international flight after 3pm, hotel transfers will be provided the following day and you will be responsible for arranging and paying for your overnight stay in Malé.
- In order to organise your airport/hotel/airport transfers, please provide us with your flight schedule within 96 hours of your booking by filling in the dedicated form in your member account. Without this information, your transfers cannot be carried out.
South Ari Atoll —
South Ari Atoll, or Alifu Dhaalu, is one of the Maldives’ most captivating regions, a sanctuary of turquoise lagoons, sugar-white beaches, and world-renowned marine life. Stretching across the Indian Ocean, this atoll perfectly blends barefoot luxury with raw natural wonder, making it a dream for divers, honeymooners, and sunseekers alike.
Must-sees / Must-do:
- Maamigili & Dhigurah: The gateway islands for spotting whale sharks, where guided snorkelling trips offer encounters with these gentle giants year-round.
- Kudarah Thila: A protected marine site brimming with soft corals, turtles, and reef sharks, one of the Maldives’ most famous dive spots.
- Sunset dhoni cruise: Drift across the glowing horizon as dolphins leap alongside your boat.
Culinary culture:
South Ari’s resorts showcase fresh island flavours, from grilled reef fish with coconut sambal to aromatic curries infused with Maldivian spices. Dine on the beach beneath the stars, or enjoy sandbank picnics where the ocean meets the sky. Don’t miss a glass of fresh coconut water straight from the palm.
Dive deeper:
Explore coral gardens alive with parrotfish and rays, take a seaplane over the atoll’s emerald lagoons, or unwind in a private villa suspended over the sea. Adventure and serenity intertwine here, whether diving into the blue or simply soaking in the stillness of island life.
Good to know:
Accessible by seaplane from Malé, South Ari Atoll is one of the best places in the Maldives to see whale sharks year-round. It offers a perfect mix of luxury, nature, and authentic island charm.
