Fushifaru is small. Sixty-three villas on an island at the north-eastern edge of Lhaviyani Atoll, 35 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport. There is one all-day restaurant, a grill, a teppanyaki counter and two bars. If you want eight dining venues and a nightclub, this is the wrong island. If you want to walk from your villa to one of the best dive channels in the country, it is the right one.
The setting
The island sits beside Fushifaru Kan'du, a national Marine Protected Area. Three dive sites lie inside it, including Fushifaru Thila and a marine cleaning station where manta rays queue to be worked over by wrasse. Sunrise villas look east across Maakandu and the open Indian Ocean. Sunset villas look west over Etherevari, the calm lagoon. The water villas sit on Kanduolhi, the channel itself.
The villas
Forty-four beach villas and nineteen water villas, in nine categories. Every villa has a king bed, an indoor daybed, a garden bathroom with a bath, indoor and outdoor showers, a private veranda and outdoor sun loungers. Island-wide wifi is included.
| Category | Number | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Beach Villa Sunrise | 3 | 96 m² |
| Beach Villa Sunset | 15 | 96 m² |
| Pool Beach Villa Sunrise | 10 | 122 m² |
| Pool Beach Villa Sunset | 10 | 122 m² |
| Beach Duplex Villa (2 bedrooms) | 2 | 240 m² |
| Premium Beach Duplex Villa (2 bedrooms) | 1 | 250 m² |
| Jacuzzi Water Villa | 11 | 96 m² |
| Pool Water Villa | 4 | 122 m² |
| Premium Pool Water Villa | 4 | 122 m² |
Sunset beach villas outnumber sunrise ones five to one, so the west-facing side books out first. A personal Resident Host is assigned to every villa.
What the rate covers
We quote Fushifaru on half board: breakfast and dinner. Lunch, drinks and the destination dining experiences are charged as you go. Seaplane transfers are quoted separately and depend on the season, so ask us rather than assuming.
Seaplanes fly in daylight only. An arrival into Malé after about 16:00 means a night in the city before you reach the island, which is worth planning around when you book flights.
Eating
Korakali is the all-day restaurant, with a different theme each evening. Raakani grills seafood and meat on the beach. There is a teppanyaki counter with a live show. Fanihandhi Bar holds the infinity pool and the best sunset view on the island. Thundi is a beach bar for ice cream and smoothies, with live music at sunset on some evenings. In-villa dining runs 24 hours.
Beyond the restaurants, the resort will set up dinner on a sandbank, on the Handhu platform, in your own pool, or on a quiet stretch of beach. These are booked and charged on the island.
Under the water
This is the reason most people come. The Marine Protected Area is a few minutes away by boat and the house reef is strong enough to snorkel straight from the beach. Manta season on the cleaning station is the draw, and the thila is a serious dive rather than a gentle drift.
Families and wellness
The Kokko Kids Club takes younger guests, and the two duplex villas at 240 and 250 m² give families two bedrooms rather than a sofa bed. Heylhi Spa has five treatment pavilions built as Maldivian cottages, with an outdoor shower and bathtub each, plus a sauna, plunge pool, salon and Ayurvedic treatments. There is a gym over the water and a multi-sports court.
Who it suits
Divers and snorkellers first. Couples who want a quiet island and would rather spend the difference on a pool villa than on a bigger resort. Families who need two proper bedrooms. It suits a four to seven night stay.
Who it does not
Anyone who wants variety in restaurants, a spread of bars, or a resort large enough to disappear into. Anyone who needs a speedboat transfer, since the only route is a seaplane in daylight hours. Anyone booking on all-inclusive, which is not how we sell this island.
Location
Fushifaru Island, Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives
For current rates, villa availability and transfer costs, message our Maldives specialists on WhatsApp or send us an enquiry. We reply within 24 hours.