Beach Pavilion
On the beach · No private pool · Up to two adults and one child, teen or infant
The Lux Collective · South Ari Atoll
LUX* South Ari Atoll
- 30 min by seaplane
- Land by 15:00
- 4.9 on TripAdvisor · 7,920 reviews
- Travellers' Choice 2026
- All taxes in the price
- Visited Sep 2022
The villas
On the beach
Beach Villa
On the beach · No private pool · Up to two adults with two children, two teens or an infant, or three adults
Beach Pool Villa
On the beach · Private pool · Up to two adults with two children, two teens or an infant, or three adults
Beachfront Infinity Pool Villa
On the beach · Private pool · Up to two adults with two children, two teens or an infant, or three adults
Temptation Beach Pool Villa
On the beach · Private pool · Up to two adults and one child, teen or infant · One on the island
LUX* Villa
Private pool · Up to two adults with two children, two teens or an infant, or three adults · One on the island
Over the water
Water Villa
Over the water · No private pool · Up to two adults with two children, two teens or an infant, or three adults
Overwater Infinity Pool Water Villa
Over the water · Private pool · Up to two adults and one child, teen or infant
Temptation Pool Water Villa
Over the water · Private pool · Two adults only · Three on the island
House reef
Our rating
2/5
Thin
The lagoon is sand, beautiful for swimming and close to empty for snorkelling, with dead coral in front of the water villas. What you get instead is a free guided boat to the reef twice a day, about ten minutes out, where turtles and mantas are common. The one good spot you can reach yourself is by the seaplane jetty, where they have planted coral and reef sharks come in behind the boats. Book this island for the whale sharks, which South Ari has year-round, not for snorkelling off your steps.
How we score house reefs, and every island ranked →Getting there
Route
Seaplane
- Journey
- 30 min, airport to island
- Last arrival that works
- 15:00
Land at Velana after 15:00 and the last seaplane of the day will have gone, which means a night in Malé before you reach the island.
Shared seaplane, daylight only. Land at Velana in the evening and you spend a night in Malé first, so send us your flights and we will check the connection before you book.
Transfer details last checked 18 August 2026. We re-check yours against your actual ticket before we quote. See what your flight can reach →
What guests say
4.9out of 5 on TripAdvisor · 7,920 reviews
Can't wait to return!
This was my 25th visit to the Maldives and I've stayed in many resorts over the last 15 years. It was my first visit to Lux though and I was impressed by...
Two week family holiday
This was our second time staying at the Lux South Ari Atoll. This year the whole family came and we stayed in an overwater villa and the children (late teens/early twenties) stayed...
A dream comes true
We have already been guests at the LUX South Ari for the third time. It was perfect again. The service is exceptionally personal and stands out once again from similar resorts.
Travellers' Choice 2026. Rating checked 25 September 2026. Read all the reviews on TripAdvisor →
About the resort
LUX* South Ari Atoll sits beside the South Ari Marine Protected Area, where whale sharks are seen all year rather than in a season. The resort's own boat goes out to them three mornings a week, led by its marine biology team.
Every price on this page is four nights in one villa on the resort's India-only offer, from the Beach Pavilion up to the LUX* Villa. The offer carries a booking deadline and a travel window, so ask us to confirm both for your dates.
What you pay
Pick your dates and a villa. The price is four nights for two: the villa, breakfast and dinner, the return seaplane and every tax, green tax included.
The offer takes a little over a quarter off. That is the difference between the Beach Pavilion on this page and the same four nights bought without it.
The earliest arrivals are cheaper again, about a fifth below the main offer price for the Beach Pavilion. The festive fortnight is more than double it.
Two nights on the beach, two over the water. Split stays are not priced on this page, but the resort sells them. Ask us for the pair you want.
Ask about full board. On some dates the offer turns it into all inclusive at no extra charge.
What's included, and what isn't
In the price: your villa for two, breakfast and dinner daily, the return seaplane, and every Maldivian tax including green tax.
Not in the price: your international flights, travel insurance, lunch, drinks, excursions including the whale shark trip, diving, the spa, Indian TCS, and anything not named above.
Who this isn't for
Snorkellers who want coral off their steps. The lagoon is sand, lovely to swim in and close to empty for snorkelling, and the coral in front of the water villas is dead. A free guided boat runs to the reef about ten minutes out, twice a day, and there is planted coral by the seaplane jetty.
Pregnant guests hoping to see a whale shark. Marine park rules do not allow them on the boat.
Larger families. Most villas here take two adults and two children at most, and the Temptation Pool Water Villa takes two adults only. The family pavilions are not part of this offer. Ask us and we will price them.
Before you book
The seaplane flies in daylight only. It takes about half an hour, and the last one leaves Velana between 15:00 and 16:00. Land later and your first night is in Malé. Send us your flight before you buy it.
Book the whale shark trip before you fly. It runs Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 09:00, with eighteen seats, for confident swimmers aged eight and over. Every trip here needs four guests to sail. The resort recommends pre-booking.
Two stretches are not on this page. A single night in the autumn falls between the two offer bands, and one stretch in the new year is not priced either. Ask us and we will book both.
Honeymooners get extras with a marriage certificate under a year old: a 30-minute couples massage, sparkling wine, a cake and a decorated bed. Anniversaries qualify every fifth year.
Send us your dates, who is travelling and your flight from India, and we will check the seaplane connection and price the villas side by side. Message our Maldives specialists on WhatsApp or send us an enquiry. We reply within 24 hours.
Our last visit
We were last here
September 2022
LUX* South Ari Atoll has a really easygoing, playful feel to it. What stood out for us was the sheer space—the beautiful turquoise lagoon, long stretches of white sand and a wonderfully lush, coconut-filled island. We loved lounging on the overwater nets, with the lagoon literally underneath us. There was plenty happening too, from yoga sessions to relaxed outdoor dining, but it never felt overly formal. The sunsets were another...
Read the visit note →Frequently asked questions
Where is LUX* South Ari Atoll?
LUX* South Ari Atoll is in South Ari Atoll, beside the South Ari Marine Protected Area, where whale sharks are seen all year rather than in a season. It is about 30 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport. The resort's own boat goes out to the whale sharks three mornings a week, led by its marine biology team.
How do I get to LUX* South Ari Atoll?
By shared seaplane from Velana International Airport, about 30 minutes, sometimes with a stop. The return seaplane is in every price on this page. It flies in daylight only, and the last one leaves Velana between 15:00 and 16:00. Land later and your first night is in Malé. A late flight home can mean a night there at the end too. Send us your flights before you buy them and we will check both ends.
What villas are there at LUX* South Ari Atoll?
Nine villas are priced on this page. On the beach: the Beach Pavilion, Beach Villa, Beach Pool Villa, Beachfront Infinity Pool Villa and Temptation Beach Pool Villa. Over the water: the Water Villa, Overwater Infinity Pool Water Villa and Temptation Pool Water Villa. Then the LUX* Villa, the largest on the island. The Beach Pavilion, Beach Villa and Water Villa have no private pool. The family pavilions and split stays are not priced here, but we can price both.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is at 14:00 and check-out is at 11:00. Later check-out is on request only.
How are children priced at LUX* South Ari Atoll?
By age, and the bands and what is free depend on your dates and meal plan. Tell us the ages of everyone travelling and we will price them in before you book. Each villa has its own limit: most take two adults with two children or two teens, some take one child, and the Temptation Pool Water Villa takes two adults only. The snorkelling trips are for ages eight and over.
Is there a spa at LUX* South Ari Atoll?
Yes. LUX* Me Spa has 15 treatment villas and is open 09:00 to 20:00 for guests aged sixteen and over. Younger children have a separate kids' spa session. Treatments are charged on top of the prices on this page. Honeymooners with a marriage certificate under a year old get one 30-minute couples massage during the stay.
What is the snorkelling like at LUX* South Ari Atoll?
The lagoon is sand, lovely for swimming but close to empty for snorkelling, and the coral in front of the water villas is dead. A free guided boat runs to the reef about ten minutes out, twice a day, where turtles and mantas are common. The one spot you can reach yourself is by the seaplane jetty, where coral has been planted and reef sharks come in behind the boats. The whale shark, manta and turtle trips are charged.
Is diving available at LUX* South Ari Atoll?
Yes. LUX* South Ari Atoll has a five-star PADI dive centre, and there are more than fifty dive sites around the atoll, reached by boat. Shore dives are not available, and boat fees are paid on the island. Diving is charged on top of the prices on this page.
Is there a kids' club at LUX* South Ari Atoll?
Yes. PLAY takes children aged three to eleven, from 09:00 to 19:00. It has arts and crafts, a library, a toddler space, a mini kitchen, an outdoor lawn and a swimming pool of its own. Babysitting starts at one year old and is charged. The snorkelling trips, including the whale shark boat, are for ages eight and over.
What does the marine biology team at LUX* South Ari Atoll do?
LUX* South Ari Atoll has a Marine Biology Centre that runs coral planting and coral adoption. The planted coral by the seaplane jetty is the best spot you can reach from the island on your own. The team also leads the whale shark trip into the South Ari Marine Protected Area, which runs Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
When can I see whale sharks at LUX* South Ari Atoll?
All year. The resort's whale shark trip runs Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 09:00, led by its marine biology team. It has eighteen seats, needs four guests to sail, and is for confident swimmers aged eight and over. Marine park rules do not allow pregnant guests on the boat. The trip is charged, and the resort recommends booking it before you fly.
Which restaurants are on the meal plan at LUX* South Ari Atoll?
The prices on this page include breakfast and dinner daily. Lunch and drinks are charged. Bed and breakfast, full board, all inclusive and premium all inclusive are also sold, and we can price any of them for your dates. Allegria, the Italian, and Umami, the Japanese, sit outside every plan except premium all inclusive, which includes one dinner at each. Book tables at both on arrival, because they fill.
The resort
Tap any photo to see it full size.
More photos on Instagram: @luxsouthari (opens in a new tab)
Tell us your dates and who is travelling
We will price two or three villas with the seaplane, and the taxes inside the number, and quote dates outside the ones above on request. We reply within 24 hours.
A day here
Three animals and three sets of days govern your stay here. The whale shark boat goes Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The manta quest goes Sunday and Wednesday. The turtle trip goes Monday and Friday. You can see all three in one week, but only if your week is the right shape, and every trip on this island needs four guests before it departs. Our four-night prices keep you in one villa throughout. If you would like two nights on the beach and two over the water, we price that split on request.
- Seaplane, 30 min
- Land by 15:00
- Premium all-inclusive
- House reef 2/5
Day 1, arriving
A shared seaplane, around thirty minutes, sometimes with stops. It is daylight only with a 15:00 cut-off at Velana, and the last departure from the resort is mid-afternoon too. Land at Velana in the evening and you spend a night in Male before you ever see the island, so send us your flights and we will check the connection before you book rather than after.
Do these three things when you land.
- Book the whale shark trip before you travel. It runs three days a week, holds eighteen guests, and needs four before it goes at all.
- Check the ages and health of your party. All four snorkelling trips are eight and above, guests must be able to swim, and pregnant guests are not permitted on the whale shark excursion under the marine park rules.
- Tell us if you want to split the stay between a beach villa and a water villa. Our prices are for one villa throughout, and we price a split on request.
Days 2 to 4, your full days
Mornings
The lagoon is sand. It is beautiful for swimming and close to empty for snorkelling, and the coral in front of the water villas is dead. What you get instead is a free guided boat to the reef twice a day, about ten minutes out, where turtles and mantas are common. The one good spot you can reach under your own steam is by the seaplane jetty, where they have planted coral and reef sharks come in behind the boats.
- Anyone who came for the whale sharks
- Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday, 09:00 to 12:30, USD 120 for an adult and USD 60 for a child. Led by the marine biology team into the protected area. Sightings here run year-round rather than seasonally, which is true of nowhere else in the Maldives.
- Anyone who wants mantas or turtles
- The Manta Quest goes Sunday and Wednesday at 08:30 and searches the resort's own lagoon. The turtle trip goes Monday and Friday at 10:00. Both are USD 90 for an adult, USD 45 for a child.
- Anyone nervous in open water
- Beginner Snorkelling, Tuesday and Saturday at 14:00, USD 50, with a guide teaching you and taking photographs. Do it before you spend USD 120 on the whale shark boat.
- Anyone happy in a swimming pool of a sea
- The lagoon is genuinely lovely for swimming and it is safe. Take the free guided reef boat, twice daily, and the jetty spot for the reef sharks.
Afternoons
Two afternoon trips and both are worth knowing. The Sand Bank Picnic runs Sunday and Thursday, 10:00 to 15:00, USD 200 a head, all ages, an island-made castaway lunch on a remote sandbank. Dhangethi Shopping goes Monday and Wednesday at 14:00 for USD 90, a genuine local island rather than a resort one, and you must cover shoulders and knees out of respect. Beyond that there is more water sport here than almost anywhere in the country and a PADI dive centre with around fifty sites reachable by dhoni. Shore dives are not available and boat fees are payable on the island.
Evenings
Four evening options before dinner. The Sunset Cruise sails Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 17:30 for USD 35 an adult and USD 18 a child, with soft drinks, and at roughly USD 45 on your folio it is the best value thing on this island by a wide margin. Sunset Fishing goes Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 17:30 for USD 95. Morning people get the Dolphin Cruise at 07:00 on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, USD 90, with pastries and coffee aboard. Then dinner across eight restaurants and five bars. The package price carries half board; bed and breakfast, full board, all-inclusive and premium all-inclusive are all sold, and the all-inclusive rates 4 out of 5 on our all-inclusive ratings. On a stay this length the meal-plan decision moves the total more than the villa does, so ask us to price both before you choose.
Day 5, leaving
Seaplanes fly in daylight only in both directions, and the last departure from the island is mid-afternoon. A dawn flight home from here means a night in Male at the end as well as possibly at the start. Check both ends with us.
Who this island's day does not suit
Anyone who wants to snorkel off their own steps, anyone travelling with children under eight who came for the water, and pregnant guests hoping to see a whale shark, who are not permitted on that boat.
What you will still pay
The excursions, chiefly, and on an island built around one animal they are not optional the way they are elsewhere. Every price above is quoted before 10 per cent service and 17 per cent GST, so the whale shark trip reaches you at about USD 154 a head and the sandbank picnic at about USD 257. Then diving, boat fees, the spa and anything outside your meal plan.
Tell us your flight times and we will check this against your actual dates.