South Ari holds the world's only year-round whale shark aggregation, protected as SAMPA. A rare Maldivian product that does not depend on season: there is a reason to travel in any month, including the monsoon trough.
Getting there
The atoll has its own international field at Maamigili — a rarity. The far end still needs a seaplane.
Typical transfer from Velana International: seaplane, daylight only, about 30 minutes. Airfields on the atoll: Villa International Airport Maamigili (VAM).
Properties on file
2 129 keys · 17 of 17 properties · 100% covered
| Property | Island | Distinction | Keys | Size | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angaga Island Resort and Spa | Angaga | resort | 90 | M | independent |
| Conrad Maldives Rangali Island | Rangalifinolhu | resort | 176 | L | Hilton |
| Constance Moofushi Resort | Moofushi | resort | 110 | M | Constance Hotels |
| Diamonds Athuruga Beach & Water Villas | Athurugau | resort | 72 | M | PlanHotel |
| Diamonds Thudufushi Beach and Water Villas | Thundufushi | resort | 72 | M | PlanHotel |
| Drift Theluveliga Retreat | Theluveliga | resort | 30 | S | independent |
| Lily Beach Resort | Huvahendhoo | resort | 125 | L | independent |
| Lux* South Ari Atoll, Maldives | Dhidhdhoofinolhu | resort | 193 | L | LUX* Resorts |
| Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection | Machchafushi | resort | 112 | M | Centara |
| Melia Whale Lagoon Maldives | Bodufinolhu | resort | 100 | M | Melia Hotels |
| Nova Maldives | Vakarufalhi | resort | 57 | S | Nova Resorts |
| Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort | Maafushivaru | resort | 93 | M | Outrigger |
| Radisson Blu Resort Maldives | Huruelhi | resort | 160 | L | Radisson Hotel Group |
| V Villas Maldives at Mirihi-Mgallery Collection | Mirihi | resort | 38 | S | Accor |
| Vilamendhoo Island Resort | Vilamendhoo | resort | 184 | L | Crown & Champa Resorts |
| Villa Park Sun Island | Nalaguraidhoo | resort | 466 | XL | Villa Resorts |
| nH Maldives Kuda Rah Resort | Kudarah | resort | 51 | S | Minor Hotels |
Marine zones
| Zone | Access regime | Season |
|---|---|---|
| South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA) | Protected area, fishing prohibited | Year-round, whale sharks |
Islands and sites
| Place | Type | Season |
|---|---|---|
| South Ari Marine Protected Area | Marine protected area | Year-round, whale sharks |
| Dhigurah | Inhabited island | Year-round, whale sharks |
| Maamigili | Inhabited island | Year-round, whale sharks |
| Dhangethi | Inhabited island | Year-round |
| Fenfushi Friday Mosque | Heritage | Year-round |
| Kudarah Thila | Dive site | Year-round, best visibility Jan–Apr |
| Villingili Airport | Airport | Year-round |
Season and demand
The atoll works on year-round, whale sharks, and takes 9.4% of the country's arrivals against 16 resorts in operation. Arrivals are counted, not overnight stays: that is the unit the Ministry publishes, and it is not interchangeable with bed nights.
Events
| Event | Month | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Whale shark season peak, South Ari | October | Natural event |
| Maldives Whale Shark Festival | September | Culture |