Vilamendhoo Tourist Resort_Tourist resorts of Maldives, dive sites of Maldives, wave surfing zones of Maldives, family_holiday resorts in Maldives, dive resorts in Maldives, water sports resorts in Maldives, leisure

Vilamendhoo has wonderful natural assets. The abundant and varied nature, on the land and in the water, is as good as anywhere in the country. The beaches and lagoon are unsullied by any walls or groynes.

Vilamendhoo is one of the resorts that has changed quite a bit in the last few years. It has moved away from the natural island with few facilities and lots of divers, to one that offers many facilities and particularly good value for money.

Facing west to the sunset and the large beach 'bulge', the beach bar doubles as a coffee shop and disco with pool table and gym included. Outside is a reasonable tennis court (plastic grass). Volleyball, table tennis, carom and darts are available too. Its all free, except $ 3/- for the tennis equipment and $ 1.50 for a game of pool.

The resorts also offers a great variety excursions than most: seven different resorts plus a number of inhabited and uninhabited local islands. A popular highlight is the local island o Dhangeti which has a cultural centre where visitor can see the old crafts in action, such as coir rope making, mat weaving and traditional cooking.

Around 65% of the guests of Vilamendhoo are now all-inclusive, with the balance split evenly on half board and full board. All-Inclusive means free drinking upto midnight (cocktails are not included, but reasonably priced at US$ 5/- to US$ 15/-), tea and snacks at 4- 6, one free night fishing and free island hop - this services may change every now and then - please confirm the details of all-inclusive packages from hellomaldives.com reservation staffs. It is now noticeable that there are more older people and children than before (more so in the high season)

The All-inclusive supplement seems to suit everyone, except the divers. And the number of divers over here are increasing - certainly the quality of dive sites is still superb. Vilamendhoo is naturally located in one of the most renowned areas of diving in Ari Atoll.

This corner of Ari-Atoll has what is usually recognized as among the best diving in the Atoll. South of Vilamendhoo is the famous channel between Dhangethi and Dhigurah that has several first class dives and the Protected Marine Area of Kudarah Thila. And just a couple of minutes from the resort is Vilamendhoo Thila which is a manta point as well as a specialty site for hard and soft coral and schools of reef fish. The dive center, under Werner Weber, is greatly experienced and expertly run.

Some of the best snorkeling & diving to be had anywhere in Maldives

If the sand is sometimes close to the tree line, so is the reef edge. All along the two sides of the island the reef hugs the shoreline. And with the reef life as good as it is, Vilamendhoo tops the table in snorkeling popularity.

The hosuereef is also a good dive and snorkel, but the four cut-throughs and two jetties on the south side have had their effect on the beachline. There are now a number of small groynes and discreet walls. The currents of the channel seem to want to shift all the sand to the tip of the island away from the open sea, that is, where the beach bar is. Happily facing west, so a great spot for sunset drinks.

The ten Deluxe Rooms are on the two tips of the island, around the resort of the island run the one hundred and thirty one SUPERIOR Rooms. Thirteen STANDARD Rooms are in the interior. Add to this a large service and cultivation area in the interior and sprawling public buildings and you have an island that is just about full up.

The buildings on the resort, particularly the beach bar / coffee shop, are not very attractive but the interiors of the rooms and reception have been upgraded with new furniture, including wooden loungers (instead of the white old plastic ones). More effort has been put into the cuisine too and the service. So all in all "HelloMaldives.com eye-for-travellers" has considered that Vilamendhoo offers a good package at a very good price. Just those of us who remember the near pristine environment before....

T'phone No: + (960) 335762 (Maldives), Fax No: + (960) 335763 (Maldives)