Veligandu Island Resort and Spa

After a two-day stopover in Abu Dhabi we touched down in the capital of the Maldives, Male in the early afternoon. Once we had collected our bags we proceeded to the Trans Maldivian Airways check in counter to drop them off again for our 30-minute seaplane ride to the Veligandu Island Resort and Spa.

Arriving into Veligandu was an experience in itself. After buzzing the island resort in the twin otter seaplane, we lined up for a smooth landing before docking at the Islands reception centre. We were lucky enough to be staying with friends so once we collected our bags we were escorted to our four-bedroom villa on a private Island about 200 feet from the main resort.

After quickly unpacking we called for the resorts speedboat to collect us and transport us the short distance to the main resort. The resort itself is typical of the Maldives; long white sandy beaches dotted with over water bungalows and forest cabins. Guests can eat and drink in two separate bars and a main restaurant as well as in room and private beach dining. There is also nightly entertainment available in the Athiri bar. Each day an all-inclusive breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet is served which includes various cuisines from around the world.

We were travelling with our friends who have two small children and they were well catered for both in terms of food and entertainment, with a small children’s pool located next to one of the Islands beaches (we were there the first week of the season when children are permitted to stay).

Although this was a trip for complete relaxation there were many activities on offer during the day including snorkelling and reef scuba diving. We opted to go out for a half day snorkel at a reef located about 15 minutes speedboat ride from the resort. This did not disappoint and along with hundreds of species of fish, we also got up close and personal with a couple of turtles and watched a manta ray swimming in the darkness of the reef ledge.

The weather for the most part was hot and sunny with a day or so of spectacular thunderstorms which invariably pass through the region. We travelled in early May which is at the end of the dry season, but this was not an issue for us.

This is an excellent resort which I would recommend to anyone looking to travel to the Maldives without breaking the bank.