Usually, I focus on scuba diving destinations and this often goes together with a lower budget. I´m not a luxury traveller myself and most of my readers might be flashpackers or even backpackers. However, I like to make an exception for Veligandu Island Resort & Spa as a luxury destination for a diving holiday in the Maldives. It´s a dream destination you can only imagine, with world-class scuba diving at a stone´s throw away!
I had the opportunity to return back, for a visit, to Veligandu Island Resort where I worked before. And so I decided to write a complete blog post about this island resort, just because Veligandu is thé island to enjoy the most relaxed scuba dive vacation ever!
Veligandu Island: a resort destination for a luxury scuba diving holiday in the Maldives!
Veligandu Resort is such a peaceful island in the Maldives, it really is a true paradise! And guess what? The amazing scuba dive spots, like Madivaru Corner and the sharks, are to be found at not even a 15-minute boat ride away from the island! Other scuba diving sites within this distance include the early morning dive with the hammerhead sharks, scuba diving with manta rays at manta point (in the right season), channels and a shipwreck.
You can read more about the scuba diving here in other blog posts, this post is focussed on Veligandu as your accommodation. It offers the most luxurious stay you can imagine for a diving holiday in the Maldives.
Where is Veligandu Island Resort located in the Maldives?
Veligandu Island is located in Rasdhoo Atoll, also known as Alif Alif Atoll. This small atoll in the Maldives consists only of one local island (Rasdhoo Island), two resort islands (Veligandu and Kuramathi) and two uninhabited islands called Madivaru and Madivaru Finolhu. The latter is known as a sandbank and excursions can be made to this island. From the international airport of the Maldives in Malé, you can reach Veligandu Island Resort within 20 minutes by seaplane or roughly 1,5 hours by speedboat.
Veligandu in the Maldives: a diving holiday in a sandbox!
Veligandu means sandbox in Divehi (the local language) and this name fits well with the white and quiet beaches you can find all over the island. Actually, the whole island is like a sandbox and you can walk barefoot over the sand everywhere, even in the bar and restaurants! Add some lush green nature and tropical flowers to it and you find yourself on the most dreamy destination ever. You can easily enjoy your own private part of the beach where you won´t get disturbed by other people. The beachside of the island is decorated in a way that nature is in balance and providing a hammock or a swing here and there.
Other water sports on Veligandu Island during your diving holiday in the Maldives
The amazing scuba diving will be the main attraction of your diving holiday to Veligandu Island Resort in the Maldives. However, if you´re travelling with a non-diver or are looking for other things to do during your vacation here, you won´t easily get bored. Almost all motorized water sports, like jetski, waterski and wakeboarding for example, and non-motorized water sports like windsurfing, catamaran sailing, kayaking and stand up paddle, are available. Obviously, snorkelling is also amazing here!
Other activities than water sports during your diving holiday in the Maldives
There are excursions you can book, like sailing, fishing, dolphin watching, sunset sailing, visiting another island or a trip to the sandbank. Next to the water sports named above, there are land activities like football and volleyball you can do as well. There is evening entertainment every night and the island also has a fully equipped gym and a games room with things like billiard and darts. Additionally, the island has a relaxing infinity swimming pool and last but not least the highly regarded Duniye Spa is amazing for a relaxing massage and a treatment of body, mind and soul!
Food & drinks during your stay at Veligandu Island Resort & Spa
The food in the main restaurant is absolutely delicious. I never ever have seen such an all-inclusive buffet-style restaurant in my life! There is anything you can imagine from each continent in the world and some local dishes are available too. When I worked on Veligandu Island, I ate there three times a day, every day, for six months and never have I been bored with the food. The main bar offers any drink you can imagine and provides snacks like pizza as well. There is also a small bar on the other side of the island for a more quiet moment and a second ´a la carte´-restaurant. Also, you can arrange romantic beach dining, dine in room service and even cooking classes!
Room options for your scuba diving holiday to Veligandu in the Maldives
The well-known luxury accommodation images as typical in the Maldives, are also to be found on Veligandu Island Resort. Depending on your budget for your scuba diving holiday, you can choose between beach villas, jacuzzi beach villas, water villas or jacuzzi water villas. Also, you have the option to choose for a sunset or sunset jacuzzi water villa! When I got invited back to the island in 2017, I took the opportunity to take some photos of the different rooms.
Book your stay at Veligandu Island: a diving holiday in the Maldives is safe in coronavirus time!
The rooms at Veligandu Island Resort & Spa might have been renovated in the meantime, I am not sure about this. I do know that the island is fully operating now since the coronavirus and it´s a safe destination to choose for a diving holiday. You can also check out the latest pictures and prices on booking.com en Agoda:
Use the link below to find Veligandu Island Resort on Agoda ( I receive a small commission on your purchase through this link):
Or use the search box below to find on booking.com (I receive a small commission on your purchase through this link):
Veligandu Resort and Rasdhoo Atoll as a scuba diving holiday destination in the Maldives
As many of you know, I became very enthusiastic about Rasdhoo Atoll and the fact that you can now travel and scuba the Maldives by staying on a local island. Rasdhoo Atoll is not a very big atoll and you really have only three options if you like to go here for your diving holiday: The most luxury Veligandu Island Resort, the more affordable Kuramati Island Resort or the local island Rasdhoo for a smaller budget. Click here for a link with travel information about Rasdhoo Island.
Other accommodation options for a scuba diving vacation on Rasdhoo Atoll
I am usually a budget traveller, so Veligandu Island is definitely not within the usual ´Splashpacker budget style´ for accommodation during my dive travels. For more information about the more affordable resort of Kuramathi Island, you can click here for Agoda, or here for booking.com (I receive a small commission on your purchase through these links). Still, the most affordable is Rasdhoo Island, obviously.
So why I write about a luxury dive holiday resort on Splashpacker?
Splashpacker likes to promote sustainable tourism, which not only includes conserving the environment and the oceans but also to support the local people. Veligandu Island Resort belongs to Crown and Champa Resorts, which is owned by various Maldivian and foreign partners. The resort provides a lot of good jobs for the local people of the Maldives. The scuba diving is of a very high standard and the resort works with some eco-friendly ethics too. Veligandu Island has a special place in my heart and it´s an amazing scuba diving destination that´s why I decided to include it on Splashpacker.
Veligandu is recommended to Splashpackers looking for a luxury diving holiday in the Maldives
Maybe you´re normally not a luxury traveller or scuba diver but like to make an exception for a special occasion like a honeymoon. Or you might be a Splashpacker on a higher budget. Either way, I do believe Veligandu will exceed all your expectations as a dive holiday destination on the Maldives! The island is so peaceful that it feels like a small heaven on earth. Every day is a precious gift on Veligandu and it´s no wonder that so many guests go back there on a regular base. It might just be that unforgettable once in a lifetime experience for you.
Scuba Diving the Maldives with Ocean Dive Centre on Veligandu Island Resort
The team of ´Ocean Dive Centre´ on Veligandu Island Resort is professional and very friendly, they do everything to make your scuba diving holiday in the Maldives an unforgettable experience. The diving takes place from a fast, comfortable boat bringing you to most dive spots within 15 minutes, to save your precious time on your diving holiday. The boat crew is also extremely helpful and friendly.
Tip for your scuba dive holiday and diving Veligandu Island Resort on the Maldives
My good friend, who is a local scuba diving instructor on Veligandu for more than a decade now, knows exactly where to find the smaller stuff like the leaf fish and mantis shrimp or creatures that are not always easy to spot, like stonefish for example. Keep an eye on what he is showing, especially whilst diving the dive site Madivaru Corner!
Do you like more scuba diving information for your vacation to Veligandu Island Resort in the Maldives?
I´m working on a full blog post about scuba diving with Ocean Dive Centre on Veligandu in the Maldives. Keep an eye on Splashpacker if you don´t want to miss out, you can also subscribe to the mailing list below.
Mailing List
In the meantime, I have already written a blog post about my favourite dive site which is to be found there. Also, I have shared some videos on Splashpacker YouTube channel. You can find little video´s about Manta Point, the dive site Big Blue and diving with the sharks on Madivaru Corner here so far. You can click on the links to view on YouTube or subscribe to my channel there.
Book your diving holiday to Veligandu Island Resort in the Maldives
If you like to book your diving holiday to Veligandu Island Resort in the Maldives, I once again share the links here to Agoda and Booking. After that, I share a search box from 12go.co which you can use to find your international flight deal to the Maldives. Please note that I receive a small commission on your purchase through those links and the search box.
Click here to book Veligandu Island Resort on booking.com
Click here to book Veligandu Island Resort on Agoda
Happy splashpacking, and safe travels!
*As an associate from Booking, Agoda, and 12go.co I earn from qualifying purchases
Yes, Veligandu is such a peaceful little paradise. Thank you for your comment 🙂
Veligandu Island Resort is a paradise for those who are looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city life.