LILY BEACH RESORT & SPA
A big-hearted all-inclusive family island in South Ari with an adults-only corner, 36 plunge-pool water villas and whale-shark diving on the doorstep.
- Atoll
- South Ari Atoll
- Villa categories
- 9 published
- Private pools
- Selected villas
- Getting there
- Seaplane, about 25 minutes from Velana International Airport, Malé (or domestic flight + speedboat)
- Kids' club
- Turtle Kids Club, ages 3–11
- Babysitting
- Available
Lily Beach is the island we suggest when a family wants everything handled and nobody wants to think about a bill. The Deluxe Water Villas with their little jacuzzi pools are the sweet spot; the Sunset Water Suites add a proper pool and a butler. Parents get the Turtle Kids Club and a children's pool at Vibes; anyone over 16 can escape to AQVA's infinity pool. It is lively rather than hushed, and that is the point.
Who it suits
Families with children from three, multi-generational groups and couples who like a busy island with a quiet adults-only zone. Less suited to anyone wanting a small, private retreat.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa from the air
9 villa categories, beach and overwater
Nine categories, from 68 m² Beach Villas to 182 m² Sunset Water Suites. Only the Beach Suite with Pool, Beach Residence, Deluxe Water Villa and Sunset Water Suite have private pools; several others have jacuzzis. The resort does not publish occupancy.
- — 46 villas on the beach
- — Open-air bathroom
- — Direct beach access
- Published occupancy: Not published
Couples and small families who want the beach at the door.
7 ways to eat, from lagoon to beach
Tamarind
Asian · Indian · À la carte restaurant
The island's Asian and Indian restaurant. Asian and Indian à la carte dinner.
Les Turquoise D'Aqua
Degustation · Fine-dining room
The resort's fine-dining degustation experience. Five-course degustation menu.
Reservation required.
- Lily Maa · International buffet
- The all-day buffet restaurant. The main restaurant.
- Teppanyaki · Japanese · Teppanyaki
- Live teppanyaki for a dozen guests at a time. Teppanyaki counter at AQVA.
- Vibes Bar
- The lively family-side pool bar. Poolside, beside the main pool and children's pool.
- AQVA Bar
- The adults-only sunset bar and pool. Sunset side, infinity pool.
- Spirit Bar
- The resort's third bar. Lounge bar.
Days that fill themselves
AQVA adults-only zone
A sunset-side infinity pool and bar reserved for guests aged 16 and over — rare on a family island.
South Ari diving
Prodivers runs trips to around 50 sites in an atoll known for whale sharks.
- In the water
- Prodivers dive centre with around 50 dive sites in South Ari · A house reef the resort describes as well protected and easily accessible
- Watersports
- Watersports centre on the lagoon
- At sea
- Excursions and cruises arranged by the resort
- Wellbeing & sport
- Tamara Spa, overwater · Gym, floodlit tennis court and football pitch
Turtle Kids Club
- Ages
- 3 to 11
- Hours
- 09:00–17:30
- Babysitting
- Available
- Teenagers
- No teen provision
Turtle Kids Club with a children's pool
Turtle Kids Club takes children aged 3 to 11.99.
AQVA pool and bar are reserved for guests aged 16 and over.
Family villas: Beach Family Villa.
- Seaplane of about 25 minutes, daylight only.
- All-inclusive only.
- Turtle Kids Club runs 09:00–17:30 for ages 3–11.
- AQVA pool and bar are for guests 16 and over.
- The teppanyaki counter seats 12; book it early.
- Les Turquoise D'Aqua requires a reservation.
- All-inclusive only; ask us what the current plan covers rather than relying on older lists.
- Only four categories have private pools.
- A lively, full island rather than a hushed one — AQVA is the quiet corner.
- The published villa count and FAQ figures do not fully agree; we record the villa pages.
South Ari Atoll, Maldives
Seaplane from Velana International Airport, Malé
About 25 minutes · daylight only · Arrivals 06:00–15:30; departures after 09:00
Trans Maldivian Airways seaplane, about 25 minutes.
Domestic flight + speedboat from Velana International Airport, Malé
Duration not published
Flyme domestic flight of about 25 minutes, then a speedboat. The resort publishes no combined duration.
Seaplanes fly in daylight only; international arrivals should land by 15:30 and departures leave after 09:00.
Transfer prices are not recorded.
How do we get there?
A seaplane of about 25 minutes, or a short domestic flight then a speedboat. Seaplanes fly in daylight only.
Is Lily Beach good for children?
Yes. Turtle Kids Club takes ages 3–11, there is a children's pool, interconnecting family villas and evening babysitting.
Is there somewhere quiet for adults?
AQVA, on the sunset side, is an adults-only (16+) infinity pool and bar.
Which villas have a pool?
Beach Suites with Pool, the Beach Residence, Deluxe Water Villas (a 7 m² jacuzzi plunge pool) and Sunset Water Suites.
Stories from Lily Beach Resort & Spa
2013
We even had a win at the casino too !! ( more shoes of course!)
“You beat me to it!!! We had such a fantastic honeymoon , the whole time we were saying ‘ thank god for Ella!!’ Lily beach was AMAZING as were the honeymoon inclusions, the sea plane, the activities…”
Kate & Dan
2012
Wow what an absolutely perfect place Lily Beach is, the staff were amazing!!!
“Wow what an absolutely perfect place Lily Beach is. The staff were amazing!!! We tipped them around $40USD each (the ones that dealt with us). We did activities like snorkelling, deserted island…”
Lousie & Braeden
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