OUTRIGGER’s story began in Hawaii in 1947, before the hotel chain expanded to Maui and then into beach destinations across the world. That hands-on approach to beachside luxury is core to OUTRIGGER’s flagship Maldives resort: at Maafushivaru, you’re encouraged to experience the island rather than simply look out at it. You can join a coral-restoration session with the marine team, book personal time on a nearby private island or watch the sunset from a dhoni (Maldivian traditional fishing boat). The island isn’t just a backdrop here.
You can have your own private island for the day
Lonubo is a private uninhabited island reserved exclusively for Maafushivaru guests, who can book private day experiences there. A short boat ride takes you across for several hours of swimming, snorkelling, castaway picnics or private sunset cocktails. For something more elaborate, arrange a starlit BBQ with a dedicated chef and server. If you’re looking for private time in one of the most romantic places in the world, there aren’t many places better than OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort.
The house reef brings the South Ari Atoll right to your doorstep
Walk from the beach into the lagoon for a snorkel, then join the resort’s PADI dive centre for an introduction to scuba diving or a deeper exploration of the reef.
Multilingual instructors work with beginners and experienced divers, while the resort’s marine biologist leads presentations and conservation activities focused on the ocean around the island. The wider South Ari Atoll is also known for manta rays and whale-shark encounters (though note wildlife sightings remain seasonal and never guaranteed).
At Maafushivaru, the reef becomes part of the daily rhythm – something to explore in the morning, learn about in the afternoon and carry into dinner conversation.
Kids can become junior marine biologists between beach days
The Treehouse Kids Retreat gives children (aged four to twelve) their own place to play, create and explore. Hidden doors, cosy nooks and panoramic windows make it feel more like a clubhouse than a standard kids’ room.
On Ocean Day, children can learn about marine life with the resident marine biologist, sculpt sea creatures and make sea-animal origami. Nature Day brings wildlife awareness, recycled crafts and a guided nature walk, while other days focus on Maldivian culture, outdoor games and even pirate-themed treasure hunts.
That gives you time for the beach, spa or a cocktail by the pool while the children follow their own island timetable. You can stay together when you want to, and split off when you don’t.
You can dine around the world without leaving the island…
Choosing dinner is part of the fun at Maafushivaru. At overwater restaurant Koto, Japanese fusion meets an intimate teppanyaki table, with sake-infused cocktails and a carefully curated nigiri and maki sushi selection. Moodhu Grill is more open-air and elemental, with five overwater private dining platforms open to the stars and the reef below. The menu moves from lobster, shrimp and choice cuts to Middle Eastern-style kebabs cooked in the restaurant’s tandoor oven.
At the island’s highest point, Art-I-San looks out over the moonlit ocean and serves as the resort’s fine-dining address. Cuisine Gallery keeps things relaxed beside the beach with live cooking stations, while Edgewater handles poolside lunches, chef’s specials and sundowner cocktails.
Then there’s Koffee ’N Chill, an open-air lounge where you can settle into a hammock or sofa on the sand with specialty coffee, patisserie, affogatos and island-made ice cream.
… and the all-inclusive upgrade lets you make the most of every venue
The standard package keeps the essentials covered: breakfast and dinner at Cuisine Gallery, lunch at Edgewater, two hours of selected drinks with lunch and dinner, plus discounts at the specialty restaurants. The All-Inclusive Upgrade lets you roam further – dinner at any onsite restaurant, unlimited selected drinks, daily ice cream at Koffee ’N Chill and a minibar refreshed each day.
After a reef snorkel and an afternoon on Lonubo, you can choose teppanyaki at Koto, the open-air grill at Moodhu or a table at Art-I-San – no need to leave the island to change the mood.
Discover more about OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort on the new season of Luxury Escapes: The World’s Best Holidays, airing Thursday 7.30pm AEST* on Foxtel Lifestyle and on demand on Binge and Network 10.
