When it comes to getting up close to Earth’s wondrous aquatic life, the Maldives, with over 1,000 pearlescent islands and ring-shaped coral reefs, offers somewhat of a front-row seat. And if you are fascinated with sea creatures as I do, South Ari Atoll — located west of the archipelago — is the perfect place to be. Here, you will find manta rays majestically flapping by, sea turtles foraging for their next meal, and the highest concentration of young whale sharks plodding along and enjoying a leisurely life at sea.
One of the biggest atolls in the Maldives, this Marine Protected Area is a popular spot for whale watchers, divers, snorkelers and marine biologists, who often attach themselves to nearby island resorts to drive the urgent message of ocean preservation. Here, I learnt more about whale sharks with my guide, a strapping Australian marine biologist called Oscar Ignetik, who took a group of us out for a whale shark trip — one of the many extraordinary experiences offered by LUX* South Ari Atoll.
A five-star resort under The Lux Collective — a Mauritian-based global hotel operator — LUX* South Ari Atoll is one of the leading resorts in Maldives that is pushing a strong planet-first narrative. An award-winning destination recognised by the likes of Condé Nast Traveler, Forbes, TripAdvisor, and Booking.com, LUX* South Ari Atoll (or LSAA for short) is one of the top 10 largest islands in Maldives, stretching almost 2km from tip to tip.
Accessible only by seaplane from Velana International Airport (next to the capital island of Malé), this tranquil island in the sun is by all accounts luxurious but not stuffy or pretentious. Just like its tagline “Lighter, Brighter”, everything about a stay at LSAA is fresh, fun and style-forward, from the easy breezy nautical-inspired white-washed interiors — applied consistently throughout the airport lounge, resort reception and room interiors — to the over 40 island experiences which offer something for every man, woman and child.
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The laidback rustic-chic atmosphere here reminds me of the gilis of Lombok, with long and winding cycling paths, piped-in club music, party nights on the beach, and movies under the stars. I wondered if a team of well-heeled millennials designed the island.
The charm of this place is in the tiny little details, like the complimentary beach slippers provided in each villa, which leave imprints of the word LUX as you walk over the sand. Do not be surprised to enter darkened toilets with plush lounge seats and dance music, plastered with whimsical images of mermaids that look almost animated on camera. If you are an early riser, you might find a “message in a bottle” hidden in plain sight by the gardeners. This daily activity invites guests to hunt for six large glass bottles containing attractive prizes like a bottle of wine, stuffed toy or spa treat.
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The best thing about staying on an island as large as this is the feeling of total privacy and solitude. With 193 over-water villas and beach pavilions of various sizes, the resort can easily fit 500 guests at full occupancy. Still, you will not hear any noise or feel any invasion of your personal space. Even the 600 staff who live on the island go about their daily affairs remaining very much under the radar.
“There are countless ways to do nothing here,” says one of its sales and marketing heads. And I believe him. A relaxing stroll — or cycle — up and down the island could easily take an hour. Along the way, you will discover hidden gems like over-water hammocks and swings, a giant chess board, London phone booths (for free calls), infinity pools, and scenic garden nooks — all curated for perfect Instagram moments.
For the wellness junkie, there is a daily schedule of fitness programmes (accessible from your TV), from sunrise and sunset yoga at the beach to Pilates, circuit training, aqua boot camp, and much more. Spa enthusiasts will love the pampering massages and top-notch service at the award-winning LUX* Me Spa, built with 15 spacious spa villas, including four overwater treatment villas.
Those up for a random romp around the island can take a chilly break at the ICI ice-cream parlour; learn latte art at Café LUX*; make upcycled art at Junkart Studio; have your portraits taken by professionals from Photo Fanatics; read a book at a standalone library on the beach; or say a prayer under a wise old wishing tree.
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Couple these with unique experiences — like a jet ski safari or yoga and sound bath aboard a dhoni (traditional boat)— plus all the water sports you can handle, and you have got an extremely packed vacation of doing nothing!
You will never go hungry or thirsty here, with eight appointed bars and restaurants well-spaced apart. I suggest East Market for an Asian-inspired buffet breakfast; Senses Restaurant for Mediterranean cuisine; Lagoon Bar for a lunchtime cocktail; Allegria for a hearty Italian dinner (my favourite); and Beach Rouge for a wild DJ-led party on the beach.
To fully enjoy a stay at LSAA, book the all-inclusive package starting at US$724 ($976) per night for the Romantic Pool Water Villa. It includes complimentary dining across six restaurants plus free house pours and soft drinks at all the bars; yoga and fitness classes, access to the sauna, steam room, plunge pool and spa relaxation area; daily use of snorkelling equipment and selected water sports activities; and unlimited access to the gym, tennis courts, table tennis, bocce balls and beach volleyball.
Planet-friendly experiences
At the heart of its purpose, The Lux Collective cares about what matters. Fighting climate change to achieve a positive environmental impact is at the top. Its dedication to a greener future can be seen in undertaking various sustainable initiatives supporting the global conscious travelling trend.
LSAA has installed one of the world’s largest floating solar systems at sea in partnership with Swimsol GmbH. Including utilised rooftops, the solar panels of the island power up to 33% of the whole resort’s use, powering all guest villas during peak sun hours. The island cruisers that take guests around the resort are also powered by the bright Maldivian sunshine, saving more than 260,000 litres of diesel annually. Guests can track real-time solar energy production and consumption from their villas through the resort’s dedicated TV channel.
Plastic bottles and takeaway cups are replaced with glass and bamboo fibre alternatives, and the island’s water plant has saved about 810,000 plastic bottles since the start of this initiative in December 2011. On top of that, all bathroom amenities in the guest villas, spa treatment products, and skincare collection at the resort’s LUX* ME Spa boutique are not tested on animals and are made of natural ingredients. The brand’s signature Shirley Page treatments offer cruelty-free spa experiences with organic essential and body oils.
Awarded the Most Sustainable Wedding Resort in South Asia, LSAA also prides itself as a low-impact wedding destination. Wedding packages are wrapped around a zero-waste concept while remaining very luxurious. Moreover, every nuptial celebrated here funds a child’s education at one of the local care homes.
Keen on green
Every restaurant on LSAA offers various plant-based, vegetarian, vegan, and raw dishes from organic and locally-sourced ingredients. The “Keen on Green” concept invites a healthy and creative culinary journey, supporting a sustainable approach to food and helping reduce carbon footprint. For its dedication to the waste-free guest experience and care for nature, the resort has been recognised by numerous awards, and it also holds a Green Globe certificate.
A fun island experience is visiting the Herb Garden, which grows fresh herbs and vegetables for plant-based dishes. Here, you can sign up for a Master Chef cooking class and learn how to make a sumptuous seafood-forward meal using locally-caught fish and freshly-plucked vegetables from the garden.
The Herb Garden is also where guests can book a seat at Amaa’s Kitchen, a new private dinner experience that showcases authentic Maldivian cuisine prepared in a traditional setting by a local amaa (mother in Dhivehi) who will boat in to cook for you upon request. I advise going light for lunch because amaa will stuff you with at least four types of curries, chapati, rice, and plenty of pre-dinner snacks — just like how she does it back home.
Special care for the oceans
At LSAA, you will find a state-of-the-art Padi dive centre and an on-site marine biology centre with resident marine biologists who are on a mission to support ongoing scientific research to restore and protect the native wildlife population. The marine centre staff will take resort guests out for eco-tours as part of their conservation work, from swimming with whale sharks and manta rays to studying local reef life.
In collaboration with its long-term partners in research and nature conservation, the Whale Shark Research Programme and Olive Ridley Project, the resort organises charity auctions, updates the existing database of ocean inhabitants and offers turtle and whale shark adoption to its guests. Once a new “resident” of the atoll is discovered, a guest has the naming and adoption rights, confirmed with a special certificate. Since 2018, the island’s team has helped identify over a dozen gentle giants living nearby.
During my stay at LUX*, I could not spot any whale sharks at sea, but I had the opportunity to plunge into the calm, azure waters to snorkel and gaze at the corals and fishes around it. What shocked me was the colour of the corals, or lack thereof — a widespread bleaching effect caused by rising global temperatures — which was a far cry from the colourful reef I fondly remember during my last visit to Maldives 10 years ago. Supposedly, more than 60% of coral reefs in the Maldives were hit by mass bleaching in 2016 due to record temperatures and have not recovered since.
To aid in restoring the reef, LSAA has promoted coral planting workshops as a key activity for travellers to contribute to the ocean’s well-being. During the session, a marine biologist will educate guests on the various types of corals and their importance to the reef’s ecosystem. After that, you’re given a bucket of broken corals to cable-tie to a wrought iron frame which will be dunked close to shore. Apparently, the corals will grow to their full potential in three to seven years. As part of this Coral Frame Adoption programme, every guest who signs up for the programme will receive regular photo updates on the growth of their planted baby corals.
My trip to LUX* was extraordinary, filled with countless things to see and do, with elevated shining service, beautifully designed spaces and carefully crafted escapes. If I had the chance, I would make repeat visits to this little paradise in the Indian Ocean.
On my last day there, during a sunset cruise onboard a dhoni, I looked out for whale sharks and contemplated the future of the atoll. This had me seriously thinking about the climate crisis and its impact on marine life and our natural environment. I hope the next time I visit LUX*, I will return to the same vibrant vibes, picturesque coves with soft white sand, and bright blue ocean waters teeming with colourful corals.
