10 Hottest Experiences to add to Your Bucket List at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

17 November, 2021

Now there’s no better time to plan Your perfect luxury beach break in the Maldives and embark on an escape from the day-to-day.

Gili Lankanfushi, located on a private island in the North Malé Atoll, is inviting guests to enjoy 20% off the best available rate as well as complementary half-board upgrade when booking direct and checking into the luxury eco-resort for four nights or more.

Longer stays allow for maximum exploration, relaxation and memory-making while staying at Gili Lankanfushi. With just 45 overwater villas, perched on stilts above the glistening Indian Ocean, the resort’s ethos of barefoot luxury encourages guests to find their perfect way to unwind – from bespoke treatments in the Meera Spa and cooking classes to more adventurous pursuits such as snorkelling with Manta Rays and sunrise yoga.

For those looking to experience all the resort has to offer, here are top unique experiences not to be missed at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives.

Wine tasting in the Underground Wine Cellar

The cosy haven of the Underground Wine Cellar can be found at the bottom of a flight of glass stairs, designed around a huge piece of driftwood that was once swept ashore on the island. Here, more than 500 varieties of wine from some of the world’s best wine regions are carefully selected and look after by Gili Lankanfushi’s expert sommelier. Guests can venture across old and new worlds with a tasting session, with non-alcoholic wines also available for those. Read More

Donate a Coral Line to the reef rehabilitation programme

Gili Lankanfushi is the pioneer of ethical, sustainable, barefoot luxury in the Maldives. In fact, sustainability is at the heart of the resort with a big emphasis placed on preserving the natural environment and protecting the fragile marine ecosystem. Guests can meet the Marine Biologist to learn more about the surrounding ocean and its inhabitants and even snorkel with them, as well as the chance to donate a coral line as part of the resort’s reef rehabilitation programme. The Coral Lines Project will plant a rope with 20-30 small, living coral fragments, which will then flourish and help rebuild one of the Mother Nature’s most threatened ecosystems.

Blindfolded ‘Dining for the Senses’

Gourmet dining in a secret location with a twist, Gili Lankanfushi’s ‘Dining for the Senses’ dares guests to a blindfolded dinner experience, putting their senses to the ultimate test. Read more

Sleep under the stars

A must-do at least one evening during a Gili Lankanfushi stay, the sleep under the stars experience allows guests to drift into dreamland whilst under the vast blanket of a million stars on the rooftop terrace of their villa. Complete with bubbly and cocktails as well as breakfast in bed the following morning, it’s a treasured memory you won’t forget.

Plant-based dining in the organic garden

Take a walk with Gili Lankanfushi’s Executive Chef Harinath Govindaraj and explore the resort’s very own organic garden. Filled with an abundance of fresh, vibrant produce, the garden is Chef Hari’s playground where he will create game-changing vegan dishes for guests to try, from his signature vegan scallops to scrumptious desserts paired with the finest organic wines.

Ride the waves

The Maldives’ North Malé Atoll is home to unbeatable surfing. Luxury surfing company, Tropicsurf, and their experienced team will curate bespoke lessons and trips, whether you’re a brand-new or seasoned surfer. With some of the best breaks in the country directly on Gili Lankanfushi’s doorstep – three just a five-minute boat ride away and several more within 20 minutes – as well as tropical water temperatures, consistent swell and minimal crowds, it’s the perfect place to learn to surf.

Watch a movie in the Jungle Cinema

An unforgettable movie experience and delightful way to spend an evening while at Gili Lankanfushi, the outdoor Jungle Cinema invites guests to recline in a luxury sunbed, snack on a bowel of freshly popped popcorn and catch a classic film.

Battle of the bartenders

One of the resort’s newest food and beverage concepts, Destination Drinking is in equal parts fun, entertaining and engaging, with more than a shot of laughter to make sure that everyone has a good time. The programme is centred around the theme of Battle of the Bartenders, where some of the island’s best mixologists will compete in creating bespoke cocktails or mocktails to win over the hearts of the guests. The relaxed and light-hearted session gives guests a chance to interact with the witty barmen, who go to all lengths to amuse and delight. All in the spirit of fun, of course.

Sunset Cocktails on a castaway island

There is a small castaway island located close to the main Gili Lankanfushi island, which is open to guests for an extra special sunset experience. Guests can savour delightful canapés and delicious cocktails whilst watching the picturesque Maldivian sun set over glistening waters, a truly one-of-a-kind tranquil experience.

Relax in your own private sanctuary

Sometimes the best way to spend a holiday is to do absolutely nothing at all. From the Villa Suites, 11 of which have private pools and the Gili Lagoon Villas with private hammocks in the sea, to the Family Villas with Pools and Private Reserve – the largest standalone overwater villa in the world – Gili Lankanfushi’s villas have everyone guests need to unwind. No matter where you choose to call home during your stay, each and every villa is taken care of by a Man or Woman Friday, named after Robinson Crusoe’s loyal assistance.

Rates at Gili Lankanfushi start from USD $1,547++ per night in a Villa Suite, based on double occupancy. The Book Direct exclusive offer includes a 20% reduction in all accommodation rates with complimentary upgrade to half-board (breakfast and dinner) when booking a minimum of 4 nights.

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About Gili Lankanfushi

Located in the North Male Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi opened in 2000 as the original over water resort Soneva Gili. In 2012 the island was acquired by HPL (Hotel Properties Limited) a Singapore based company investing in hotels, lifestyle and properties around the world. Voted number one hotel in the world by Trip Advisor in 2015, Gili Lankanfushi is an easy 20 minute speedboat transfer from Male international airport. Set in the middle of its own lagoon, guests enjoy a barefoot existence with 360 degree views of the Indian Ocean. Gili Lankanfushi’s 45 overwater villas, including the vast and secluded Private Reserve offer unrivalled privacy. The wellbeing of the planet is at the heart of the Gili Lankanfushi, with each stay contributing towards preserving the natural environment, protecting the fragile marine ecosystem and treading lightly.