We arrived at Lily Beach via fixed-wing aircraft followed by a 30-minute speedboat transfer to the island.. The Lily Beach team met us on arrival, handled the domestic transfer smoothly, and escorted...
We arrived at Lily Beach via fixed-wing aircraft followed by a 30-minute speedboat transfer to the island.. The Lily Beach team met us on arrival, handled the domestic transfer smoothly, and escorted us to the lounge boarding area, making the process completely stress-free.
Our first impression set the tone immediately. The reception area has a sand floor, reinforcing the island???s relaxed, barefoot-luxury vibe???sandals or bare feet are the norm. We were welcomed with a refreshing fruit slushie, followed by champagne.
As an all-inclusive resort, Lily Beach offers an impressive selection of wines, champagne (including Taittinger and Mo??t), and premium spirits, all available across the island. The island itself is compact???around 600 metres long, plus overwater jetties???making it easy to walk anywhere within minutes.
Our first lunch at Lily Maa exceeded expectations, with excellent quality and variety. Fresh fish and tropical fruit featured prominently, and everything was beautifully prepared.
Standing on the jetty and looking down into the reef was truly breathtaking. There???s a dramatic drop-off right at the jetty edge, with sharks and an incredible variety of marine life visible below. Having stayed at four other Maldivian resorts and completed multiple liveaboards, the underwater scenery here still managed to blow us away.
After lunch, we checked into our villa. The minibar is restocked daily and includes nuts, chips, beer, soft drinks, and one bottle each of red and white wine.
Dinner at Lily Maa was again outstanding, followed by the night-time shark feeding at the jetty. Watching stingrays, reef sharks, and nurse sharks gather in large numbers was spectacular???though slightly intimidating given we had already booked a night dive for the following evening.
Aqva is another excellent dining option, offering delicious lunches, creative cocktails, and a stunning adults-only infinity pool. Unsurprisingly, this was a popular spot for Instagram photos. There???s also a separate family-friendly area with pools, table tennis, and pool tables.
Snorkelling at Lily Beach is exceptional. Both sides of the island feature sheer drop-offs on the outer reef, and marine life is abundant. We recommend checking the current direction and drifting with it for an effortless snorkel. During our stay we encountered rays, multiple shark species, and even a large pod of dolphins swimming past the reef. Care should be taken not to swim beyond the last buoys, as currents can become strong???during our visit, a couple had to be rescued by jet ski after drifting too far.
While the coral garden snorkelling is worth doing for variety, we preferred the house reef around the island. The beaches in front of the villas are clean and largely weed-free, making swimming easy. However, the sand does contain coral fragments, so water shoes or sandals are recommended.
Our complimentary dinner at Tamarind was a highlight. The Thai-inspired menu delivered bold, authentic flavours and was a genuine taste explosion.
Our only minor criticism relates to the villa bathroom design. The rear half is sandy, and the clothesline is positioned across shrubbery, making it awkward to use without stepping into sand. If clothes were dropped, they inevitably picked up sand, which was then tracked into the shower area. Replacing the sand with larger river stones would greatly improve functionality. While there was a water bowl on the rear verandah, we requested an additional one at the front entrance to minimise sand being brought inside.
We recommend booking all complimentary excursions as early as possible, as weather-related cancellations meant we were unable to use every activity included in our package.
On departure, there was an incorrect domestic flight time scheduled for our return. Management handled the situation exceptionally well???truly 10 out of 10 service. As is standard with Maldivian domestic flights, final departure times are only confirmed around 8pm the night before.
Overall, thanks to the extraordinary snorkelling, warm and attentive staff, relaxed atmosphere, and seamless support throughout our journey, Lily Beach ranks among the best islands we???ve visited. It offers excellent value as a mid-range Maldivian resort and is an absolute must for ocean lovers. We did not want to leave and would like to visit again one day.
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Dec 14 2025
