Gili Lankanfushi, de pionier op het gebied van duurzame, blotevoetenluxe op de Malediven, heeft zijn meest ontzagwekkende onderwateravonturen onthuld, die het hele jaar door beschikbaar zijn in het chique eco-resort voor schipbreukelingen.
Home to a pristine reef teeming with rare aquatic species, rays, reef sharks and turtles, Gili Lankanfushi provides some of the most unspoilt diving and snorkelling opportunities in the Maldives, with the opportunity to achieve a range of PADI certifications including the PADI Bubblemaker course for the youngest of aquatic adventurers. For the more eco-minded, the chance to participate in Giliâs Coral Lines sustainability initiative awaits, while surfing, paddle-boarding, boat trips and a variety of other watersports provide endless fun above water.
Gili Lankanfushiâs underwater adventures include:
Duiken
Set within a stunning house reef and located just moments away from some of the countryâs most renowned dive sites, Gili Lankanfushi provides an unrivalled opportunity to delve into the underwater world. The resortâs PADI-certified Ocean Paradise Dive Centre, with its multilingual instructors and state of the art equipment, caters to divers of all abilities, offering a variety of diving experiences as well as the chance to complete a range of bucket-list PADI certifications.
Divers can take their underwater passion to new depths and discover North Maleâs top five most famous dive sites â HP Reef, Okobe Thila, Nassimo Thila, Banana Reef and Lankan Finolhu Manta Point â encountering vibrant corals, schools of shimmering fish and majestic manta rays as they go.
Certified Open Water and Advanced Open Water divers can explore to their heartâs content, with Giliâs thrice-daily diving boat trips, where guests can dive up to a maximum of 20m (Open Water) or 30m (Advanced Open Water) and uncover the hidden marine life treasures that call the deepest of waters home.
Water babies aged eight and up can dip their fin into the world of scuba with the PADI Bubblemaker experience, where a PADI pro will guide them to take their first breaths underwater within shallow, safe and fully supervised waters â igniting what is sure to become a lifelong passion for the sport.
Snorkelen
For those who prefer a more gentle approach to sea life-spotting, snorkelling around Giliâs house reef canât be beaten. Here, guests need simply slip on a snorkelling mask and a pair of fins and head straight to the 15-metre drop-off zone at the edge of the reef, where they will discover vivid coral walls inhabited by small sharks and colourful schools of fish, turtles and rays. Guests can choose to go it alone or be led by the islandâs resident marine biologist, who will help them identify the array of aquatic life on guided trips, departing day and night.
Verder weg kan het team boottochten regelen naar een aantal wereldberoemde snorkelplekken op korte afstand van het eiland. Daar kunnen snorkelaars grotere diersoorten spotten, zoals manta's en haaien. De route wordt afgestemd op het individuele niveau.
Watersporten en excursies
Beyond diving and snorkelling, an endless choice of watersports and aquatic excursions await at Gili Lankanfushi. Those wishing to upskill in the water will revel in the opportunity to partake in lessons in paddle boarding, windsurfing, wakeboarding, catamaran sailing and water-skiing, accompanied by the islandâs most experienced pros, or simply hire the equipment of their choice and take to the seas solo.
Above deck, a series of unforgettable group and private boating excursions can be arranged, from dolphin cruises, sunset fishing trips and romantic champagne voyages à deux to local island visits to soak up an authentic slice of Maldivian life.
If surfing is more oneâs thing, Gili Lankanfushiâs world-class Tropicsurf instructors are on island 24/7, ready to help guests realise their surfing ambitions. Before heading out to the ocean, instructors will discuss the clientâs current skill level and goals â whether they want to simply stand on the board or hang-ten, waft and reverse like Kelly Slater â creating a programme that is completely bespoke.
Koraallijnen Project
Sustainability is at the heart of Gili Lankanfushiâs vision, with an emphasis on preserving the natural environment, protecting the fragile marine ecosystem and leaving only footprints behind. Thanks to the islandâs Coral Lines project, guests can now get involved in the islandâs sustainability initiatives during their stay.
Het Coral Lines-project biedt een kweekomgeving voor nieuwe koralen om te groeien, versterkt het huisrif en monitort de gezondheid en overlevingstypen van alle koraalgenotypen. Gasten kunnen deelnemen aan het beroemde beschermingsproject, waar ze leren over het herstel en de rehabilitatie van koraalriffen, het verzorgende koraal op touwen bezoeken en zelfs een koraal kunnen adopteren.
Conservation is taken seriously at Gili Lankansushi, with the island regularly hosting visiting scientists and academics studying the coral reef ecosystem. The islandâs dedicated marine biology team monitor the health and biodiversity of the surrounding coral reef ecosystems, measuring light intensity and sea surface temperature, identifying and tracking manta ray and turtle populations, removing invasive Crown of Thorns starfish, and educating guests about the underwater world through lectures and guided snorkelling trips.
Gili Lankanfushi enjoys an unspoilt island location in the Maldivesâ North Malé Atoll, just 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé Airport. Perfectly suited for couples, families, solo travellers and groups alike, the resort combines rustic eco-design, unparalleled service and stunning natural scenery with a laid-back-luxury, âno news, no shoesâ philosophy.
Meer informatie over Gili Lankanfushi Malediven Resort