Located in the languid waters of the North Male Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi is just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Male International Airport. The resort’s 45 villas offer open-air living spaces, roof terraces and private decks with direct access to the lagoon below. Its furnishings are inspired by the island and made by skilled craftsman using upcycled materials such as bed frames made from recycled teakwood and lampshades handwoven with recycled wire mesh to feature fish and sea turtles.
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 give back to the surrounding community by taking part in coral reef planting in the lagoon, meeting the Marine Biologist to learn more about the surrounding ocean and its inhabitants and even snorkeling with them, as well as taking part in an eco-tour of the organic gardens with the Chef.
Their plant-based stay includes series of plant-based offerings and nature-based designed to reduce the resort’s impact on the planet, and further facilitate responsible travellers in honouring their natural surroundings.
For breakfast, lunch & dinner, you will be treated to colourful and balanced plant-based menus, drawing inspiration from Maldivian culinary traditions and carefully crafted by Gili Lankanfushi’s Executive Chef, Hari Govindaraj, using organic herbs, vegetables and fruits grown in the resort’s very own organic garden without using harmful pesticides. 100% of the resort’s food waste will be processed in an advanced rocket composter, producing natural fertiliser which will continue to nurture the island’s extensive organic garden.
Your nature-based days will begin with intention as you can enjoy a private vinyasa flow yoga class on the beach before accompanying a local marine biologist on a guided snorkelling session, learning about Gili Lankanfushi’s pioneering Coral Lines Project, which provides a nursery environment for new corals to grow, bolstering the house reef and monitoring survival types across coral genotypes. The island’s dedicated marine biology team monitor the health and biodiversity of the ecosystems, measure light intensity and sea temperature, whilst also identifying and tracking manta ray and turtle populations, to educate guests about the underwater world through the guided trips. They will also offer a new programme of additional lectures at their dedicated research centre, Gili Veshi.
For those eager to try their hand at a new skill to take home, there is the opportunity to learn plant-based tricks of the trade from Chef Hari in a private Gili Vegan Cooking Class where guests will prepare Maldivian curries, juices and smoothies using fresh ingredients found in the gardens.
