Bliss Dhigurah, South Ari Atoll
Welcoming local island guesthouse offering watersports, diving and a taste of the Maldives
per room, breakfast only
Overview
- Beautiful boutique hotel with extensive facilities
- Experience an authentic local island atmosphere
- Dive 15 thilas close to Dhigurah and nearby islands
- Enjoy almost guaranteed whale shark encounters
Bliss Dhigurah is a boutique hotel located on an authentic local island in the whale shark capital of the Maldives - South Ari Atoll. With many of the facilities you’d expect from an exclusive private island escape, this humble guesthouse is sure to exceed expectations. And for those looking to meet South Ari’s most famous marine residents, or dive the nearby thilas, Bliss Dhigurah works in close partnership with an ambitious local dive centre to deliver unparalleled underwater experiences. So step into island life and immerse yourself into the local culture and nature of the Maldives with adventures to remember, food to look forward to, and service with a smile.
Rooms
- Item 1 of 2
Compact room
1 x Double bed, sleeps 2
Air conditioning, Ensuite bathroom, Fan...from $125 /night - Item 1 of 2
Deluxe room
1 x Double bed, sleeps 2
Air conditioning, Ensuite bathroom, Fan...from $143 /night - Item 1 of 2
Suite
1 x King bed, sleeps 2
Air conditioning, Ensuite bathroom, Fan...from $158 /night - Item 1 of 2
Family room
1 x Queen bed, 2 x twin beds, sleeps 4
Air conditioning, Ensuite bathroom, Fan...from $175 /night
Resort checklist
Meal plans:
- Breakfast
- Half Board
- Full Board
Diving in South Ari Atoll
- Whale sharkYear round
- WrecksYear round
- Healthy coralsNot frequently
- Plentiful reef lifeYear round
- Manta RaysFrom November to March
- StingraysNot frequently
- TurtlesYear round
- Giant frogfishNot frequently
From the famous whale sharks of Maamigili reef, to current-driven drifts through reef channels, and one of the finest wrecks in the Maldives, you can’t go wrong with South Ari Atoll’s dive sites.
Whale sharks in South Ari
Whale sharks are the highlight in South Ari Atoll with year-round potential to view these gentle giants. The South Ari Marine Protected Area is renowned for almost daily sightings, and you’ve got a pretty good chance almost no matter what time of year you visit. During the Northeast monsoon from December to April, they tend to be seen more to the west, then the whale sharks move over to the east during the Southwest monsoon between May and November. Wherever they are spotted, you'll can swim alongside these wonderful creatures as they feed and cruise along the reef.
Manta rays are also seen in South Ari, particularly at Madivaru – also known as Manta point – a marine protected reef on the south of Rangali Kandu. The best chance to see them is during the northeast monsoon from December to May. And manta rays or not, you’ll still see plenty of fish at this well-known site. The Machchafushi Wreck – also known as Kudhimaa Wreck – is also a highlight of South Ari’s diving. The boat was purposefully sunk in 1998, and now sits upright and fully intact. With its large propeller, prominent wheelhouse, crane structure, and plenty of doorways, this wreck is a photographer’s dream. You’ll also find a host of life including batfish, frogfish, ghost pipefish, and moray eels. In the central region of Ari there are some classic thilas, and while the atoll is not small, most of the stunning sites are accessible from any of the resorts in South Ari.