Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
Baa Atoll resort that phones you when the mantas feed, with the Manta Trust on site
About this stay
Staying at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru means immersing yourself in a world of natural beauty and refined luxury. The resort is set within a vast lagoon, offering a sense of seclusion and endless opportunities for water activities, from diving on the house reef to surfing nearby breaks. Land-based villas provide direct beach access, private pools, and lush gardens, creating a serene sanctuary. The overwater villas, on the other hand, offer an unparalleled connection to the ocean, with expansive sundecks and nets for relaxing above the water. Dining options are varied, ensuring a culinary journey to match the striking surroundings. The overall ambiance is one of sophisticated tranquility, perfect for those seeking both adventure and relaxation.
- Manta on Call, 1 May to 30 November, snorkel safaris from age 8
- Marine Discovery Centre with turtle rehabilitation and the Manta Trust station
- Seaplane of about 30 to 35 minutes from Velana International Airport
- 103 villas in 18 categories on a 44-acre island in Baa Atoll
- Kids club for ages 4 to 12 with its own shallow pool
- Guest rating 9.1 from 40 reviews
Our take
Landaa Giraavaru is where the Manta Trust began, and its Manta on Call service rings a dedicated phone when resident biologists spot mantas feeding; from then you have about 30 minutes to reach the jetty. That service, run from 1 May to 30 November, is the reason I would pick this resort over other Baa Atoll islands. The seaplane takes about 30 to 35 minutes from Velana. The 44-acre island holds 103 villas across 18 categories, from water villas to jungle-screened beach villas, plus the Marine Discovery Centre with its turtle rehabilitation unit. Outside manta season the case is weaker: you are then choosing a large, polished resort with four restaurants rather than a front-row seat on Hanifaru. Guests rate it 9.1 from 40 reviews.
- ✓Sign up for Manta on Call on arrival: calls come between 9 am and 6 pm, and the two-hour safari is snorkel only, because scuba diving is banned in Hanifaru Bay.
- ✓Children can join the manta safaris from the age of 8, so with younger children plan the Marine Discovery Centre and its turtle rehabilitation unit instead.
- ✓Snorkel the lagoon coral gardens just offshore, where the Reefscapers programme has planted around 5,000 coral frames; gear is free at the water sports centre.
- ✓Book a June to November stay if mantas are the point, and still treat sightings as a chance: no aggregation, no safari, and the resort does not bill an outing without mantas.
Why we love it
- Overwater and private pool villas
- Located in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- Excellent house reef for diving
- Seaplane access for scenic arrival
Why guests love itLandaa Giraavaru is one of the stronger Maldives choices for families with school-age children, because the marine programme gives them something real to do. The kids club takes children aged 4 to 12, with its own shallow pool, a pirate ship and an outdoor play area; under-4s can join with a parent. The Marine Discovery Centre lets children see rescued turtles in rehabilitation and hear the resident marine biologists, and from 8 they can join the manta snorkel safaris in season. Snorkel gear, kayaks and paddleboards are free from the water sports centre. The island is large, so families with toddlers should ask for a villa near the kids club and the main pool rather than at the far end of the island.
Guest reviews
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