Anantara Veli Maldives: Where I Swam With Sharks

I've stayed in beautiful hotels. I've woken up to ocean views that made me pause mid-coffee. But there's something about the Maldives that hits differently — and Anantara Veli delivered that specific kind of magic that makes you understand why people lose their minds over this place.

Let me start with this: I swam with sharks here. Actual reef sharks, completely harmless (I researched extensively), gliding through crystal-clear water like they owned the place. Which, technically, they do.

That moment alone made the trip worth it. Everything else was just exceptional bonus content.

The Villas (And That Bathroom)

I stayed in a Beachfront Villa with Private Pool, and I need to talk about the design because photos genuinely don't do it justice.

The villa is this perfect blend of contemporary luxury and natural materials — polished wood, clean lines, floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the turquoise Indian Ocean like a living painting. You step directly from your bedroom onto white sand. Your private pool sits between you and the beach. It's obscenely beautiful.

But the bathroom. Oh, the bathroom.

I posted a photo from the bathtub that got 15,000+ likes, and I rarely post bathroom content, but this one demanded documentation. It's not just a bathroom — it's a statement. A standalone tub positioned perfectly for ocean views, rain shower that feels like a spa ritual, double vanity with mirrors that catch the light just right, and windows that make you feel like you're bathing in nature while still being completely private.

Every detail whispers elegance. That's not marketing speak — it's genuinely how it feels. Like someone thought about every single element and decided nothing but the best would do.

Room Features I Loved:

• Private infinity pool (heated, perfectly maintained)
• Direct beach access from your deck
• Outdoor shower surrounded by tropical plants
• King bed with the kind of linens that make you want to cancel plans
• Bose sound system
• Nespresso machine for morning coffee before you're ready to face humans
• Minibar stocked with treats (not included, but worth it)

Swimming With Sharks (The Bucket List Moment)

I didn't plan to swim with sharks. I'm not an adrenaline junkie. I'm the person who researches everything extensively before committing.

But the house reef at Anantara Veli is home to reef sharks — specifically blacktip and whitetip reef sharks — and they're completely harmless to humans. They're curious, graceful, and genuinely magical to watch.

So I grabbed snorkel gear (available complimentary), waded out from the beach, and there they were. Just gliding through the shallow water, unbothered by my presence, doing their shark thing while I floated above trying to keep my breathing steady and not, you know, internally scream with excitement.

Important context: These sharks are NOT dangerous. They're reef sharks, smaller species that feed on fish and have zero interest in humans. Don't try to touch them (why would you?), don't chase them, just float and observe. They'll do their thing, you do yours, and everyone coexists peacefully.

The house reef also has sea turtles, tropical fish in colors I didn't know existed, rays, and coral formations that make you feel like you're swimming through an aquarium. I went snorkeling every single day. Sometimes twice.

Snorkeling Tips:

• Early morning (7-8am) has the best visibility and calmest water
• The reef is accessible directly from the beach — no boat needed
• Bring an underwater camera (I used my phone in a waterproof case)
• Go slowly, breathe calmly, and the sharks will let you observe them closely
• Listen to the dive center staff — they know the reef intimately

Naladhu: The Sister Property

Here's something most people don't know: when you stay at Anantara Veli, you also have access to Naladhu Private Island by Anantara, the ultra-luxury sister property next door.

I spent an afternoon there and it's a completely different level of exclusive. We're talking private pool villas with dedicated butlers, ocean views from literally every angle, and the kind of intimate luxury where you feel like the island was built just for you.

You can book spa treatments there, dine at their restaurants, or just explore. I had morning coffee on one of their villa terraces overlooking the ocean and briefly considered how one might afford to just live there permanently.

Access: Complimentary for Anantara Veli guests. Just ask the concierge to arrange the short boat transfer.

The Food Situation

Anantara Veli has several restaurants, and while the variety isn't endless (it's a small island), the quality is consistently excellent.

Baan Huraa — Thai restaurant over the water. The setting is stunning, the food is authentic, and if you're into Thai cuisine, this alone is worth the visit.

Aqua — International buffet and à la carte. Breakfast here every morning with fresh tropical fruit, made-to-order eggs, and ocean views became my ritual.

73 Degrees — Pool bar serving light meals and excellent cocktails. Perfect for lunch when you can't be bothered to leave your daybed.

Fushi Café — Coffee, pastries, light snacks. Open-air, relaxed, good for afternoon pick-me-ups.

You can also dine at Naladhu or take the boat over to Anantara Dhigu, the family-friendly resort next door, which has additional restaurant options.

Dining Plan: Most stays don't include meals (room-only or breakfast-only are standard), so budget accordingly. Prices are resort-level, but portions are generous and quality is high.

The Adults-Only Atmosphere

This is a crucial detail: Anantara Veli is adults-only (18+). No kids. No families. Just couples, honeymooners, and the occasional solo traveler looking for peace.

This creates a specific vibe — calm, romantic, intimate. You won't hear children at the pool or families at breakfast. It's not stuffy or overly formal, just... mature. Relaxed. The kind of atmosphere where you can actually unwind without navigating around other people's chaos.

If you're looking for that kind of escape, this is it. If you're traveling with family, Anantara Dhigu next door is the family-friendly option.

What a Day Looks Like

My typical day at Anantara Veli:

7:00am — Wake up naturally (no alarms, just sunlight through those massive windows)

7:30am — Coffee on my villa deck, watching the ocean wake up

8:00am — Snorkeling at the house reef while the water is calm and clear

9:30am — Breakfast at Aqua, probably too much tropical fruit

11:00am — Private pool time with a book I'm pretending to read

1:00pm — Lunch at 73 Degrees, something light

Afternoon — Beach, more snorkeling, maybe a spa treatment, maybe nothing at all

6:00pm — Sunset from the beach (the Maldives does sunsets properly)

8:00pm — Dinner, either at Baan Huraa or over at Naladhu

Post-dinner — Stargazing from my villa deck (minimal light pollution = incredible night sky)

Repeat. Adjust as needed. Never feel rushed.

The Spa

The Anantara Spa deserves a mention. I booked their signature massage — a blend of Thai, Balinese, and Ayurvedic techniques — and it lived up to the Anantara spa reputation.

Treatment rooms overlook the lagoon, therapists are highly trained, and the whole experience is designed to make you forget the outside world exists for a while.

I also did a yoga session at the overwater pavilion one morning, which felt appropriately Maldivian and left me feeling centered in that way yoga promises but doesn't always deliver.

Practical Details

Getting There:

• 35-minute speedboat from Malé airport
• Transfers arranged by the resort (included in some packages, paid in others)
• The boat ride itself is scenic — turquoise water, island views, immediate vacation mode

Best Time to Visit:

• November to April is dry season (my visit was December — perfect weather)
• May to October is monsoon season (cheaper, but rain is more likely)

What to Pack:

• Reef-safe sunscreen (required — protect the coral)
• Underwater camera or waterproof phone case
• Light, casual resort wear (dressy casual for dinner)
• Snorkel gear if you have preferences (though resort provides good quality)

WiFi: Excellent throughout the resort. You can work remotely if needed, though I question why you'd want to.

Who This Is For

Anantara Veli is perfect for:

• Honeymoons and romantic getaways (this is peak romance territory)
• Couples seeking peace and luxury without mega-resort crowds
• Snorkel enthusiasts who want world-class reef access
• Anyone with a Maldives bucket list who wants the experience without overwater villa prices

It's not for:

• Families (literally not allowed — adults-only)
• Party seekers (this is relaxation HQ)
• Budget travelers (Maldives is expensive, this is premium tier)
• People who need constant activity (the vibe here is intentionally slow)

Why I'd Return

The Maldives has hundreds of resorts. I could island-hop forever and probably not repeat the same place twice. But I'd come back to Anantara Veli.

I'd come back for those sharks. For that bathtub with the ocean view. For the specific peace that comes from being on a small island where your biggest decision is whether to snorkel before or after breakfast.

I'd come back because it delivered exactly what the Maldives promises — turquoise water, white sand, luxury that feels effortless, and moments that become the memories you reference for years.

Some places are worth the splurge. Anantara Veli is one of them.

Rating: ★★★★★

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Bucket List Tip: Don't skip the shark snorkeling, even if you're nervous. They're harmless, the experience is incredible, and you'll have a story worth telling.

Photography Note: That bathroom really is as photogenic as it looks. The morning light through the windows is chef's kiss.

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Visited December 2023. Rates from $800+/night depending on season and villa type.

— Teona x