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Uncover the magic of the Maldives at Angaga Island Resort & SPa
Imagine a place where powdery white sands meet the clearest turquoise waters, where vibrant coral reefs teem with exotic marine life, and charming tropical villas seem to float on the tranquil Indian Ocean. Welcome to Angaga Island Resort and Spa!
In this post we share a review of our unforgettable journey at this tropical paradise. A place where every moment was a painting of serenity and every day felt like a page out of a fairytale. From getting there to savouring sunsets, we found endless beauty in every part of our trip.
Getting there from Malé
Located in the South Ari Atoll (also known as Alifu Atoll) of the Maldives, Angaga Island is approximately 85 kilometers (53 miles) southwest of the capital city of Malé. Malé is where Velana International Airport, the main international gateway to the Maldives, is located.
Start your journey by booking a flight to Velana International Airport (MLE) in Malé. Upon arrival at Velana International Airport, you’ll be guided to the seaplane terminal. Angaga Island Resort typically arranges seaplane transfers for its guests. If you’ve booked through a travel agency, ensure to ask them to include all transfers when making the booking.
The resort staff will assist you in boarding a seaplane. This flight will take you on a scenic trip over the mesmerising atolls of the Maldives to a designated docking area near Angaga Island. Here you will be transferred onto a waiting speed boat. This speed boat will swiftly take you from the docking area to Angaga Island Resort. The boat ride is relatively short, offering stunning views of the surrounding ocean and the resort approaching on the horizon.
Boat transfer from sea plane docking station to Angaga Island.
Arrival and accommodation at at Angaga Island Resort
From the moment we arrived at Angaga Island, we were welcomed with open arms and genuine smiles. The resort staff, dressed in traditional Maldivian attire, greeted us with a refreshing tropical drink, a tangible promise of the warm hospitality that awaited us. As we stepped onto the powdery white sands, we knew we were in for a magical experience.
Delightful welcome beverages greeted us upon arrival.
The essence of a 5-star experience truly lies in exceptional service, and Angaga Island Resort delivered unparalleled service from the moment we arrived until our departure
Our home for the duration of our stay was a charming overwater bungalow, perched elegantly above the crystal-clear ocean. The interior exuded rustic charm, with modern amenities seamlessly integrated into the traditional Maldivian decor. The coffee table had a glass top through which we could watch colourful fish and Manta-rays glide beneath us, a daily reminder of the underwater wonderland that surrounded us. This also served as a cool piece of footage that we could capture of us swimming beneath it. Waking up to panoramic views of the endless sea and falling asleep to the soothing sounds of waves became the rhythm of our days.
In this video, you’ll see the bungalows we chose during our stay at Angaga Island Resort.
These are the classic Maldivian bungalows, exuding a genuine island charm with their quaint and rustic touches. It’s a unique style that might not appeal to everyone, but we were completely drawn to its authentic, unrefined vibe.
The resort also has modern overwater bungalows available. When we visited, upgrading to these newer accommodations was about $50 per night. However, rates might vary, so it’s a good idea to check the current prices when you’re making your reservation.
Pro-tip: For those seeking the overwater experience without stretching the budget too thin, we highly recommend reserving the basic overwater bungalow. This way, you can savour the enchantment of staying over the water while also being mindful of expenses.
The bed in our standard over-water bungalow at Angaga Resort and Spa
Culinary Experiences at Angaga Island Resort
Dining at Angaga Island Resort was a culinary adventure that delighted our taste buds. The resort offered three dining options: Dolphin Restaurant; The Beach Bar; and The Sundown Bar.
Dolphin Restaurant is the main seaside restaurant and offers buffet style breakfast, lunch and dinner. This restaurant presented a diversity of cuisines, from authentic Maldivian delicacies to international flavours prepared by diversely cultured talented chefs. Our evenings were often spent here, where candlelit tables, the sound of waves, and a starlit sky created an enchanting ambiance. Each meal was not just a feast for the senses but a celebration of appreciation for guests visiting.
The Beach Bar/ Coffee shop is a vibrant spot where you can relax with tea time cake and coffee, or afternoon sarmies and cocktails. You can also get beverages from this bar at any time when you’ve selected the All-inclusive package.
The Sundown Bar offers all your favourite drinks, cocktails/mocktails, and signature drinks. Moreover, it has the most exquisite views of the sunset from the over-water deck. Pro tip: The bartenders at the Maldives really know how to pour a strong drink. So the cocktails may not be for everyone. If strong drinks aren’t your thing, but your still looking for a little bit of alcohol, order a mocktail and ask for a shot on the side. This way you control the quantity of alcohol in your cocktail. Or just have an alcohol-free vacation, you’ll feel so much better in the mornings.
Something we noted while there was their large onsite garden, where we can only imagine they retrieve their daily fruits and veg from. A great effort towards sustainability.
Like many resorts in the Maldives, Angaga offers different dining packages to cater to the varying preferences and needs of their guests. Let us explain these packages to you.
All-Inclusive: An all-inclusive package includes all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and a selection of beverages, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic, during specific hours. It also includes snacks and afternoon tea. However, certain seafood items may fall outside of this package and will be charged. This package offers the most comprehensive experience, ensuring that you don’t have to worry about additional costs for meals and beverages. We choose this package and have no regrets. Even if you’re not a big eater, this is probably your best option, as we found that food outside of package deals were rather expensive.
Full Board: With a full board package, your stay includes three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Typically, this package does not include drinks (except maybe water during meals), snacks, or any meals outside the specified dining hours. This option is ideal if you prefer the convenience of having all your meals arranged in advance.
Half Board: The half board package usually includes breakfast and dinner. Guests can enjoy a fulfilling breakfast to kick-start their day and a delightful dinner to end the evening. This option allows for flexibility during the day, enabling guests to explore local dining options or enjoy activities without being tied to the resort for lunch. It is notable to mention that if you wanted to explore other restaurants you would need to go on an excursion to neighbouring Islands to do so.
Bed and Breakfast: This basic package includes only breakfast. Guests are responsible for their lunch, dinner, and any other food or beverages consumed outside breakfast hours.
Adventures | Activities | Attractions at Angaga Island Resort
One of the highlights of our vacation was the opportunity to explore the vibrant marine life surrounding Angaga Island. Snorkelling in the house reef revealed a world of wonders – colourful corals, playful schools of fish, sea turtles, and graceful sharks gliding through the water. We even had an experience where a Grey Reef Sharks more than 1m long swiftly swam next to Nadia. Even better than snorkelling on our ‘front porch’, was experiencing this activity in the ‘deep blue’. The resort offers a host of activities. From beginner to advanced diving course, to motorised and non-motorised water activities. They also offer snorkelling, sunset fishing, island hoping, Whale Shark and Manta-Ray snorkelling, and so much more. One of our favourite activities was the free snorkelling excursion.
The resort provided an array of complimentary adventures for their guest to enjoy, we chose a snorkelling excursion.
We set out at 10am and were back by 1:30pm, just in time to catch the tail end of the lunch buffet.
During the excursion, we explored various sites and were treated to spectacular views of marine life, from sea turtles and sharks to an array of vibrant fish species. For full purposes of transparency, it was a little scary at first, being out there, vulnerable and exposed in the deep blue ocean, but after about 10 minutes or so, the calmness sets in and you start to appreciate the beauty of the underwater world.
We truly appreciated the excursion, especially since it came at no extra cost.
Sunsets and Serenity at Angaga Island Resort
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Angaga Island Resort came alive with a romantic energy that we couldn’t get enough of. Walking along the beach, hand in hand, we marvelled at the breathtaking sunsets, the changing colours mirrored in the calm waters around us. These moments of serenity are engraved in our hearts and will forever serve as a reminder of the magical essence of the Maldives. Read our article on reasons to visit the Maldives here.
As our vacation at Angaga Island Resort came to an end, we departed with a heavy heart yet filled with gratitude. The genuine smiles of the islanders, the pristine beaches, and the unforgettable experiences had become a part of us. Angaga had certainly not just been a vacation; it had been a soulful journey that left an indelible mark on our hearts. A chapter in our lives written with the ink of happiness and the pen of cherished memories.
Our stay at Angaga Island Resort & Spa was not sponsored, and these are our authentic reflections of this incredible resort. We would recommend this accommodation to anyone looking for extreme tranquility on their Maldivian island vacation.
Would you stay at this stunning resort? Who would you take with you? Have you bee already? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Until our next post, keep #roamingwiththekolbes
With love and appreciation,
The Kolbes
These tips are based on our personal experiences during our travels. You may have different experiences and alternative opinions based on your own travels. These are not meant to act as directives, instead they are suggestions which may be helpful to someone planning their first trip.
Destination: The Maldives
Accommodation: Angaga Island Resort and Spa
Accommodation type: Resort
