FAQs
Weather and Best Time to Visit
Maldives enjoys a tropical climate with an average temperature of 30 degrees Celsius year-round. While sunny and humid days are common, tropical rain showers are expected from May to October. The sunniest skies can be enjoyed between December and April.
Maldives is an all-year-round travel destination with warm temperatures and sunny days. Cloudy skies and rain showers might be expected from May to October, considered low season with the most attractive offers and promotions. You can enjoy the sunniest skies between December and April.
Before Traveling to The Maldives
You will be flying into Velana International Airport (MLE), the main Airport in the Maldives. Major carriers such as Emirates, Qatar, Turkish Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and many other European carriers fly into the Maldives frequently.
Tourists do not require a prior visa as a 30-day free tourist visa is granted upon arrival. You will only require your resort confirmation from Canareef Resort Maldives and your return international flight tickets.
Entrance to the Maldives is a seamless process. You will only require to complete online travellers decelerations form and a passport with at least 6 months validity, international flight tickets, and the resort voucher from Canareef Resort Maldives, confirming your Maldives Holidays are booked already.
Bringing alcoholic items is prohibited in the Maldives. A wide selection of international alcohol brands & spirits are available in tourist resorts.
US Dollars are the principal currency in the Maldives resorts, even though other currencies such as Euro & Pound Sterling are also accepted. The local currency in Maldives is called Rufiyaa (MVR).
To book your stay with Canareef Resort Maldives, we do accept payments with Visa or Master Card. In the Maldives Resorts, Visa, Master Card, and American Express are widely used and accepted, along with other major credit cards.
Pack lightly. The Maldives has a hot tropical climate, with temperatures generally hovering around 30°C year-round, with night-time lows sometimes of 24°C. Our villas are equipped with bathroom amenities and a hair dryer. We follow a resort-casual dress code for all our restaurants.
Canareef is approximately 4.5 kilometers long with a land area of 42 hectares, making it one of the largest and longest resorts in the Maldives.
We make every effort to accommodate your request; however, there is no guarantee, and this is subject to availability upon arrival.
You can upgrade to another villa category after your arrival to the resort for an extra charge if you wish to and if there is availability of the villa from your desired category. Meal plans can also be upgrade after your arrival for an extra charge.
English is main language used at Canareef. However, we do have staff who can speak French, Russian, Tamil, Hindi, Indonesian & Chinese fluently.
The Maldives is in the Maldives Time Zone (MVT), which is GMT +5 time zone or UTC +5 time zone.The Maldives is in the Maldives Time Zone (MVT), which is GMT +5 time zone or UTC +5 time zone.
You don’t really need to bring a lot of shoes but if you are going to the gym then you would need gym shoes otherwise you can do with open slippers.
Transfers to Resort
The transfer charges to Canareef Resort Maldives depend on the travel period. While making a booking on our website, the transfer charges are displayed accordingly. For further information, please visit www.canareef.com/transfer
We’ve got you covered! Our friendly Airport Representative will meet you at Male’ International Airport with a Canareef Resort sign, guide you to the Domestic Terminal, and help with check-in. Relax at the Moonimaa Lounge with free Wi-Fi and snacks before your flight to Gan. Once you land, we’ll whisk you to the resort by speedboat.
Easy—just send us your full names (as on your passports) and flight details to and from the Maldives when you book your stay, or at least 2 weeks before arrival. We’ll handle the rest! Last-minute changes within 10 days might not guarantee same-day transfers, so let’s plan ahead.
Upon arrival at Velana International Airport (MLE) or Gan International Airport (GAN), you will be warmly greeted by a Canareef staffs of the resort. They will be easily identifiable, holding an signboard with the Canareef Resort Maldives logo. Our representative will guide you through the arrival process and assist you in locating your designated transportation to the resort.
Yes, and it’s on us! All guests enjoy complimentary access to the Moonimaa Lounge at Male’s Domestic Terminal on arrival, with Wi-Fi and light refreshments. Heading out? If you’ve got 4+ hours between your domestic and international flights, the lounge is yours again for free.
Just 10 minutes! You’ll be sipping a welcome drink and feeling the island vibes in no time.
If you are arriving to Velana International Airport in Male’, you are required to take a domestic flight from Male’ to Gan International Airport followed by a 10-minute speedboat ride from Gan to Canareef. Alternatively, if you are arriving to Gan International Airport in Addu Atoll via an international flight, you are only required to take the speedboat from Gan to Canareef.
Canareef Resort Maldives is located on the island of Herathera in the southernmost atoll of the Maldives, known as Addu Atoll. Canareef is approximately 542 kilometers from the capital of Maldives, Male’. It is the only resort in Maldives that is also connected to an inhabited island via a bridge.
The nearest airport to Canareef is Gan International Airport located in Addu Atoll. The mode of transfer from this airport is via speedboat from Gan to Canareef which takes approximately 10 minutes.
Good To Know
Our resort time is set in synchronicity with local Male time.
We do have Renewal of Vows services, however, please do note that this is not a legally recognised ceremony.
Standard UK Type-G compatible sockets are present at Canareef and it is the standard plug and socket type throughout the Maldives. We advise you to bring travel adaptors if you have devices that are not compatible with this socket. The standard voltage in the Maldives is 220-240 Volts.
The dress code is casual throughout the resort. Bikinis and swimwear are not permitted within the main restaurant.
Yes, beach towels are provided free of charge in all the villas and also at outlets with pools or beaches next to them.
Yes, all of our villas will have a smart high-definition TV capable of viewing a number of channels.
Yes, mobile coverage from the two major service provides, Dhiraagu and Ooredoo is present on the island.
You are allowed to take photos and videos of the island. Since our villas have open bathrooms, for privacy reasons, drone usage is only allowed with permission from the resort.
You can smoke in designated smoking areas where ashtrays are present. Smoking inside your villa is prohibited. However, an ashtray will be provided on the back patio in each villa for your convenience.
Yes, laundry service is provided for an additional charge.
Yes, Wi-Fi is available in all the villas, all the outlets and at the front desk.
Experiences
Canareef offers a various range of activities for you to enjoy during your stay. Facilities and activities you can enjoy at Canareef include; spa, yoga studio, watersports, pool tables, foosball table, volleyball court, tennis court, table tennis, board games, kids club, gift shop, gym, Olympic sized swimming pool, snorkeling, excursions, dive center and a gift shop.
There are a variety of activities offered at Canareef. Mainly excursions, such as dolphin cruises, private snorkeling tours, an SSI certified dive center for beginners and advanced divers and get a chance to see Manta Rays and Tiger Sharks or a shipwreck from World War II, a spa which offers various treatments including Balinese treatments, visiting the local island connected to Canareef via bridge to experience the local Maldivian life. We also have evening entertainment at Dhoni Bar which includes game nights, live music or DJ music.
Swimming is allowed on the west side (sunset side) of the island. Swimming on the east side (sunrise side) of the island is prohibited as it is the barrier side of the atoll and therefore a rocky area with large waves. There are a couple of places to swim at Canareef. Mainly the Olympic sized swimming pool at Dhoni bar and the smaller pool at Meera bar if you prefer to stay on land. If you are feeling more adventurous, we highly suggest the lagoon at the southern end of the island where the water is clear and you can spot various fishes and even turtles around this point.
Canareef does not have a house reef, however, if you wish to experience marine life up close we suggest snorkeling in the lagoon at the southern end of the island near Bar-Kuda Beach Bar or going on one of our snorkeling excursions around the atoll.
Yes. Canareef Spa offers a variety of massages, facials and body care treatment. Spa appointments can be made during your stay by visiting or contacting the spa during your stay.
Yes. Canareef has a yoga studio and yoga classes can be booked by contacting our spa.
You can book excursions directly at the front desk where our excursions guide will assist you with any questions you have and book your excursion for you. If you are looking to book a special dinner, you can speak with our front desk or one of our staff at Kilhi Restaurant or Dhoni Bar.
Yes, Canareef has a fully equipped gym.
Canareef has electric golf buggies which are operational 24/7 and can take you anywhere within the resort free of charge. To call for a buggy, you can contact our front desk. At the moment we also offer bicycles free of charge for all of our guests.
Yes, you can. You can explore the island connected to Canareef via a bridge (Hulhumeedhoo) on your own or you can book a tour with one of our guides who can take you to the historical and places of importance through out the island. You can also book tours to see other islands within Addu Atoll, where you can visit multiple islands along with one of our guides.
Yes, you can play tennis at Canareef. The resort offers complimentary access to its tennis courts, allowing guests to enjoy a game amidst the tropical surroundings. Rackets and balls are available, making it easy to get started
Yes, Canareef Resort Maldives features a fully equipped SSI Dive Centre on the island, offering a range of courses for beginners and experienced divers. Explore over 25 unique dive sites in Addu Atoll, including the historic WWII shipwreck ‘British Loyalty’
Unfortunately, fishing directly on the beach at Canareef is not permitted to protect our beautiful marine environment. However, you can enjoy an exciting fishing adventure on the open sea with our experienced crew, where all catches can be prepared fresh by our chefs. Contact our team for more details.
Dining
Bed & Breakfast, Half Board, Full Board & All-Inclusive are the meal plans available at Canareef.
There is one main restaurant (Kilhi Restaurant) where the meals included in your meal plan will be served. One a la carte restaurant & bar (Meera Bar). Our main bar (Dhoni Bar) which has the Olympic sized swimming pool. Bar-Kuda Beach Bar & Grill is our beach bar located on the southern end of the island.
If you have any dietary needs or restrictions, please inform us during your check-in or speak to our guest relations team so that our food and beverage team can be aware of your requirements.
Yes, room service is available for an extra charge.
Children from 0–5 years old can have up to three complimentary meals a day on the same meal plan as parents. Kids from 6–11.99 years old have reduced-rate meal plans. Please contact our reservations team for further inquiries.
The mini bar is filled upon request and the minibar is not included in any of our meal plans and will be charged separately.
Yes. All of the meals are set for specific times of the day and evening, breakfast is from 07:30 to 10: 00, lunch is from 12:30 to 14:30 and dinner is from 19:00 to 21:30. All meals are served in a buffet at our main restaurant, Kilhi Restaurant.
Casual wear is recommended for all outlets. Bikinis and swimwear are not allowed inside the restaurants.
Families
Yes, we do have a Kids Club. Services can be offered upon request.
Children 4 years and above are allowed at the kid’s club.
Yes, babysitting services can be offered for children 4 years or above for an additional charge.
No. Canareef does not offer family villas and only has villas with one bedroom.
Health & Safety
Yes, a doctor is on-site at Canareef.
Yes, we also offer assistance for guests that may require additional help during their transfers or during their stay. If you require such assistance, we advise you to inform us prior to your arrival for a smooth experience and for us to make necessary preparations.
Vaccinations are required only for visitors travelling to the Maldives from a region where yellow fever and cholera are endemic. For guests travelling from all other destinations, no vaccinations are required.
We fog the island for mosquitos frequently with non-hazardous insecticide fogging. However, if you are sensitive to mosquito bites, we advise you to bring mosquito repellant. As Maldives is located on the equator, it experiences a very hot and humid climate at times and we advise you to use sunscreen and stay hydrated to avoid any adverse effects of the heat.
You can expect a lot of fruit bats much like many other Maldivian islands and small lizards, bees and some insects, none of which are hazardous. We do have measures to control pests on the island and we advise all guests to keep the doors in your villas closed to prevent any from entering your villa and also to help with the efficacy of the air conditioning in your villa. If you are snorkeling or diving, we advise you not to touch any underwater life including but not limited to corals and fishes underwater as you could harm some of them just by touching.
Diving
Absolutely! We offer diving courses for beginners where you’ll be trained by our experienced instructors. Safety is our priority, and we ensure you’re comfortable and confident before diving into the ocean.
We have over 25 unique dive spots in the Atoll, including historical sites like the World War II shipwreck ‘British Loyalty’ and the large underwater cave ‘Bodu Hoholha.’
Our surrounding waters teem with a wide array of marine life including playful dolphins, majestic manta rays, large tiger sharks, and a variety of tropical fish. These creatures can be seen year-round in Addu Atoll.
We provide all the necessary diving equipment for our guests. However, if you prefer to use your own gear, you’re most welcome to do so.
Dive times can vary based on the dive site and weather conditions. Our diving instructors will guide you on the best times to dive to ensure a safe and memorable experience.
For safety reasons, we advise all our guests to dive with a buddy or an instructor, regardless of their level of experience.
