Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection
About this hotel
General information
Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection has the island of Machchafushi in South Ari Atoll to itself. In Dhivehi the name means “fish island”, and it fits: a house reef five times the size of the island surrounds it, and some of the Maldives’ best-known dive waters lie all around. The 112 villas sit either on the beach among gardens or over the lagoon, linked to the shore by wooden walkways.
The resort blends the Maldivian setting with Thai hospitality, from its Thai restaurant to a spa built on Thai traditions. It is set up for couples and families alike, with a kids’ club, a games zone for teenagers and a children’s pool. Meal plans range from breakfast only to Half Board Plus, Full Board Plus and Grand All-Inclusive, which covers the restaurants, drinks, afternoon tea and a replenished minibar. Guests in the Club villas have The Club, a separate area with its own pool and beach, and a doctor and nurse are on the island around the clock.
Location
Machchafushi lies in South Ari Atoll, inside a marine protected area where whale sharks can be seen all year. From Velana International Airport in Malé the island is about 25 minutes away by seaplane; flights are shared and run in daylight only, so they may stop briefly at neighbouring islands, and some land at a nearby platform from where guests continue by traditional dhoni or speedboat. Resort representatives meet guests at the airport.
Spa
SPA Cenvaree is Centara’s own spa brand, pairing ancient Thai practices with modern techniques and working with local ingredients, aromatic oils and therapeutic herbs. The spa sits on the oceanfront, with couples’ treatment rooms, a separate foot-massage area, Vichy shower treatments, hot and cold plunge pools and a steam room; massages can also be booked in the villa. Near the beach and the fitness centre, an open-air overwater deck hosts yoga, with an indoor space as well. Beside the spa stands a banyan tree more than 200 years old, where guests can tie a golden leaf carrying a personal wish in the Sacred Thread ritual.
Sports & leisure
Life on Machchafushi turns on what lies beneath the surface, though it does not stop there.
- Diving with the PADI dive centre: courses and certification, PADI Discover Scuba for adults and children over 10, and more than 50 dive sites a short boat ride away, among them Kudarah Thila with its overhangs and swim-throughs and the whale-shark and manta grounds
- The house reef: from a shallow lagoon down to 60 m, with more than 1,000 fish species and 200 kinds of coral, a 52-metre sunken Japanese cargo ship at 12–30 m and the coral formations of Anemone Alley; snorkelling gear is provided for the whole stay
- Complimentary non-motorised water sports – kayaks, pedalos and stand-up paddleboarding; windsurfing, parasailing, water-skiing, wakeboarding and kneeboarding, jet-skiing, banana boat and fun tubes at a charge
- Half- and full-day trips: whale-shark and manta snorkelling, day and night snorkelling tours, sunset cruises and sunset fishing, traditional line-fishing, deep-sea fishing for tuna, marlin and wahoo, a semi-submarine and sandbank picnics
- A fitness centre, a multi-purpose court for tennis, volleyball and badminton, and beach volleyball
- Weekly Dreams Cinema screenings, a library and reading lounge, and a coral restoration programme on the house reef
For children
Camp Safari Kids’ Club welcomes children of all ages, from toddlers to teens, with outdoor games, crafts, painting and eco-minded activities in a supervised setting; it runs daily from 10 am to noon and from 2 pm to 6 pm. Guests aged 9 and over have the E-Zone on the upper floor of Coral Bar, open daily from 10 am to 11 pm, with two pool tables, a snooker table, table football, air hockey, table tennis and PlayStation. A children’s pool adjoins the main pool, babysitting is available on request, and children from 8 can take their first breaths underwater on the PADI Bubblemaker programme.
Restaurants & bars
Three restaurants, two bars and the Club lounge cover the island, and halal-friendly dishes are available.
- Reef — the main restaurant by the pool, with buffets at breakfast, lunch and dinner, Maldivian and international dishes, live cooking stations and a teppanyaki grill
- Suan Bua — home-style Thai cooking from four regions of Thailand, set in the garden overlooking a lotus pond: som tam papaya salad, tom yum soup and steamed seafood with dips
- Mare Azzurro — Italian cuisine with lagoon views: pasta, oven-baked pizza and dishes built around the catch of the day
- Aqua Bar — an overwater bar for classic cocktails, light bites and the sunset
- Coral Bar & Lounge — a two-storey bar with a sand floor, cocktails, afternoon tea, pool tables and board games
- The Club — reserved for Club villa guests, with an à la carte breakfast, afternoon tea, aperitifs with canapés and premium drinks through the day
- In-villa dining — around the clock, with Thai and international dishes
Swimming
White-sand beaches and a clear lagoon ring the island. The main infinity pool faces the Indian Ocean with a children’s pool beside it, and Club villa guests have a separate pool and private beach at The Club. Steps lead from the overwater villas’ terraces straight into the lagoon, and the house reef can be snorkelled directly from the shore.
Rooms
The resort has 112 villas in seven types: two-level villas on the beach, overwater villas including a family villa with its own kids’ bedroom, and two Club categories with a private pool and access to The Club. Interiors favour white and blue, rattan and wood.
Each villa has a terrace or balcony, air conditioning and a ceiling fan, free Wi-Fi, a satellite TV, a DVD player, a coffee machine or tea and coffee facilities, a minibar, a safe, a hairdryer, bathrobes and slippers, and a bathroom with a rain shower.
Duplex Beach Villa
A two-level villa on the beach among gardens: a living room with sofa bed downstairs, a king bedroom on the mezzanine above, a bathroom with outdoor shower and a furnished terrace opening onto the sand. Sleeps two adults and two children, or three adults.
Family Overwater Villa with Kids Bedroom
A family villa over the lagoon with a king bedroom and a separate kids’ area with bunk beds and PlayStation consoles; a gated sundeck at the lagoon and the entrance, a jacuzzi, bathtub and shower. Sleeps two adults and three children, or three adults and two children.
Reethi Muraka Overwater Villa
A spacious overwater villa finished in rattan and hardwood, with a high-ceilinged bedroom facing the ocean, a bathroom with freestanding tub and shower, and a large terrace with an overwater net and direct lagoon access. Sleeps two adults and two children, or three adults.
Sunrise Overwater Villa
An overwater villa on the sunrise side, all white with bright tropical accents: a king bedroom with separate sitting area, a bathroom with jacuzzi and rain shower, and a sundeck with direct lagoon access. Sleeps two adults and two children, or three adults.
Sunset Overwater Villa
An overwater villa on the sunset side, all white with bright tropical accents: a king bedroom with separate sitting area, a bathroom with jacuzzi and rain shower, and a sundeck with direct lagoon access. Sleeps two adults and two children, or three adults.
Club Sunset Overwater Pool Villa
An overwater villa on the island’s western side facing the sunset, with a 12 m² private infinity pool on the deck, steps down to the lagoon, an ocean-facing king bedroom and a bathroom with freestanding tub and shower. Includes access to The Club; sleeps two adults and two children, or three adults.
Club Two Bedroom Beach Pool Villa
A beachfront villa with two bedrooms – one king, one twin – a furnished living room, a bathroom with island bathtub and rain shower, and a terrace with sun loungers and a private pool. Includes access to The Club; sleeps up to five adults.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.