AVANI+ FARES

The House Reef: Snorkelling Directly from Your Villa

Avani+ Fares’ house reef is one of the most accessible in the Maldives. The reef begins at the arrival jetty and wraps around the island, so you can step off your water villa deck, descend the ladder, and be surrounded by parrotfish, butterflyfish, and the occasional turtle within seconds. The water is so clear that you can often spot reef sharks cruising the drop-off from the surface. Guided snorkelling tours leave daily from the dive center; the guides know the best spots for spotting eagle rays and point out nudibranchs you’d otherwise miss. If you prefer to explore alone, the reef is shallow enough near the beach for casual swims—just follow the marked buoys to stay within the safe zone.

• Reef accessible from every water villa via private ladder
• Guided snorkelling tours included in Premium All-Inclusive plan
• Shallow areas near the beach for beginner snorkellers
• Drop-off visible from the surface—reef sharks often seen here

Dive Center: Baa Atoll’s Protected Waters

Baa Atoll is a marine protected area, which means the dive sites here are some of the healthiest in the Maldives. Avani+ Fares’ dive center offers daily boat dives to nearby sites like Dhonfanu Thila, where grey reef sharks patrol the current, and Hanifaru Bay, where manta rays gather in season. The center is small but well-equipped, with rental gear in all sizes and Nitrox available for certified divers. If you’re new to diving, they run PADI Open Water courses that start in the resort’s pool before moving to the house reef. The dive team is patient and takes time to brief each group on the site’s conditions, so even first-timers feel comfortable descending. Note that dives are an additional cost unless you’re on the Premium All-Inclusive plan, which includes one sunset cruise per person.

• Daily boat dives to Dhonfanu Thila and Hanifaru Bay
• PADI Open Water courses available
• Nitrox for certified divers
• Sunset cruise included in Premium All-Inclusive plan

Water Sports: Kayaks, Paddleboards & More

The water sports center is tucked near the fitness pavilion and offers everything from stand-up paddleboards to windsurfing gear. Kayaks are complimentary for one hour per day for all guests, and the Premium All-Inclusive plan adds access to sailing and kiteboarding equipment. The lagoon is calm and shallow, making it well-suited to beginners—you can paddle to the edge of the reef and watch fish dart beneath you without worrying about waves. For something more active, the resort occasionally offers kiteboarding lessons when the wind picks up. If you’re travelling with kids, the center has smaller kayaks and paddleboards sized for children, so the whole family can explore together.

• Kayaks complimentary for one hour daily
• Sailing and kiteboarding included in Premium All-Inclusive plan
• Calm lagoon ideal for beginners
• Child-sized kayaks and paddleboards available

Spa & Wellness: Malin+Goetz Treatments

The spa sits in the center of the island, surrounded by tropical greenery. It’s a quiet space with a steam room, sauna, and relaxation area where you can unwind after a treatment. The therapists use Malin+Goetz products, which are gentle on the skin and smell like fresh herbs and citrus. Couples massages are a popular choice here—the treatment rooms are spacious enough to accommodate two, and the therapists work in sync so you’re both relaxed at the same time. If you’re staying on the Premium All-Inclusive plan, you can use the steam and sauna as often as you like. The spa also offers shorter express treatments if you only have an hour between snorkelling and sunset cocktails.

• Malin+Goetz products used in all treatments
• Couples massages available
• Steam room and sauna included in Premium All-Inclusive plan
• Express treatments for quick relaxation

Fitness: Technogym & Yoga

The gym is a collection of air-conditioned pavilions near the main pool. The equipment is brand new—Technogym cardio machines, Woodway treadmills, and a full range of free weights. Cold towels and chilled water are always on hand, so you can cool down between sets. Across from the gym, there’s a separate yoga and meditation room with mats and bolsters provided. The resort offers a limited schedule of fitness classes during the week, but weekends bring more variety, including HIIT and sunset yoga. If you’re travelling with older kids or teens, the lounge area next to the gym has foosball and ping-pong tables for when they need a break from the beach.

• Technogym cardio machines and free weights
• Yoga and meditation room with mats provided
• Weekend fitness classes (HIIT, sunset yoga)
• Lounge area with foosball and ping-pong for families

Excursions: Sunset Cruises & Dolphin Spotting

The Premium All-Inclusive plan includes one sunset cruise per person, which is a great way to see the atoll from the water. The boat is small and intimate, so you’ll have space to move around and take photos as the light turns pink. Dolphin-spotting excursions are another highlight—Baa Atoll is home to spinner dolphins, and the guides know the best spots to find them. If you’re visiting between May and November, you might also see manta rays feeding in Hanifaru Bay. The resort can arrange private excursions for groups, but the shared trips are just as enjoyable and a good way to meet other guests. For something more low-key, the resort occasionally hosts stargazing sessions on the beach, where the guides point out constellations visible from the equator.

• Sunset cruise included in Premium All-Inclusive plan
• Dolphin-spotting excursions available
• Manta ray sightings in Hanifaru Bay (May–November)
• Stargazing sessions on the beach

Kids & Families: Casual Fun Without the Frills

Avani+ Fares doesn’t have a formal kids’ club, but the island is small and easy to navigate, so families can explore together without feeling overwhelmed. The beach is shallow and calm, well suited to young children to splash around, and the water sports center has kayaks and paddleboards sized for kids. The Premium All-Inclusive plan covers most activities, so you won’t be constantly checking your wallet for extras. If your kids need a break from the sun, the lounge area near the gym has foosball and ping-pong tables, and the resort occasionally organizes beach games like coconut bowling. The staff are great with children and will often join in the fun, whether it’s helping build a sandcastle or teaching them how to spot fish in the lagoon.

• Shallow beach safe for young children
• Child-sized kayaks and paddleboards available
• Foosball and ping-pong in the lounge area
• Beach games organized by staff

Signature Experiences: Ambaa Adventure & More

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4 to 6 PM, the resort hosts ‘Ambaa Adventure’—a cocktail hour where you can raise a flag on your villa deck to signal you’d like a drink delivered. The name comes from ‘Ambaa,’ which means ‘cheers’ in Dhivehi, the local language. It’s a small touch, but It's a property that makes the resort feel personal. The cocktails are creative and use local ingredients like coconut and pandan, and the staff will happily explain the flavors if you’re curious. Another signature experience is the weekly Maldivian night at Ocean Terrace, where the buffet features dishes like mas huni (tuna and coconut salad) and garudhiya (fish soup). The chefs often set up live cooking stations, so you can watch them prepare the food and ask questions about the ingredients.

• Ambaa Adventure cocktail hour (Monday, Wednesday, Friday 4–6 PM)
• Maldivian night at Ocean Terrace with live cooking stations
• Cocktails made with local ingredients like coconut and pandan
• Flag system for villa drink delivery