Vilu Reef is located in the north eastern corner of South Nilandhoo Atoll, about 150 kilometres to the south of Male’ the capital. A remote atoll, where the relaxed island life still rules, out of 46 islands just eight are inhabited, these too dispersed over the whole atoll. A total of about 3,500 call these eight islands their home, their lives ruled by the rhythm of the sea.

Kudahuvadhoo, located on the southern rim of the atoll is the atoll capital. Ribudhoo, an hour and a half by boat from Vilu Reef is the home of the finest jewellers in the Maldives, their reputation going back a long way. Legend has it that hundreds of years ago the Sultan banished his chief jeweller to this island for stealing some of his gold. He taught the skills to the islanders and it has been carried down from there. Many of the jewellery sold in souvenir shops in Male’ and the resorts are the work of these skilled craftsmen. Right on our doorstep, a mere 10 minutes away from Vilu Reef is the village of Meedhoo. The main occupation of the people of Meedhoo is fishing.

The big surprise is that after a flight of just 35-minutes from the airport, you will feel that you have been transported to a distant planet, where peace rules and everyone lives in total harmony with nature.