Malamathi

About Villimale'

Villingili, commonly known as Vilimalé, is a small island located just southwest of Malé City in the Maldives. Once a quiet fishing village, it is now part of the Malé City administrative area, connected to the capital by a short ferry ride. Unlike the crowded streets of Malé, Vilimalé offers a slower pace of life, with shaded lanes, sandy beaches, and a relaxed atmosphere. The island is surrounded by a shallow lagoon and fringing coral reef, home to diverse marine life, including parrotfish, sea cucumbers, and juvenile reef sharks. Coconut palms and native shrubs line the coast, creating a green and breezy setting. Vilimalé has a unique identity as both a residential island and a popular weekend escape for Malé residents. It is also known for pioneering local conservation efforts, including community-led reef protection and awareness programs, making it a model for sustainable island living in an urban context.

Island Information

Geographic

Area: 32.91 hectares

Administrative

Island Name: Villimale'
Island Code: MLE
Atoll: Male' City
Island Type: Residential Island
Regulating Authority: Council
Primary Agency: Council

Environmental Sites

Documented ecosystems and environmental sites on Villimale'.

Giravaru Kuda Haa

Threatened

Sandbank

Giravaru Kuda Haa is a twin pinnacle dive site located northwest of Villingili. This 257.92-hectare area comprises two coral mounds rising from a sandy bottom at about 30 meters. The reef is home to abundant soft corals, lionfish, moray eels, and the occasional turtle. The site is known for circular current flows that allow divers to explore both pinnacles easily. Visibility is generally good, and coral diversity is high. It remains a popular spot for dive safaris operating in the central atolls.

4.1390, 73.3970 View Details

Villimale'