Your invitation to Chill and Play.
"Discovering Niyama Private Islands: A Hidden Gem in the Maldives"
Niyama Private Islands was a delightful surprise that exceeded all of my expectations. Located just 40 minutes south of Male, the capital of the Maldives, this dreamy resort located at the Dhaalu Atoll offers an unparalleled escape to tranquility and luxury.
Comprised of two islands, "Play" and "Chill", Niyama Private Island Maldives offers endless opportunities for relaxation and exploration. With its stunning sunsets, "Play" features one of the only surf schools in the Maldives, while "Chill" is home to the majority of the resort's villas and over-water bungalows. Both sides of the resort are connected by a short bridge and are equally beautiful.
As soon as I stepped off the seaplane and onto Niyama's shores, I was transported to a world of teal blue waters and lush islands. The friendly staff welcomed me with scented towels and a refreshing drink, setting the tone for an unforgettable stay. From the moment I arrived, I knew I had found paradise once again.
Join me on this journey as I share what I loved about my stay at Niyama Private Island, get ready to be swept away by its beauty and read on, or jump straight to my Instagram story.
Accommodation at Niyama
"Experience the Best of Both Worlds at Niyama Private island"
As a fan of split stays, I was excited to experience both a land villa and a water villa during my recent visit to Niyama. My first stop was the Deluxe Beach Pool Villa, where "deluxe" truly lives up to its name. All of the villas offered breathtaking views, but the beachfront location of my villa made it extra special.
My room was a dream come true, with a king-sized bed facing the ocean, a spacious refrigerator stocked with free ice cream and popcorn (yes free!) and other treats, and a mini bar with both complimentary and chargeable items. The highlight of the room was the patio, featuring a traditional Maldivian Dhoni-shaped swing, beach loungers, and a pool. The direct beach access combined with the privacy provided by the surrounding jungle greens made for the perfect blend.
But the real showstopper was the bathroom. The expansive outdoor bathroom in the Deluxe Beach Pool Villa was the size of the entire villa, complete with two vanities, a shower room, a toilet room, and a stand-alone tub. I was in heaven as I enjoyed the blissful outdoor shower gazing at the moon and stars.
For the final two nights of my stay, I moved into a one-bedroom Water Pool Pavilion. This water villa offered the ultimate seclusion, with a private infinity pool with jacuzzi, a terrace with loungers, and direct access to the lagoon for breathtaking sunrise views.
The secluded deck was the perfect place to relax and indulge in al fresco rain showers, moonlit dips (I was lucky enough to be there during a full moon!), and sunny afternoons. The indoor amenities were just as impressive, with a full-size refrigerator overflowing with gourmet treats, and again free ice cream (chocolate was may favourite!) and popcorn, an in-room entertainment system with LED TV, Bose surround sound, and a range of international movies.
I could have easily stayed in the villas for my entire stay, but the island offered so much to explore that I couldn't resist.
If you're deciding between water and beach villas, I highly recommend like me a split stay, but if pushed I was blown away by the incredible Deluxe Beach Pool Villa for it's huge outdoor bathroom and direct access to the soft sandy beach, one of the largest I have enjoyed in the Maldives (My room was number 14!).
Dining at Niyama
When it comes to dining, Niyama Private Island offers a culinary adventure like no other. With 9 restaurants to choose from, I could have easily stayed here forever, indulging in every experience and delighting in the endless food options.
Every morning, I started my day with a delicious breakfast at Epicure, where I was able to enjoy a wide variety of options, including made-to-order egg dishes, fresh fruits, baked goods, and of course a mimosa station!
For an unforgettable dining experience, I visited Nest, an Asian restaurant that's truly dazzling. You'll need to navigate the jungle on wooden walkways to reach your private perch in the tree tops. With candlelight, soft music, and breathtaking views of the ocean in the distance, Nest provides the perfect backdrop for a romantic meal.
Tribal, a Latin-meets-African restaurant, takes you on a journey of flavors with its open kitchen and fireside dining. Specials like dry-aged beef rubbed with native spices make it a standout, and a completely unique experience in the Maldives.
Subsix, the underwater restaurant, is a truly surreal experience. You'll need to reach it by speedboat and then make your way down a three-tier staircase, lit by Italian abstract chandeliers, to reach the stunning restaurant surrounded by sea life. The "lunch" menu is impressive, with dishes like tuna carpaccio, seared scallops, and pan-seared seabass, all served in a surreal environment beneath the waves of the ocean.
For a true Maldivian dining experience, Edge is a must-visit. Fine dining meets the ocean at this sophisticated restaurant, where the sound of the ocean waters lap alongside you as you enjoy your meal. I recommend arriving early to catch the sundowners at the hip lounge as the sun sets on the horizon, with a resident DJ playing the latest chill mix.
Staying at Niyama
From 9 restaurants to water sports, Niyama has everything you need for a complete holiday experience. I wish I had stayed longer to explore more of the island, as six days just wasn't enough.
With a spa, gym, and a full activities center with tours and excursions, there is always something to do. And, don't miss the parties at the bars and restaurants with their resident DJ and band, the "glow' party at Edge was a night I will not forget! .
Bikes are provided outside your villa for easy island exploration, day or night, thanks to the lanterns that light up the paths. The 4km island is also walkable, but biking was a more fun option.
The service at Niyama is excellent, with everyone focused on ensuring you have a great time. Our Thakuru (butler) was always just a phone call away, making sure we had a personal experience with dinner reservations and island activities.
From the perfectly raked sand to the intricate details at each restaurant, no detail was spared. The dark wood and red accents complement the stunning blue waters, creating a luxurious atmosphere. The consistent red pop of color throughout the property, from pillows to the pontoon boat, added to the overall style.
Snorkelling at Niyama
There is no actual house reef at Niyama, so snorkelling is best done as a day excursion organised by the excellent team at "Float', where they have a 2hr snorkelling safari to see coral and turtles!
Although no house reef, they do have two snorkelling points for beginners, where coral gardens have been planted by the onsite Marine Biologist (Pippa), between rooms 21-34 "Chill" and 134 on "Play".
Have you ever wanted to swim with Whale Shark? Only a speed boat ride away to the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA) you can have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with a Whale Shark. This was truly a bucket list experience for me, that I dedicated its own blog, you can read it here!
Surfing at Niyama
Niyama Resort offers a unique surf experience with its exclusive surfable breaks in the area, making it a perfect destination for surfers, both novice and advanced. With its powerful and sometimes hollow waves, you can catch a rideable wave every minute, making it a surfers paradise.
At Niyama, you'll find two surf spots just minutes away from the resort. Vodi, located just off the edge of Play Island, is a left hander with powerful and sometimes hollow waves, while Kasabu is a rippable and hollow right hander that is just a five-minute speedboat ride away. With the exclusivity and lack of crowds, you'll have the waves all to yourself.
The resort makes it easy for surfers to catch the best waves by providing in-house surf guru, Nathan Kemp. With 18 years of surfing experience around the world, he'll ensure that you have the ultimate surfing experience, whether it's at the resort or on a tailormade excursion. The resort can even arrange for your beach villa to be close to the break, making it easier for you to hit the waves whenever you want.
You can view Niyama surf conditions here https://www.niyama.com/uploads/minor/anantara/documents/niyama/surf/vodi.pdf?la=en
Final word on Niyama
"From the exceptional staff and amenities to the delicious dining options and freedom to explore, Niyama is a resort that caters equally well for honeymooners, families and thrill seekers, this island will leave a lasting impression and make you want to return again and again."
TIP - If you’re looking for a great spot to enjoy a good cocktail, you cannot skip the rum bar at the Surf Shack. They play reggae music and serve dangerously good rum cocktails as the sun is setting over the horizon in the distance.
If you feel inspired to visit, or if you have more questions about picking the perfect resort, you can contact me and I'll help curate your perfect trip https://www.allthingsmaldives.com/book-with-me
Jane
PS - I might just see you there, if so, say hi!
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