Nova Maldives
South Ari Atoll · 25 minutes by seaplane · Full board plus or all inclusive
A small, sociable island in South Ari Atoll, 25 minutes from Velana by seaplane and inside the whale shark area. There are 76 villas, no fixed check-in or check-out, and a crowd of couples and friends rather than families. The catches are a seaplane that stops flying in the afternoon, and a good house reef that sits a long way out with the current running. Everything worth knowing before you decide, in one page.
- Getting there
- 25 minBy seaplane, in daylight only
- Latest you can land
- 15:00The last seaplane leaves at 16:00
- House reef
- 4 of 5Excellent fish, but far out with current
- Villas
- 76Beach and over the water
- Check-in
- Any timeThe villa is yours for 24 hours
- Nearby
- Whale sharksAnd manta points, by boat
Location and transfers
Send us your flight times first. We check the seaplane connection both ways before you book.
The villas
| Villa | Where | Size | Sleeps, at most |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach VillaOn the beach, with a garden terrace. | Beach | 80 m² | 3 guests |
| Sunset Beach VillaOn the sunset side of the beach. | Beach | 80 m² | 3 guests |
| Sunset Beach Villa with JacuzziThe sunset villa, with a private jacuzzi. | Beach | 80 m² | 3 guests |
| Beach Pool VillaTwice the space, with a private pool. | Beach | 160 m² | 3 guests |
| Sunset Beach Villa with PoolA pool villa on the sunset side. | Beach | 160 m² | 3 guests |
| Water VillaOver the lagoon, with a deck. | Over the water | 125 m² | 3 guests |
| Water Villa with JacuzziOver the lagoon, with a jacuzzi on the deck. | Over the water | 125 m² | 3 guests |
| Water Villa with PoolOver the lagoon, with a private pool. | Over the water | 160 m² | 3 guests |
| Inter-Connected Beach VillaTwo beach villas joined, for a family or friends. | Beach | 160 m² | 5 guests |
| Inter-Connected Beach Villa with JacuzziTwo beach villas joined, with a jacuzzi. | Beach | Ask us | 5 guests |
| Two Bedroom Beach Residence with PoolTwo bedrooms and a private pool. | Beach | 250 m² | 5 guests |
Every single villa takes three. Three adults, or two adults and a child. A family of four needs an inter-connected villa or the two-bedroom residence.
Water or pool? The Water Villa is 125 m² over the lagoon; the pool villas on the beach are 160 m². Which is better value changes with the season, so ask us to price both for your dates.
Meal plans
Full board plus covers
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Soul Kitchen
- Soft drinks, juice, water, tea and coffee at meals
- A fifth off the food if you dine à la carte instead
Charged on full board plus
- Alcohol, and drinks away from meals
- The minibar
- Spa treatments, diving and excursions
- The compulsory Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve gala dinners
| Plan | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Full board plus | All meals at Soul Kitchen with soft drinks, juice, water, tea and coffee at meals |
| All inclusive | Adds drinks through the day, a daily minibar, brunch and afternoon tea at WINK, snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards and group fitness. Speciality dining perks vary by package; ask us what yours carries |
Which plan for your dates
Some dates are sold on full board plus and others all inclusive. The price panel on the resort page says which, and we can price the other alongside.
Restaurants and bars
| Venue | What it is |
|---|---|
| Soul Kitchen | The main restaurant, all day. Global buffets |
| Flames | Grill house |
| Mizu | Teppanyaki, over the water |
| WINK | The main bar, with live music, brunch and afternoon tea |
| Solis | Pool bar on the beach |
Hours
Ask us for opening hours with your dates, and book the à la carte restaurants ahead. Tell us about vegetarian, Jain or other needs when you book.
The water
A serious reef with a catch
Fish density is excellent, with big sharks, rays and real variety, and coral regrowth is better than most of South Ari. Marked passages get you out to it. But it sits a long way out in places and the current runs, so swimming the whole island is for confident swimmers only. There are sheltered stretches if you would rather not. Watch for patches where soft sand turns to coral rubble, and for jellyfish in the wet season. We score the house reef 4 out of 5.
South Ari by boat
Whale sharks, manta points and wrecks are within about 40 minutes, including Kudhi Maa Wreck and Madivaru Manta Point. The dive centre runs trips to them.
Children and safety
Built for couples and friends
Nova is designed around couples and groups of friends, with animators and live entertainment. Families are welcome, and a family of four takes an inter-connected villa or the two-bedroom residence. Tell us the ages and we will price it.
On the island
On the island
Eskape Spa, with three treatment rooms, a Thai sala and a yoga pavilion. A gym with an outdoor training area and group classes. The Solis pool, and a cultural village to visit on Dhangethi nearby.
Who it suits
✓Yes
- Couples and groups of friends.A sociable island with live entertainment.
- Divers and big-animal hunters.Whale sharks and mantas within reach.
- Anyone with awkward flight times.The villa is yours for 24 hours from arrival.
✕No
- Nervous swimmers.The reef is far out, with current.
- Anyone landing after mid-afternoon.The seaplane stops at 16:00.
- Anyone after a quiet, family-led resort.The crowd is couples and friends.
Things we would rather you heard from us
- The reef is a swim. Far out in places, with current. Sheltered stretches exist.
- The seaplane sets the clock. Land by 15:00, or spend a night in Malé.
- Single villas take three. A family of four needs a larger villa.
- Alcohol is extra on full board plus. All inclusive covers it, on the dates it is sold.
- It is a lively island. Animators and live entertainment, by design.
Shall we price it for you?
Tell us your dates, your flight times and who is travelling. We will check the seaplane both ways, match the villa to your party and price full board plus and all inclusive side by side where both are sold. We reply within 24 hours.