Beach Villa
On the beach · 135 sq m · Open-air bathroom with a tub · No private pool · Sleeps two adults and two children, or three adults and a child
Minor Hotels · Dhaalu Atoll
Niyama Private Islands Maldives
- 45 min by seaplane
- Land by 15:15
- 4.9 on TripAdvisor · 3,788 reviews
- All taxes in the price
- Visited Sep 2015
The villas
On the beach
Deluxe Beach Villa
On the beach · 135 sq m · Open-air bathing pavilion · No private pool · Sleeps two adults and two children, or three adults and a child
Beach Pool Villa
On the beach · 190 sq m · Plunge pool · Sleeps two adults and two children, or three adults and a child
Deluxe Beach Pool Villa
On a prime stretch of beach near the island hub · 190 sq m · Plunge pool · Sleeps two adults and two children, or three adults and a child
Family Beach Pool Villa
On the beach · 255 sq m · Private pool · The living room becomes the children's room at night · Sleeps four adults and a child, or three adults and two children
Deluxe Family Beach Pool Villa
On the beach by the Play hub · 255 sq m · Private pool and a sofa bed for children · Sleeps four adults and a child, or three adults and two children
One Bedroom Beach Pool Pavilion
On the beach · 400 sq m · Living room and private pool · Breakfast in the pavilion daily if you like · Sleeps two adults and two children, or three adults and a child
Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Pavilion
On the beach · 635 sq m · Two bedrooms and a private pool · Priced for four, sleeps up to eight
Three-Bedroom Beach Pool Pavilion
On the beach · 770 sq m · Three bedrooms and a private pool · Priced for six, sleeps up to nine
Over the water
Over Water Pool Villa
Over the lagoon · 175 sq m · Private pool · Sleeps two adults and two children, or three adults and a child
Deluxe Over Water Pool Villa
Over the water · 190 sq m · Private pool and a deep tub · Sleeps two adults and two children, or three adults and a child
One Bedroom Ocean Pool Pavilion
Over the water · 340 sq m · Private pool and jacuzzi · Breakfast in the pavilion daily if you like · Sleeps two adults and two children, or three adults and a child
Two-Bedroom Ocean Pool Pavilion
Over the water · 515 sq m · King and twin bedrooms, each with its own bathroom · Pool with jacuzzi · Priced for four, sleeps up to eight
Every villa is priced for two adults, the two-bedroom pavilions for four and the three-bedroom for six. The pavilions are confirmed on request.
House reef
Our rating
2/5
Thin
Guests who care about marine life are blunt here: the reef around the islands is poor, in places artificial, and the lagoon can feel empty. Where the resort is good is the programme. There is a complimentary guided house reef snorkel every morning at half past ten, a daily guided trip about seven minutes out to the outer reef where the real life is, plus a blue hole and a coral nursery, and two marine biologists who will take children out. Coral restoration is active. Come for that, rather than for swimming off your own beach.
How we score house reefs, and every island ranked →Getting there
Route
Seaplane
- Journey
- 45 min, airport to island
- Last arrival that works
- 15:15
Alternative
Domestic flight + speedboat
- Journey
- 30 min flight + 5 min speedboat
Land at Velana after 15:15 and the last seaplane of the day will have gone, which means a night in Malé before you reach the island.
The seaplane flies in daylight only. If you land at Velana after 15:15, you either take the domestic flight to Dhaalu instead or spend a night in Malé and fly on in the morning. While you wait, the Niyama lounge at the seaplane terminal serves drinks and snacks. Going home, the last seaplane leaves the island at 15:00.
Transfer details last checked 8 October 2026. We re-check yours against your actual ticket before we quote. See what your flight can reach →
What guests say
4.9out of 5 on TripAdvisor · 3,788 reviews
Most beautiful and accomodation
Niyama is the best and most beautiful place we’ve ever stayed and visited. Everything about it exceeded our expectations. The staff were all so warm, friendly and happy. The food was amazing,...
Niyama is amazing!
We had a wonderful 10 day honeymoon at Niyama. Everything about the resort is top notch. The island is beautiful. all of the staff are super friendly and helpful, the villa was...
Wow!
Wow! Everything about this place is 5 place. The rooms were perfect and always cleaned to perfection. The buffet meals were 5 star and the staff were impeccable. Even our wine expert...
Rating checked 8 October 2026. Read all the reviews on TripAdvisor →
About the resort
Niyama Private Islands Maldives sits on two neighbouring islands in Dhaalu Atoll, 45 minutes from Velana by seaplane. Play is the lively one, with the surf break and Nest, the treehouse restaurant. Chill is quieter, with the spa, the overwater villas and Subsix, an underwater restaurant out on the reef.
It is one of the most complete resorts in the country, and the villas and pavilions have been refurbished from end to end. Families, surfers and couples who want space all fit here. The one thing it does not do well is snorkelling off the beach.
What you pay
Every price on this page is for three or four nights, breakfast and dinner, the return seaplane and every Maldivian tax. The fourth night adds much less than the average night of the first three, so four nights is the better buy, and it is the length that unlocks the honeymoon extras.
The overwater pool villa is priced the same as the beach pool villa, so choose by setting, not budget. Christmas week starts at nearly twice the autumn price for the smaller villas and climbs more steeply for the family villas and pavilions.
What's included, and what isn't
In the price: your villa, breakfast and dinner at Epicure or BLU with still water, tea and coffee at meals, a nightly dinner credit you can spend at Tribal, Edge or Nest instead, the return seaplane, a daily guided snorkel trip to the outer reef, champagne on arrival, one floating or in-villa breakfast, bicycles, tennis, yoga, kayaks and surfing at the resort's own break, and every Maldivian tax.
Not in the price: lunch, drinks beyond those with meals, Subsix, spa treatments, excursions and diving, your international flights, travel insurance, Indian TCS, and anything not named above.
Who this isn't for
Snorkellers who want coral from their own beach. The reef around both islands is thin, and the good water is a seven-minute boat ride away. The trip runs daily and is in the price, but it is a trip, not a swim from your deck.
Families with teenagers. The kids' club stops at twelve, and some guest reviews say older children found little to do. Couples after a hushed, adults-only island should look elsewhere too: this is a resort full of children and bikes.
Before you book
The seaplane flies in daylight only. Land at Velana after 15:15 and you either switch to the domestic flight or spend a night in Malé, so choose an arrival before mid-afternoon. Going home, the last seaplane leaves the island at 15:00.
The honeymoon and anniversary extras, sparkling wine and a spa or dining credit, need four nights and a wedding within the last twelve months. The sunset dolphin cruise and photo session also need four nights. Babies under two stay free, seaplane included.
The pavilions are confirmed on request, so ask us before you plan around one. The festive period after Christmas week is not priced on this page; pick your dates and anything unpriced comes through to us with the dates filled in.
For current rates, villa availability and transfers, message our Maldives specialists on WhatsApp or send us an enquiry. We reply within 24 hours.
Our last visit
We were last here
September 2015
Niyama has a great mix of laid-back island life and a bit of fun, with two islands connected by a bridge. The underwater restaurant Subsix is probably the most memorable feature, while Epicure serves a nice mix of international and Asian dishes. I also like that you can move between the two islands easily, with plenty of space, greenery and a very relaxed feel.
Read the visit note →Frequently asked questions
Where is Niyama Private Islands Maldives, and how do you get there?
Niyama Private Islands Maldives is in Dhaalu Atoll, about 45 minutes from Velana International Airport by seaplane, and the return seaplane is in every price on this page. Seaplanes are shared and may stop once on the way. They fly in daylight only, so send us your flight times before you book.
What if my flight lands late in the day?
Land at Velana after 15:15 and you will miss the last seaplane. You can take the domestic flight to Dhaalu instead, about 30 minutes, then five minutes by speedboat, or spend a night in Malé and fly on in the morning. We price the domestic flight on request. Going home, the last seaplane leaves the island at 15:00.
What does half board include?
Breakfast and dinner at Epicure or BLU, with still water, tea and coffee at meals. If you would rather eat at Tribal, Edge or Nest, you get a US$70 dinner credit per adult per night to spend there instead, and on the Braai and Took-Took nights. The credit does not cover Subsix, in-villa dining or private dining. Lunch can be added.
Is Niyama Private Islands Maldives good for families?
Very. The Explorers kids' club takes children from one year old to twelve, split into age groups, from 09:00 to 18:00, with carers trained by Scott Dunn, and has a splash park, climbing wall and trampolines. The family pool villas sleep up to five and have a sofa bed made up for children, and babies under two stay free, seaplane included. Tell us the children's ages and we will price them with the villa.
Can you snorkel from the beach?
Not well. The reef around both islands is thin. The better snorkelling is on the outer reef, seven minutes away by boat, and a guided trip there runs every day and is included in every price on this page.
Is there surfing at Niyama Private Islands Maldives?
Yes, and it is the resort's main draw for surfers. Vodi is a left-hand reef break off Play island that only Niyama guests surf, and surfing there is included. The resort's surf team also runs lessons and boat trips to other breaks; ask us what those add.
Are there extras for honeymoons?
Honeymooners and couples celebrating an anniversary get sparkling wine, a fruit basket, a decorated room and a choice of a US$100 spa credit or a US$150 dining credit. These need a stay of four nights, and for a honeymoon the wedding must be within the last twelve months. Four nights also adds a sunset dolphin cruise and a short photo session.
What is Subsix?
Subsix is the resort's underwater restaurant. It serves lunch and turns into a nightclub after dark. It is not part of half board and is charged separately, so ask us to book a table before you travel.
The resort
Tap any photo to see it full size.
Tell us your dates and who is travelling
We will price two or three villas with the seaplane and every tax included, and we can quote any dates outside the ones above. We reply within 24 hours.