Sunrise vs. Sunset Villa at Komandoo: Which Side Is Right for You?

The Sunrise Side (Premium Jacuzzi Beach Villas)

What You Get

The sunrise side is home to Komandoo's Premium Jacuzzi Beach Villas. These are the villars you'll see in the brochures—the ones with that postcard-perfect, unobstructed view across the turquoise lagoon toward the open Indian Ocean.

The Pros

Uninterrupted Ocean Views: There's nothing but water stretching to the horizon. As one guest put it, this side offers "a large stretch of beach in front of them and some views of other resort islands, but nothing too shocking" .

Spectacular Sunrises: Early risers are rewarded with breathtaking morning light. One guest recalled: "As an early riser I enjoyed watching the sunrise from our deck while my husband was still asleep!" . Another described waking up to "amazing morning sunrise" and watching "two Black Tipped reef sharks swimming just feet away from where I stood in the sea" .

Calmer Waters: The water on the sunrise side is noticeably calmer compared to the sunset side, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling right from your villa.

Wider Beach: Multiple guests confirm the sunrise side has a "nicer and wider" beach. One reviewer noted: "We preferred the beach villa which was set on the sunrise side at the far end of the island. It was warmer than the sunset side and less breezy but we had a good amount of beach and clear shallow waters to swim and snorkel in" .

Turtle Territory: The sunrise side, with its sea grass areas, is better for spotting turtles grazing in the shallows. "We stayed in Marlin 9 & it was great stepping out on to white sand, swimming & snorkelling in the lagoon" . Guests report seeing turtles on a daily basis right outside their villas.

The Cons

Hotter, Less Breezy: Because it faces east, the sunrise side receives the full force of the morning sun and can become quite warm during the day with little relief from wind. One guest noted it was "warmer than the sunset side and less breezy" .

Beach Erosion Concerns: Some guests have reported that parts of the sunrise side beach have experienced erosion, leaving "not much sand in front of some bungalows". However, the resort's garden champions work tirelessly to maintain the island's pristine condition.

---

The Sunset Side (Jacuzzi Beach Villas & Standard Villas)

What You Get

The sunset side is where you'll find the standard Jacuzzi Beach Villas as well as standard Beach Villas. These villas face west, offering a different kind of magic.

The Pros

Spectacular Sunsets: This is the side for sunset lovers. The evening sky transforms into "a canvas of orange, pink, and purple hues" . One guest in a water villa described having "a wonderful sunset view & was perfectly located close to the beach Thandu bar" .

Cooling Breeze: The sunset side benefits from a "gentle, pleasant breeze" that makes the heat more bearable. As one guest observed: "The sunset side, with its gentle, pleasant breeze (not the type that whips up sand) and closer reef access, was equally stunning".

Larger Beach Area: Some guests report that the sunset side has "a larger expanse of sand" . One reviewer noted: "The sunset side beach bungalows have a larger beach area".

Better Reef Access: The reef on the sunset side is reportedly better for seeing large shoals of fish and black tip and white tip sharks. The reef edge is closer to shore here, making it easier to reach.

Closer to Thundi Bar: The sunset side is home to Thundi Bar, the island's sunset beach bar—a perfect spot for evening cocktails. Even if you stay on the sunrise side, you can "watch the sunsets from the Thundi beach bar on that side anyway" .

The Cons

View of the Local Island: This is the most frequently mentioned drawback. The sunset side looks out toward the neighboring local island of Hinnavaru. Some guests find this detracts from the "desert island" feel: "The sunset side has a view of another unsightly island. Look on google maps, you will see!! Its not a major issue, it just takes away a bit of that paradise island feel" .

However, many guests say it doesn't bother them at all. As one reviewer explained: "On the sunset side you do indeed have a view of the local island but that does certainly not detract from the experience and in my enhances it" . Another agreed: "The sunset side looks out over the local island, doesn't bother us one bit".

Narrower Beach: Some guests have reported that "the beach is much narrower and not so nice" on the sunset side. One reviewer noted that when they visited, the sunset side had "basically no beach in front of them due to erosion and what beach was there was propped up by sandbags" .

Rougher Conditions: The sunset side faces the open area of the atoll and can be "rougher and sometimes very windy" .

---

The South-Facing Sweet Spot

If you're looking for the best of both worlds, some guests recommend villas facing south (numbers 8 to 15). As one savvy traveler advised: "Next time, I would pay attention to getting one of the villas facing south. There is nothing but the sea in front of the terrace, and the neighboring island is completely out of sight."

---

Quick Comparison Guide

---

Which Side Should You Choose?

Choose the sunrise side if you want unobstructed ocean views, enjoy early mornings, prefer calmer water for swimming, and want the best chance of spotting turtles from your villa. As one guest simply put it: "I'd pick the sunrise side" —and many repeat visitors agree.

Choose the sunset side if you value a cooling breeze, want to watch spectacular sunsets from your terrace, prefer easier reef access, and don't mind the view of the local island (which most guests say enhances rather than detracts from the experience).

Or choose a water villa if you want the ultimate overwater experience—many water villas offer views that combine the best of both sides.

7 Days of Romance at Komandoo

---

The Bottom Line

Whichever side you choose, you're still on Komandoo. And that means you're in for world-class service, exceptional food, and an unforgettable Maldivian experience. As one guest wisely concluded: "It doesn't matter which side of the island you choose. Sunset, sunrise or water villa are all wonderful" . Another echoed: "If I had a choice of where to stay I'd pick the sunrise side, but the sunset would be amazing, too and I'd be back there tomorrow & happy on either side."

The real magic of Komandoo isn't about which direction your villa faces—it's about the Champions who make you feel like family, the reef teeming with life at your doorstep, and the profound sense of peace that settles over you the moment you kick off your shoes and step onto that pristine white sand.

No matter which side you choose, you've chosen paradise.

Check Availability and Prices

---

Related Stories:

• Ultimate Guide to Maldives Villas: Beach, Overwater & Luxury Resorts
• Sunrise Villas vs Sunset Villa Reviews: Physics-Backed Guide
• Maldives Villas Update: The New Places to Stay