New and Unique: Nova Maldives

The Island

Nova Maldives is small, intimate, and gorgeous it does not even take 15 mins to walk all the way round. The island's shores are covered with white sand that lick the clear waters of the turquoise lagoon and the interior is full of lush green vegetation with low-tilted palms and tall deciduous trees. The house reef deserves multiple snorkel expeditions to see all what you dream. Whilst you walk round do take in the lovely fruit bats all around, the flower and fauna and swings under the large rooted trees. The island has the rustic but elegant and real Maldivian feel, whilst being new, and impeccably presented. The beach villas are camouflaged amongst the trees at the waters edge.

Nova is loaded with a standard choice of sports and recreation facilities for a typical island resort, and there is pool on the island. Nevertheless, most of the guests spend time in the sun tanning on the beach on their own loungers or playing on soft sand. Free Wi-Fi is available in the reception area and lobby, as well as in all rooms.

What really represents the added value of this resort is all the staff, from the first to the last. The staff are all very friendly and greet you with a smile every time they see you, and the overall vibes are more laid back.

The Europeans are the majority here especially in the high season, but Nova is happily shared by many Italians, Germans, rare of Asian couples and it is widely open to other nationalities.

Environment protection and sustainability are at the heart of the Nova soul. The resident marine team is dedicated to leading coral adoption initiatives, and Nova also promotes a guest programme to support and protect nature initiatives. Using organic and biodegradable materials has further enhanced Nova’s commitment to save the sensitive reef structures and the nature within the island. Nova’s key values being responsible includes minimising its carbon footprint by reducing the islands waste and energy consumption. All water waste and glass are recycled, food composted, items responsibly packaged, energy saved through smart room controls and printed collateral radically reduced by the mobile app and interactive systems.

Location

Ari Atoll also known as Alif or Alifu Atoll is one of the natural wonders of the Maldives. Being one of the largest atolls in the Maldives, it stretches from north to south in the western part of the Maldives archipelago in 30 minutes by seaplane from Male airport. South Ari Atoll, a Protected Marine Area, remains one of the best places in the world to see whale sharks, which are spotted year-round on the outer reef, while North Ari Atoll is famous for its hammerhead sharks, although these are far more elusive and require deep diving to see. Most of the islands are home for the luxury resorts while others are uninhabited, the rest are inhabited by local residents. The main occupations of Ari Atoll are fishing, sailing, harvesting and processing of corals. READ MORE

Nova Maldives is located in South Ari Atoll about 56 km south of Male. Seaplane transfers are available for guests arriving at Velana International Airport from 6:00 am to 3:30 pm. Expect a picturesque 25 minutes flight above the stunning reefs and lagoons of the Indian Ocean straight to the arrival jetty, where your good soul days in one of the best beach resorts in Maldives will begin! In the case that guests miss the seaplane schedule they may also request for a night transfer on a domestic airline (Flyme ) via Maamigili domestic airport.

The Beach

For most people, sunbathing plays a big role during their travels, and without a beach in paradise of course there is no way. Each beach villa on the island owns a private piece of beach. The white sandy beaches on Nova Maldives just make you feel like a pampered Robinson along with the turquoise clear waters of the lagoon where you can often spot lots of different fish, rays, baby reef sharks and turtles swimming around. There is a large house reef with abundant and vibrant marine life: snorkelling is a must! At night, there are sometimes bioluminescent planktons on the beach between the SPA and the Jetty as soon as it gets dark. A low wall is built around the lagoon, but it does not spoil the ocean view. Beware of places where soft sand suddenly mixes with debris of coral and sea shells, and during the rainy season beware of jellyfish in the water.

In 2024 Nova unveiled an upgraded coral restoration initiative focused on its house reef. This new project expands upon the resort’s existing coral plantation program, enabling guests to actively participate in protecting the local marine ecosystem.

Villas

Nova Maldives is a home to 76 spacious water and beach villas with 10 categories including Two Bedroom Beach Residence with private pool designed for the ultimate stay, whether you travel with your significant other, solo, with loved ones, friends or family, each villa is designed with utmost care in contemporary minimalist design to ensure that your stay is a blissful one. Awash in custom-made furniture, neutral whites, natural light and warm materials, the pared-back interiors deliver a truly relaxing atmosphere.

Private terraces or endless ocean views? Both type of accommodation are amazing with perfect serviced. Pared-back interiors awash with comfortable furniture and well-stocked fridges generously replenished daily. Everything is built using natural materials to blend in perfect harmony with the lush tropical surroundings.

With fast WiFi and surround sound TV, stay as connected as you wish or disconnect completely in the rainfall shower, king-size bed, and inspiring surroundings. Turn off your phone, kick off your shoes and relax. At Nova, nothing feels as good as taking the day at your own pace, especially with such a view.

Just a few steps away from the shoreline, Beach Villas have direct access to the beach and the endless blue lagoons. The 80 square meter rooms adorned in custom furnishing, natural light and warmth come with a king-size bed paired with plush beddings and pillows.

Sitting along the shorefront, the Family Beach Villas at Nova feature two Beach Villas connected by an internal door. Surrounded by effortless comfort, this is the perfect home for a family with the rich greenery outside the rooms adding to the perfect small island atmosphere.

Upgrade to Water Villas will give you not only a bungalow over the water but also the most luxurious view to enjoy on the sundeck or in the private pool, and direct access to house reef snorkeling. All new Water Villas and Water villas with private pool are large and exceptional! A spacious bathroom with a rainfall shower and a bathtub – perfect to wash away your worries.

Whether you are on the lagoon side or the ocean side, it is just so beautiful. One benefit of the ocean side is that you can go down directly from your terrace and go to snorkel. Indulge in an exquisite morning ritual and immerse yourself in the sheer luxury of a floating breakfast, served in the tranquil seclusion of your private pool. The vistas are continuous, except for the spectacle of Centara Grand on the horizon.

Food and Drinks

Whether or not you have a special inclination for sweet flavors or you dream of a salty and crunchy meal, at Nova Maldives you will find a gastronomic paradise that will delight your 5 senses. Nourish the soul with good food and good company in the resort’s vibrant dining areas, pool and communal spaces that will feed your connections and laughter. Around every corner, you will find spots to kick back and socialise or retreat and take a moment to reconnect. Choose your perfect meal plan from the various offers to ensure a blissful stay filled with good times.

At Nova, guests are free to follow their own eating habits with the meal plans extends to adventures and welcomes you to your good soul days, which allows everyone to find out its favorite meal among the 5 concept restaurants of the resort:

• Soul Kitchen (all-day dining, all-inclusive restaurant): Savour the freshest flavours from around the world in a light, bright, relaxed all-day dining setting. Select the dishes you want from the mouthwatering buffet, take a seat and feast on the cuisine and breathtaking views across the Indian Ocean. There is fresh fish and delicious tropical fruits daily. Each and every chef is happy to accommodate any request and are there to assist ant dietary preference.
• Flames (speciality grill): Stylish fine dining restaurant is the go-to for the most delicious grilled local fish, seafood and meat dishes.
• Wink (main bar): Stop by Wink for a selection of fine beer, wine, handcrafted cocktails and the most delicious crispy pizza and fresh snacks. Enjoy the live music and tropical tunes as you laze the afternoon away or step it up on the dance floor in the evenings to the funky beats of the DJ.
• Mizu (overwater Teppanyaki restaurant): Perched on stilts over the water, Mizu offers you a unique Teppanyaki experience. With a signature menu and live cooking stations, you will be be treated to fresh tropical flavours and seared ocean delights whilst taking in incredible views of the endless shades of blue of the horizon and beyond.
• Solis (pool bar): Stop by Habitat on the beach for a selection of fine beer, wine, handcrafted cocktails and the most delicious crispy pizza and fresh snacks. Enjoy the live music and tropical tunes as you laze the afternoon away or step it up on the dance floor in the evenings to the funky beats of the DJ.

The bright new star resort Nova presents a tempting new menu of delicious plant-based dishes for guests who are determined to be healthier and happier in 2023. Many are all now familiar with the many benefits of a plant-based diet, both for our bodies and our planet. Many thousands of us, including celebrities over the world have gone vegan to feel healthier and do better for the environment. With expanding F&B offerings Nova introduced its new Group Brunching Experiences in 2024.

Diving & Snorkeling

One of Nova's star features is its location and natural proximity to the best dive- and snorkel- sites, as well as easy access to some of the most big populations of whale sharks and manta rays in the Maldives. A gorgeous house reef that located only 15 meters from the beach is close to any point on the island and is therefore ideal for snorkeling at any time and from any villa. A real draw for a resort in the Maldives. The marine life is diverse and stunning, although corals have not yet grown so much, compared to many other islands in the South Ari Atoll.

Expect to see the schools of snappers, soldier fish and batfish. The house reef is also home to mystical caves and overhangs. To explore the beauty of this underwater wonder, Nova provides daily diving trips and night snorkeling excursions. Snorkelling near the main jetty is a fantastic experience with many fish including rays, sharks, moray eels and many more smaller but colourful ones.

From January till the end of March, visits to Manta points are made several times a week. In the months of September until December, there is a good chance of seeing whale sharks in the area.

Boat trips are available every day of the week. Full day, early morning and night dive excursions are organized regularly. All the dive sites are within 15 to 60 minutes by boat from the Vakarufalhi Island. Single dives to dive packages are available for certified divers.

Activities

Water sports and dive centre ‘Aquaholics’ at Nova Maldives boasts a world-class PADI aqua team and a resident Marine Biologist who are all equipped to provide a wide range of water activities, all set to give you the experience of a lifetime. Besides jet skiing, parasailing, waterski, wakeboarding, fun rides, kayak, SUP, kite and windsurfing and Topcat sailing, Nova guests can also engage in some community-filled activities like beach volleyball, tennis, football, and not to forget a state-of-the-art fitness center.

Feel pampered and nourish your spirit with special holistic spa rituals using luxurious organic products. You’re in good hands with the Eskape Spa team, who enhance the body and soul’s wellbeing and restoring moments of mindfulness. Featuring three blissful treatment rooms, a Thai Sala, relaxation room and a yoga pavilion, Eskape will take you on a journey through a world of wellness experiences designed to re-connect and awaken your senses. The spa and the massages are amazing. We highly recommend you have more than one treatment here. Discover the 3 Amazing Spa treatments at Nova you will love!

Nova also brings together and offers a fluid range of experiences for its community to make real connections and moments they’ll remember for a lifetime. The soulful island is always brimming with activities whether it is pool parties at Solis Pool Bar, evening gatherings for communal snacks, DJs, and party nights at the main Wink bar. The staff interact and it is lovely to share your evening with whoever is there if you should feel you would like to, otherwise meander back to your villa and star gaze, return via the pier by Aquaholics and you may be lucky to see the huge rays and sand sharks that gather there in the evening.

The island has many secluded places to stay with an interesting book in hand, souvenir and jewellery shop, in-house photo studio, and Medical Clinic with on-call doctor and staffed with officers devoted to your wellbeing.

An intimate setting where paradise mirrors the promise of forever. Nova Maldives Resort offers a choice of wedding rituals or vow renewals that honour traditional Maldivian ceremonies. For the ultimate gesture of romance, there will be a private dinner on a secluded beach. Let the shallow crystal clear blue water that kisses your toes be the perfect backdrop as you express your passion and love for each other.

Reviews

Reinforced with coconut palms and enriched by a white sandy beaches and a great house reef with a beautiful and vibrant sea life, Nova combined with the traditional features of the Maldives is the perfect marriage of beautiful nature and peaceful tranquility. In any case, if you are not going to spend much time in your luxurious room, Vakarufalhi is really a beautiful island - very very quiet, with amazing snorkeling and diving. The island you want to return to, like a fairy tale, in which everything is included.

Why stay here? What Guests Like

• Great value for money
• Staff is nice, very friendly and always ready to help
• New, clean and comfortable villas. Over-water villa is simply amazing;
• A beautiful white sandy beach, turquoise lagoon and an excellent house reef.
• An amazing snorkeling, lots of fish, sharks, rays and turtles
• The food is delicious! Lunches and dinners are excellent. Always the freshest, varied, seafood or fish, everything is very taste!
• all inclusive meal plan
• The dive center is very well run. Superb diving with whale sharks and manta rays
• Spa: Excellent treatments, and staff
• The island is beautiful, with great facilities
• Nightlife, happy hour and snacks
• Fishing excursions

What You Need to Know

• BOOK DIRECTLY to get discounted rates and exciting additional inclusions. Here at Nova, expect deals designed to surprise and delight in all the right ways.
• Make the most of Maldives holidays with the best of all-inclusive at Nova.
• Check-in is from 14:00, and check-out is until 11:00
• Children of any age are welcome. Cots and extra beds are not available at this property.
• If you are not all inclusive plan definitely recommend bringing your own snorkel gear as you have to pay to hire daily.
• We're recommend the Turtle Quest excursion
• The spa and the massages are amazing. We highly recommend you have more than one treatment here.
• Book your activities the day you arrive at the hotel to be sure to have a seat.
• By location - beach villas 147+ are the most unfortunate - located behind the main pool. Firstly, there are often beach parties with a DJ and loud music by the pool, and secondly, these villas do not have a normal access to the beach .
• The fitness is well equipped, lots of cardio machines.

Photos

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