The Most Popular resorts in Southern Atolls, Maldives

1 Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Best Experience for: Multi-island destination, Families & Couples, Luxury Surfing, Activities, Underwater night club

Niyama Private Islands Maldives goes beyond conventional concepts of lavish accommodation, sumptuous cuisines, and personalised service; by presenting every visitor with myriad opportunities to create their own exceptional island experience. Set on two pristine islands Chill and Play on Dhaalu Atoll in the Maldives, Niyama Private Islands Maldives brings novelty to one of the most stunning settings in the world. Dining at sea, underwater, deep in the jungle or in the treetops. Submitting to spa journeys over water or in a garden. Adrenaline-fuelled adventures are interspersed with quiet moments of perfection on long stretches of powdery beach. Endless breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean, boat trips, diving and water sports are additional benefits of this a luxury 5 * Indian Ocean resort. READ FULL REVIEW

2 Ayada Maldives

Best Experience: Couples, Family, group holidays, surfing, gourmet food, wellness, All Inclusive

Ayada Maldives is a luxury resort located amid a pristine reef within the southern rim of the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in southern Maldives. Remotely located 30 km from the equator, Ayada is the first Turkish themed resort in the Maldives that offers 122 spacious villas and suites, with private pools, butler service and thoughtful five-star detailing. Food lovers can explore the eight restaurants, while those seeking complete relaxation will find their haven in the large spa which boasts a Turkish Hammam and eight private treatment villas. The main goal of the company is high-quality vacation, beautiful nature, amazing design and exceptional service, and we are absolutely sure that Ayada is on the right way. READ FULL REVIEW

3 NH Collection Maldives Havodda

Best Experience: for Couples, Families, House Reef Snorkeling, Diving, activitites, Value

NH Collection Maldives Havodda is a secluded luxury resort ideally located in the south area of the Maldives, one of the most untouched archipelagos in the Indian Ocean. With the pristine sands and crystall clear waters, luxury travellers'll discover a new perspective on the private beach resort experience here. Offering a luxurious accomodation, a fantastic house reef, a vast lagoon and beautiful sandy beaches the 5-star resort is set on Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll via a short 55-minute domestic flight from Male airport. Offering great value rooms on a Full Board and All Iclusive basis, guests try snorkelling on the spectacular coral reef, or relaxing on powder soft sand, this truly is a secluded haven, perfect for couples and families. Time on the island flows through sunny days and starlit nights, with moments that are captivating, distinctive and harmonious. Indulge all your senses, feel the place, and feel extraordinary. READ FULL REVIEW

4 COMO Maalifushi

Best Experience:  Ultra-luxury, Families, Groups, Couples, Wellness, Surfing, Diving

A beautiful pearl in the pristine corner of the Maldives, the magnificent COMO Maalifushi is a state-of-the-art resort built for lovers of sun, wellness and scuba diving. With multi-bedroom overwater villas and suites with private pools, the 5-star resort is the ultimate away-from-it-all destination for families, couples, surfers and divers. There are some excellent breaks nearby as well as a string of uninhabited private islands, where whale shark sightings are common. Slip into the blue from your water villa, explore the best coral reefs in the world or enjoy quality, first-class food at this luxury resort. READ FULL REVIEW

How to get: Maalifushi's team will meet you at the Malé International Airport (MLE) arrivals hall and be on hand for assistance. Resort guests are also welcome to use the Manta Air VIP lounge with Wi-Fi, satellite television, shower facilities, snacks and drinks. You will then be taken to the island via a 60-minute seaplane transfer.

5 Six Senses Laamu

Best Experience:   Couples, Families, Water Villas, Spa, Luxury Surfing, Diving, Activity

The first and one of the only two resorts in the pristine Laamu atoll, Six Senses Laamu offers a sense of privacy and seclusion, with an amazing view to the ocean and Maldivian nature. At Six Senses Laamu, most of the villas and facilities are built overwater. However, beach villas and on-land dining is an option. Expect to feast at a wide range of dining options, with cuisines from around the world, a swimming pool with a sunken bar, an ice cream parlour, an overwater wine cellar and a signature Chill bar. Many activities, excursions and options are available for everyone to enjoy, both overwater and underwater, in addition to the Six Senses Spa.

How to Get there: From Malé Airport, it is just a 50-minute domestic flight, along the beautiful Maldivian coastline to Kadhdhoo airport. A short 25-minute boat transfer later and guests have arrived at the powder white sand and crystal clear turquoise water paradise which is Six Senses Laamu. READ FULL REVIEW

6 Sun Siyam Iru Veli Premium All Inclusive

Best Experience:  Couples, Family, Beaches, All Inclusive

Sun Aqua Iru Veli is a newest premium All Inclusive escape located in South Nilandhe Atoll Maldives. Perfect for honeymooners and family holidays and true to the Sun Aqua brand, this 5* star resort is laid-back and stylish with a playful vibe. In addition to 125 grand overwater and land based suites with private pools and direct ocean views, guests here will find a rather long list of amenities throughout the entire resort. These amenities range from a lovely spa, multiple dining options, including an over the water restaurant, many different ocean activities and a reef just off shore that's perfect for guests seeking an afternoon snorkeling adventure.

Opening in December 2018, Sun Aqua Iru Veli offers guests a flexible, signature premium all-inclusive experience, great for those who would rather have everything charged at once from dining, drinking with a shisha experience and a wide selection of wines from the wine cellar to champagne breakfast to kick start the day. Also included are diving, excursions and bespoke spa treatments to create a truly relaxing tropical bliss amidst powder soft white sands and a turquoise lagoon where multi-coloured fish swim amidst the house reef.. Set on Aluvifushi, a secluded, previously uninhabited private island forming part of the Dhaalu Atoll, Sun Aqua Iru Veli is accessible by a 40-minute scenic seaplane journey from Malé International Airport. READ FULL REVIEW

RESORT HIGHLIGHTS:

• Fully all inclusive resort
• Certified diving school
• Wine Academy tastings
• Fishing lessons from the locals
• Weekly pool parties

7 Raffles Maldives Meradhoo

Best Experience for:   Honeymoon, Water Villas, House Reef Snorkeling, Wellness

Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is AccorHotel’s fourth property in the Maldives — and Raffles’ first. Enveloped in the pristine sanctuary of the Gaafu Alifu Atoll, the 38-villa resort is a destination in its own right, masterfully planned to cater to discerning travellers in pursuit of a luxurious and meaningful escape. For couples looking for an unforgettable romantic hideaway, the exceptionally spacious villas and the discreet expertise of the Raffles butler service redefines the resort experience.

A destination known for its stunning surroundings Raffles Maldives Meradhoo boasts 21 island villas and 16 ocean villas with private pools, three restaurants, a scenic cocktail bar and an array of facilities and activities to relax, rejuvenate and reinvigorate the body, mind and spirit. These facilities include an award-winning luxury spa, overwater fitness centre, yoga programmes, water sports, private dining options, 24-hour butler and private chef service, along with snorkelling and diving at its finest. The resort’s PADI-certified dive centre offers adventures through the wonders of some of most breath-taking coral reefs in the world. The resort is accessible by a 55-minute domestic flight from Male International Airport, followed by a 15-minute speedboat ride from Kaadedhdhoo Airport. READ FULL REVIEW

8 Sun Siyam Vilu Reef

Best Experience:  Couples, Families, Value, Spa, House Reef Snorkeling, Diving

Sun Aqua Vilu Reef is superbly endowed with nature. A nice house reef near one side for snorkeling; The sandy lagoon on the other hand is ideal for water sports. No matter where you look from - your own pool, turquoise lagoon, white beach or ocean - every day you wake up with beautiful views and in a great mood. This small, cheerful resort built over a coral reef is a 45-minute seaplane ride from Malé International Airport. Its comprehensive facilities will appeal to couples (although there’s no adults-only section) and families alike. At the end of October 2015, after an impressive reconstruction, the official opening ceremony of the Sun Aqua Vilu Reef was held, organized as a festival with dancing and live music throughout the evening. The resourt offers a relaxing beachside experience with its spacious villas, an outdoor pool and an on-site diving centre. READ FULL REVIEW

RESORT HIGHLIGHTS:

• Romantic island retreat
• Bespoke dining experiences
• Vintage wine tastings
• Island hopping day trips
• Couples’ spa sessions

9 Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

Best Experience:  Honeymoon, House Reef Snorkeling, beaches, Diving

With some of the beast diving in the archipelago to be enjoyed on the island's coral reef, this award-winningly eco-friendly hotel is one not to be missed by fans of the deep blue sea. Sited in the middle of Huvadhoo Atoll, the largest and deepest atoll in the country, Hadahaa is small, round and verdant, surrounded by one of the finest, softest beachesbeaches in the country and a stunning housereef. Then nothing. Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, which has won awards for its eco-friendly credentials, is rather grand architecturally but sits comfortably, and sympathetically, beneath the island's palm trees. The resort has 50 villas, 20 of which have a private pool. Rooms offer contemporary and rustic touches but are small for this price bracket. There's a good choice of restaurants, including The Dining Room, which has lovely ocean views, The Island Grill, offering regionally inspired cuisine, and The Dhoni bar, designed to resemble the upturned hull of the Maldivian fishing boat from which this stylish watering-hole takes its name

How to get: Domestic Flight transfer takes 55-105 minutes from Velana International Airport to Kooddoo Domestic Airport. From there, speedboat transfer takes 30 minutes from Kooddoo Airport to the property. READ FULL REVIEW

10 Angsana Velavaru - All inclusive SELECT

Best Experience:  Couples, Families, Water Villas, Wellness, Activities

Angsana Velavaru, an all-inclusive premium resort in the virtually untouched South Nilandhe Atoll surrounded by sparkling turquoise waters and ocean views as far as the eye can see. This vibrant tropical getaway offers 79 private villas, all with beach frontage, and a cluster of 34 InOcean Villas, the first standalone collection of water villas in the Maldives, perched one kilometre from the main island. With its spacious island-based villas and stilts over the water, exquisite dining experiences, “101 Things To Do” – from watersports, diving lessons to rejuvenating spa treatments and beyond, Angsana Velavaru, offers the best stage to #SenseTheMoment and create beautiful memories with loved ones, family and friends. READ FULL REVIEW

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