Dreaming of the Maldives? Here’s how to choose the right island for you

Ad feature by Sun Siyam Resorts

By Ailbhe MacMahon

PUBLISHED: 08:50, 10 May 2024

With turquoise waters, pristine white beaches and infinite sunshine, it’s no surprise the Maldives is considered one of the world’s dreamiest holiday destinations.
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This blissful island nation is made up of nearly 1,200 coral isles, sprinkled across the Indian Ocean like gemstones. Once you have your heart set on visiting, the next step is deciding which island fulfils your vision of paradise. Enter, Sun Siyam Resorts.
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This stunning collection of exclusive resorts is Maldivian owned and run, offering a truly authentic experience. And each island retreat in the Sun Siyam Resorts family has its own unique charm - here’s how to choose the perfect one for you.

The lap of luxury in a private island paradise 

Sun Siyam Iru Veli

If breezy luxury sounds like your idea of heaven, then Sun Siyam Iru Veli is the place to be. This island haven is tucked within its own azure lagoon in the South Nilandhe Atoll, a 40-minute seaplane ride from the capital, Male.
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The all-inclusive offering is impressive - the dine-around plan gives you the chance to feast at a la carte restaurants like the Mediterranean Roma eatery or the open-kitchen-style Grouper Grill.

Catering to every type of traveller, you can choose between spa credit or three scuba dives a week as part of the package. On top of that, enjoy three spectacular excursions, a windsurfing lesson and jet-ski credit. Plus, each and every suite has its own private pool, so you can start the day with a blissful dip.

Sun Siyam Iru Veli floating breakfast

What better place to enjoy a romantic moment than on your own private island? The resort can arrange a ‘castaway’ experience, so you can picnic on a secluded isle for the day, while back at the resort, simply stretch out on the powder-soft beach and soak up the sun.
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For magical moments of unparalleled indulgence and exclusivity, treat yourself one of the newest culinary experiences on offer here. The Floating Delight Experience sees a floating wonder arrive at your villa, suite or private beach at any time day or night. From sunrise breakfasts to midday snacks, a sophisticated sundowner or skillfully crafted sushi rolls, the Floating Delight caters to every whim.

Or how about a Private Lagoon Breakfast? This tranquil experience provides the utmost privacy, right on the shore. Choose from a selection of sumptuous breakfast menus featuring freshly baked pastries and tropical fruits.

As the evening calls, sip cocktails at the resort’s effortlessly stylish weekly pool parties, with live mixes from DJs creating the perfect soundtrack and let loose at themed beach parties where you can enjoy bottomless bubbles. Or if you have a nose for fine wine, an expert sommelier can guide you through exquisite vintages as part of the Wine Academy.

The ultimate romantic escape

Sun Siyam Vilu Reef destination dining

For a romantic getaway you’ll never forget, look no further than Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, a boutique retreat also perched in the South Nilandhe Atoll.
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As the first chapter of the Sun Siyam Resorts story, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef has been casting its spell over travellers for more than two decades. In fact, one customer loves it here so much they’ve visited over 40 times.

And it’s no surprise when tranquillity is the order of the day. The resort is ideal for couples, whether you’re planning a honeymoon, a special anniversary or simply a relaxing escape.

Sun Siyam Vilu Reef

Grab a snorkel and walk hand-in-hand with your sweetheart to the shore. The house reef fringing the island is teeming with schools of iridescent fish and paddling turtles, or why not explore the turquoise depths on a diving excursion? The resort’s dive centre offers scuba certification and free diving.

A speedboat can whisk you to the neighbouring sister property resort Sun Siyam Iru Veli to take advantage of its luxurious facilities as well, making this the perfect twin centre getaway, and excursions can be arranged to breath-taking islands nearby, giving you an authentic sense of the Maldives.
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Cruise on a Dhoni sailing boat to nearby Farm Island - the isle of Llohi - where local farmers grow the fresh produce served in the resort’s restaurants. An organic lunch will even be laid out before you sail back to your suite. Heaven.

Fabulous wellness, fine dining and fun for all the family 

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi family deluxe beach villa with pool

Whether you’re seeking a holiday filled with family fun or a pampering stay for two, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi will tick all your boxes. This private island paradise stretches over 52 glorious hectares in the Noonu Atoll, just a 45-minute seaplane ride from Male.

Families are in for a treat - two children aged under 15 can stay and eat free for free, and family villas are just steps away from the pool and kids’ club. Meanwhile, the separate adults-only pool is a tranquil sanctuary for swimming laps and sunbathing.
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Tailoring the stay to your personal preferences, packages range from bed and breakfast to the luxurious all-inclusive option. And gourmands rejoice - there are four sublime a la carte restaurants to explore as part of the dine around plan. Sip on signature cocktails at Waters Edge or chat with loved ones over French cuisine at Flavours restaurant.

You can even put your own culinary skills to the test with an immersive cooking class, or let your creative side out with a craft class, transforming palm leaves into handmade fans or baskets.

And if you want to give back to the island, join a tree-planting experience or get out and explore by setting off on a nature walk, spotting exotic wildlife and tropical plants along the way. And little ones will love tugging on their flippers for a Finding Nemo-inspired snorkelling excursion, spotting clown fish bobbing past in the water.

The Spa by Thalgo France at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi

Hidden away among tropical flowers at the heart of the resort, you’ll find the award-winning The Spa by Thalgo France, known as one of the best spas in the Maldives. Take a dip in the hydrotherapy pools, treat yourself to a soothing massage from the expert team of therapists or sign up for a specialist medical consultation with the resident Ayurvedic doctor. Kids will love the spa’s Sweet Pea menu, which offers child-friendly treatments tailored to give them a fun pampering.

Get your adrenalin fix  

Neighbouring in the Noonu Atoll, Siyam World offers you the natural beauty of the Maldives, boosted by one-of-a-kind activities and experiences on a vast natural island playground that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.  

Spread across 54 hectares, there’s infinite space to spread out - hen parties can celebrate on one side of the island, while couples seeking peace and quiet can sunbathe on the other.

The WOW! 24-hour premium all-inclusive plan gives you the chance to dine on mouth-watering cuisine at the resorts’ 18 international restaurants and bars, among other amazing perks.

Siyam World three bedroom lagoon villa with pool and slide

Ultra-chic villas across the resort come with private pools. Opt for an overwater villa and you can plunge straight into the sea each morning on your own waterslide.

Families and groups of friends will love staying in the spacious Beach Residences - ranging from one-to-four bedrooms, each one comes with a host of premium perks and benefits.

For instance, guests at all two-bedroom and above Beach Residences can get around the island on colourful custom Mini Mokes, retro beach whips with fun built-in speakers for playing music.

Mokes at Siyam World

And for fun on the water, don’t miss Siyam Water World, the largest floating waterpark in the Maldives, or back on land stop by the charming Siyam World Horse Ranch. The resort also boasts one of the biggest kids’ clubs in the Maldives, so your little ones can make friends throughout their stay. Race underwater using the world’s first underwater jet-pack by CudaJet, or dive over and under the waves in the amazing semisubmersible Seabreacher, which can do 360-degree barrel rolls in the water.

Siyam Water World

Love sports? Hit the World Sports Arena for a game of football on the international-sized pitch, or grab a badminton racket for a game of doubles. Each day will be more exciting than the last.

Epic experiences for the trip of a lifetime 

Sun Siyam Olhuveli

One zippy speedboat ride from Male International Airport will drop you on Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives’ sun-drenched shores.

Set in the South Male Atoll, the resort is spread across three glorious islands connected by bridges, creating calm lagoons perfect for water sports, so if you love your holidays with a dash of action and adventure, this is the island retreat for you.

The Thrill Seeker package unlocks incredible outdoor activities like kite-surfing, windsurfing, paddle-boarding and sailing, while back on dry land there are tennis and badminton courts too. If your little ones have even more energy to burn off there a complimentary kids club for under 12s where they’ll make new friends during their stay.

What’s more, children under the age of 15 stay and eat for free so a family holiday to Sun Siyam Olhuveli offers incredible value for money.

Sun Siyam Olhuveli

And the snorkelling opportunities for all ages are second to none with a snorkelling safari and sunset boat tour all part of the premium all-inclusive offering.
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Explore the multi-coloured house reef, home to Olivia the hawksbill turtle as well as black-tipped reef sharks and the occasional sting-ray.
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Or go further afield to snorkel around a coral-encrusted shipwreck where you can spot a bicycle hanging from the roof and watch fish swim around the captain’s hut. Whether you go in a group or opt for a private excursion you might just be lucky enough to see pilot whales, spinner dolphins and manta rays on your journey too.
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Surrounded by more than 50 dive sites, certified divers will also be in heaven at Sun Siyam Olhuveli. Book an excursion to Banana Reef to meet manta rays up close and Kandooma Thila, one of the best spots to see sharks and large green turtles.
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Anyone looking for romance will find it in abundance here. In what is surely the most romantic supper setting in the Maldives, you’ll take the boat at sunset with your loved one to a floating platform in the lagoon. A glass of sparkling wine is followed by an out- of-this-world four-course meal.
With the stars twinkling overhead, it’s the stuff of everlasting memories.

To find out more and book your dream holiday visit sunsiyam.com