Naladhu Maldives Private Island complete review by Dreaming of Maldives.
Discover everything you need to know before booking your stay at one of the Maldives’ most romantic private island retreats.
Most of the photos ( stated otherwise ) and the video in this review were taken by us during our stay at Naladhu.
During our Maldives journeys, we stayed at Naladhu Maldives to bring you the most comprehensive and authentic review possible.
Every photo, every video, every insight, and every detail in this guide is drawn from our personal journeys, from the Houses to spa rituals, gourmet dining and dreamy moments on the island’s shores.
This immersive visit lets us share everything you need to know before booking your stay at one of the most discreet and luxurious romantic escapes in the Maldives.
Naladhu is wonderfully small and nothing here is ever scripted. Life moves at your own pace : you can stay tucked away in your private House or venture out to neighboring Veli or Dhigu for more restaurants, activities, and experiences whenever you wish. The Houses, always secluded and welcoming, are at the heart of the Naladhu experience, with every detail centered around privacy and comfort. Private moments, spa treatments, dining, and even excursions, are made just for you.
As part of the Anantara collection, Naladhu perfectly blends Maldivian charm with a subtle Thai touch, reflected in both its service philosophy and refined details throughout.
Category
5★ Ultra Luxury Resort
Villas
20 Houses
Atoll
South Male
Island Size
Width – 123m
Length – 180m
Transfer
35 mns
by speedboat or
10 mns by private seaplane
Airport
21 km / 13 mi
Diving
Very Good
Snorkeling
None at proximity
Lagoon
Very Good
At Naladhu, a villa is called a House, and for good reason. Each is thoughtfully designed and positioned to feel like your own true private home.
Each House blends colonial charm with Maldivian elegance, offering generous indoor and outdoor spaces, each fitted with its own secluded areas.
Dining at Naladhu has no set mealtimes. You can enjoy exquisite cuisine wherever you wish, whenever you want.
Every guest enjoys a dedicated House Master, your personal butler and guardian angel throughout your stay.
Naladhu is, above all, and by essence, deeply romantic. Every detail and setting is designed for intimate moments and meaningful connection.
Naladhu Maldives at a Glance
Naladhu Maldives is one of the finest retreats for couples searching for a truly romantic hideaway in the Maldives. For me, the resort’s unique “home-like” feeling is one of the dreamiest and most perfectly achieved in the country. The island is small, quiet, and effortlessly elegant. By design, it truly makes you feel as if you have your own little piece of paradise to yourselves.
For lovers, it’s a dream come true.
Naladhu Maldives by Anantara is a small luxury boutique hotel just 35 minutes by speedboat from Malé airport. The resort can also be reached by private seaplane, with a scenic 10-minute flight over the atoll.
Nestled on a tiny island measuring only 123 meters wide by 180 meters long, Naladhu is one of the Maldives’ smallest and most secluded retreats for couples. The resort features just 19 Houses and one Villa, making it truly exclusive and intimate.
Yet, for those who crave a little more excitement or variety, its lively sister resorts, Anantara Dhigu and Veli are only a short pontoon boat ride away, offering even more dining, activities, and experiences whenever you wish.
Your little island home away from home.
Naladhu Houses are easily in my top five favorite villas in the Maldives. I love them for the authentic “at-home” atmosphere, but also for their design, a harmonious blend of colonial charm and modern influences, with touches from Sri Lanka, India, Morocco, and of course, the Maldives. There’s no standard villa here, Naladhu offers just 19 Houses and 1 Residence, each facing the lagoon or the open ocean. Intimate and romantic, every House is hidden among lush gardens and sandy paths.
At Naladhu, dining is never routine, it’s always tailored, personal, and memorable. You can access world of flavors, and eat whatever, whenever, and wherever you want. Just let your House Master know and consider it done.
Activities and excursions at Naladhu are nearly endless. You can enjoy just about anything you wish. Among my favorite private experiences are the personalized spa treatments in your House or in a dedicated ocean retreat. You can also book a private diving lesson, or, if you’re in the mood for even more, visit Anantara Dhigu and Veli—Naladhu’s sister resorts in the same lagoon, for a wider range of activities and excursions.
Naladhu Maldives concept is truly private. From there, you can just imagine your own favourite moment. The Houses themselves are an ideal place to start. It’s your home, your Dream so anything is possible ! This variety of exclusive choices make it a pure Bliss. Let your imagination go and the team will do the rest.
A private massage at home
Have you ever dreamt of having a massage right at home ? At Naladhu, you can make it real, just ask for a massage on your private terrace. The peaceful atmosphere and thoughtful set-up make it the ultimate private relaxation.
Breakfast Alone on the Beach
A simple but wonderful way to begin the day. The Living Room, Naladhu’s intimate restaurant, lets you enjoy breakfast at your own table right on the beach. There’s no crowds. Just you and a dreamy view.
Dining at Baan Huraa Thai Restaurant
Anantara is Thai. The brand is known for having the best Thai restaurant in the Maldives, and Baan Huraa truly lives up to its reputation. Beautifully decorated in authentic Thai style, the restaurant sits in the middle of the lagoon, reached by two long bridges or even by private boat. Every meal here feels like a destination in itself.
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Naladhu Maldives In details.
everything you need to know
Take a look around Naladhu Maldives through our eyes. We’ve tried it all, from staying in different Houses to having breakfast with our feet in the sand, enjoying massages right at home, private dinners, and nights out at the Thai restaurant. Most of the photos (and the main video) you see here are ours, taken during our stays —unless mentioned otherwise – Naladhu has been uplifted after our stay. This is just a snapshot of what we’ve lived; the rest is yours to experience.
Here’s everything you need to know before planning your own dreamy stay at this tiny little paradise.
Naladhu Maldives Houses are a beautiful blend of Maldivian inspiration and colonial design.
Which House should you choose at Naladhu ?
First and foremost, every House offers complete privacy. If you want truly open views, the Ocean Houses are unbeatable, they’re set right on the reef with nothing but blue water in front of you. It’s total seclusion; no one and nothing can come between you and the ocean.
The Beach Houses are wonderfully private too, hidden in their own tropical gardens, though the lush greenery does mean you won’t have completely open sea views. (For a clearer idea, take a look at the Naladhu Maldives aerial photo further below.)
For families or friends, the new Two-Bedroom Residence is a fantastic option. With 600 m² of space and standing right in front of the ocean, it’s pure luxury, a stylish retreat where everyone can be together, but with room to spread out.
Beach House with pool . 300 m²
Each Beach House is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation to provide total privacy and opens into a rear garden that leads directly to the beach side of the Island. Very spacious, the beautifully decorated bedroom and bathroom are totally open on the outside with glass panel doors. The bedroom fitted with a King-size custom-designed Bed and antique furniture’s opens on a big open-air bathroom with garden rain shower and a 8 X 4m private plunge pool. Behind the the bedroom, you will find an elegant dressing-room, designer fittings and unlimited luxuries and accessories, a personalized wine-cellar, a fridge filled with delicacies and a Bar. The outside terrace offers a private dining sala and a relaxing area with a swinging sofa.
Ocean Pool Villa. 300 m²
Located on the Sunrise side, on the reef, the Ocean Houses with Pool are also featured with open-air baths and bedroom. Due to their location, they provide delightful and endless views on the blue Ocean. On the inside, they offer the same design and amenities as the Beach Houses and have, as an additional pleasure, a private cabana located on the beach at a few-step from the house, a bedroom that opens up to ocean and a private kayak.
Photo © Anantara
Ocean House With Pool. 300 m²
The Ocean Houses With Pool are designed and located the same way as the Ocean Pool Villas. They also feature a separate private cabana for direct beach and lagoon access.
Two-Bedroom Pool Residence. 600 m²
Located at one the extremity of Naladhu’s shores with open Ocean views, the Two-Bedroom Pool Residence consists of 2 Villas linked by a very large wooden deck and a 20 x 5 m infinity pool. The main villa suite has 2 floors, with at the first level, the Master bedroom, its en-suite bathroom, a dressing-room and daybed balcony overlooking the ocean and downstairs a very spacious Living & Dining area equipped with all modern audio-visual equipment
The second villa offers another bedroom, ideal for children or friends and the same comfort and amenities as the Master suite.
Outside, the al-fresco dining terrace leads to a sun deck with a charming dining pavilion and sala at each end. A full butler’s kitchen and well stocked pantry nestle behind an elegant indoor dining and living room
Photo © Anantara
Signature Amenities in Every Villa – Click to see more
Great Size Plunge-Pool | Terrace with a Maldivian Swing and Painting set | Open Canopy | House Master | Pillow Menu | Fully air-conditioned | Ceiling fans | Outside Bathroom | Wi-Fi | IDD telephone | 1 iPod Dock and 1 fully loaded iPod | Bose home surround-sound theatre system | 40” LCD satellite TV | Surround sound system music player | Private in-room DVD | Private wine cellar and gourmet | mini-bar DVD selection | Espresso machine | Mini bar | Personal safes | Hairdryers | Golfing umbrellas | Torches | Mosquito repellents | Bath-robes | Slippers | Complimentary toiletries by L’Occitane
Naladhu Maldives Child Policy
Children from all ages are welcome at the resort. However, keep in mind that Naladhu remains very couple / honeymoon orientated.
Bonus : children can access the kids club Dhoni Club at Anantara Dhigu !
Naladhu offers a wide range of dining options—nothing is off limits. You can enjoy a meal on your House deck, at the cozy Living Room restaurant, have a private dinner on a deserted island, overwater at the Thai restaurant, a BBQ on the beach, or even on a boat. Just make a wish, and the team will organize it for you.
If you ever feel like leaving your little island for a while, hop on the free pontoon boat and try out the restaurants and cafes on Naladhu’s sister resorts, Veli and Dhigu. Whether you’re craving a grill, Maldivian flavors, Japanese, or the very best Thai food in the Maldives, Naladhu gives you all the choice you could dream of.
A world of cuisine at your island’s doorstep
The Living-Room – Your own Kitchen
The Living-Room embodies Naladhu’s Home-Like-Feeling concept. Extremely intimate, with few tables only and finely decorated, the restaurant offers fine wines, excellent cuisine choices and faces the beach. The Living-Room has also a wine cellar with some of the most esteemed vintage wines.
Baan Huraa – The best Thai restaurant in the Maldives
Don’t miss a dinner at Baan Huraa—Anantara’s award-winning Thai restaurant perched over the lagoon. The restaurant is beautifully decorated in classic Thai style, and the food is easily the best Thai I’ve had in the Maldives. Arrive by long bridge or by boat for extra magic.
Private & In-House Dining
In-House Dining is a private service proposed by the chefs of the Living Room restaurant. Right in your room, at any time of the day or night, everything will be catered according to your wishes. The menus have almost no limits, can be from any World Cuisine and get created according to your mood. The Chef will of course be at disposal to discuss about your favourite recipe or idea. Dining can be arranged anywhere you wish. In-House options also include barbecue on your terrace, completed with chef and waiter service.
Naladhu Intimate Affair
Naladhu Intimate Affair is a dreamy concept made for guests to enjoy Naladhu’s Signature dishes anywhere we want : around the island, on a private small hideaway island or anywhere you like. Naladhu Intimate Affair can be organized for private moments and groups.
Dining Beyond Naladhu
If you’re in the mood to explore, take the complimentary pontoon boat to sister islands Anantara Dhigu and Veli. There, a world of choices opens up—Maldivian cuisine, Italian kitchen, Japanese teppanyaki, grills, seafood restaurants, poolside cafés, and of course, more beachside dining options. You have full access, so every craving can be satisfied.
Naladhu is all about Privacy and Well-Being. Holistic treatments session are proposed in various ways and in several places. Massages, Yoga -including easy yoga, Ayurveda, breathing rituals are proposed as single treatments in your own House, at Anantara overwater Spa or during special Spa Journeys in the resort Spa Retreat.
You can choose a time and your personal therapist will custom-design a treatment package based on your desired goals. Massages are done by your own private pool or in one of the island Ocean Retreat entirely dedicated to relaxation and wellness.
If you feel to leave your island for while, just ask your butler to arrange a Spa treatment at the beautiful overwater Anantara Spa located on Dhigu Island. A boat will wait for you to bring you there
When the Art of Anantara’s Spa meet Naladhu’s Essence
In its quest for exclusive spa service, Anantara has recently added a beautiful retreat entirely dedicated to holistic healing traditions. Featuring just one treatment room complete with sauna, private pool, tropical rain shower, and an ocean facing relaxation deck, Ocean Retreat offers guests a uniquely luxurious hideaway in which to relax and unwind. Multiple treatments are combined over half-day journeys, as well as a la carte treatment options, allowing time to enjoy the private pool adjoining the treatment room as well as spa cuisine served on the spacious deck.
Signature treatments at Ocean Retreat include Timeless Moments with over five hours of beauty and wellness healing, Ocean Duet with over four hours of targeted energy and skin renewal, and Ocean Glow for three hours of stress release and pampering.
Wellness Rituals for the Body and Mind
For The Body
Massages | Scrubs | Hot Stones | Manicure | Pedicure | Facials
For The Mind
Yoga | Meditation | Ayurveda | Breathing Rituals
There is no water sport center at Naladhu but your butler can organize to have some material at Naladhu for you to have fun. Otherwise all guests are welcome at Anantara Dhigu to enjoy plenty of sports and activities. Anantara Dhigu is one of the best Maldives resort for Water sports and has it all : a magnificent and vast blue lagoon, a complete range of activities plus top quality material.
Note : The resort location and Dhigu surfing center both offer the rare opportunity to ride on some of the best spots of South Male Atoll meanwhile enjoying some luxury holidays.
Free Sports & Activities
- Fully equipped gym
- Library
- Tennis court
- Badminton
- Tennis table
Paying Sports & Activities
- Private boats rental
- Water sports
- Guided Snorkel tours
- Cooking lessons
- Catamaran Sailing
- Trawling and big game fishing
- Windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing
…and more.
Private Excursions
- Sunset Cruises
- Atoll exploration
- Island Hopping
and more…
Naladhu Maldives is set within a very large lagoon, so the island doesn’t have a house reef. There are some coral formations and a bit of marine life to see if you swim out into the lagoon, but it’s quite limited.
For a real snorkeling experience, it’s best to join one of the organized trips, available both day and night, to the best reefs in South Male Atoll and the nearby islands.
If snorkeling isn’t the highlight at Naladhu, diving certainly is. The island’s location in the southeast of South Male Atoll puts you close to channel exits and famous dive spots—including shark points like Hammerhead sites. From Naladhu, you can easily explore some of the most sought-after diving areas in the Maldives.
Naladhu Maldives has no house reef , its wide blue lagoon doesn’t allow that.
Snorkeling at Naladhu Maldives
The resort does not have a close-by house reef ( this is usually the case for islands having very wide lagoon as such ). Advanced swimmers and snorkelers will have to swim 15-20 minutes to reach the closest spot. If you prefer, you can enjoy a variety of snorkeling excursions to various spots located in South Male Atoll.
where to snorkel around Naladhu ? Map of the spots around the resort
Click on the aerial photo for a better look and understanding of Naladhu Snorkeling and Diving areas
click to enlarge
Pay attention : As per usual, take a moment to discuss with the Dive Center before going to explore the outside walls ! Currents can be dangerous and professional advices are gold.
Want to explore Maldives resorts with excellent snorkeling ?
Read – The Best Maldives Resorts for Snorkeling we’ve seen.
&
The Maldives Resorts With a Dream House Reef for Snorkeling
Diving at Naladhu Maldives
The Anantara Dive Centre AQUAFANATICS offers two boat dives a day to over 20 nearby reefs. In addition, the Centre runs full and half-day “safari dives” to reefs and sites further offshore. The Center offers beginner’s discovery courses to more advanced Nitrox, deep water and rescue dives and has a range of programs to suit everyone. Full and Half-Day Diving Safaris are organized in South, North Male and Felidhu Atoll to discover the most exciting spots available in the area.
Diving spots around the resort
Naladhu Maldives is located in the east south part of South Male Atoll, thus very close to many channels exits to reach the outside walls as well as shark points such as hammer sharks to name a few. South Male Atoll is generally known for having big schools of fishes, including pelagic species, soft corals, caves and the exploration of the Kuda Giri wreck, located close to a beautiful coral pinnacle.
From Naladhu you will be also able to explore one of the most wanted diving area of the Atoll : Kuda Haa Thila ( which means pinnacle in Dhivehi ) which is full of life including small species like nudibranchs, flatworms, leaf fish and frogfish.
Pay attention : South Male Atoll is rich in channels and many dive sites here are known for strong currents, especially around the overhangs.
Good-to-know Before Diving at Naladhu : All divers at Anantara Dive Centre require an orientation dive, unless you have logged a dive within the last three months in the Maldives.
The orientation dive consists of a dive on the nearby house reef or another local dive site, with an instructor who will get you to demonstrate basic diving skills. After completion, you’re ready to move on to more advanced dives or courses, depending on your level and certifications.
LESSONS
Multilingual instructors conduct all level of PADI courses and a large variety of specialty courses : Private Courses, PADI Discover Scuba Diving course, Full Range of PADI Courses. Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver and Dive master courses, Bubblemaker course (8-9 Years old), Discover Scuba Diving, Junior Scuba Diver and Junior Open Water Diver courses for children aged 10 and above. Specialty courses such as Nitrox, wreck, digital underwater photography and many more.
ECO-DIVING
AQUAFANATICS dive center work in conjunction with UK Marine Conservation Society and the Marine Research Centre of the Maldives to participate in Fish watch Maldives survey dives. Any guest can join this survey. The Marine biology station proposes : Sea exploration with the Resident Marine Biologist, Educational programs, presentations, guided trips, and more…
EQUIPMENT
The Dive center is fully equipped with latest state of the art equipment, including : Bauer Verticus soundproofed compressors and NRC Nitrox System, Scubapro diving gear including Mk 25 with S600 regulators, plus T-Force and T-Black BCDs, MB Sub lamps, Top quality underwater digital cameras.
DIVING SPOTS
The main diving spots of South Male Atoll are easily reachable from the island. Among them, you will discover :
Among the classical and top Diving sites of South Ari Atoll, you will find : Embudu Express, Guraidhoo Corner, Kandooma Thila, The Kuda Giri wreck, Manta Point, to name just a few.
DIVE BOATS and SAFETY
Diving spots are reached on board of Customized fast fibre glass dive boats.All Dive Center staff is first aid trained. Surface marker buoys are carried by all dive leaders and used on every dive. Nitrox 32% is available at no extra cost. On board of there are : AQUAFANATICS “dive valet” equipment service, Toilet and shower on all hard diving boats, Sun deck for post-dive relaxing and sunning, DAN Twin Cylinder Oxygen kit, DAN First Aid kit, GPS, mobile phone and radio. NB : In addition, DAN Maldives dive accident short term insurance is available for divers.
Here is an aerial map of Naladhu Maldives where I show you all essential locations : the Houses atnd the Residence, Baa Huraa Thai restaurant, The Living-Room, where you can windsurf, as well as the Sunset / Sunrise sides to help you choose your perfect villa.
We’ve photographed some of the most beautiful places at Naladhu Maldives : private moments, tranquil pools, the wide blue lagoon, hammocks on the beach, dining experiences…Here are some of our images.
all photos © Dreaming of Maldives
Watch our video tour of Naladhu Maldives and discover the places we love most: the houses, the beach, and the stunning lagoon.
I am a snorkeler. So I wouldn’t praise Naladhu Maldives for its house reef, but for me, that’s never been a dealbreaker. As a diver and windsurfer, I love how easy it is to reach some of the Maldives’ best dive spots and to get out on the lagoon when the wind picks up. And for families, the option to enjoy activities or facilities at the sister resorts makes Naladhu surprisingly versatile, even if the island itself is designed for quiet and intimacy.
What I love is the atmosphere, the unique Houses, their design and intimate settings, the spa experience and the discreet attention of the House Masters.
Naladhu is the perfect balance of peace, understated luxury, and freedom.
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