Naladhu Island, a private island in the Maldives, is like a place straight out of a dream. Out on the edge of South Malé Atoll, this island provides privacy, simplicity, and untamed beauty. This is one of the perfect places to visit in the Maldives, if you’re looking for tranquil sun and sand. The island is a turquoise haven with just twenty villas, designed by Thai-based Anantara (Minor Hotels Group), styled with colonial Sri Lankan and Maldivian touches. Here’s a guide, not just to the logistics or amenities, but to what makes Naladhu worth the trouble of visiting in the first place.
This secluded island has only two dozen villas in the Maldives. Each space is attended by its own butler, and light through broad windows, private cabanas, and layouts that weave the villa walls almost seamlessly into the rhythms of the island.
In Naladhu’s design light history, colonial lines, South East Asian architecture echoes, all pared down and made livable. Under Yamazaki’s hand, lines blur: white walls, sea-blue palettes, and furniture aimed more at comfort than ostentation.
“Sustainable luxury” sounds like marketing, but here it’s stitched into function. Naladhu’s motto on single-use plastics isn’t for show, and their partnership with Parley Air brings conservation from sloganeering into actual operation, beach cleanups and real efforts to tackle marine plastic pollution.
Note: Stays at Naladhu Private Island generally start around USD 1,200–1,800 per night (approx. ₹1,00,000–1,50,000) for a Beach House with Pool. Ocean Houses with private pools and higher-category residences can range from USD 2,000–3,500+ per night (₹1,70,000–2,90,000+), depending on season and inclusions.
Beaches are beyond description, just ocean, sky, and you. Its coral reefs are so alive that they allow you to have the best snorkelling experience. Additionally, guided walks feel like wandering through the very idea of an island, endless green and layered silence.
If you care about what goes on under the surface, this is the right place. Over 2,000 kinds of reef dwellers and sea mammals, snorkelling here is more of a main event. The in-house marine biologist can give you a quick tour or a thesis on coral complexity. Either way, you come away thinking about the ocean in more dimensions than you arrived with.
Windsurfing, kayaking, and jet skiing are activities in the Maldives that make you feel like a butterfly. Deeper dives are for the truly curious, revealing reefs and marine creatures.
Eating at Naladhu is a world away from restaurant fatigue. The choices are laid out quietly but with intention; each plate becomes memorable, from beachfront meals, private in-villa spreads, and menus running from the classics of Maldivian seafood to international favourites. Here, the chefs chase flavours that belong, by right, to this latitude and longitude. This experience is a must-add to your Maldives honeymoon tour packages.
If you believe in the theory that food taste is improved by proximity to the ocean, you’ll find your proof here. Candlelit tables on the sand, waves for music, and fish so fresh you assume it was persuaded rather than caught.
Order from anywhere, let your butler manage the logistics, and the menu becomes a personality test: local or international, comfort or adventure?
The Living Room isn’t just a restaurant; it’s the best version of a blank slate, no menu, just a conversation with the chef. Anything you want, any way you want it. The best meals, after all, are rarely the most expected ones.
Mornings are marked by pastries that seem to have arrived from Paris at dawn, fruits that erase jetlag, and, if you’re feeling ceremonial, a Champagne breakfast that floats in the pool as the sun rises.
There’s no lack of showmanship, though it’s never forced: themed dinners on the sand, pop-up cooking stations, and (should the mood strike you) lessons in how Maldivian flavours are constructed, not just cooked.
Activity | Description | Ideal for |
Water Sports | Jet skiing, windsurfing, and kayaking. | Adventure seekers |
Spa Treatments | Ayurvedic and Thai massage, facials, beach yoga | Who measures vacations in doses of wellness |
Cultural Experiences | Watch a bodu beru drum session, eat what locals eat, and learn what life is like from the inside. | Cultural enthusiast |
Seasonal Excursions | Sign up for marine biologist-led snorkelling tours. | For all families, groups and adventure seekers |
Naladhu Island is not simply a place to stay, it’s a unique travel experience. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or romance, the island is a stage on which all those stories can play out. The only thing required of the visitor is a willingness to let go. Customise your trip with Pickyourtrail by browsing through the top Maldives tour packages for a hassle-free trip.
Naladhu Island is about 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport in Malé. The resort arranges transfers, so booking in advance ensures a smooth and seamless arrival.
The island is home to just 20 luxury villas, each designed by Yuji Yamazaki to blend colonial elegance with natural openness.
Yes. While Naladhu offers serene privacy for couples, it also has Beach Pool Residences with two conjoined bedrooms, ideal for families or groups travelling together.
Guests can enjoy snorkelling, diving, windsurfing, kayaking, spa treatments, cultural experiences, and guided walks. Unique options like private picnics and sunset cruises make the stay even more special.
Naladhu offers beachfront dining, private in-villa meals, gourmet breakfasts, themed culinary events, and The Living Room restaurant, where menus are personalised by the chef.