Staying at Nova Maldives (Hotel Review)

Having seen numerous pictures and videos of the Maldives looking like paradise, it quickly jumped to the top of my bucket list.

Accordingly high were my expectations and my excitement when I finally embarked on the journey with my partner to spend a few nights at Nova Maldives.

And what should I say, this 5-star resort turned out to be the perfect choice for our first time in the Maldives.

From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the crystal-clear waters, soft white sand, and the relaxed island vibe that made everything feel like a dream.

The overwater villas had amazing views and total privacy, and the staff made us feel instantly part of the community. Over the next few days, we tried snorkeling, enjoyed the food, and relaxed — but I won’t spoil all the details just yet.

Let’s start from the beginning and find out where Nova Maldives is located!

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking.)

Location & Getting There

Nova Maldives is located in the South Ari Atoll, a popular destination and marine protected area, making it one of the best places in the Maldives to see whale sharks year-round.

The atoll is also famous for its manta rays, colorful coral reefs, and a wide range of water activities like diving, snorkeling, and other water sports.

Getting there is part of the experience — Nova Maldives is just a 25-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport.

After landing from Doha and collecting our luggage, a staff member was already waiting for us in the arrival hall with a Nova sign.

He guided us straight to the Manta Air seaplane check-in, the airline Nova Maldives uses for transfers, and took care of everything so we didn’t have to do a thing. Then he led us to the seaplane terminal, and soon we were on our way, ready for takeoff.

The ride was absolutely breathtaking, with incredible aerial views of turquoise lagoons, tiny islands, and the atoll’s crystal-clear waters.

The scenic flight and how smoothly everything was organized made for a memorable start to our stay!

Accommodation

At Nova Maldives, there’s a total of 76 villas spread across land and over-water — a really nice mix that lets you choose what kind of stay you want. And though the island is pretty small, you never really feel like there are that many villas around.

After check-in, where we were greeted with a welcome drink and a refreshing towel, we were taken straight to our home for the next days — an Overwater Villa.

Water Villas

Lined up along a wooden path, 25 Water Villas stretch out over the lagoon, each with direct access to the ocean. Ours was the very first one on the right side, which meant we were on the sunrise side.

The first thing I noticed was the sweet welcome message in front of our door, written with sand.

Inside, all Water Villas follow the same layout, with some offering an outdoor jacuzzi or even a pool, while others come without these additions, like ours.

The Water Villas are huge, measuring 125 square meters, and feel incredibly spacious and open. They feature a bedroom with stunning ocean views, a bright bathroom with both a bathtub and a shower, and plenty of storage.

There’s also a comfy sitting area, a flatscreen TV, a minibar, and a large terrace with sun loungers and steps that lead straight into the lagoon.

The interior is decorated in soft, natural tones — mostly white and light wood, with touches of turquoise and blue that mirror the sea outside.

Additional welcome touches included a manta ray made from leaves on the bed and a fresh fruit platter.

It was my first time staying in an overwater villa, and falling asleep to the sound of waves hitting the wooden pillars below was so soothing. And waking up to the stunning view of the turquoise water was simply unforgettable!

Beach Villas

Although we stayed in a Water Villa, we also got the chance to visit one of the Beach Villas.

There are also several types, some even with a private pool, but all of them come with a stunning outdoor bathroom surrounded by lush greenery.

The one we visited was 80 square meters, bright and airy with accents of orange and yellow, featuring a king-size bed, a private outdoor living area, and direct access to the beach.

2-Bedroom Beach Residence

Besides the Water and Beach Villas, there’s also the 2-Bedroom Beach Residence, a spacious option for families or groups with two bedrooms, a private pool, and direct access to the beach — perfect for extra space and privacy.

Pool & Eskape Spa

If you don’t have a private pool at your villa or just aren’t a big saltwater fan, Nova Maldives also offers a stunning infinity pool overlooking the ocean and the Water Villas.

Although we didn’t have our own pool, we spent most of our time on our sun deck and went straight into the sea for snorkeling or a quick dip. But one afternoon, we decided to head to the main pool instead, swim a bit, and enjoy a cocktail while waiting for the sunset.

Right next to the pool is a swing in the ocean, which makes for a perfect photo opportunity!

Of course, a spa can’t be missing at Nova Maldives, and their Eskape Spa, as they call it, is really something special.

The treatment rooms are overwater, so even while you’re getting pampered, you’re surrounded by the turquoise lagoon. Besides the treatment rooms, there’s also a steam room, a relaxation room, and a yoga pavilion.

At the spa reception, you’re greeted with refreshing hibiscus tea and asked to fill out a short form about your health and the areas where you feel the most tension, so the therapists can tailor the massage perfectly to you.

My partner and I had a 1-hour Balinese couples massage, which I can highly recommend — it was incredibly relaxing and soothing.

In addition, a glass-bottom window beneath the massage table lets you peek at the water below. I mostly kept my eyes closed, but when I opened them a few times, I spotted fish swimming by, which made it feel even more magical.

Afterwards, we were served a cup of tea with dried fruits – the perfect way to end this relaxing spa experience.

Restaurants & Bars

Nova Maldives has a few restaurants and bars, each offering something different, so you never get bored.

Soul Kitchen

The main restaurant at Nova Maldives is Soul Kitchen, a buffet-style spot where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served.

The buffet offers a wide variety of dishes, but what really stood out for me was the incredible selection of vegan options. And they were all clearly marked as vegan, which made it even easier.

Think flavorful curries, a variety of vegetable dishes, loads of fresh salads, and mouthwatering desserts for lunch and dinner — and the vegan pancakes for breakfast were honestly the best part of every morning.

The staff is also incredibly friendly and attentive. They go out of their way to accommodate any special requests. For example, one day there was pizza at the buffet, and they even prepared a vegan pizza just for me!

Their flexibility and willingness to make sure everyone is happy really made dining here such a pleasant experience.

Flames

If you’re craving something a bit more upscale, Flames is the resort’s specialty restaurant for grilled dishes and seafood. The focus here is on fresh, high-quality ingredients and seasonal produce, cooked to perfection on the grill.

And if you’re vegetarian or vegan like me, don’t worry. Their menu features a whole section with plant-based dishes.

I started with the Citrus & Garden Greens, had the Riso Verde for my main, and finished with a coconut tasting platter for dessert. Everything was incredibly delicious, but the coconut mousse was especially to die for!

Usually, you sit inside the restaurant, but you can request to be seated outside by the ocean and underneath the stars for a more romantic and magical experience.

Mizu

The third restaurant is Mizu, an overwater teppanyaki restaurant with a really special atmosphere.

Even though they don’t have a full vegan menu, the chef created a completely plant-based menu just for me — and it was incredible.

It was also my first teppanyaki experience, and I loved it. Watching the chef cook right in front of us and do little tricks with the utensils made the whole dinner unforgettable. And the food itself was insanely tasty and full of flavor!

Wink & Solis

Nova Maldives has two bars, and both have their own vibe depending on what you’re in the mood for.

Wink is the main bar and the heart of the island. It’s the place to go for a fun atmosphere, great cocktails, and live music or DJ nights.

Solis is the pool bar and perfect for a chilled drink during the day. You can order fresh juices, iced coffees, smoothies, and cocktails – I can highly recommend the Passionata – while lounging by the infinity pool.

Activities & Excursions

Although the island is relatively small, Nova Maldives isn’t just about relaxing. There’s still plenty to do, especially if you love the ocean.

Underwater Adventures & Watersports

Thanks to its location in the South Ari Atoll, it’s a paradise for underwater adventures. The Aquaholics team runs a full program of water-based activities, from snorkeling right off the house reef to guided diving trips around the atoll.

We rented snorkeling gear and spent most of our time exploring the house reef, which was full of colorful fish and even some reef sharks.

It was my first time seeing sharks in the wild, and even though they were relatively small and didn’t care about us, I still had a healthy respect for them.

You can also join excursions to snorkel with whale sharks and manta rays. We joined a whale shark tour ourselves, but unfortunately didn’t spot one, even though we came close twice. That’s just nature, of course — these are wild animals, so there’s never a guarantee.

If you prefer to stay closer to the island, there are plenty of watersports like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, jet-skiing, and parasailing.

Sunset cruises, private boat trips, and day trips to nearby sandbanks are also available for anyone who wants to explore more of the lagoon.

On Land & Around The Island

On land, the resort has a 24/7 gym for workouts, a court for tennis, volleyball, and other ball games, and two shops where you can pick up souvenirs, accessories, or locally made crafts.

One of the highlights is the Holhuashi, a weekly gathering under the banyan tree inspired by the traditional communal space where islanders would meet, chat, and share stories.

These evenings feature local storytellers, a taste of the Dhivehi language, and samples of home-cooked Maldivian dishes.

Beyond that, Nova organizes various seasonal cultural events — from holiday celebrations to festival‑style evenings — so your stay can include live performances, music, special dinners, and moments of genuine connection with local traditions.

Sustainability & Community

Sustainability is a huge and important focus at Nova Maldives. The resort is committed to protecting the environment, particularly the amazing marine life, and works closely with conservation initiatives to safeguard whale sharks and manta rays.

The resort also uses natural, local materials wherever possible — for example, dried coconut tree fronds for villa roofs.

Plus, for every night guests stay, 1 USD goes to a fund for local artists, helping jewelry makers, craftsmen, and other creatives from nearby islands.

Community is also a very important topic at Nova. It’s not just about guests — the resort encourages visitors to meet, connect, and interact with each other.

At the same time, community among the staff is a priority. They hold weekly events and challenges, and often organize activities that bring staff and guests together, making you feel part of a family – which makes leaving even harder.

Final Words

I honestly couldn’t have imagined a better place to stay for my first time in the Maldives than Nova Maldives. From the moment we arrived, everything felt effortless and perfectly peaceful.

For me, the resort offered the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, letting us enjoy exciting underwater experiences while also having plenty of time to unwind and recharge on our sun deck or at the spa.

The food was a real highlight, and I looked forward to mealtime every day. With plenty of vegan options, fresh ingredients, and staff happy to accommodate any requests, each meal felt like a little treat.

Overall, Nova Maldives is more than just a beautiful place to stay. It truly gives you that effortless feeling of being cared for and at ease — just as their motto, Good Soul Days, promises.

Leaving was hard, but I’m already looking forward to returning, hopefully very soon.

Check out my reel for more impressions from my stay!

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Alina Schweiger (@world.of.lina)

This blog post was written in cooperation with Nova Maldives and is based on my personal experience.

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