Niyama Private Islands

Location

You get an aerial view of the flour-white sandbars and islands, plus lagoons of every shade of blue you can imagine, soaring into Niyama on the spectacular 40-minute seaplane transfer from Malé (speedboat transfers from Dhaalu Airport are also available). Niyama is nature’s playground, sitting on a turtle breeding ground and an atoll that sees plenty of bottlenose and spinner dolphins.

Rooms

Super private studios, suites and pavilions are either built over the water or come with direct beach access. Beach Studios with Pools are kitted out with enormous custom-made beds and outdoor decks with a private plunge pools (with fibre optic ‘pool stars’ at night). Smart room keys are waterproof bracelets, fridges are full size and there’s great little touches like complimentary home-made ice cream and a popcorn maker. Tropical outdoor bathrooms are the same size as the bedrooms, with outdoor rain showers and huge ceramic bathtubs to bathe under the stars.

Communal Areas

Niyama’s two immaculately kept islands – covering one-and-a-half miles of pure unadulterated bliss – are connected by a wooden bridge. Chill’ is for the romantics, while ‘Play’ has a more family feel. Luxurious interiors are hewn from the land with bamboo (or marble) floors, huge thatched roofs made from dried coconut palm leaves and pieces fashioned from reclaimed wood. The island’s natural landscaping is full of banana leaf trees, banyan trees and screw pines, peppered with colourful beach hibiscus. The place has a glorious barefoot-in-paradise feel. Eco-friendly biodiesel flame torches light the way come nightfall.

Epicure resturant starts with a vast breakfast spread that includes plenty of fruit like papaya, rose apple and dragon fruit, as well as a waffle station, a super food station with flax and spirulina, plus traditional Maldivian dishes, like coconut sambol, dhal curry and rihaakuru (thick fish paste). Nest, up in the treetops, has a Japanese dining concept (with a teppenyaki-style experience), and Tribal combines fine dining with cuisines from Africa, Central and South America. All-day dining can be found at Blu, Dune and Epicure.

Up the ante and hop on a speedboat to Edge, less than half a mile out into the ocean, for seafood; or to Subsix, the incredible underwater restaurant. Descend six metres below the water to dine on local lobster with champagne or fresh barramundi as tropical fish – and even the resident hawksbill turtle – swim past outside. The Spice Garden grows plenty of produce, from watermelon to extra hot Maldivian chillies, which is used in all the restaurants, while local fishermen bring in their daily catch of grouper, mahi mahi and yellowfin tuna.

Activities

Each villa has a personal thakuru (butler) to make your stay seamless. They can arrange private boat trips, scuba diving, jet-skiing, paddle-boarding or snorkelling for the chance of spotting sea turtles, octopus and reef sharks. Niyama is a brilliant surfing destination too, with one-on-one lessons available. Cycle the island to the gym, tennis court, badminton court and football pitch, or to find space for morning yoga.

Drift Spa, overlooking the calming lagoon, has six spacious water treatment rooms, and a sauna and steam room in its relaxing garden. For nightlife, there’s live music at Fahrenheit bar, glow parties at underwater restaurant turned nightclub Subsix, and a 24-hour games room with air hockey, a cinema and a pool table.