A visit to the Maldives is the stuff of tropical dreams. Brilliant white sand, turquoise seas and swaying palm trees define this ultimate island escape, built around the iconic one-island, one-resort concept.
Sun Siyam Resorts is home to a collection of five private island resorts and, in September last year, celebrated 35 years of Maldivian hospitality. As part of a bold brand transformation, all properties now sit under The House of Siyam, grouped into three distinct collections.
The Luxury Collection is led by Sun Siyam Iru Fushi. The Lifestyle Collection includes Sun Siyam Olhuveli and Siyam World, designed for families and groups. The Privé Collection features Pasikudah in Sri Lanka, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef and Sun Siyam Iru Veli, offering intimate, barefoot escapes focused on privacy and soulful luxury.
Sun Siyam Iru Veli, my home for three nights, is the quintessential private island paradise. Located in the South Nilandhe Atoll, it’s accessible via a 45-minute seaplane journey from Malé’s Velana International Airport.
Arriving by seaplane, eyes glued to the window, the view unfolds into aquamarine lagoons and scattered islands strung like pearls on a necklace. It was a true pinch-me moment and the perfect way to begin a holiday.
Staying at Sun Siyam Iru Veli
The crescent-shaped island features iconic overwater villas branching out from jetties at either end. Sandy paths make it possible to walk from one side of the island to the other in around 15 minutes, and from north to south in just a couple of minutes.
Yet it’s the water that truly captivates, whether for snorkelling, diving, or simply gazing. After all, how many nations can claim to be 99% water? I stayed in a classic 124 sqm overwater villa with an infinity plunge pool and a spacious sundeck, complete with steps leading directly into the sea. Sun Siyam Iru Veli offers 125 beach and overwater villas, each with a private pool.
Inside, the villa featured a king-size bed, a bathroom with a standalone bathtub and rain shower, and thoughtful amenities including a fully stocked minibar, replenished daily for those on the all-inclusive plan. There was also a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee facilities and a daybed, all complemented by sweeping sea and sunset views.
I was lucky to have a west-facing villa, while the Dolphin Ocean villas offer a front-row seat for dolphin sightings. Personal touches stood out, from a handwritten welcome card from the general manager to palm-frond messages crafted by the room butler. A bespoke display celebrating a Chelsea supporter was also a guaranteed win.
Dining at Sun Siyam Iru Veli
Aqua Orange, named for the turquoise water and fiery sunsets, is the all-day buffet restaurant, with the curries a particular highlight. Coconut reigns supreme in Maldivian cuisine, grated into rich coconut milk for curries and best enjoyed scooped up with roshi flatbread.
Roma serves classic Mediterranean comfort food, while Grouper Grill is a relaxed surf-and-turf beach kitchen. Fresh seafood and prime cuts are grilled in an open kitchen and served at tables set directly on the sand. The grilled lobster is not to be missed.
For a more theatrical experience, the Teppanyaki restaurant delivers flaming tricks, precision knife skills and plenty of humour alongside beautifully executed Japanese cuisine.
Located within Roma, the Wine Cellar hosts tastings, pairings and curated wine experiences, perfect for an indulgent afternoon or when tropical rain briefly stops play. At least 30% of the menus are plant-based, and nostalgic tricycles roam the island delivering tropical ice treats made with authentic local ingredients such as pandan and screwpine.
Leisure and activities
Days are spent in the water, on the water or simply swaying in a hammock above the sea. There’s a main swimming pool, an adults-only pool, and no shortage of watersports and snorkelling opportunities.
You can snorkel directly from your villa or join daily guided trips to the island’s vibrant house reef, brimming with marine life and accessible simply by stepping into the lagoon. The standout experience of my stay was night snorkelling. Exploring the reef after dark revealed marine life rarely seen during the day, including a nurse shark. Although harmless, encountering such a normally menacing creature in the dark was an unforgettable thrill.
While Iru Veli is a dream honeymoon destination, families are equally welcome. Younger guests will love the Turtle Kids Club. Wellness is a major focus. The unique overwater spa pavilion offers a holistic approach to relaxation and rejuvenation, set on stilts above the lagoon so you can watch fish glide past from your massage table.
Since December 2024, all spas across Sun Siyam Resorts in the Maldives have been accredited by CIDESCO, the global standard for beauty and spa therapy. Treatments feature Thalgo, the world leader in marine cosmetology, alongside Traditional Chinese Medicine offerings such as cupping, gua sha, acupuncture and moxibustion, as well as a dedicated Ayurveda menu.
As part of the brand transformation, Sun Siyam Resorts has introduced ten new signature experiences. These include Secret Sundowners, pop-up bars in ever-changing island locations serving creative cocktails, and Insta Villa.
Insta Villa allows guests to enjoy premium villas for a few hours or capture a sunset moment with Instagram-worthy styling and optional add-ons. In our case, this included a floating breakfast. Enjoying pastries, fruit and juice from a floating tray in a private plunge pool was certainly a unique experience.
Excursions
With each resort occupying its own private island, it’s easy to stay entirely within the resort bubble. However, a local island visit offers valuable insight into Maldivian life beyond luxury resorts.
The resort handles all logistics, including speedboat transfers, guides and ensuring visits are respectful and authentic. We explored nearby Ban’didhoo, visiting a school, mosque, village shop, boat-building yard and an outdoor gym funded by Sun Siyam. The visit ended with an opportunity to purchase locally made souvenirs.
A dolphin sunset cruise, guided snorkelling safari and local island discovery tour are all included in the all-inclusive package. Alternatively, guests can live out a castaway fantasy with the Cast Away sandbank experience. This private escape involves being dropped on a tiny sandbank with a picnic and snorkelling gear for a true Robinson Crusoe moment. Sunset cruises with a live DJ spinning soulful beats are another memorable option.
The atmosphere at Sun Siyam Iru Veli is relaxed and genuinely friendly. Despite its compact size, the island never feels crowded, and everything is easily reached on foot while still retaining a sense of space. Ultimately, Iru Veli couldn’t be more aptly named. In Dhivehi, iru means sun and veli means sand, the essential ingredients for a barefoot escape on a truly idyllic island.
Sun Siyam Iru Veli
Dhaalu Atoll
Maldives
