Nova Maldives Review: An intimate island offering a restorative escape, breathtaking scenery, and unmatched calm

If you're looking to hit pause and reset, then a Nova Maldives all-inclusive resort is the place to do it. Having been told that I'll need a "serious number of books", or risk feeling restless, I was apprehensive about the enforced downtime. As someone who finds it hard to switch off, I usually opt for city breaks or at least trips with plenty of sightseeing readily available. But Nova's refreshing approach to relaxation has completely changed my mind, offering just enough to keep me engaged whilst gently encouraging me to slow down and recharge.

From the moment we landed, the bright blue sea and luscious overgrown greenery were enough to make me want to stay forever, and to be honest, I'm surprised they got me back on that seaplane. But, putting aside the resplendent beauty of the resort's private island, the whole Nova experience truly blew us away. From the impeccable and personable service to the spacious and thoughtfully laid-out rooms, Nova is designed to make you feel taken care of and to encourage you to feel fully restored.

Having recently started to incorporate wellness practices into my daily routine, I found that Nova Maldives was particularly great in helping me focus, engage and further this pursuit. The island's approach to wellbeing was subtle but effective, the daily yoga looking out over the sea, evening soundbaths, and gentle guided breathwork that felt inclusive for everyone.

Nova Maldives: Location & Arrival

The Maldives comprises of over 1,190 islands, with only 200 inhabited, meaning vast swathes remain peacefully untouched, and situated on its own private island in the South Ari Atoll, sits Nova Maldives.

To get to any of the islands, you have to fly to the small capital of Malé, and from there take a seaplane to your final destination. From the UK, this does mean a full day of travel (including a seaplane), but let me tell you, it is 100% worth it. As we sat sipping coffee on the Nova Lounge terrace, just above the seaplane terminal, I have to admit I felt apprehensive boarding the tiny plane that was floating on water. However, as soon as we took off, the breathtaking views were all the distraction I needed. The pale blue ocean below was truly mesmerising, and the light blue surface was dotted with tiny white-sand islands and visible coral reefs. The 30-minute journey flew by, and we soon approached the island.

When we stepped off the seaplane, it felt like the entire Nova team was there to greet us at the end of a long wooden jetty. The island itself felt like something you only ever dream of seeing in real life, with soft, powdery sand, luscious palm trees, and villas that blended seamlessly into the natural surroundings. Palm-thatched roofs, wooden walkways, and communal spaces framed by lush tropical plants, everything about Nova Maldives invites you in and makes you never want to leave.

Service

What truly elevates Nova Maldives is its people. The staff seemed to remember not just our names but our preferences, and when arriving at breakfast, they would know our coffee orders straight away. Not only this, but whenever we bumped into them around the island, they would take the time to say hello and ask how we were finding our stay. While they were attentive, it never felt forced or over the top, and the atmosphere was relaxed and laid-back.

The level of care and attention meant we never once felt the need to plan or organise anything, and everything was intuitively handled from picking us up from arrivals to the very last day. Usually, holidays entail lots of planning, and it can be second nature to try and orchestrate every detail of a trip, so the ability to fully let go was one of the best parts of the whole experience, truly allowing you to switch off.

Nova Maldives: Wellness & Treatments

At home, I've recently taken up pilates and beginner's yoga weekly, so I was keen to attend the resort's wellness-focused sessions. And after catching a night's sleep, we attended the 7am yoga. I have to admit, when my alarm originally went off, the jet lag felt unbearable; however, after finishing the first session, I felt renewed and ready to go.

From then onward, we started almost every morning of the trip with a gentle yoga session in a room that overlooked the sea. Banu, the resident yoga teacher, guided us through beginner-friendly stretches and breathwork in a way that felt nurturing and accessible. And as yoga beginners, we felt as though we learned more and more in each session, and after this trip, my partner even shockingly made a vow to take up yoga.

Not only was there daily yoga available, but other wellness sessions, including a restorative soundbath. Having attended plenty previously, I was surprised at how effective and impactful the resort's soundbath session was. It was a deeply restorative experience that combined the soothing tones of bowls and gongs and a short guided meditation beforehand. This experience began right before sunset, and as we were guided into a meditative state, the sunset was timely. When the hour had passed, we reluctantly opened our eyes, and the room was in darkness, and we felt completely and utterly relaxed.

The spa was indisputably one of the main highlights of the trip, with a small but extremely welcoming team. The Eskape spa has been built overwater and features several small overwater rooms where the wellness activities and spa treatments take place.

What was obvious, was how engaged the Spa team was at Nova with their guests, and how keen they were to answer any questions you might have about the treatments or practices.

My partner and I had a couples massage where we were invited to choose from an array of essential-oil-based products that were organic and mostly locally sourced. We were guided to a private room, set out overlooking the vast sea with large glass doors and a light, spacious design, and the treatment itself was exceptional.

Nova Maldives: Island Activities

What's so unique about Nova Maldives is its size, or rather, lack of it. You can walk around the whole island in around ten minutes. As someone with a notoriously restless mind, I expected to get a little twitchy, but in truth, I never once found myself without something to do.

There's plenty to keep you busy regardless of your holiday personality. If you're the relaxed type, you'll love sunbathing on your private terrace or by the sea-view pool, indulging at the resort's restaurants, or simply sipping cocktails at one of the bars. But if you prefer more action, there are endless activities to enjoy, including kayaking, snorkelling, and guided diving trips with an on-site dive centre team, plus a fully equipped indoor gym and even a tennis court.

If you adore sea life, then you'll be thrilled to know that Nova Maldives has manta ray and whale shark boat trips. We went on an unforgettable Manta excursion. After sailing for about 20 minutes in the tranquil waters, the crew had a tip-off about where the Manta would be. We got given snorkels and life jackets, and then we jumped into the vast waters and spotted one single Manta swimming peacefully along the bottom of the seabed, truly unforgettable.

The following day, we were booked for a resort diving experience where we had a one-on-one session with an excellent instructor. As complete novices, I never expected to have the opportunity to try out proper scuba diving equipment. Everything from the equipment to the breathing techniques was explained patiently before we set foot in the water, and we were encouraged to practice the basics in the shallow water before deciding whether we wanted to swim further out.

Although they do offer sessions for all levels, if you hold diving qualifications, the resort has even more to explore, with Nova regularly hosting events that centre around marine life and diving. This summer, they are partnering with the world’s leading scuba diving organisation, PADI, and are hosting an ocean adventure week from 13 to 20th July, in celebration of PADI’s 11^th Women’s Dive Day.

Nova Maldives: Rooms

Our sea villa was a calm and inviting space that was thoughtfully designed; it felt as though the layout was supposed to bring the exquisite surrounding scenery closer to you. The huge, wide sliding doors opened onto a private deck that blew us away when we arrived. From there, we could go straight into the ocean and swim with the marine life, including small (but friendly - the Nova staff insisted) reef sharks and peaceful, slow-moving turtles. Or we could privately lounge on our sunbeds to soak up the rays completely undisturbed - a massive bonus if you don't feel like socialising.

Inside the room, the king-sized bed was positioned perfectly to take in the ocean views, and the large and separate bathroom featured a freestanding bathtub that offered the same magical sea view. Behind the bedroom was my favourite space - the dressing area. There was a large dressing table, a huge wardrobe to hang your clothes, storage drawers, and excellent lighting for when you wanted to get ready for the evening.

We also had the opportunity to see some of the other villas on the island, including the beach villas that were nestled carefully into the natural scenery along the shoreline. These villas are brilliant if you'd prefer to wake up literally on the beach; however, if you're a keen swimmer, the sea villas are designed so you can wake up and take a dip straight off your terrace.

Nova Maldives: Food & Restaurants

If you're a foody, Nova Maldives is the place to be. And although the island is small, there are three restaurants onsite, Soul Kitchen, Flames, and Mizu. Soul Kitchen is the main dining location, with a laid-back and unfussy feeling, but with a selection of fresh world foods that never fails to impress. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this is the place where we ate the majority of our meals.

As a vegetarian, I'm always a little bit skeptical about buffet food; however, Nova's rewrote any of my preconceived ideas of what buffets entail. Offering an elevated and considered menu, which includes plenty of healthy, freshly sourced options, my personal favourite was the dhal, which was available almost every day. The desserts deserve a special mention; they were otherworldly, and the options were endless at every course.

One evening, we got the pleasure of eating at Flames, perfect for meat-eaters. This restaurant serves the most delicious and succulent grilled dishes, and my partner boldly said it was one of the best steaks he'd ever eaten. Onsite, there is also an overwater Teppanyaki restaurant that's ideal for sunset dining, and it boasts live cooking stations with a unique menu featuring tropical delicacies and seared ocean delights.

Nova Maldives: Verdict

Nova Maldives is a perfect place to reset and recharge, whether you do that by sunbathing by the pool or by filling your days with underwater activities. With just enough activities to keep you engaged, whilst being a perfect space for lounging and fully relaxing. Their subtle approach to wellness is well-integrated and accessible, from the gentle morning yoga to indulgent spa treatments.

The resort itself is small, intimate, and beautiful, with palm-thatched villas that meld into the natural scenery and architecture that's open, spacious, and inviting. The staff's attention to detail and their ability to anticipate your needs in a relaxed and calm way add to the whole experience. It's the kind of place that makes switching off feel easy, even for those who are usually the busiest.

Nova Maldives: Prices & Booking Information

Lead in rate at Nova - Sunset Beach Villa from £348/night on Full Board, and a Water Villa from £451/night, including a 55% off summer flash sale when booking directly at Nova's website here.

Summer offerings that travellers can take advantage of if booking a stay during the off-season:

Summer of Soul - Summer of Soul - Nova

Soulcation – Flash sale - Save Up to 60% | Flash Sale Nova Maldives

What does all-inclusive include?

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner at the Soul Kitchen

3-course dinner at Flames - Specialty Grill

Communal brunch snack point at Wink - Main Bar from 10.00 to 11.00

Community Gathering Tea party at Wink - Main Bar from 16:00 to 17:00

Unlimited beverages and soft drinks from a selected range at Wink

15% off on selected watersports, Spa, and Nova experiences

Complimentary upgrade to next available category, subject to availability

Complimentary yoga & fitness group classes, beach games, football, and state-of-the-art fitness facilities

Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from a selected range

Complimentary rental of non-motorised water sports once per day

In-villa minibar restocked once a day with chocolates and selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

20% discount on food at Mizu, an overwater Japanese restaurant

Honeymooners staying for three nights or more can enjoy benefits including a fruit basket and sparkling wine upon arrival, a 3-course romantic beachside dinner, bed decoration, and, for stays of 7 nights or more, a 60-minute massage for two persons. (A copy of the wedding certificate must be provided at the time of booking.)