Sun Siyam Iru Veli

Barefoot bliss is a given at Sun Siyam Resorts, five private island luxury properties in the Maldives, each with their individual attractions. But as all welcome guests with the warm and nothing-is-too-much-trouble hospitality famous on these paradise islands, it’s hard to make a choice. Sun Siyam Iru Veli is a premium private pool getaway for indulgent escapes; Sun Siyam Vilu Reef is a boutique hideaway, ideal for two; Siyam World is full of never-seen-before surprises; Sun Siyam Iru Fushi suits solos to families in acres of heaven on earth; while Sun Siyam Olhuveli offers more affordable all-inclusive adventure, being the only four-star resort in the otherwise five-star group. Sun Siyam Iru Veli seemed ideal for my escape with friends to a special sand, sea, sun, spa and snorkel sanctuary, but if you can’t narrow it down, why not choose a two-centre trip, or more?

Look & Feel

Circling Sun Siyam Iru Veli from above in our seaplane, first impressions are the whitest sand, the bluest sea and greenest swaying palm trees. Coming into land in a rainbow of spray, I’d never seen an ‘international airport’ quite like it – a tiny, floating quay in the middle of the iridescent Indian Ocean. Yet with no customs or immigration to pass through and helpful seaplane pilots and speedboat crew to transfer our luggage, we were soon aboard for the hop, skip and jump by boat to shore where a rapturous musical cacophony with Bodu Beru drums and singing welcomed us to our very own Sun Siyam Iru Veli island. Our ambassador Rilwan already knew our names off by heart and cheerfully greeted us individually as we clambered eagerly into the electric buggy. Whisked to Chemistry Bar for chilled towels, refreshing coconut juice served in the husk and nibbles of fruit kebabs and banana chips, it’s the start you dream of to a much-anticipated tropical oasis. 

Location

On the map, the Maldives are marked as a cluster of 26 pinprick atolls south of Sri Lanka (home to the recently-opened Sun Siyam Pasikudah boutique beach resort) and north of the Seychelles. Sun Siyam Iru Veli is located within a private lagoon in the South Nilandhe Atoll, about a 40-minute scenic seaplane flight from the capital Malé, where international flights touch down on arrival. 

Getting There

Qatar Airways flies to Malé via Doha from London, Manchester and Edinburgh. Business class passengers (read review here) have access to world-class lounges such as Qatar Airways’ newest The Garden at Hama International Airport, Doha (read our review here), ranked Best Airport in the World 2024 by Skytrax.  Once in Malé, guests of Sun Siyam Resorts can relax pre-departure in the private lounge at Velana Airport’s modern seaplane terminal. Our seaplane transfer to Sun Siyam Iru Veli was with Trans Maldivian Airways. Pre-book airport parking, hotels, lounges and transfers with UK market leader Holiday Extras.

Suites & Villas

In an intimate setting of just 125 villas, all with pools, choose from sunrise or sunset Beach or Water Villas. Beach Villas have a large sundeck and private pool with your very own stretch of silky white sands to sink your toes into. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors and an outdoor bathroom with separate rainfall shower and freestanding bath ensure plenty of light and uninterrupted sea views. There is a choice of size from Family to Grand suitable for up to three adults/ two adults and two children to the Beach Residences (one or two bedroom) which feature a large lounge, expansive terrace and elevated views, sleeping a maximum of six adults.

The Water Villas are contemporary in design with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over private plunge pools and decks to the sea. A king-size bedroom with desk, dressing table and plenty of storage leads to a spacious bathroom with free-standing tub and separate walk-in rain shower. Fully furnished outdoor decks all feature steps down to the lagoon for easy snorkelling on the sheltered house reef. A choice of size ranges from an Ocean Villa sleeping up to three adults/ two adults and two children to a two-bedroom Ocean Residence sleeping a maximum of six adults/ four adults and two children with an entrance hallway leading to a comfortable lounge and dining room as well as king-size bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms on each side.

My Overwater Villa

My Dolphin Ocean Villa definitely had the wow factor with walk-in panoramas of the private pool and ocean beyond. A friendly ‘Welcome Home’ message on the bed below a turtle-shaped from grasses was a nice touch – as was the Champagne on ice, hand-made chocolates and complimentary minibar. These villas are so named as they have a prized, front-row setting for watching dolphins swim past each day, whether at dawn or dusk – definitely a star attraction. From my bathtub, thoughtfully filled for me with scented bubbles and fresh flower petals on one evening by my room stewards, I watched a heron preen himself on deck. More surprises included a loo with a view of the lagoon below – although careful screening safely retained my modesty – and a quirky platform ‘beach’ built into the deck. But my favourite spot was cooling in the plunge pool while watching dazzling shoals swim by.

Breakfast

I loved the Maldivian breakfasts best in the buffet-style Aqua Orange which served every cuisine you could wish for. I’d ask for fresh, local mango and passion fruit to be sliced for me, while aromatic curries, tuna fish kulhafila salads and flatbreads made a change from porridge back home! Our floating breakfast was a fabulous first – a tray overflowing with pastries, fruit and even bacon and pancakes with maple syrup brought to my villa and launched in my plunge pool while I sat and enjoyed it all in my swimsuit!

Restaurants

A feast for the eyes, Aqua Orange serves an all-day tasty buffet from breakfast and lunch to delicious themed dinners with stunning lagoon views, tables on the beach and a daily-changing menu. If you prefer waiter service, then Grouper Grill specialises in mouth-watering seafood and fish, as well as prime steaks at lunch or dinner; while Roma is a Mediterranean restaurant with sea views, homemade pasta and tropical-inspired panna cotta. For extra special occasions, the team can organise a romantic dinner on the beach or magical barbecue and cinema experience under the stars, while we relished a Maldivian Cookery Class with Chef Aafaag, especially when we lunched on the fresh dishes prepared using spices, grated coconut and other locally-grown ingredients completely new to us.

Bars

Chemistry Bar is at the heart of the resort – a great place to meet and socialise for a coffee, mocktail or cocktail from expert baristas and mixologists. There’s also a pool table and evening entertainment such as karaoke or live music. We thoroughly enjoyed a cocktail-making class one evening, drinking the fruits of our labours, of course. At Fresh Water, where lively weekly pool parties are celebrated, sip freshly squeezed juices or pina coladas served to your cabana, while the Wine Cellar is ideal for private group dinners, tastings and pairings of the world’s finest vintages and Champagnes.   

Spa & Wellness

The sensory-scented signature massage at Sun Siyam Iru Veli Ocean Spa will forever live in my memory. For not only was the overwater pavilion with ocean views and relaxing sounds of lapping water a cocoon of calm, but as I lay face down on the massage bed, I could even watch the live aquarium of fish in the lagoon below through a glass floor. What I’ll never forget are not just my expert therapist Wayan’s soothing ways to unknot muscles, but the fact that I saw a shark – yes, a shark – nonchalantly swim past, oblivious to the effect he was having on my heart rate above! Reassuringly, it was a non-woman-eating, blacktip reef shark that gently cruises the Maldives’ shallow waters without ever taking a bite out of unsuspecting tourists, but I still preferred spying him from this safe sanctuary rather than while snorkelling!

The hydrotherapy suite with its sauna, steam room and outdoor whirlpool was also blissful for relaxation – even when a sudden tropical downpour gave us a real rainfall shower! There is allegedly a well-equipped fitness centre (if you think spending time at a gym is worthwhile in Paradise); tennis courts; yoga and aqua qigong, as well as a clinic for any emergencies. My idea of unwinding is sunbathing on a talcum powder beach, reading a good book on a hammock or admiring spectacular sunsets, cocktail in hand! 

Activities

I found a painless way to keep fit here is to swim and snorkel, feeling safe in our group and finding it much easier than expected (wear a lifejacket if you’re not a strong swimmer). It’s definitely recommended for the vibrant coral gardens, turtles, reef sharks, manta rays and 1,100 species of fish you can spot! Water sports are also popular, from canoeing or windsurfing to jet skiing or new, electrically-powered Seabobs which propel you through the water more quickly than fins. The SSI dive centre will guide budding beginners to the more experienced and intrepid, with off-shore shipwrecks to explore. Younger guests will make friends at the Turtle Kids Club with daily activities from breakfast until bedtime.

Excursions

Complimentary excursions are part of a Premium, All-inclusive Signature Plan and there are plenty to choose from. Our top picks were a Guided Snorkelling Safari (daytime or blue light with a marine biologist), Local Island Discovery and Lucky Dolphin Sunset Cruise. Sun Siyam Resorts is also keen to preserve the country’s rich heritage, with cultural shows and demonstrations of local crafts and traditions such as cookery classes or making coconut oil. 

Final Thoughts

Sun Siyam Resorts is proudly Maldivian owned and the hospitality is second to none, with friendly, smiling staff and attentive ambassadors just a WhatsApp away for lifts to restaurants or any other request. When climate change could have a catastrophic effect on the vulnerable coral atolls, it’s reassuring that the award-winning Sun Siyam Cares programme strives for a light carbon footprint. A dedicated sustainability project manager and marine biologists aim to protect the fragile archipelago, engaging holidaymakers and islanders in eco-friendly initiatives like planting coral nurseries and trees, as well as energy saving, recycling and supporting the local community. On this glorious castaway island, you’re encouraged to kick off your shoes and relax, left to do as much or as little as you please in your own time and at your own pace. It’s a place where the extraordinary can happen – like seeing a pod of dolphins at sunrise, being left in awe as gentle giant whale sharks cruise by or being surprised by the sight of a reef shark from your massage bed!

This property is included in our guide to the best hotels in the Maldives