Nika Island Resort & Spa

Opened in 1984, Nika Island received its last renovation in 2011, though there is continual work to maintain and improve the property’s appearance. The leafy garden grounds, with a mix of landscaped and island-indigenous plants, feel more natural than other, more manicured islands nearby. In addition to the island’s palms and mangroves, Nika Island Resort has planted (and labeled) several flowering trees and fruit trees and installed verdant trellises along the walking paths. During the quick 15-minute walk around the island you can find banana trees, passion fruit, screw pine, orchid gardens, pink bougainvilleas, dripping banyan trees, and water lily ponds. There’s even a small, slightly abandoned-looking reef fish pond with lobsters, striped reed fish, and an active school of fish swimming about.

Perhaps because of the property’s true multi-decade age, it has a tendency to appear a bit dated, although it is impeccably clean in public spaces and rooms. The vibe here is fairly relaxed and overall private; guests are mostly just couples or families with small children looking to grab some quality time together. In an effort to give guests more time in the sun, the resort has actually sprung the time forward two hours. Though this may get confusing, guests seem to adjust easily. The resort also welcomes each guest, straight off the arrivals' deck, with a cool towel, fresh fruit drink served in a coconut, and small fruit platter.

Nika Island Resort is located on Maayafushi Island within the North Ari Atoll archipelago. The private resort island is just a 30-minute seaplane journey from Male's airport. Since speedboats are only used in emergency situations, seaplanes are the only method of reaching the resort. Unlike some of the more remote islands, Nika is close enough to a few of its neighbors that you can spot them in the distant horizon. Lucky for snorkelers who don’t fare well on rocky boats, the resort is surrounded by its own house reef so you can just hit the underwater world without fuss.

In total, Nika Island has 43 rooms with sea-minded decor across seven categories. Although the resort advertises being the only island with private beaches off each villa (which is technically true), there are also a handful of Garden Rooms (the most standard options) that are completely surrounded by dense vegetation and do not have their own beach areas, though guests in these rooms are free to use the public beaches on the island. The highest category Water Villas also do not technically have their own beaches, but the resort does it best to create them via private, sand-covered sun decks connected to the villas. All other villas have direct access to their own generous private beaches, however, complete with loungers, swings, hammocks, and even small three-walled huts with hot tubs.

All rooms have larger-than-usual layouts and feature high ceilings, air-conditioning in the bedroom(s), flat-screen TVs with limited channels, stocked minibars, tea and coffee facilities, personal Internet networks, laptop-capable safes, and beach towels. Bathrooms come with hairdryers, fluffy bathrobes, big towels, soft slippers, rainfall showerheads, separated toilet, and toiletries. Decor includes pieces of traditional dhoni boats, giant clamshell sinks, and mermaid purse-style soap holders. Many bathrooms are larger than your typical New York City studio apartment -- ringing in at about the same size as the main lounge area in the Beach and Deluxe Beach Villas.

Basic Garden Rooms lack the private beaches as well as in-house stereos, while upgrades to Family Rooms of all types will get you an extra bedroom and bathroom (plus an outdoor shower in the beach villas). The main difference between Deluxe Beach Villas and Beach Villas is which side of the island they're located on; meanwhile, Deluxe Rooms have slightly better natural light. All types of Water Villas have direct sea access, dual-level private sun decks, and panoramic views. Full upgrades to the resort’s Sultan Suite are ideal for those traveling in big groups or as a family who want their own large two-bedroom, two-bathroom villa with plenty of space and a spacious private beach.

Most of Nika Island's rooms have their own private beach areas, so there are only two small, public beaches located on opposite ends of the island. All beaches, private or public, have areas with both soft white sand and slightly rougher sand composed of crushed shells and coral. Both public beaches have around 10 double sun beds with strong wooden bases, thick padded lounge cushions, small tables, and shady umbrellas. The first beach is located between the arrivals' dock and watersports setup, in front of The Coffee Shop. This area has a nice shaded area under a collection of trees and is ideal for watching the sunset, while the second beach, located behind the restaurant and Bepi Bar, only has shade via umbrellas. Plop down here if you want easy access to lunch, the playground, or a potential (and harmless) encounter with baby reef sharks. 

Similarly to all Maldives resorts, there are no off-island dining options here; but Nika Island provides a wide array of meal plans including breakfast only, half-board (breakfast and dinner), full board, and all-inclusive. All-inclusive meal-goers not only get free drinks for extended hours, but they are also privy to an afternoon aperitivo with snacks and can partake in free activities like canoeing. 

Although there are limited menus at both hotel bars, Nika Island has only one full-service restaurant. Open during specific hours for buffet breakfast, lunch, and a la carte dinner (with a nice-sized starter salad buffet), with only a few options for each course, the restaurant is located just off the second beach area at the back of the island. Mostly serving Italian and international foods, the buffet items include items like made-to-order omelets, fresh fruit, rice, curry, meat and fish options, carpaccio, and a variety of salads. Guests have reserved seating at the same table for each meal with the same waiter.

There are also two all-day bars located on opposite ends of the islands where guests can grab easy bites, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks. The Coffee Shop bar has indoor and outdoor tables and on-sand seating, and it serves the sundowner aperitvo of small snacks and drinks to the hotel’s all-inclusive guests. On the back of the island, Bepi Bar has more of a full bar set up and is built on a large wooden deck over the water where guests can enjoy drinks, wide sea views, and a limited a la carte menu.

Hidden throughout the verdant grounds and gardens, Nika Island Resort has all your expected resort features from a large boutique full of souvenirs, clothes, and toiletries; to a PADi-certified dive shop; to fairly big spa area.

The Lotus Spa is comprised of separate over-water lily treatment bungalows, a nice dipping pool with small sundeck, and active lily pond. Only spa guests have access to the pool and it’s wise to note that there is no official locker room, just a small changing space with three tiny lockers for valuables. 

Aside from the scuba diving and snorkeling available from the Nika Diving Center, guests can also book day trips to local villages and private picnic islands, fishing trips, and whale shark tours. On-island activities include shallow reef snorkeling, water sports like kayaking, and access to a small gym with a handful of machines, yoga mats, and free weights.

Other features include a multi-language library, free on-island doctor’s clinic, small game room with board games, and beach/restaurant-side playground for kids complete with slides and swings.