You won't want to leave Villa Nautica
Sep 16, 2026 StuTheTourist London, United Kingdom
We recently returned from an amazing two weeks at the Villa Nautica at the end of August. We spent the first week in a sunrise beach villa and the second week in a Sunset Pool Villa.
Our host Ibrahim, was excellent and very helpful - nothing was too much trouble for him and it was the same for all the staff, they were amazing and so…
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We recently returned from an amazing two weeks at the Villa Nautica at the end of August. We spent the first week in a sunrise beach villa and the second week in a Sunset Pool Villa.
Our host Ibrahim, was excellent and very helpful - nothing was too much trouble for him and it was the same for all the staff, they were amazing and so helpful.
Special mentions to Mannu, our host in the buffet restaurant - she was so welcoming, friendly and very funny. Thank you to KK, Ram and Kamal in the restaurant too, who always managed to find us a table and look after us.
Thanks to the fruit chef (yes they have a fruit chef!) who peeled me two oranges every morning - his knife skills are amazing. To the omelette chefs, thank you for my fab omelettes and the fresh bread chef - your naans are perfect! Special thanks to the stir fry chef - your rice and noodles were always delicious, as was the pasta and the curries - I loved it all. And to Cynthia who served the speciality salads everyday. You always asked me "if I'd had a good day?" You and all your colleagues are what makes Villa Nautica so special.
In terms of the food, there is so much choice. Everything you could possibly wish for breakfast. Lunch and dinner were just as good - fresh bread, salads, soups - they were amazing! Freshly grilled Tuna, pasta, curries, European dishes and amazing cakes and ice creams. Our daughter is a bit fussy and if she didn't fancy noodles or stir fry, there was always chicken nuggets and fries available.
There's a separate snack bar that's open when the buffet is closed - I particularly liked the popcorn chicken, vegetable samosas and roast beef sandwiches. And the Captain's Bar and their staff ensure that you never go thirsty. Special thanks to Aqram and his colleagues who must walk miles around the pool each day serving drinks. There's also a coffee shop available, which makes great hot chocolate. I don’t drink coffee!
One tip, when ordering anything at the bar or coffee shop, just check that it’s on the all inclusive menu as once in a while you may fancy something that isn't and you don't want any surprises when you go to settle your bill.
For every five nights you stay at Villa Nautica on a full board basis, I believe you’re entitled to visit either the Italian or Japanese restaurant – we went to both, which were lovely. My favourite out of the two was definitely the Italian – for the amazing food and the chance to see the sharks after your meal.
Although the reef looks a bit bleached don’t be put off, the snorkelling is fantastic, we regularly saw reef sharks, rays (big and small) and lots of beautiful fish. You can hire snorkelling equipment for free from the dive shop where the boats come in.
One evening we did a 5pm dolphin trip, which didn’t disappoint and also a submarine trip (it looks like a submarine but is a glass bottom boat), which was great fun and we got to see a turtle.
Every night after dinner we would walk up the boardwalk to see the reef sharks, which was great fun. They also hung out at the back of the Italian restaurant and the seafood restaurant at the end of the water villas.
The infinity pool is amazing and massive. You can look out and occasionally see a reef shark or ray as well as other fish swimming past.
Don’t be put off by the fact that Villa Nautica is only 20 mins by speed boat from Male – it’s a beautiful island and the staff are amazing. You’ll also get to see the islands as you land in Male, so you don’t really need the sea plane experience to see the other islands. Being only 20 mins from Male is also massively convenient if you have an early flight home at the end of your stay.
It was our first trip to the Maldives. Would I go back? Oh yes! Would I go in the monsoon season again when it’s a lot cheaper? Sure – we only had rain walking to breakfast once, one lunchtime and one evening, when we were walking to dinner. Would I go back to Villa Nautica in a Sunset Pool Villa? Without a doubt!
To all the staff, thank you for making our holiday so special. You all make Villa Nautica a fab holiday destination.
More tips – don’t worry about the local currency just take US Dollars for tips, etc. and everything is priced in Dollars at the airport. Sun Tan cream is expensive in the hotel shops, make sure you take plenty with you.
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