South Malé Atoll · 30 mins by Speedboat
Naladhu Private Island
“Just 20 houses, each with its own pool and butler, about 30 minutes by speedboat.”
Private Island Resorts in the Maldives
Private island resorts sorted the way guests choose them: close to Malé, small and secluded, an island for your own group, or barefoot luxury.
8 resorts from 20 min by speedboat
Near Malé
Private island resorts near Malé
Seclusion without a seaplane: each is a short boat ride from the airport.
North Malé Atoll · 20 mins by Speedboat
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
“Rustic wooden villas spread over the lagoon, about 20 minutes by speedboat.”
South Malé Atoll · 30 mins by Speedboat
COMO Cocoa Island
“One of the smallest resorts near Malé, almost entirely over the water.”
South Malé Atoll · 45 mins by Transfer
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
“A full luxury resort with its own private island next door, about 45 minutes by yacht.”
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Features
Small & secluded
Small and secluded: islands with only a handful of houses
Fewer guests means quieter beaches and staff who know your name by the second day.
South Malé Atoll · 30 mins by Speedboat
Naladhu Private Island
“Twenty houses in all, and a two-bedroom residence for families: more private estate than hotel.”
Baa Atoll · 20 mins by Domestic flight
The Nautilus
“Only 26 houses and residences, and no fixed times: you set the rhythm of the day.”
South Malé Atoll · 30 mins by Speedboat
COMO Cocoa Island
“Calm and understated, with a house reef popular with snorkellers and divers.”
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Features
Book the island
An island or estate for your own group
The most exclusive way to stay: a separate island, or a whole estate, reserved for your party.
South Malé Atoll · 45 mins by Transfer
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
“Its own separate private island, Ithaafushi, can be booked by one group, with its own team.”
Baa Atoll · 30 mins by Seaplane
Amilla Maldives
“A six-bedroom estate with a 20 m pool, a cinema, a gym and a spa of its own.”
Baa Atoll · 20 mins by Domestic flight
The Nautilus
“The three-bedroom Mansion, the island's signature house on the beach.”
Noonu Atoll · 40 mins by Seaplane
Soneva Jani
“Four bedrooms on the beach of a privately owned island in Noonu Atoll.”
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Features
Barefoot luxury
Barefoot luxury on a privately owned island
Shoes off on arrival, sand underfoot and nothing to dress up for.
Noonu Atoll · 40 mins by Seaplane
Soneva Jani
“Water retreats over a wide lagoon, many with a slide from the deck into the water.”
Baa Atoll · 30 mins by Seaplane
Soneva Fushi
“On Kunfunadhoo, a privately owned island in Baa Atoll, about 30 minutes by seaplane.”
North Malé Atoll · 20 mins by Speedboat
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
“Stand-alone residences a short boat ride from shore, with glass floor panels.”
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Features
Villa spotlight
The most private places to stay
Residences reached by boat, estates with their own cinema, and houses big enough for the whole family.
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Features
On the map
Where the private islands are
Near Malé by speedboat or yacht, or further north by seaplane.
Illustrated map, not to navigational scale.
By speedboat
By seaplane or flight
Other transfer, e.g. yacht
Malé airport
- 1 Naladhu Private Island South Malé Atoll · 30 mins by Speedboat
- 2 Gili Lankanfushi Maldives North Malé Atoll · 20 mins by Speedboat
- 3 COMO Cocoa Island South Malé Atoll · 30 mins by Speedboat
- 4 Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi South Malé Atoll · 45 mins by Transfer
- 5 The Nautilus Baa Atoll · 20 mins by Domestic flight
- 6 Amilla Maldives Baa Atoll · 30 mins by Seaplane
- 7 Soneva Jani Noonu Atoll · 40 mins by Seaplane
- 8 Soneva Fushi Baa Atoll · 30 mins by Seaplane
Planning a private island stay
Every resort in the Maldives sits on its own island, so what makes a private island resort different is scale. A big resort might have 150 villas; the resorts on this page are far smaller, and a few can be booked outright so the island really is yours.
Booking a whole island
Resorts usually price private islands and their largest estates on request, with a minimum number of nights. Tell us your dates, the number of guests and what matters most, such as a chef, a boat or a spa, and we will ask the resorts directly.
Getting there and when to go
Resorts near Malé are reached by speedboat or yacht at almost any hour; Baa and Noonu Atolls mean a seaplane, which only flies in daylight. The dry season, roughly December to April, is the most popular, so for a honeymoon or a family celebration in that window, book six to twelve months ahead.
Looking for more room to spread out? See our guides to resorts with a private pool and luxury overwater villas.
FAQ
Private island resorts: your questions
Can you rent a whole private island in the Maldives?
Yes. Some resorts have a separate private island, such as Ithaafushi at Waldorf Astoria, and some small resorts can be booked in full. Prices are on request and there is usually a minimum stay.
What is the difference between a private island resort and other resorts?
Every Maldives resort has its own island, but private island resorts are much smaller, often twenty or thirty houses, so you share the island with very few guests. Many also give each house its own butler.
Are private island resorts good for families?
Yes. Residences and estates such as the Amilla Estate or the Nautilus Mansion give families their own house, pool and beach, with space for children and grandparents together.
Which private island resorts are closest to Malé?
On this page, Gili Lankanfushi (about 20 minutes), Naladhu and COMO Cocoa Island (about 30 minutes) are reached by speedboat, and Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi by yacht.
Is a private island good for a honeymoon?
It is one of the best ways to spend one. Small resorts like Naladhu and The Nautilus are quiet, and a private dinner on the beach or a sandbank is easy to arrange.
Looking for your own island?
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