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Where was Maldives first overwater villa built?
If you think Maldives has always been synonymous with luxury island paradise, you are mistaken! Four decades ago, this remote archipelago was inhabited only by fisher folk. It was unknown to the outside world and there was no foreign investment. There was only a small airstrip on Hulhule Island (the present international airport), built by volunteers, with no regular flights.
That changed on October 3, 1972 when Kurumba Maldives (then called Kurumba Village) opened for business as the first resort in the Maldives. Two hundred and sixty-six foreigners visited that year, staying in rustic huts and marvelling at the gin-clear water lapping at their ankles.
Over the past 46 years, that number has crossed 1.4 million. More than 140 resorts have since opened across the archipelago. The Maldives has transitioned from hidden gem to highly-coveted, must-visit holiday destination, and with exclusive water villas that rise out of aquamarine lagoons and picture-perfect beaches, it’s not difficult to understand why.
Did you know that the Maldives is home to about two-thirds of the 8,000 plus overwater villas in the world? And the list continues to grow longer almost monthly!
But where in the Maldives was the first water villa built? Who brought this concept to the shores of Maldives?
That’s a question that fetches so many conflicting answers, as was evidenced when longtime Maldives aficionado Paola Mattana Lamperti recently posed it to her Facebook friends! Was it Kuramathi Maldives or Baros Maldives, two resorts owned and operated by tourism pioneers Universal Resorts? Was it Conrad Maldives Rangali Island (then called Hilton Maldives)?
Mohamed ‘Modi’ Ibrahim Didi, who served as the manager of Baros in the 80s and 90s, told Maldives Insider that the first overwater villa was built at Adaaran Prestige Vadoo (then called Vadoo Diving Paradise) in 1986. It was conceived by the resort’s then Japanese owner Tokohiko Sakamoto, who sold the resort to Sri Lankan hotel group Aitken Spence in 2006, he added.
Overwater villas at Vadoo, when it was operated as Vadoo Diving Paradise.
According to others that served in the industry at the time, the first overwater bungalow at Vadoo was designed by a Singaporean architectural firm. A Japanese team provided the engineering expertise to the project.
“That particular water bungalow is now not used for accommodation but for historical purposes,” Pranjal P D Sarmah, founder of travel agency 360 Degree World, said in a comment to Paola’s question.
Ahmed Waseem, who was the Resident Manager at Vadoo at the time, said officials from leading local resort operators like Universal and Villa Hotels visited the island to study the concept. Malaysia’s then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed also paid a visit, he added.
Sakamoto’s innovation undoubtedly set in motion a wave of construction projects involving overwater villas. Two years later, Kuramathi opened its first overwater bungalow, followed by Baros in 1992. And the rest is history, as almost every resort that opened since features overwater villas.
The model for overwater villas in Maldives is simple. Like pearls over water, these villas are set suspended on stilts into the turquoise lagoon, connected to the island by a timber walkway. A private sundeck of the villa extends into hammocks or similar items to sunbath, lazing over the water, listening to the sound of the waves and observing the vivid marine life beneath. A wooden staircase leads directly from the sundeck to the lagoon, for the daily dose of snorkelling or for the occasional plunge into the ocean. Most villas have an additional living room attached to the bedroom. A spacious bathroom opens to the outdoor with an open-air bathtub, and is equipped with the latest luxury amenities.
Some new entrants in the Maldives resort market now go the extra mile, with multi-storey palatial overwater residences that offer guests everything they can think of without having to step out. Private pools above the lapping waters of the lagoon, sky-decks that transform into anything you want it to be, spa sanctuaries within the residence, retractable roofs… you name it!
The concept of overwater bungalows itself is relatively new. It’s been said that a group of three Americans running a small hotel in Tahiti built the world’s first overwater bungalow some 50 years ago. It was a creative solution to the issue of their hotel lacking a beach!
That’s not an issue for Maldivian resorts; almost every island has long stretches of powder soft white sand beach. But overwater villas in Maldives continue to get bigger and better. And their allure continues to grow.
Nova Maldives will renew its partnership with PADI this September to co-host Project AWARE Week from 16 to 20 September 2026.
Organised by the resort’s marine team, the programme will give guests, from first-time snorkellers to experienced divers, opportunities to combine marine wildlife observation with practical conservation activities. The initiative is intended to turn time spent in the ocean into an educational experience while encouraging greater awareness of marine conservation.
This year’s AWARE Week coincides with PADI’s 60th anniversary and Nova Maldives’ fourth year of operation in South Ari Atoll. Now in its eighth global edition, PADI AWARE Week has developed into a citizen science movement within the diving community and has helped rescue more than 41,000 entangled marine animals to date.
Through its continued participation, Nova Maldives aims to encourage guests to become ocean advocates and remain engaged with marine conservation beyond their stay.
Guests staying at Nova during AWARE Week will be able to participate in a programme designed for different levels of ocean experience. Activities will include:
- Ocean immersion and storytelling: Sessions inspired by Blue Planet and other ocean documentaries, highlighting the diversity and vulnerability of marine life.
- Dive Against Debris: Underwater clean-up dives in the resort’s lagoon, during which participants will remove plastic and other waste before recording the findings in PADI AWARE’s global database.
- Whale shark snorkelling: Guided encounters that will allow guests to swim alongside whale sharks in the open waters of South Ari Atoll.
- Manta ray and turtle-spotting excursions: Guided boat trips to feeding and nesting areas where manta rays and turtles can be observed in their natural habitats.
- Coral restoration workshops: Practical sessions introducing guests to coral planting and the resort’s ongoing reef regeneration work.
“Some of the most meaningful work happens when you show up year after year. Four years into Nova’s story, we’ve learned that the health of the reef tells us a great deal about the impact we’re making, and that the guests who choose to return aren’t just here for the view,” said Abdulla Aboobakuru, General Manager of Nova Maldives.
“They’re here because Nova reflects something they already care about, including care for the ocean, a sense of community and a more thoughtful way of experiencing the places we visit. That’s what we hope Nova can inspire in new and returning guests alike: less a destination, more a calling.”
The resort’s marine conservation work continues throughout the year. Its coral nursery contains a growing collection of metal frames holding individually secured coral fragments, which are later transplanted onto the house reef. Guests are regularly invited to participate in the planting process, while the marine team monitors the young coral colonies as they develop.
Nova Maldives also maintains partnerships with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme and Manta Trust. The resort is accredited as a Responsible Manta Tourism Operator, with the partnerships supporting its year-round approach to marine conservation.
Renowned for its marine life and underwater experiences, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of Sun Siyam’s Privé Collection, has been named Best House Reef at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2026.
The award recognises the resort’s marine environment, which is accessible directly from its beaches and overwater villas. The annual TTM Awards and Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers from across the archipelago to recognise achievements within the Maldivian hospitality industry.
The island’s coral reef is home to marine species including resident sea turtles, reef sharks, tropical fish and eagle rays. Guests can explore the reef through guided excursions led by the resort’s resident marine experts, customised scuba-diving experiences and coral restoration initiatives designed to support the long-term preservation of the marine environment.
“Our reef is the living soul of Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, shaping every visitor’s journey from the moment they step into our turquoise lagoon,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager. “To be named the Maldives’ Best House Reef is an immense honour, strengthening our commitment to nurturing this remarkable marine sanctuary so our guests can keep discovering its quiet magic beneath the surface.”
Travellers seeking underwater experiences can book directly with the resort to access exclusive benefits and guided marine excursions.
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.
The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.
The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.
During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.
“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.
“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”
The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.
The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.
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