Villa Nautica Maldives (formerly Paradise Island)

Villa Nautica Maldives (formerly Paradise Island Resort) sits in North Malé, a 20-minute speedboat from Malé. 282 villas across multiple categories — one of the larger resort plots in North Malé.

The all-inclusive plan is comprehensive. The reef is accessible from shore. Multiple restaurants cover the kitchen broadly. Best for couples and families wanting affordable all-inclusive with short transfer logistics and broad villa variety. The case for Villa Nautica over more design-led North Malé properties is the rate and the variety. For travellers wanting predictable AI value on a short transfer, the property delivers reliably.

Why people come here

Villa Nautica is the Maldives for travelers who don’t want to choose between convenience and beauty. A 15-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport means you can land in the morning and be on the beach by lunchtime. That’s rare in the Maldives, where most resorts require a seaplane or a long ferry. The resort sits directly across from Gili Lankanfushi, so half the overwater villas have a view of its well-known stilted structures, while the other half face the open lagoon. The main beach is a classic Maldives scene: white sand, teal water, and calm enough for a dip without worrying about waves. The trade-off for the easy access? A bit of boat traffic and light pollution from Malé, but it’s a small price for the time saved. I’ve guided clients here for short stays—three or four nights—when they want a taste of the Maldives without committing to a week. It’s also a smart pick for families, thanks to the sheer number of activities on offer: a semi-submarine for non-snorkelers, a watersports center with kitesurfing and paddleboarding, and a spa with outdoor pavilions that let you hear the wind through the trees while you relax.

The villas: renovated and waiting

Villa Nautica has nine room categories, but only one—the Deluxe Beach Pool Villa—has been fully renovated so far. These villas are the resort’s showpiece: sleek, modern, and steps from the main beach, where the water is calm and the sand is powder-soft. Inside, the style is beach-chic, with clean lines and furnishings that feel both contemporary and comfortable. The rest of the rooms—281 of them—are still in the older style, which is functional but dated. The Water Villas, for example, are spacious at 828 square feet, with a king bed, a minibar, and a patio that opens directly to the lagoon. The outdoor tub is a nice touch, but the villas are built in pairs, so you’ll share a wall with neighbors. For honeymooners or anyone who values privacy, Fede recommends booking a One-Bedroom Overwater Villa Suite instead. These are larger, with floor-to-ceiling doors that open to a private pool on the deck, and they’re set apart from the standard overwater villas. The bathroom even has an outdoor whirlpool, which feels like a luxury in a resort this size. Right now, the best strategy is to book the renovated Deluxe Beach Pool Villas if you want the new style, or the One-Bedroom Overwater Villa Suites if you’re after space and privacy.

Dining: buffets, a la carte, and a cocktail worth ordering

Villa Nautica has two buffet restaurants and three a la carte options, but the experience varies widely. Bageecha, the main buffet, is the better of the two. It’s set near the pool and offers a mix of cuisines—Middle Eastern, American, Asian—with fresh made-to-order stations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The cocktails are solid, though the coffee is forgettable. Lagoon Restaurant, the second buffet, is tucked along the overwater villa jetty and reserved for guests staying in those villas. The location is beautiful, but the menu is repetitive, focusing mostly on Indian cuisine, and the indoor seating feels cramped. The a la carte restaurants are where Villa Nautica shines, but there’s a catch: if you’re on the all-inclusive plan, you’re limited to just one a la carte meal per stay. That’s frustrating, especially since the a la carte options are the resort’s best. Furumathi, the seafood restaurant, is my top pick. It’s at the far end of the jetty, with a menu that leans Maldivian and a vibe that’s relaxed but refined. Ristorante Al Tramonto, the Italian spot, is well suited to pizza lovers, with a sunset view that’s hard to beat. Book a table just before dusk for the best light, though you’ll be indoors until the sun goes down—there are no umbrellas here. Fukuya Teppanyaki is the third a la carte option, but it’s indoors, so I’d skip it unless you’re craving air conditioning. The bars are where Villa Nautica’s cocktail program stands out. Hulhangu, the main bar, has a new menu, and their Thyme to Unwind is the best drink on property. Athiri, near the watersports center, has the same menu, so you can order it anywhere. The all-inclusive plan feels restrictive, especially when you’re paying a premium for it. If you’re debating between a la carte and all-inclusive, I’d lean toward a la carte—you’ll have more freedom to try the resort’s best restaurants without feeling limited.

The lagoon and marine life

Villa Nautica’s lagoon is a mix of sandy bottom and shallow coral, depending on where you are. The main beach has calm, teal water that’s well suited to swimming, while the side facing the overwater villas is shallower, with some coral at low tide. The resort doesn’t have a true house reef—most snorkeling is done by boat. The watersports center organizes trips to nearby reefs, including a popular sandbar and turtle snorkeling excursion. The boat ride takes about 40 minutes, and the guides are patient with beginners. You’ll see turtles, rays, and plenty of fish, but the experience is more about the outing than the reef itself. The resort does offer a nightly ray and shark feeding activity, which I don’t recommend. While it’s a common practice in the Maldives, marine biologists have long advised against it, as it disrupts natural behaviors. If you’re looking for a more ethical way to interact with marine life, stick to the snorkeling trips or the semi-submarine adventure, which takes you on a partially submerged tour of the reef without getting wet.

Activities: more than you can do in a week

Villa Nautica packs in enough activities to keep you busy for a week, let alone a short stay. The watersports center is a highlight, with kayaks, paddleboards, and kitesurfing gear available. The lagoon is flat and protected, making it well-suited to beginners. If you’re not into water sports, the resort offers complimentary activities like aqua aerobics and evening entertainment, including fire dancers and magic shows. The spa is another standout, with couples massages in outdoor pavilions that let you hear the wind rustling through the trees. Prices are reasonable compared to other resorts in this range, and the masseuses are skilled. For something different, try the semi-submarine tour. It’s a 30-minute ride in a partially submerged vessel that takes you out of the lagoon and into the reef area—great for non-snorkelers or anyone who wants to see marine life without getting wet. The resort also has a fitness center and tennis courts, though the gym is small and can feel crowded. One thing to note: there’s almost no shade on the property, so if you’re sensitive to the sun, plan to retreat to your villa in the afternoons. I’ve already suggested to management that they add umbrellas or shade structures, especially around the main pool area.

Who it suits

Villa Nautica is a great fit for three types of travelers. First, short-stay guests. If you’re in the Maldives for a long layover or a quick getaway, the 15-minute transfer from Malé makes this resort a no-brainer. You can land at noon, check in by 1 p.m., and still have a full afternoon on the beach. Second, first-timers. The resort is large enough to feel like a proper introduction to the Maldives, with a mix of beach and overwater villas, multiple restaurants, and plenty of activities. It’s not as intimate as a smaller resort, but it’s also not overwhelming. Third, families. With 282 rooms, there’s space for everyone, and the activities—semi-submarine, watersports, snorkeling trips—are kid-friendly. The all-inclusive plan might appeal to families, though I’d still recommend a la carte for the flexibility. What Villa Nautica isn’t: a secluded, ultra-luxury escape. The proximity to Malé means you’ll see boat traffic, and the lagoon isn’t as vibrant as the house reefs at more remote resorts. But if you’re looking for convenience, a resort on the rise, and a taste of the Maldives without the long transfer, it’s a smart pick.

The honest bit

Villa Nautica is a resort in transition, and that means some parts are polished while others are still a work in progress. The renovated Deluxe Beach Pool Villas are the star of the show—modern, stylish, and steps from the best beach on property. The rest of the rooms are functional but dated, and the renovation timeline means you might not see the full transformation until 2025. The dining scene is uneven. Furumathi, the seafood restaurant, is excellent, but the buffets can feel repetitive, especially at Lagoon Restaurant. The all-inclusive plan is restrictive, limiting you to just one a la carte meal per stay, which feels like a missed opportunity. The lagoon is sandy in parts, so don’t expect a vibrant house reef—most snorkeling is done by boat. And while the service is excellent, thanks to the Forbes training, there are still small frustrations, like the lack of umbrellas on the pool deck or the nightly ray feeding, which I’d skip. The resort is also one of the few in the Maldives where you’ll share a wall with neighbors in the overwater villas, so if privacy is a priority, book the One-Bedroom Overwater Villa Suites instead. Finally, the proximity to Malé is a double-edged sword. It’s convenient, but it also means boat traffic and light pollution. If you’re looking for a remote, secluded escape, this isn’t it. But if you want a resort that’s easy to reach, packed with activities, and on the cusp of a major upgrade, Villa Nautica is worth considering.

Transfer: quick and easy

Getting to Villa Nautica is one of its biggest selling points. The resort is just 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, making it one of the easiest resorts to reach in the Maldives. There’s no seaplane required, no long ferry ride—just a quick hop across the water. The resort operates its own ferries, and while the fleet is in the process of being upgraded, the current boats are functional and safe. You’ll be required to wear a life jacket, which is standard for speedboat transfers in the Maldives. The trade-off for the convenience is that you’ll see more boat traffic than at more remote resorts, and the lagoon isn’t as pristine as those farther from Malé. But for travelers who want to maximize their time in the Maldives without spending half a day in transit, Villa Nautica is a standout.