5 Indian Ocean Escapes To Have On Your Radar
Created in partnership with Niva Hotels & Resorts
There are few places better for a proper switch-off than the islands of the Indian Ocean. But while the Maldives and Seychelles might be known for powder-soft beaches and impossibly blue water, no two escapes need to look the same.
That's the idea behind Niva Hotels & Resorts – a collection of destinations across the Maldives and Seychelles, each with its own personality, setting and approach to island life. Some are made for spontaneous romantic escapes; others are designed around family time, adventure or getting back to nature. United by the brand's 'Free To Be' philosophy, the collection is all about experiencing a holiday your way and creating moments that stay with you long after you've returned home.
Best For: Wellness Seekers
Niva Velassaru Maldives
For a contemporary take on island life, Niva Velassaru combines understated design, pristine beaches and a strong focus on wellbeing. Just a short speedboat journey from Malé, it's particularly suited to couples and groups of friends looking for a relaxed escape with plenty to enjoy.
Wellbeing is central to the experience, with reformer Pilates, barre, yoga and tennis on offer. The overwater LIME Wellbeing Spa adds another dimension, with an Indian Ocean-facing hydropool and treatments from Aromatherapy Associates and Elemis, including the Elemis BIOTECH facial – exclusive to Velassaru in the Maldives.
Food is another reason to visit. Five restaurants include SORA, the overwater Japanese-Peruvian restaurant that opened in 2026, alongside Mediterranean-inspired Etesian. Personalised experiences range from private beach dining and couples' spa treatments to starlit spa sessions and Dhoni trips at sunset.
Accommodation spans beachfront and overwater villas, including the Beach Villa with Pool and Two Bedroom Deluxe Villa. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Velassaru brings together the best bits of a modern island escape without losing sight of its natural setting.
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Best For: Exploring Island Life
Niva Kuramathi Maldives
Niva Kuramathi is an island made for exploring. Stretching 1.8km through the North Ari Atoll, it combines white-sand beaches and turquoise lagoons with dense jungle, a spectacular sandbank and plenty to discover.
There are 11 villa styles, from beachfront accommodation to overwater villas and larger options for families, alongside a Dine Around All Inclusive offering and an impressive choice of restaurants. Days can be spent walking beneath the island's historic Banyan Tree, discovering the house reef, diving, enjoying watersports or simply making the most of the beach.
The experiences extend beyond the obvious, too. A private Guided House Reef Tour offers a closer look at the marine life around the island, while Turtle Discovery introduces guests to the Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles found in the surrounding waters. For those keen to venture further, private fishing charters, snorkelling trips and boat excursions are also available.
A new Water Bungalow with Pool is set to open in December 2026, adding another option to the resort's already varied accommodation line-up.
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Best For: Nature Lovers
Niva Labriz Seychelles
For travellers who want to experience the wilder side of the Seychelles, Niva Labriz offers something distinctly different. Set on Silhouette Island within the protected Silhouette National Park, it's surrounded by rainforest, mountains, dramatic granite formations and secluded beaches.
This is an island where exploring comes naturally. Guided rainforest hikes reveal endemic flora and fauna, while giant tortoise encounters, marine excursions and offer different ways to experience the protected landscape.
The underwater world is just as distinctive. Unlike the coral atolls of the Maldives, Silhouette's granitic geology continues beneath the surface, creating rocky walls, boulders, crevices and sheltered coves for divers to explore. The surrounding waters are home to turtles, rays, reef sharks, barracuda and colourful reef fish, alongside vibrant corals and sponges.
Back on land, LIME Wellbeing is tucked into the jungle, offering yoga and restorative treatments, while dining celebrates the destination through Creole cuisine and fresh seafood. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Labriz is a natural fit for anyone looking to combine adventure, nature and wellbeing in one trip.
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Best For: Families, Couples & Multigenerational Escapes
Niva Kurumba Maldives
Niva Kurumba has something many newer Maldivian resorts can't replicate: history. Opened in 1972 as the first resort in the Maldives, it has more than five decades of island life behind it, alongside tropical gardens, white-sand shores and a lively atmosphere.
There's plenty to do across the island, from watersports and diving to cooking classes, beach games and cultural experiences. The house reef offers easy access to the underwater world, while dolphin trips and excursions to sandbanks provide a chance to see more of the surrounding area.
It's particularly well suited to families and multigenerational groups, with activities for children and teenagers alongside plenty for adults to enjoy. Couples can spend time at the restaurants or LIME Wellbeing, where treatments combine indigenous rituals with modern techniques.
And while it’s just 10 minutes by speedboat from Malé, 24-hour speedboat transfers, personalised service and a wealth of things to see and do it's a destination with plenty of its own character.
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Best For: Families & Adventure
Niva Dhigali Maldives
Set in the remote Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali is a lush, expansive island where jungle, beach and reef come together. Its Premium All Inclusive offering makes it easy to settle in and enjoy the island at your own pace, whether that means spending the day in the water or trying something new.
The house reef is a major draw, with easy access from the beach for snorkelling and diving. Excursions offer the chance to encounter some of the Maldives' spectacular marine life, including manta, while watersports, padel, paddle yoga and cruises give you plenty of reasons to leave the lounger.
Families are well catered for, too. The PLAY Kids Club keeps younger guests entertained, while LIME Wellbeing offers adults a quieter space for treatments and downtime. For something memorable, the Cast Away Sandbank Picnic takes guests to a tiny desert island for snorkelling and a private picnic surrounded by clear blue water.
Reached by a 45-minute seaplane transfer, Dhigali makes the journey part of the adventure – and offers a balance of exploration, relaxation and time together once you arrive.
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One To Watch...
While each of Niva's current destinations offers a distinctly different take on island life, the collection is set to grow further. Opening in 2028, Niva Aria Seychelles will mark a new chapter for the brand, bringing contemporary island living, panoramic ocean views and a vibrant social atmosphere to Mahé.
For now, whether you're looking for a quick Maldivian escape, a family-friendly adventure or a more nature-led stay in the Seychelles, Niva Hotels & Resorts offers plenty of ways to experience the Indian Ocean – entirely on your own terms.
To find out more about Niva Hotels & Resorts, visit NIVAHOTELSANDRESORTS.COM
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