On most Maldives holidays there comes a point when you realise you need a boat to see the really good stuff. At Sun Siyam Vilu Reef that point never comes. You pull on your fins, wade in from the beach and a few kicks later you are floating over coral with more fish than you can count. So it was no surprise to me that in 2026 Vilu Reef was named Best House Reef at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards.
I arrived at Vilu Reef straight from Siyam World in the north of the Maldives, and the two could not feel more different. Vilu Reef is smaller, quieter and easier. This is the classic Maldives escape: white sand, swaying palms, overwater villas and a reef right on your doorstep. And thanks to a brand new collection of overwater villas, it is also where I spent what might be some of the most beautiful nights of my life.
I was a guest of Sun Siyam. They covered my costs, but all opinions are my own.
Why Choose Sun Siyam Vilu Reef?
Vilu Reef is where the Sun Siyam story began. It was the very first resort that founder Ahmed Siyam Mohamed opened in the Maldives, back in 1998, and it has been welcoming guests ever since. Many of the team have been there since the beginning, and plenty of guests come back year after year. Today it sits in Sun Siyam’s Privé Collection, the group’s more intimate, boutique-style resorts.
What I loved most is how easy it is. The island is small enough to walk everywhere, so there are no bikes, no buggies and no waiting around for transport. You just wander barefoot from your villa to breakfast, from the beach to the bar. After the scale of a bigger resort, it felt wonderfully relaxed.
Three things make Vilu Reef stand out:
- The award-winning house reef, which you reach straight from the beach.
- The new Ocean Signature Villas, 50 overwater villas launched in June 2026, complete with private pools and water slides.
- The all-inclusive dine around, which means you can eat and drink your way around the island without thinking about the bill.
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How to Get to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef
Vilu Reef is on the island of Meedhuffushi, on the north-eastern tip of South Nilandhe Atoll (also called Dhaalu Atoll). From Velana International Airport in Malé it is a 35-minute seaplane flight, and Sun Siyam has its own lounge at the seaplane terminal with refreshments and showers, which is very welcome after a long-haul flight.
I came from Siyam World, so I took a seaplane back to Malé and then another seaplane down to Vilu Reef. If you are flying in internationally, you simply hop on the seaplane straight from Malé. Flying low over the atolls is half the fun, so try to grab a window seat.
Arriving at The Nautilus
Our first stop was The Nautilus, the resort’s main bar, which has recently been redesigned. The best way I can describe it is that it feels a bit like being inside a hot air balloon. Huge, natural-looking light fittings hang from above, and the space is filled with light-coloured sofas that give it the feel of a smart private members’ club.
And then you look down. There is no floor, just sand. I loved that combination of high-end design and bare feet in the sand. It sums up Vilu Reef nicely. We sipped fresh coconut water and then headed off to see our villas. The Nautilus is open 24 hours, and at sunset it has some of the best views on the island.
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The Ocean Signature Villa: Possibly the Most Beautiful Room I Have Ever Slept In
I stayed in one of the new Ocean Signature Villas with Pool and Slide, and I am going to go on about it a bit, because I think it could be the most stunning room I have ever slept in. At 150 square metres it is a big space, and you can tell that whoever designed it understands exactly what people want when they come to the Maldives.
The layout
You come in through a small entrance with the minibar and some storage. Beyond that is a cosy living room with an L-shaped sofa, a large TV and its own shower room. My first thought was that it was smaller than I expected. Then I discovered that this whole area closes off from the rest of the villa. If you are travelling with children, two of them could sleep comfortably in here with their own bathroom and their own TV, while you keep the main suite to yourselves.
Then you step into the master suite, and wow. The ceilings are high and painted a soft bluey green, and there are clever cut-out details in the panelling that show off the room beautifully. I loved the light fittings too.
The bathroom
The bathroom is ridiculously beautiful. There is a huge bathtub and a big walk-in shower, all glassed in so you are looking straight out at your private pool and the sea. The glass doors of the shower open up, so you get that outdoor shower feeling while still being inside. I do love an outdoor shower, so this was a big win for me.
There are two separate sinks, and instead of cluttered counters there are big, easy-to-open drawers underneath. You and your partner each get your own space and can tuck everything away, so the bathroom always looks tidy. It is a small thing, but it is exactly the kind of detail that makes a difference.
My favourite feature
At the end of the bed there is a glass panel set into the floor, with two seats around it, so you can sit and look straight down into the water below. Design-wise it is beyond stunning. I could not stop taking photos.
Outside
The deck is just as good. The private pool is a generous 34 square metres, bigger than the one I had at Siyam World. There is a large overwater hammock that looks a bit like a fishing net; throw a towel on it and it is surprisingly comfy. There are two sun loungers, plus a covered table and chairs, perfect for breakfast, a coffee or a glass of wine in the evening out of the sun. Steps lead straight down into the sea, and of course there is the slide, 11 metres of it, which you switch on when you fancy a splash.
Even though there are villas on either side, the walls are angled so cleverly that nobody can see you. It feels completely private.
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The Award-Winning House Reef
This is the reason to come to Vilu Reef. A house reef is a reef you can reach straight from the shore. There is no boat to catch, no schedule to keep and you do not need to be a strong swimmer. You walk in from the beach with your fins on and within moments you are surrounded by sea life. Snorkelling gear is free, so you can go in as often as you like.
According to the resort’s PR team, Vilu Reef has reef access on both sides of the island, which is fairly rare in the Maldives and gives you plenty of options depending on the conditions.
When I went in, it was like stepping into Finding Nemo. I have never seen so many gorgeous, colourful fish. I stayed in for about an hour and it was like watching a nature documentary, except I was in it. I also spotted a couple of reef sharks. I went back in on my last morning because I simply could not get enough of it. I can absolutely see why it won Best House Reef.
Snorkelling With Nurse Sharks
If you want to venture a little further, take a boat trip. About half an hour out from the resort we jumped in to snorkel with nurse sharks, and there were around 15 of them. Nurse sharks are slow, docile and fascinating to watch. Being out on the boat is also the best way to really take in the colours of the water and the sky around Vilu Reef. The turquoise is off the charts.
Planting Coral
One of the most rewarding things I did was help plant coral, through the resort’s Adopt-a-Coral programme. After a short lesson, we put on protective gloves (coral can be sharp) and attached fragments of live coral by hand to a frame shaped like a manta ray. The coral is fixed in place with plastic ties, as they are the most effective option, and the ends are trimmed off once you are done. The finished frame was then taken out and planted in the sea. It is a lovely way to give something back to the reef you have been enjoying.
Eating and Drinking at Vilu Reef
Vilu Reef has fewer restaurants than the bigger Sun Siyam resorts, but the food was excellent across the board. I stayed on the equivalent of the resort’s 24-hour All-Inclusive Dine Around plan, which is how most guests stay.
Here is what the dine around includes:
- Breakfast: a huge buffet at The Aqua.
- Lunch and dinner: the buffet at The Aqua, or a three-course set menu at Well Done or The Spice. You need to book Well Done and The Spice in advance.
- Afternoon tea: daily at The Nautilus.
- Drinks: house wine, draught beer, gin, rum, whiskey, tequila and brandy, a selection of cocktails and mocktails, soft drinks and freshly brewed coffee. The Nautilus serves drinks 24 hours a day.
- Minibar: replenished daily with red and white house wine, beer and soft drinks.
- Extras: one hour of free non-motorised water sports per person per day (paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing) and one complimentary excursion per stay, either a local island visit or a sunset dolphin cruise.
Lobster at Well Done
Our first dinner was at Well Done, the beach grill, which has plenty of seating right on the sand. There is a striking display pool here holding live fish and lobster, which gives you a pretty good idea of what might end up on your plate. We ate in the private dining room, which doubles as the wine store, and the wine list is impressive. The plates were gorgeous too, in golds and blues that reminded me of southern Italy.
We started with an amuse-bouche, then watermelon with aerated feta and a balsamic gel, followed by a delicious mushroom cappuccino soup. For my main I had the broiled lobster with truffle mash and grilled vegetables. You know how lobster can sometimes be a bit dry? Not this one. It came oozing out of the shell, juicy and succulent. Dessert was a warm sticky date pudding that looked like a work of art, with toffee sauce swirled across the plate, a puck of pudding in the middle and ice cream on the side. Highly recommended.
Breakfast on the lagoon
One morning a table was set up for us right on the edge of the lagoon. We had pre-ordered the night before and went for everything we could think of: fresh fruit, amazing pastries, yoghurts, fresh juices, cheese and cured meats, plus our hot dishes. I am a bit mad about eggs Benedict, so I had the classic and gazed out over my hollandaise at the lagoon, where we could see sharks gliding through the shallows. Heavenly.
Breakfast at The Aqua
The Aqua is the overwater all-day restaurant, and you can sit outside right on the edge of the water. The breakfast choice is insane. There is an Asian-style broth station where you add whatever fresh ingredients you like, eggs any way you want, and amazing hash browns. My omelette was possibly the best I have ever had at any hotel. I was also delighted to find tuna sashimi on the breakfast buffet, which I was very happy to eat first thing in the morning.
A Maldivian cooking class
One of my favourite lunches was a hands-on Maldivian cooking class, where we got to play with local spices and learn to make Kandu Kukulhu, the Maldives’ famous rolled tuna curry. The name translates as “chicken of the sea”, and it does actually taste a bit like chicken. The tuna they had ready for us was so fresh I could have eaten it raw. We also made sweet potato in a curry sauce and cooked local reef fish.
I cannot handle spicy food, and the chefs adjusted everything for me without any fuss. It was a great way to get to know Maldivian flavours. The class runs weekly and you can book it during your stay.
Dinners on the beach
Two of our dinners were set up outside on the beach, with lights placed in the sand and the stars above. The attention to detail with the lighting was beautiful.
The first was an Indian feast, with amazing bread, butter chicken and a great rice pudding to finish. The Spice serves Italian food by day and switches to Indian cooking at night, so this is one to look out for.
Our final dinner started with a shrimp kunafa amuse-bouche, then smoked duck with avocado salsa, wild berry vinaigrette and couscous salad. The main was surf and turf: broiled salmon steak with a vegetable puff and dill beurre blanc, alongside beef with a thyme jus. I loved getting both sets of flavours. Dessert was a vanilla and passion fruit panna cotta, and it might just have been the dessert highlight of the whole trip.
Lunches were good too. One day we had avocado bruschetta, pumpkin soup and grilled fish with a sauce, all simple and well done.
Sundowners and Movie Night
One evening we sat on the beach with Aperol and limoncello spritzes and watched the sun go down. It is a simple thing, but in a place this beautiful it is one of the best moments of the day.
Vilu Reef also does movie nights, sometimes out on a boat. The weather was not on our side that night, so the team set up a screen outside one of the villas instead and brought along plenty of snacks. We chose Mamma Mia. Yes, it is set in Greece rather than the Maldives, but somehow it felt like the right fit.
Driving the Jet Car
This was one of the silliest and most fun things I have ever done. The Jet Car is a boat that looks exactly like a sleek white sports car, and you get to drive it across the lagoon. A member of the resort team comes with you, and up to three people can fit in. It is an extra-cost activity and the ride lasts around 15 minutes, but I would say it is worth it just for the laughs.
The Spa
I had a look around The Spa, and it is beautiful. There is a hydrotherapy area with a sauna, steam room and several small temperature-controlled pools. The treatment rooms have high ceilings and can be opened up completely so you can have your treatment in the fresh air, or closed for air conditioning if you prefer. The menu leans towards Ayurveda, with a mix of Eastern and Western therapies.
Who Will Love Sun Siyam Vilu Reef?
If you want the classic Maldives experience without the scale of a big resort, Vilu Reef is a great choice. It suits couples, keen snorkellers and anyone who would rather walk than wait for a buggy. If you love being in the water, the house reef alone makes it worth the trip. And if you can stretch to one of the new Ocean Signature Villas, do. I am still thinking about that glass floor.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sun Siyam Vilu Reef
Where is Sun Siyam Vilu Reef and how do you get there?
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef is on Meedhuffushi island in South Nilandhe Atoll (Dhaalu Atoll) in the Maldives. It is a 35-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport in Malé, and Sun Siyam has a private lounge at the seaplane terminal.
Is the Vilu Reef house reef good for beginners?
Yes. You can walk straight in from the beach, so there is no boat trip and you do not need to be a strong swimmer. Snorkelling gear is free for guests. The reef was named Best House Reef at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards 2026.
What is included in the All-Inclusive Dine Around at Vilu Reef?
The plan includes breakfast at The Aqua, lunch and dinner at The Aqua or a three-course set menu at Well Done or The Spice, afternoon tea, house wine, draught beer, selected spirits, cocktails and soft drinks, a daily minibar, one hour of non-motorised water sports per day and one complimentary excursion per stay.
What are the Ocean Signature Villas like?
The Ocean Signature Villas with Pool and Slide opened in June 2026. Each one-bedroom villa is 150 square metres, with a 34-square-metre private pool, an 11-metre water slide, an overwater hammock, a separate living area that closes off and a glass floor panel looking into the sea.
Is Sun Siyam Vilu Reef good for families?
Yes. The Ocean Signature Villas sleep up to two adults and three children, with a separate living room that has its own bathroom. The Turtle Kidz Club is free for children aged 3 to 12, and babysitting is available at an extra charge.
Do you need bikes or buggies to get around Vilu Reef?
No. Vilu Reef is a small island and everything is within easy walking distance, which is one of the things that makes it so relaxing.
Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.