Niyama Private Islands in the Maldives, the only luxury resort in the Maldives with its own wave breaking onto the shore, has three exciting new surf initiatives. Professional surf photographer, Naomi Adbib, has just started a five-month residency until the end of July to capture action images of guests riding the waves. This will coincide with the visit of Cris Mills, a special surf strength coach, who will be putting surfers through their paces from 1 April to 7 May. The luxury resort has also introduced a new speedboat to take intrepid surfers to lesser-known waves further from the resort.
Niyama Private Islands Resort has two islands – Play and Chill, which are connected by a bridge. Vodi wave is just off the shore of Play Island and is a powerful and sometimes hollow left hander. Off to the west and five minutes away by speedboat, Kasabu is a rippable and hollow right hander. Surfing can be enjoyed year-round at Niyama with bigger surf from March to November and no crowds.
Naomi is a photographer and videographer who specialises in surfing, water and lifestyle shots. Born in Morocco and raised in Spain, she spends her European winters in Nazaré in Portugal, a renowned surfing destination, shooting big name surfers including Lucas Chumbo, Michelle des Bouillons, Rodrigo Koxa, Justine Dupont and Maya Gabiera.
Naomi will spend her days at Niyama swimming in the ocean at Vodi or out on boats to other surf breaks taking pictures of surfing guests. Tailored to the surfer, she can join individual surf sessions and lessons or spend up to 12 days with guests capturing their progress. For those looking for something extra special Naomi can also take drone and video footage and compile one-minute surf video edits. Naomi will send teaser photos to the Niyama Surf WhatsApp group highlighting the swell and encouraging guests to grab their boards and get to the beach.
Cris is a Surf Strength Coach who has dedicated most of his adult life helping surfers improve their potential with movement, exercise and nutrition. He will be offering both individual personalised coaching programmes and group classes in the water and in the gym and spa. A highlight is the Surf Better programme, a holistic and personalised process both in the water and on land that includes surf coaching, surf movement analysis, surf fitness and breathe work, paired with pre & rehab techniques. Group classes include spine health and posture, breathe hold classes, surf movement training and joint mobility training.
Sea Breeze, Niyama’s new 2 x 350 horsepower speed boat, is designed to cover long distances as fast and as comfortably as possible, making it possible for up to six guests of any standard plus a surf guide to surf in atolls further away and visit uninhabited islands. During the trip guests will learn about the environmental challenges facing the Maldives and can make a positive impact by helping to remove washed up plastic and leaving the islands better than they found them.
After a day’s surfing, guests can hang out with Naomi, Cris and other surfers at the Surf Shack with its bright red food truck, bean bags and swings to relax on, and a reggae music soundtrack. The perfect spot for sundowners, the Surf Shack serves rum cocktails and gourmet snack food, such as poached prawns, chorizo hotdogs, tacos, burritos and truffle fries with churros to wrap up.
Niyama Private Islands offers a collection of 134 villas, suites and pavilions, dotting along the beaches of both islands and extending out over the lagoon. The laid-back resort offers an abundance of space and privacy and a multitude of experiences tailored to adventurous honeymooners, active couples and style-savvy families.
Niyama Private Islands is 40-minute shared seaplane flight from Malé or a 30-minute domestic flight to Dhaalu Airport. Nightly rates start from £560 based on two sharing a Beach Villa with breakfast and dinner including taxes and fees. Surf photo packages with Naomi start from around £185 per hour; group classes with Cris Mills start from £35 per hour and private sessions from £165 per hour and trips on Sea Breeze with a guide start from £280 per person for a 6 hour trip. To book visit www.niyama.com
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Editor’s Notes
Niyama Private Islands Maldives offers more than a luxury retreat in the Maldives. Going beyond conventional concepts of lavish accommodation, sumptuous cuisines, and personalised service, Niyama Private Islands Maldives presents every visitor with myriad opportunities to create their own exceptional island experience. With twin islands Play and Chill, Niyama Private Islands Maldives offers guests the true luxury of choice. The Chill island is true to its name; offering new depths of relaxation at the Drift Spa, entertainment under the stars at the outdoor cinema, fine dining experience offshore at Edge and so much more. While the Play island provides delightful diversions for those looking for more active pursuits. Whether it be feasting in the treetops, kayaking around the islands or discovering why Niyama Private Islands Maldives is one of the luxurious surfing destinations, you will be spoiled for choice at Niyama Private Islands Maldives.
Niyama Private Islands was named fourth in the 2017 and Top 10 in 2018 and 2019 by Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards for Top Resorts of the World.