Kurumba Maldives
The Maldives' original island resort, still setting the standard.
An island resort on North
Kurumba Maldives opened in 1972 as the very first resort in the Maldives, and it sits on its own island in the North Malé Atoll, roughly ten minutes by luxury speedboat from Velana International Airport. That short transfer makes it one of the most accessible private-island stays in the country. The property now operates under the Niva group (rebranded as Niva Kurumba), with seven restaurants, four bars, the Kurumba Spa, a PADI 5-star dive centre that has been on-site since the resort opened, and a kids' club. Room rates start from around $230 per night, and an all-inclusive plan is available.
Is this stay right for you?
A large, well-run beachfront resort with serious dining variety, a house reef you can reach directly, and enough on-island activity to fill a week without leaving.
Best for
- Families wanting a kids' club and pool villas
- Divers who want a PADI 5-star centre on their doorstep
- Couples prioritising dining choice and a private pool
- Travellers who want a private island without a long transfer
Less suited to
- Those seeking a very small, intimate property
- Travellers wanting an ultra-remote, hard-to-reach location
A house reef since 1972
The house reef is accessible from the on-site Euro-Divers dive centre. Blacktip reef sharks, eagle rays, moray eels, and turtles are regular sightings, and more than 30 North Malé Atoll dive sites — including Banana Reef and Lankan Manta Point — are within an hour's boat ride.
Seven restaurants, four bars
Thila focuses on seafood; Hamakaze serves Japanese; Mahal covers Indian; Khing Thai is Thai; Al Qasr is Middle Eastern; and Vihamanaa handles the international buffet and breakfast. The Café does pastries and light meals. Bars include Athiri on the beach and Fez for shisha and cocktails. The property's own Sounds of the Sea is on site.
Pool villas and beachfront rooms
Accommodation ranges from 74 m² Superior Rooms to the 306 m² Family Villa with a private pool. The Two Bedroom Kurumba Residence adds a private kitchenette. Most categories face the beach or garden, and several have their own plunge pools.
Kurumba Spa and wellness
The Kurumba Spa is the island's main wellness facility, alongside a fitness centre. Water sport facilities are on-site, and the activities programme includes tennis, canoeing, water skiing, and evening entertainment.
Families and the Majaa Kids Club
The Majaa Kids Club is the dedicated children's facility. Family rooms and the 306 m² Family Villa with a private pool are purpose-built for groups of four. Family is one of the highest-rated review topics, with 106 positive mentions out of 115 total.
Rooms & rates
Deluxe Bungalow
74 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Bath
- Air conditioning
- Flat-screen TV
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
Deluxe Bungalow - Beach Front
74 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Bath
- Air conditioning
- Flat-screen TV
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
Garden Pool Villa
124 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Private pool
- Bath
- Air conditioning
- Flat-screen TV
- Minibar
Beach Villa
103 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Bath
- Air conditioning
- Flat-screen TV
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
Two Bedroom Superior
sleeps 2 · Bedroom 1: 1 queen bed Bedroom 2: 1 queen bed
- Bath
- Air conditioning
- Flat-screen TV
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
Deluxe Villa with Private Pool
160 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Private pool
- Bath
- Air conditioning
- Flat-screen TV
- Minibar
Family Villa with Private Pool
306 m² · sleeps 4 · 1 king bed and 2 sofa beds
- Private pool
- Bath
- Air conditioning
- Flat-screen TV
- Minibar
Two Bedroom Kurumba Residence
sleeps 4 · 2 queen beds
- Private kitchenette
- Private pool
- Bath
- Air conditioning
- Flat-screen TV
On & off the island
Inside Kurumba Maldives
Amenities at Kurumba Maldives
Most popular facilities
- 2 swimming pools
- Airport shuttle
- Spa and wellness center
- Fitness center
- 7 restaurants
- Room service
- Beachfront
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
Bathroom
- Free toiletries
- Bathrobe
- Hairdryer
- Bath
- Shower
Bedroom
- Alarm clock
Outdoors
- Beachfront
- Sun deck
- Terrace
- Garden
Room amenities
- Fold-up bed
Activities
- Bingo
- Live music/Performance
- Movie nights
- Beach
- Tennis equipment
- Evening entertainment
- Kids' club
- Water sports facilities on site Additional charge
Getting to the hotel
Kurumba Maldives is in the North Malé Atoll, roughly ten minutes from Velana International Airport by luxury speedboat — one of the shortest island transfers in the Maldives. The airport shuttle is arranged through the resort. No domestic flight or seaplane connection is required.
Resort speedboat transfers typically run $100–250 per person round trip, booked through the resort. Confirm the fare when booking.
Where you'll be
Things to do nearby
- Masjid Muhammadplace of worship2.2 km
- Masjid Al Asdiqaaplace of worship2.3 km
- Central Parkpark2.4 km
Straight-line distances from the property · data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Across 1,902 Google reviews, Kurumba Maldives holds a 4.7/5 rating. Service draws the most comment: 326 of 365 mentions are positive. The property itself scores 247 positive out of 266. Dining (157/181), nature and the reef (156/171), and family experience (106/115) are all consistently praised. Location opinions are more mixed at 99 positive out of 145.
- Things to do4.4
- Restaurants2.2
- Airport access3
Share of positive mentions per theme, from Google reviews.
Reviews scoring 9–10: 27 · average 9.6
They wrote about: staff, breakfast, room
Reviews scoring 7–9: 3 · average 8
They wrote about: cleanliness, breakfast, room
No reviews in the selected score range.
Guest reviews summarised from Booking site partners.
Good to know
The fine print
- Check-in
From 2:00 PM
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card at check-in.
You need to let the property know what time you'll be arriving in advance.
- Check-out
Until 12:00 PM
- Cancellation/ prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Enter your stay dates and check the conditions of your selected option.
- Pets
Pets are not allowed.
- Accepted payment methods
Cash
As published by the booking provider · always reconfirm with the property
Your questions
How do I get to Kurumba Maldives from the airport?
The resort is reached by luxury speedboat from Velana International Airport, approximately ten minutes away in the North Malé Atoll. The airport shuttle service is included in the resort's arrangements.
Is the resort being rebranded?
Yes. Kurumba Maldives has rebranded to Niva Kurumba Maldives under the Niva group. The original website now redirects to nivakurumba.com. Booking.com and PADI both list the property under the new name.
What room types are available?
The resort has nine main categories ranging from the 74 m² Superior Room to the 306 m² Family Villa with Private Pool and the Two Bedroom Kurumba Residence with a private kitchenette. Several categories have private pools.
Is all-inclusive available?
Yes, an all-inclusive plan is available at Kurumba Maldives. A free breakfast plan is also on offer. The resort has seven restaurants serving a wide range of cuisines, and room service runs 24 hours.
What restaurants are on the island?
There are seven: Thila (seafood), Hamakaze (Japanese), Mahal (Indian), Khing Thai (Thai), Al Qasr (Middle Eastern), Vihamanaa (international buffet and breakfast), and a Café for pastries and light meals. Four bars include Athiri on the beach and Fez for shisha.
Is there a house reef, and can I snorkel from the beach?
Yes. The house reef is accessible via the Euro-Divers PADI 5-star centre, which has been on-site since 1972. Blacktip reef sharks, eagle rays, turtles, and moray eels are commonly seen. Over 30 dive sites are within an hour's boat ride.
Is Kurumba Maldives good for families?
The resort has a dedicated children's facility, the Majaa Kids Club, plus family rooms and the two-level Family Villa with a private pool sleeping four. Family is one of the highest-rated review topics, with 106 positive mentions out of 115.
What water sports and activities are available?
On-site facilities include diving, snorkelling, canoeing, water skiing, and watercraft rental (extra charge). There is also a tennis court, a fitness centre, a game room, evening entertainment, and live music.
What is the price range?
Rates start from around $230 per night for a Superior Room. Deluxe Bungalows begin at roughly $317 pool villas from around $466 and the Two Bedroom Kurumba Residence from approximately $1,977 per night.
What dining options exist for special diets?
The resort caters to a range of dietary requirements on request, including vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, and kosher menus, as well as continental, Asian, American, and Italian options across its seven restaurants.
Is there a spa on the island?
Yes. The Kurumba Spa is the on-site wellness facility. The resort also has a fitness centre for guests who want to keep up a training routine during their stay.
How do I book, and what payment methods are accepted?
The resort can be booked through nivakurumba.com or via third-party platforms. On-site, the property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash. The 24-hour front desk handles check-in, baggage storage, and currency exchange.