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Nightlife in the Maldives has a distinct character. It’s laidback, cultural, and has a more intimate vibe. That is not to say that nighttime activities in resorts or public islands are any less engaging. From night fishing and beach bonfires to traditional dance performances and theme parties, Maldives nightlife is mellower than places like Ibiza but has its own unique charm.
Now, events after sunset are typically low-key on inhabited islands. This is primarily due to the Maldives being a conservative country where the sale or consumption of alcohol is not allowed for anyone on public islands.
However, the Maldives’ over 150 resorts have a freer hand regarding clothing options and serving alcohol. As a result, nightly entertainment becomes a part of the daily routine while holidaying there.
Guests booking a stay on a private island can thus enjoy DJ nights, Bodu Beru performances, theme parties, and live music in bars. However, many tourists still find resort nightlife limited.
Why do Maldives resorts have limited entertainment?
Offering unlimited luxury and unique excursions, resorts in the Maldives still have limited nighttime entertainment, and for good reasons;
- Private resorts do not allow outsiders to visit the island at night. Therefore, night activities are exclusively for resident guests.
- Most resorts have unique guests, from couples to families, each wanting something different. Moreover, some guests might prefer a quieter evening or a private romantic time rather than a public activity.
- Resorts offer various daytime excursions like scuba diving, water sports, cruises, and island visits. Several guests are tired in the evening and thus retreat to their abodes post-dinner.
- The location of the islands makes it difficult to source items for parties or larger events on a regular basis.
- Since most night events are at bars, there might be guests who do not want to spend extra on food and beverages.
The best party resorts in the Maldives are known explicitly for creating a livelier atmosphere. Consequently, they are a favorite among the young and young-at-heart wanting to book an energy-filled vacation in the archipelago.
Pro-Tip
Most resorts have a bulletin board in a common area, updated with daily happenings. To not miss out on the nightlife, make it a habit to check it every morning and plan your day and evening accordingly.
LUX* South Ari Atoll
When travelers book a stay at LUX* South Ari Atoll, they can expect to holiday in the lap of luxury. A resort with beach and water villas, it is an excellent destination, especially for visitors wanting to explore Maldivian aquatic life. Besides being a whale shark viewing point, LUX* has a 4km beach and a spectacular lagoon, perfect for snorkeling.
Among the top Maldives party resorts, LUX* has a very groovy nightlife. In the evenings, most guests head to Beach Rouge, the resort’s iconic beach club and restaurant. Here, you can relax indoors, on a deck, or on the sand. As you lounge around, bite into comfort food, watch a laser show and listen to hip lounge music, EDM, and tropical trance.
Evenings at Beach Rouge require residents to dress elegantly. In addition to being the place to chill out, it forms an idyllic background for guests to mingle.
Other LUX* South Ari Atoll events include bingo, quiz nights, live music, and seasonal festival celebrations.
Sun Siyam Iru Veli
For a truly magnificent time in the Maldives, don’t think twice and book a stay at Sun Siyam Iru Veli. The five-star all-suite luxury private island has 125 overwater and beach accommodations, each with a private pool. The perfect resort for couples, it comes with a spectacular house reef known for dolphin spotting and snorkeling opportunities.
Aqua Orange is the resort’s indoor-beachside buffet restaurant with bright interiors. The restaurant is often the site for themed evenings post-dinner. On the other hand, Chemistry is an all-day café and bar where guests can savor and learn about coffee and cocktails from baristas and mixologists.
Day and night entertainment at Sun Siyam Iru Veli includes live music, dancing, and wine academy tastings. The resort’s sunset fishing and BBQ excursion is a definite must. Not only do you get to fish, but then enjoy music and the catch-of-the-day BBQ on a sandbank.
One big highlight of a stay at Sun Siyam Iru Veli is their weekly pool parties. The afternoon event has DJs spinning music while guests can dance, swim, and lounge on sunbeds.
Kuredu Maldives
No list for Maldives party resorts is complete without mentioning Kuredu. The private retreat is particularly famous for its legendary white night parties. Held every Friday at Babuna Bar, the dress code for guests is white, which glows brightly under the UV lights.
When attending a white night party, expect to drink and dance to the music of DJ Vifak and others. The atmosphere at the party is electric and friendly, with an infectious vibe that has everyone dancing. The event typically goes on till one in the morning, a very late time according to Maldives standards.
Furthermore, Kuredu is not a one-hit-wonder. The White Night Party does shadow some of the other equally fun happenings at the resort. So, guests are often surprised that the resort also has weekly live music events and retro pool parties with bubble machines and laser shows.
Niyama Private Islands
Niyama Private Islands is among the best party resorts in the Maldives because it creates a wholesome ambiance for all to enjoy. The resort excels by providing its guests with ten unique dining experiences spread out under the sea, over treetops, and on land.
For partygoers, nothing beats a night out at Subsix, one of the few underwater restaurants in the Maldives. While Subsix opened up as the nation’s first underwater nightclub, it is now a restaurant. Nevertheless, Subsix still hosts events like adults-only glow parties and champagne brunches.
Reachable by a short speedboat ride, Subsix creates an electric blue atmosphere ripe for a party thanks to its lavish décor. Located 6 meters underwater, it amazes guests with “Italian abstract chandeliers,” a clam-inspired bar, and a ceiling featuring Capiz shells in a wave design.
Another place to enjoy at Niyama is Fahrenheit. The rooftop bar with spectacular views sets the mood for a romantic affair with live music and bespoke cocktails.
Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives
A four-star deluxe Sun Siyam Olhuveli is a wonderful property. It boasts three swimming pools, gorgeous beaches, a fantastic lagoon, and a manta ray point nearby.
While there are many water activities during the day, Sun Siyam Olhuveli transforms into one of the best party resorts in the Maldives come evening. Creating a fun, family-friendly ambiance, nights at the resort are an immersive experience featuring live shows and music performances.
The resort adds to the nightlife in the Maldives by offering balanced entertainment to suit all guests. Lagoon Bar is a dreamy edge-of-the-beach alfresco bar with evening entertainment consisting of traditional performances. Similarly, the adults-only Dream Bar by the infinity pool stays open till midnight. It allows couples to dance to live music or disco with lights while savoring light bites and signature cocktails.
When not in the mood for music, Sun Siyam Olhuveli surprises its guests with a manta ray point right next to its Dive Center. It is here that manta rays regularly come to feed on plankton at night.
Finolhu Maldives
Nightlife in the Maldives, especially in private retreats, differs based on the general aura of the place. While some islands have louder events, others offer more laid-back options.
Situated in Baa Atoll, Finolhu, meaning “sandbank” in Dhivehi, is a six-year-old resort with 125 abodes, two kilometers of beach, and four restaurants. Evening entertainment at the retreat takes place primarily at the Beach Club.
Guests start to trickle in at the Beach Club just before sunset. Having a pool, wooden deck, beach, and indoor seating, it’s quite an expansive space to relax casually and barefoot.
Having a contemporary vibe, the Beach Club typically has a DJ playing both sounds from the past and the present. However, for a truly memorable evening, head to the upper deck. You can witness stunning panoramas while relishing shisha from this high vantage point.
Moreover, if you visit Finolhu during festival time, there is a continuous sense of merriment in the air. Around Christmas and New Year, for instance, there is an array of events. You can partake in everything from a teens fashion show, cocktail parties, and caviar night to Santa gift-giving, areal hoop act, Bodu Beru performance, and LED light shows.
Karumba Maldives
Karumba is undoubtedly one of the best party resorts in the Maldives. Entertainment, excursions, and activities are an integral part of any stay here. Catering to guests of all ages, you’ll find events across the island, from morning to late at night.
The resort organizes regular performances in its bars, which are a pleasant addition to the nightlife in the Maldives. These include live music at Kandu Bar four nights a week, Bodu Beru dance on Tuesdays, and dance parties featuring the in-house DJ or DJ Paiday.
Athiri Bar at Karumba is the place to be at sunset. As the big ball of fire disappears into the sea, you can groove to lounge music or live jazz.
Moreover, the resort celebrates various festivals throughout the year. From Chinese New Year and Ramadan to Halloween, Diwali, and Christmas, all events include get-togethers over food.
Meeru Island Resort and Spa
Less than an hour by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Meeru Island Resort is a beautiful retreat on Meerufenfushi Island of the North Male Atoll. The all-inclusive family resort offers its guests pristine white sandy beaches, lush foliage, 284 rooms in five categories, six restaurants, and six bars.
A true-blue hidden gem in terms of party resorts in the Maldives, Meeru Island promises daily daytime and evening entertainment across interests.
Regular events include a pool party on the first and last Monday of every month at Dhoni Bar. The bar also plays host to movie nights and heritage presentations. The resort’s Uthuru Bar is idyllic for a sundowner while dancing to live or soft music. There’s also Bodu Beru on Fridays and select night entertainment like karaoke, DJ night, and glow parties every Saturday.
The staff at Meeru Island further plans several theme-based seasonal activities. These can range from Valentine’s celebrations and beach barbeques to the Easter full moon lobster dinner and an evening session of aqua aerobics followed by Mexican drinks.
Bandos Maldives
Staying at Bandos is convenient since the island resort is only a 10-minute speedboat ride from Male Airport. Known for its dive center and house reef, Bandos is also a great choice when visiting the Maldives with the family.
Night entertainment at Bandos primarily takes place at the Sand Bar. Having a classic island design with a club-like vibe, the bar serves a wide range of cocktails and beverages.
The bar has open-plan seating and a stage with lights. Daily events include DJs, live bands, movie nights, open mic karaoke, and disco evenings.
Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani
Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani are truly unique party resorts in the Maldives. You will find live music, DJ sessions, night cinema, and the like at both these world-famous luxury island retreats.
However, Soneva’s central philosophy is about offering experiential entertainment. Thus, they meticulously plan a series of events centered around celebrities and stars in various fields who visit the islands for a limited period.
As part of the Soneva Stars program, in 2022, the resorts will host footballer David Villa, author Molly Oldfield, chef Nina Metayer, and many more. These “stars” then organize various workshops and demonstrations for guests.
Soneva Fushi was also the destination for JLF (Jaipur Literature Festival) in 2022 and will be hosting it again next year. During the event, one can attend author talks, music performances, and book discussions at different venues on the island.
Other immersive options at Soneva include culinary gatherings like their sandbank evening cocktail and the astronomy diner.
You & Me by Cocoon Maldives
You & Me by Cocoon is an adults-only private escape situated 45 minutes from Velana International Airport by seaplane. Its middle-of-nowhere location in Raa atoll makes it the perfect getaway for honeymooning couples.
Guests looking to make the most of the nightlife in the Maldives can enjoy daily entertainment such as DJ night, cultural performances, and live music sessions.
You & Me also hosts a White Party once or twice a week. During the event, guests can enjoy drinks and snacks and mingle with each other, as well as the resort staff.
Another evening event worth attending is the exclusive Sandbank Party. Speedboats transfer guests to a nearby sandbank where they can indulge in food, drinks, and music for an intimate and scenic party experience.
N.B.: All the information in the article is correct as of the date of publication. The prices mentioned, if any, are subject to change.
