The Nautilus Maldives Review
Baa Atoll

Quick Facts

Class:

Location:

Transfer Type:
Transfer Duration:

Island Size:

Total no. Villas:

Highlights:

★★★★★

Baa Atoll

Seaplane
35 minutes

Very small

26

• Michelin-level food
• Amazing house reef

• Ultra exclusive
• Spacious villas

Reviewed by Florian

Introduction: The Nautilus Maldives

The Nautilus Maldives is one of the smallest and most exclusive private island resorts in the Maldives. Located in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, it features only 26 villas and residences, ensuring absolute privacy and personalized service. Opened in 2019, The Nautilus was created as a “place beyond time” where guests can enjoy complete freedom with no schedules, no dress codes, and dining whenever and wherever they like.

Each villa is designed to feel like a private residence rather than a hotel suite, and the entire concept revolves around ultra-personalized service. For many travelers, The Nautilus represents the very essence of barefoot luxury: intimate, highly customized, and unlike anything else in the Maldives.

Yet, for others, it’s not as good as it looks and we’ll try to explain you why in our review of The Nautilus Maldives.

Transfers & Arrival

We reached The Nautilus via a scenic 35-minute seaplane flight from Malé. Upon landing, we were greeted warmly by the team, champagne in hand, smiles all around. The island had just reopened after being privatized for two weeks, meaning we were the very first guests to arrive back.

It was surreal, walking around the island and realizing we were completely alone. That sense of privacy and exclusivity is something few places on Earth can match.

Our Villa: Ocean House with Private Pool (N°207)

Let’s continue this review of The Nautilus Maldives with our accommodation during our stay.

Our Ocean House with Private Pool was a work of art. This villa category, perched over the lagoon, is exceptionally spacious and colorful, a true reflection of The Nautilus’s personality. The interior design mixes bohemian luxury with tropical charm, full of vibrant colors and textures that make it unique. Some guests might find the décor a little “too much” and too colorful, but we personally loved it.

The layout is generous, with a separate living room featuring a glass floor that lets you watch the marine life passing below. The bathroom is another highlight: expansive, bright, and beautifully designed, with both indoor and outdoor areas.

Outside, the deck is huge, with a deep private pool whose temperature can be adjusted, a rare luxury in the Maldives. There are numerous lounging areas, including daybeds, a swing, and shaded seating, ideal for relaxing all day long. On arrival, our butler had prepared a bottle of champagne and an assortment of gourmet canapés, setting the tone for the days ahead.

The Island: The Biggest Weakness?

We always pay close attention to the island itself, as its natural beauty is a defining factor for any Maldives experience. In the case of this review of The Nautilus Maldives, the interior of the island is breathtaking: a true botanical garden filled with lush tropical vegetation and colorful flowers. It’s genuinely one of the most beautiful interiors we’ve ever seen in the Maldives.

However, the surrounding landscape is a disappointment. The entire island is encircled by visible seawalls, which significantly affect the visual appeal. From the villas, restaurants, and even the spa, these walls are noticeable, making it feel as though the island is surrounded by concrete barriers rather than natural lagoon. At such a high price point, this is a major flaw that potential guests should be aware of.

The beaches are decent but not spectacular, and while some corners offer beautiful lagoon views, the presence of seawalls prevents that idyllic, endless-horizon feeling that defines the best Maldivian islands. In short: stunning vegetation, but the least natural island scenery we’ve encountered among the Maldives’ top-tier properties.

The Dining Experience at The Nautilus Maldives

If the island’s appearance was a letdown in our review of The Nautilus Maldives, the culinary experience completely redeemed it.

The Nautilus delivered what was, without exaggeration, the best food we’ve had in the Maldives, and we’ve stayed at over 30 luxury resorts. Every meal was a delight, showcasing creativity, balance, and presentation worthy of a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Each dish was prepared à la minute, with thoughtful combinations of flavors and ingredients. Whether it was the delicate seafood, perfectly cooked meats, or refined desserts, everything we tried was exceptional.

Breakfast combined a small but high-quality buffet with an à la carte menu. It may not be the most extensive breakfast in the Maldives, but the quality of every item was outstanding.

We also strongly recommend the Half Board meal plan, which may look expensive initially but ends up saving a lot compared to à la carte dining, especially since prices for individual dishes are predictably high.

Every evening before dinner, the resort offered complimentary canapés and cocktails by the main pool. This is a lovely ritual that added an elegant social touch to the evenings.

Overall, the dining at The Nautilus is one of its biggest highlights, possibly its greatest strength.

The Service: Not as Perfect as You’d Expect

The next aspect to review at The Nautilus Maldives is the service.

Our butler was absolutely excellent: attentive, proactive, and genuinely kind. He anticipated our needs and made every detail of our stay smooth and enjoyable. Unfortunately, the same level of service didn’t extend across all departments.

At breakfast, even though we were the only guests on the island at that moment, it was difficult to get the attention of the waiters. They seemed distracted and somewhat disengaged. It’s possible that the staff were still recovering from two intense weeks during the island’s private buyout, but for a resort that prides itself on being one of the best in the Maldives, this was a disappointment.

The overall service inconsistency slightly tarnished the otherwise flawless luxury experience.

Snorkeling at The Nautilus Maldives

Unfortunately, during our stay, the weather was quite rough, and we couldn’t snorkel directly from the island. However, we’ve spoken with several of our clients who stayed at The Nautilus and praised its excellent house reef.

The coral life isn’t the healthiest, like much of the Maldives, but the marine biodiversity is impressive, with plenty of turtles, reef sharks, rays, and large schools of colorful fish.

We did, however, go for two scuba dives nearby, and as expected from Baa Atoll, the underwater life was abundant and diverse. Visibility wasn’t ideal, but the sheer amount of fish made up for it.

The Main Pool

The main pool area at The Nautilus is elegant and peaceful, overlooking the lagoon. It’s especially lovely in the late afternoon, during the complimentary canapé and cocktail hour. With its refined atmosphere and perfect sunset views, it’s a great place to relax after a day in the sun.

The Spa & Gym

The overwater Solasta Spa at The Nautilus offers a calming, sensorial experience. The treatment rooms are beautifully designed, featuring glass floors under the massage tables where you can see the fish swimming below. We had a signature massage, which was very good, though the room felt slightly dim.

There’s also a yoga pavilion with sweeping views of the lagoon, perfect for morning meditation sessions.

The gym is well-equipped with LifeFitness machines, located inland with lovely garden views. It’s spacious enough for a full workout and very well maintained.

Value for Money

Here’s maybe the most important section of our review of The Nautilus Maldives.

There’s no denying that The Nautilus is one of the most expensive resorts in the Maldives. Rates can easily exceed USD 4,000 per night for an Ocean House. So, is it worth it?

If you prioritize exceptional food, spacious villas, and privacy, then yes, The Nautilus delivers on those fronts. However, when considering the island’s aesthetics and seawalls, it feels overpriced. You are paying for the concept of freedom and personalization, but not necessarily for the most beautiful island in the Maldives.

For those who can overlook the seawalls, The Nautilus can be an unforgettable experience. For others who dream of a natural island with open lagoon views, it might not justify its price tag and there are some much better luxury resorts in the Maldives, at lower price tag.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Possibly the best food in the Maldives

• Huge, well-designed villas with heated pools

• True privacy and seclusion

• Excellent butler service

• Superb vegetation and interior landscaping

Cons

• Seawalls completely surrounding the island ruin the natural beauty

• Inconsistent restaurant service

• Overpriced compared to similar ultra-luxury resorts

Conclusion: A Very Expensive Luxury Resort, Not Necessarily Worth It

Our review of The Nautilus Maldives leaves us divided. There’s no denying it is an exceptional property in terms of villa design, gastronomy, and exclusivity and definitely one of the best luxury boutique hotels in the Maldives. It’s a resort where you can truly disconnect from the world and enjoy total freedom.

However, the island’s seawalls and inconsistent service prevent it from reaching the perfection it aims for. At this level of pricing, every detail counts, and for us, The Nautilus falls slightly short of justifying its cost.

That said, if you’re seeking total privacy, world-class food, and an atmosphere that feels truly personal and free, The Nautilus remains an unforgettable choice, one that few resorts in the Maldives can rival.

Contact us for more information or to book your stay at The Nautilus with up to 20% discount.

The Nautilus Maldives Resort Tour