Siyam World Maldives Review; Our Family Experience

I recently spent 8 days across both Siyam World and Sun Siyam Iru Fushi in the Maldives (And blogged it here). It was exactly what Jaa, Aidan and I needed after a stressful few months. The first 4 days, we spent at the luxury Siyam World, and here is my Siyam World review.

For the first four nights, we stayed at Siyam World, one of the biggest and most talked-about luxury resorts in the Maldives. I think I first saw it when Fernando Torres stayed there! Famous for its giant island, all-inclusive concept, overwater villas with slides, go-kart track, floating water park and endless dining options, it has developed a reputation as one of the most fun resorts in the country. But does it actually live up to the hype?

In this Siyam World Maldives review, I’ll share exactly what our experience was like, what we loved, what we didn’t, and whether I’d spend my own money to return.

Why We Chose Siyam World

With a young family, our priorities have changed slightly. While we still love luxury and beautiful beaches, we also need somewhere with plenty to do, easy logistics, good food and family-friendly facilities. Siyam World seemed to tick every box.

Unlike many Maldives resorts that focus primarily on romance and seclusion, Siyam World markets itself as a destination resort packed with activities. The idea of combining luxury with entertainment appealed to us immediately.

The fact that it also offered one of the best all-inclusive packages in the Maldives certainly didn’t hurt. I had been training like a maniac all year from the Eye of the Sahara Ultramarathon and the Highway to Hell Ultracycle, and it was time to replenish myself with lots of evening wine!

Arriving At Siyam World Maldives

To get to the Maldives we flew super cheap from Don Muang airport in Bangkok, 3 hours or so. About $200! Such a good deal for anyone wanting to pair Thailand and Maldives for a holiday experience.

The Sun Siyam Airport Lounge Experience

Landing in Male on a budget airline, instantly our fortunes changed once we were in the hands of Siyam World! Our experience started before we even boarded the seaplane. They grab you from the flight, then personal driver to the seaplane area.

Guests of Siyam World have access to the Sun Siyam Lounge in Male, which provides comfortable seating, air conditioning, snacks, drinks and WiFi while waiting for transfers. And even a kids play area – an absolute Godsend after a flight with a 1 year old! After an international flight, having a dedicated lounge makes a huge difference. It removes much of the stress that can sometimes come with Maldives arrivals.

Seaplane Transfer To The Resort

Like many luxury resorts in the Maldives, reaching Siyam World requires a seaplane flight. As always, this was one of the highlights of the journey.

Flying low across turquoise lagoons, tiny islands and coral reefs never gets old. Even after dozens of visits to tropical destinations around the world, the aerial views of the Maldives remain among the most spectacular anywhere on earth. Within a short time we were touching down beside our island paradise.

• Remember Siyam World OFTEN has promotions if you stay for 4/7 nights that the Seaplane transfers are INCLUDED! So good!

How Big Is Siyam World?

The first thing that struck me was the sheer size of the island. Most Maldives resorts are intimate and compact. Siyam World is the opposite. The island stretches for kilometres and feels more like a luxury holiday destination than a traditional Maldives resort. There are bicycles, shuttle services, multiple beaches, dozens of villa clusters and enough facilities to keep guests busy for weeks.

For some travellers this size will be a huge positive. For others seeking total isolation, it may be less appealing (check out the nearby Sun Siyam Iru Fishu if you want that, it’s divine). Personally, travelling with a family, I loved having so much space to explore. And with endless stuff to do, places to eat (and drink). It was ideal.

My Siyam World Itinerary (4 NIGHTS)

DAY 1:

After an early morning AirAsia flight from Bangkok, we landed in Malé around lunchtime and made our way to the Siyam World lounge while waiting for our seaplane transfer. Travelling with a toddler can sometimes be stressful, but the lounge’s kids’ area made the wait surprisingly easy.

Once we arrived at Siyam World and checked in, we spent the afternoon simply soaking it all in. Our overwater villa was stunning, and within minutes we were launching ourselves down the waterslide and straight into the turquoise lagoon below. The villa’s huge outdoor bathroom and spacious deck immediately made it feel like a home away from home.

As we were celebrating a special occasion, a bottle of champagne was waiting for us in the room. Sitting together on the deck while Aidan played nearby felt like the perfect way to start our Maldives escape.

Before dinner, we wandered down to the beach to watch the sunset. Remarkably, the beach was only a short stroll from our villa, giving us the best of both worlds: the iconic overwater experience and easy beach access. We finished the day with our first all-inclusive dinner and drinks (at Shipwrecked/Del Mare) RIGHT on the ocean. Pizzas hit a treat, as did the 2 bottle of red wine and the aperol spritz!

After a long day of travelling with a young child, it was exactly what we needed and a wonderful introduction to Siyam World.

DAY 2:

Despite polishing off a bottle of champagne and a few glasses of red wine the night before, having a one-year-old meant there was no chance of a lie-in. We were up early and walked from our overwater villa along the beach to breakfast, at Tempo Restautant, which quickly became one of our favourite daily rituals at Siyam World.

The breakfast spread is enormous. There seemed to be endless options from every corner of the world, including a dedicated vegetarian section, which was perfect for us. Fresh fruit, pastries, eggs, curries, juices, pancakes, cereals, coffees—you name it, they had it. We spent almost two hours there, drinking coffee, sampling everything in sight and planning our day. Fair warning though: if you’re trying to lose weight, Siyam World is not the place. The dessert and pastry selection alone is dangerous.

After breakfast, we changed into our swimwear and headed down to the beach. The sand was powder-soft, the water was crystal clear, and with our Irish skin, both Aidan and I were covered head to toe in enough sunscreen to survive a nuclear explosion. We spent an hour or so swimming and playing before returning to our villa, where the waterslide, private infinity pool and lagoon kept us entertained for the rest of the morning.

Once Aidan went down for his afternoon nap, we jumped on one of the resort shuttles and headed over to the go-karting track. Go-karting in the Maldives sounds ridiculous until you’re actually doing it, and then you realise it’s one of the coolest things about Siyam World. I’ve stayed at plenty of luxury resorts around the world, but very few offer racing karts between sessions on a tropical island.

From there we visited the Kids Club, which Aidan absolutely loved. The facilities were excellent and there was plenty to keep younger children entertained. We then headed over to Jungali for lunch and a swim. While Jaa relaxed there with Aidan, I made the walk across the island to the gym, where I squeezed in a half marathon on the treadmill as part of my training for the Eye of the Sahara Ultra Marathon.

Conveniently, the gym sits beside the resort’s Friends-themed café and sports bar. Naturally, after burning thousands of calories, I immediately rewarded myself with a cold beer. Not exactly elite athlete behaviour, but that’s what holidays are for.

Afterwards, we headed back to the villa for showers, a bit of downtime and another spectacular sunset, this time at Kaage the Maldivian restaurant.

That evening we enjoyed dinner on the beach, with our feet in the sand, gentle ocean breezes and the sound of the waves in the background. It was one of those classic Maldives moments that reminds you exactly why people dream of coming here.

DAY 3:

Day three started even earlier than usual because we wanted to visit one of Siyam World’s most unexpected attractions: its farm. Yes, a farm in the Maldives. I couldn’t quite believe it either. By 6:30am we were wandering around with Aidan, checking out ostriches, ducks, peacocks and the various other animals that call the island home. It was a brilliant way to start the day and something completely different from the typical Maldives resort experience.

After our farm adventure, we headed back to Tempo for breakfast. By now we’d fully settled into the Siyam World routine, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sample the breakfast champagne. Fresh coffee, tropical fruit, a huge buffet spread and a glass of bubbles is not a bad way to begin a day in paradise.

The weather was absolutely perfect, so we spent the rest of the morning making the most of our overwater villa. Between the private pool, the waterslide and the crystal-clear lagoon below, there was little reason to be anywhere else. Eventually, while Jaa and Aidan enjoyed a well-earned nap, I headed out for another training run, this time knocking out a rather less enjoyable 20 kilometres as preparation for the Eye of the Sahara Ultra Marathon.

Later in the afternoon we made our way over to the Together Pool, Siyam World’s lively main pool area. We grabbed a casual lunch, enjoyed a couple of drinks and spent a few hours doing what holidays are all about: swimming, relaxing and eating far more ice cream than strictly necessary. The atmosphere around Together is fantastic and it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular spots on the island.

That evening brought one of the highlights of our entire stay: the sunset dolphin cruise. The weather was flawless, the ocean was calm and watching the sun slowly disappear into the Indian Ocean from the deck of the boat was spectacular. It was also Aidan’s first time on a boat, making the experience even more memorable for us as a family. As always, Jaa had somehow managed to coordinate matching white outfits for the occasion, making us look far more organised than we actually were.

Back on the island, we finished the day with dinner at Wahoo Grill. With excellent food, a couple of Aperol Spritzes, some red wine and a stunning beachfront setting, it was the perfect end to what had been another unforgettable day at Siyam World.

DAY 4:

Day four began with another epic breakfast at Tempo. By this point we’d completely embraced the routine of slow mornings, endless coffee and far too much food. With the weather once again looking perfect, we spent the morning down on the beach enjoying the soft white sand and calm turquoise water before I reluctantly headed off for another training run.

For our final dinner at Siyam World, we booked the Indian restaurant. I’ve eaten Indian food all over the world, including countless meals in the UK, and this was genuinely among the best I’ve ever had. The curries were exceptional, the service was fantastic and the Pinot Noir seemed to flow endlessly. It was the perfect farewell dinner.

Conveniently, the restaurant sits on the same boardwalk as many of the overwater villas, so after dinner it was just a short stroll back to our room for one final night over the lagoon.

DAY 5:

The next morning, after yet another early breakfast and Aidan’s morning nap, we squeezed in one final activity: the island’s giant inflatable water park, the largest of its kind in the Maldives. It’s another example of how Siyam World constantly finds ways to surprise guests with experiences you simply don’t expect to find at a Maldives resort.

Then it was time to say goodbye. We made our way to the Good Vibrations departure point, where guests transferring between the Sun Siyam resorts can wait in comfort. Jaa took full advantage of the complimentary Piña Coladas before we boarded the boat for the short five-minute journey to Sun Siyam Iru Fushi.

Just like that, our four nights at Siyam World were over. Somehow it felt like we’d only just arrived.

Accommodation At Siyam World

Our Overwater Villa With A Waterslide

We stayed in one of the famous overwater villas with a private waterslide. I’ll admit it: I initially thought the waterslide was a gimmick. I was wrong! Either that or am I big kid. But each morning started with the slide! Right into the crystal clear water below, gorgeous.

Whether it was Aidan watching us splash into the lagoon or Jaa and I racing each other into the water, it added a surprisingly fun element to our stay. The villa itself was spacious, modern and beautifully designed, with direct ocean access, a large outdoor deck and uninterrupted views across the lagoon.

Beach Villas Vs Overwater Villas

One question many visitors face is whether to choose a beach villa or an overwater villa. Beach villas offer more privacy, direct beach access and are often more practical for families with young children. And, of course, they’re cheaper!

Overwater villas provide that iconic Maldives experience and unbeatable ocean views. Having experienced both styles throughout the Maldives, I still lean slightly towards overwater villas for shorter stays. But longer stays, the extra space (and saved money!) in the beach villas is a great option.

The Different Room Categories At Siyam World

Siyam World offers one of the largest accommodation selections in the Maldives. From entry-level beach villas to huge multi-bedroom residences with private pools, there is something for almost every budget. The variety means the resort can cater equally well to couples, families and larger groups.

Which Villa Type Is Best?

If budget allows, I’d strongly recommend one of the overwater villas with a slide. They perfectly capture what makes Siyam World unique. Or, if youre staying for a week or longer, you can mix and match. I met a couple at the restaurant doing just that. Smart choice.

The WOW All Inclusive Experience

One of Siyam World’s biggest selling points is its WOW All-Inclusive package. Unlike many Maldives resorts where costs can quickly spiral out of control, Siyam World includes an impressive amount within the package price.

What Is Included In The WOW Package?

The package covers accommodation, meals, drinks, activities, entertainment and access to many resort facilities. This significantly reduces the need to constantly sign bills throughout your holiday. It’s amazing.

Is The WOW Package Worth It?

oh my god yes, yes yes. For most visitors, absolutely. The Maldives is expensive. Food, alcohol and activities can add up very quickly. At Siyam World, having so much already included removes much of that financial anxiety and allows you to relax properly.

With the bills each night, even if you’re all-inclusive, you have to sign the bill anyway. And you regularly see it being $200+ per meal. Even lunches. Admittedly, because it’s ‘free’ you order a lot and try a lot, but still. If you can afford the WOW package, 100% do it.

Cocktails, Wine And Sunset Drinks

UNREAL. The drinks offering exceeded my expectations. There was a strong cocktail selection, quality wines and plenty of places around the island to enjoy sunset drinks. Watching the sun disappear beneath the Indian Ocean while sipping a cocktail never gets old. Great wines in all the restaurants too!

Restaurants We Loved Most

Things To Do At Siyam World

Go-Karting In The Maldives

How many resorts in the Maldives have their own go-kart track? Exactly. This is one of the features that genuinely separates Siyam World from competitors.

The Together Pool

The Together Pool serves as one of the social hubs of the island. It’s lively, fun and ideal for guests who enjoy a more energetic atmosphere.

Sunset Cruises

Our favourite excursion by far. Watching dolphins leap through the ocean as the sun set across the horizon was one of those classic Maldives moments that reminds you why people travel halfway around the world to visit. Just make sure to grab a beer or 2 from the bar at the dock before you hop on!

Snorkelling And Watersports

The Maldives never disappoints underwater. Snorkelling around the island revealed colourful fish, healthy coral and plenty of marine life.

The Floating Water Park

This was another huge hit. Families, teenagers and adults all seemed to be having an equally good time.

Gym, Spa And Wellness

The fitness facilities were excellent and the spa provided the perfect antidote to long flights and busy schedules. They have tennis courts, football pitches. It’s honestly insane what they have here. And the gym is perfect.

• Ride horses on the Maldives’ only resort horse ranch
• Visit the island farm and mini zoo (ostriches, peacocks, ducks and more)
• Explore the Maldives’ largest floating water park
• Snorkelling on the house reef
• Scuba diving with the SSI dive centre
• Sunset dolphin cruises
• Jet skiing
• Paddleboarding
• Kayaking
• Windsurfing
• Catamaran sailing
• Deep-sea fishing
• Parasailing
• Jet Car rides across the lagoon
• Hydrofoil e-bike riding on the ocean
• Water skiing
• Wakeboarding
• Fun tube rides
• Sunset horse riding on the beach
• Tennis
• Padel tennis
• Badminton
• Beach volleyball
• Football on the full-size pitch
• Mini golf
• Gym workouts
• Spa treatments
• Yoga classes
• Sunset meditation sessions
• Kids Club activities
• Kidz Carnival events
• Pool parties
• Dolphin spotting excursions
• Island-hopping excursions
• Sandbank trips
• Moke electric car rental around the island
• Swimming in the Together Pool
• Adults-only pool experiences at Mint
• Waterslide rides from overwater villas
• Marine life safaris and guided snorkelling trips
• Live entertainment and themed evenings

Siyam World For Families:

Kids Club And Family Activities

Travelling with an infant means family facilities matter. Siyam World performs very well here. The island offers a wide range of family-friendly activities and enough variety to keep children entertained throughout a longer stay.

Is Siyam World Good For Families?

Yes. In fact, it’s THE BEST family resort in the Maldives. The combination of accommodation options, activities and all-inclusive convenience makes family travel surprisingly easy. If you’re coming with kids, Siyam World is the choice. It’s as simple as that to be honest.

Is Siyam World Good For Couples?

My best mate actually came here for his honeymoon. And they’re both huge foodies, and RAVED about the place. So yes, it’s great for couples too. Really social. Also lots of adults-only pools and bars so you can escape the families if you want to!

So although the resort is family-friendly, there are still plenty of romantic experiences available. Private dinners, sunset cruises, beautiful beaches and luxurious villas ensure couples won’t feel overlooked.

As a couple, I’d pair this with Iru Fushi (like we did) so you can have all the epic services in Siyam World, and then the intimate Maldives experience at Iru Fushu (if you can be bothered to pack up and move resorts, even if it’s just 5 minuts away).

What Makes Siyam World Different From Other Maldives Resorts?

Three things stand out. First, its size. IT’S HUGE by Maldives standards. The biggest in the country. Second, the incredible range of activities. Third, the value offered through the all-inclusive package – it was my first experience for a luxury package like this, AND I LOVED IT! I’d say that most (All?) Maldives resorts focus on tranquillity; whereas, Siyam World focuses on delivering an experience.

The Downsides Of Siyam World

A Siyam world Review should also include negatives I guess. That’s tough to be honest. We loved it from the first second to the last. I guess, pushed to choose something, then the biggest downside is that the resort can feel busy compared to smaller luxury islands. Although, that’s barely mentionable because the flow of the island keeps it quite secluded, despite all the stuff to do. I guess, suests seeking complete seclusion may prefer a more intimate property. The size of the island can also mean additional travel time between facilities. Neither issue was significant for us, but they’re worth considering.

You can see the photo here, they have cute little bus stops (every 5-10mins) to get around the island. Or you can walk of course. I think a circuit is about a mile?

How Much Does Siyam World Cost?

The million dollar question eh?! Of course, pricing varies significantly depending on season and villa category. And While certainly not cheap, Siyam World often represents surprisingly good value compared to many luxury Maldives resorts when the all-inclusive benefits are taken into account.

Expect to pay around $800 USD per night for water bungalow villas in low season, and around $1200 in high season. That’s with the all inclusive package, with December–April being the most expensive period.

• While those prices aren’t cheap, the extensive WOW All-Inclusive package means you’ll spend far less on food, drinks and activities than at many competing Maldives resorts.

Final Thoughts On Siyam World Maldives

My Siyam world Review is done and dusted, I hope it helped. We went in November and it was perfect. After four nights on the island, I completely understood why Siyam World has become one of the most popular resorts in the Maldives. It successfully combines luxury, entertainment, family-friendly facilities and excellent value into one package.

Who Is Siyam World Best For?

• Families will love it.
• Groups of friends will love it.
• Couples wanting a more active Maldives experience will love it.
• Travellers seeking complete isolation may prefer a smaller resort.

Would I Return To Siyam World?

Without hesitation.

I’m on their mailing list waiting for a good promotion! For our family, Siyam World delivered exactly what we were looking for: beautiful villas, excellent food, plenty of activities and a genuinely fun atmosphere. And in a destination famous for luxury resorts, that’s what makes Siyam World stand out.