Niva Dhigali

Niva Dhigali is a large, beautifully lush and natural island, part of the impressive Universal Resorts portfolio and positioned as an entry-level five-star property. While the resort itself opened in 2017, the island is believed to be more than a thousand years old, and the owners are clearly passionate about preserving its natural beauty and vegetation.


The generous size of the island (approximately 1,000 x 280 metres) allows the 180 villas to be well distributed. Lead-in Beach Bungalows and Deluxe Beach Bungalows are arranged closer together, yet remain freestanding, while the larger Beach Villas offer increased living space for those with a higher budget. Overwater accommodation is also well differentiated: the more affordable Water Villas sit on a long, parallel jetty just a few metres offshore, whereas the Lagoon Villas with Pool are spaced along a striking fern-shaped jetty at the opposite end of the island.

Dhigali is a fine example of a quality all-inclusive resort. Its comprehensive Premium All-Inclusive package begins on arrival and ends on departure, and includes multiple dining options, consistently good food and a wide range of facilities. We particularly enjoyed standout dishes at Battuta — inspired by the travels of Ibn Battuta — nestled within the trees in the heart of the island and featuring flavours from India, Sri Lanka, North Africa and the Middle East. Jade, the Asian fusion speciality restaurant, was another highlight. A further notable plus is the pop-up pizzeria located between Faru restaurant and Haali Bar, where guests can order pizzas to enjoy anywhere on the island — on the beach, by the pool or in their villa — all included in the package.

All outlets, with the exception of Battuta, are positioned at the far western and eastern points of the resort. East Bar sits beside the main restaurant, Capers, and is surrounded by three pools of varying sizes, along with an expansive beach area offering plenty of salas and loungers. This area forms the lively focal point of the resort, with a beach club atmosphere and DJ-led music. East also serves a range of snacks, included in the Premium All-Inclusive package, from mid-afternoon through to early evening.

For sunset, Haali Bar is the place to be. Located on the western tip of the island on a spectacular bulge of beach, it is very much the heart and soul of Dhigali. Sink into bean bags, enjoy attentive beach service and watch the sun slip below the horizon. Haali Bar maintains a relaxed, chilled vibe into the evening, while those seeking something livelier after dinner can return to East Bar for entertainment.

The main arrival and reception area is also home to a gym, games room (with foosball, table tennis and billiards), a boutique, and a charming café serving freshly brewed coffee, pastries, juices, smoothies, ice cream and snacks throughout the day. A 24-hour lounge is available for early arrivals and late departures, with wash and shower rooms conveniently located opposite.

Reflecting the owners’ commitment to preserving the island’s natural interior, facilities such as tennis courts are absent. Aside from the excellent Battuta restaurant and the attractive spa, the only sports facility is a newly opened pickleball court. That said, the resort offers a good programme of fitness activities, and the island itself is large enough for an enjoyable jog or walk — a full circuit takes around 45 minutes. For those preferring not to walk, a buggy shuttle runs approximately every 10 minutes, with clearly marked stops around the island. Digital screens at each stop, as well as the resort app, show buggy locations in real time.

The PLAY kids club welcomes children aged 4–12 on an unsupervised basis, with babysitting available at an additional charge. While PLAY does not have its own pool, it is located directly opposite the main pool and beach area, making it easy for parents to collect children for a swim. Refreshingly, PLAY is a Wi-Fi- and screen-free environment, focusing instead on personal interaction, crafts, games, storytelling and other hands-on activities.

Thanks to its unusual west–east orientation within Raa Atoll, Dhigali acts as a natural fish aggregating device (FAD), attracting pelagic species such as tuna, wahoo, mahi mahi and, on occasion, marlin. Currents can sometimes flow out from the island rather than along it, and the reef is relatively close on both sides — particularly along parts of the northern shoreline beyond the sea walls. If conditions are choppy on one side of the island, the other is usually calm. Snorkelling is excellent from both the beach and all overwater accommodation, with turtles most frequently spotted near the Water Villas.

Dhigali is clearly in the capable hands of an experienced and enthusiastic resort team. In the face of strong competition at this level, it more than holds its own — excelling in particular with its all-inclusive offering — and its place on our Highly Recommended List is thoroughly deserved.