Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
A private island where the house reef meets the Milky Way
An island resort on Kihavah Huravalhi
Anantara Kihavah sits on its own island in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, about 133 km from Malé and a 35-minute seaplane flight away. The island is ringed by a house reef and sits close to Hanifaru Bay, where manta rays gather in numbers unmatched anywhere else on the planet. The resort runs 80 beach and overwater pool villas and residences, six restaurants including the Maldives' only underwater caviar restaurant, an overwater spa, and a dive centre. Rates start from USD 2,164 per night, and the google rating sits at 4.9/5 across 659 reviews.
Is this stay right for you?
A full-service private island resort with serious marine access, a standout food and drink programme, and staff that guests single out above almost everything else.
Best for
- Couples and honeymooners
- Families with children aged 4 and up
- Divers and snorkellers
- Guests who prioritise dining and experiences over budget
Less suited to
- Travellers watching costs closely
- Those who prefer a low-key, simple stay
A house reef and Hanifaru Bay
The island sits within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a short boat ride from Hanifaru Bay. Between May and November, manta rays gather there in some of the largest aggregations recorded. The house reef also draws turtles, dolphins, and whale sharks.
Overwater and beach pool villas
All 80 villas and residences include a private pool. Beach options sit on sandy shores; overwater villas are positioned above the lagoon with either sunrise or sunset aspects. Residences run from 786 to 2,994 sqm across two to four bedrooms with separate living and dining areas.
SEA: the underwater restaurant
SEA is the only underwater caviar restaurant in the Maldives. Diners look out through glass walls at reef fish and turtles during the day; by evening, lionfish, reef sharks, and moray eels patrol past. The restaurant holds an award-winning wine cellar, and advance reservations are advised. The property's own FIRE, SPICE and SKY are on site.
SKY observatory above the lagoon
Built over the water, SKY doubles as a bar and the Maldives' only overwater observatory. Guests can use the Indian Ocean's most powerful telescope on-site, making it a genuine draw for clear-sky nights.
The overwater spa
Treatment rooms sit above the water with marine life visible through the floor beneath the beds. It is a detail that separates this spa from most overwater equivalents in the Maldives.
Dining across six restaurants
Beyond SEA, the resort runs FIRE, SPICE, SKY, Manzaru, and Plates. Free breakfast is included, and the breadth of options means most guests eat on the island throughout their stay without repetition.
Rooms & suites
Over-Water Villa with Private Pool
267 m² · sleeps 3 · 1 king bed and 1 sofa bed
- Entire villa
- Private pool
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Pool view
One Bedroom Family Over Water Pool Villa
267 m² · sleeps 4 · 2 twin beds and 1 king bed
- Entire villa
- Private pool
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Pool view
Sunset Over Water Pool Villa
267 m² · sleeps 3 · 1 king bed and 1 sofa bed
- Entire villa
- Private pool
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Pool view
Experiences on & off the island
Inside Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
Amenities at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
Most popular facilities
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Airport shuttle
- Spa and wellness center
- Fitness center
- 6 restaurants
- Room service
- Beachfront
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
Great for your stay
- 6 restaurants
- Private bathroom
- Balcony
- Air conditioning
- Spa and wellness center
- View
- Bath
- Terrace
Bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Bidet
- Bath or shower
- Slippers
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
Bedroom
- Linens
- Wardrobe or closet
- Alarm clock
View
- Pool view
- View
Outdoors
- Picnic area
- Outdoor furniture
- Beachfront
- Outdoor dining area
- Sun deck
- Private pool
- BBQ facilities Additional charge
- Patio
Arriving
Anantara Kihavah is 133 km from Malé International Airport. The transfer is by seaplane and takes around 35 minutes, arriving directly at the resort's own jetty. An airport shuttle can be arranged at an extra charge. Confirm seaplane scheduling with the resort when booking, as flight times depend on daylight.
Seaplane transfers typically run $250–600 per person round trip, booked through the property. A few islands in this band are also served by a domestic flight to a nearby regional airport plus a short boat — ask the property which routing is faster for your dates.
Service draws the most consistent praise: 196 of 203 review mentions are positive, the highest count of any theme. The property itself scores 111 positive out of 115. Dining follows closely at 98 of 100, and nature-related comments — the reef, marine life, surroundings — run 87 positive from 91. Family and couples experiences both track strongly as well.
- Things to do4.3
- Restaurants3
- Airport access1.7
Share of positive mentions per theme, from Google reviews.
Reviews scoring 9–10: 30 · average 9.9
They wrote about: staff, room, breakfast
No reviews in the selected score range.
Guest reviews summarised from Booking site partners.
Worth knowing
Policies & house rules
- 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.
- Groups
When booking more than 7 rooms, different policies and additional fees may apply.
- Accepted payment methods
Cash
As published by the booking provider · always reconfirm with the property
Frequently asked
How do I get to Anantara Kihavah from the airport?
The transfer is by seaplane from Malé International Airport. The flight takes approximately 35 minutes. The resort is 133 km from Malé. An airport shuttle is available at an extra charge — confirm timing and booking directly with the resort.
What types of villas are available?
The resort has 80 beach and overwater pool villas and residences. All include a private pool. Overwater options come in standard, family, and sunset configurations. Residences range from two to four bedrooms and from 786 to 2,994 sqm.
Is breakfast included in the room rate?
Yes. Free breakfast is included, served as a breakfast buffet. The resort also has six restaurants for lunch and dinner, so there is a full dining programme on the island beyond the included meal.
What are the six restaurants on the island?
The six are SEA (the Maldives' only underwater caviar restaurant), FIRE, SPICE, SKY (the overwater observatory bar), Manzaru, and Plates. SEA requires advance reservations and holds an award-winning wine cellar.
Can I snorkel or dive directly from the island?
Yes. The island has a house reef where turtles, dolphins, and whale sharks have been sighted. The resort has an on-site dive centre running trips to multiple named dive sites. Snorkelling equipment is included complimentary.
When is the best time to see manta rays at Hanifaru Bay?
The manta season at Hanifaru Bay runs from May to November. The bay is a short boat trip from the island. Outside that window, the house reef and other dive sites remain active year-round.
Is the resort suitable for families with children?
Yes. The Thiththi Boli Kids' Club runs daily from 10am to 6pm for ages 4 to 12. Child-friendly bicycles and baby seats are available on request, and the One Bedroom Family Over Water Pool Villa is configured specifically for families of four.
What activities are complimentary?
Kayaks, snorkelling equipment, and personal bicycles are included at no extra charge. House reef snorkelling is accessible directly from the island. Some activities such as BBQ facilities carry an additional charge.
What is the spa like?
The spa is built over the water. Treatment rooms have transparent sections in the floor, so marine life is visible during treatments. It is a stand-alone facility within the resort rather than a contracted external service.
Is the SKY observatory open to all guests?
SKY is an overwater venue that functions as both a bar and an observatory. It holds what the resort describes as the most powerful telescope in the Indian Ocean. Guests can stargaze through it as part of the on-island experience.
What is the price range for staying here?
Rates start from USD 2,164 per night for the resort overall. The Over-Water Villa with Private Pool starts at USD 2,589, the Family Over Water Pool Villa from USD 2,602, and the Sunset Over Water Pool Villa from USD 2,782.
How is the Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort, including in all villas and public areas. A public internet workstation and a business centre are also on-site for guests who need them.