Anantara Kihavah Maldives
Review 2026
The verdict
Anantara Kihavah is the most experientially diverse resort in Baa Atoll. No other property in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve offers an underwater restaurant, an overwater observatory, and a wine cellar submerged below the lagoon — all in the same resort. The house reef is excellent, Hanifaru Bay is 20 minutes away, and the dining programme is the most ambitious in the atoll. For guests who want variety, unique experiences, and the full range of Baa Atoll marine life, Kihavah is an outstanding choice. For guests who prioritise maximum intimacy and the finest accessible house reef, Milaidhoo edges ahead.
Getting there
Baa Atoll — 35-minute seaplane from Velana International Airport. Daylight arrivals only. A domestic flight alternative via Dharavandhoo Airport is available for guests arriving on late evening flights — approximately 30 minutes by domestic flight followed by a short speedboat transfer.
The unique experiences
Anantara Kihavah is the only resort in Baa Atoll with three distinct underwater and overwater experiences. SEA is the underwater restaurant — a glass-enclosed dining room 5 metres below the lagoon surface, serving seafood cuisine with reef fish visible through panoramic windows. SKY is the overwater observatory for stargazing with a resident astronomer. WINE is the underwater wine cellar, where a sommelier-curated collection of over 5,000 bottles is stored below the lagoon and available for tasting experiences. Together, these three experiences create a resort offering that is genuinely unique in the Maldives — and in the world.
The house reef
The Anantara Kihavah house reef is excellent — a healthy, accessible reef with good coral coverage and regular encounters with turtles, reef sharks, and abundant fish life. It is not the equal of Milaidhoo's reef, which benefits from the no-motorised-sports policy that keeps the ecosystem completely undisturbed — but it is among the better house reefs in Baa Atoll and significantly better than most resorts in the central atolls. Hanifaru Bay, where hundreds of manta rays congregate during season, is accessible by boat in approximately 20 minutes.
The villas
80 over-water and beach pool villas across six categories. All villas have private pools — a standard rather than an upgrade at Kihavah. The Over Water Pool Villas are the signature category — generous in size with glass floor panels revealing the reef below, direct lagoon access, and sunset or sunrise positioning. The Beach Pool Villas are positioned within the island's vegetation with pool privacy and beach access. The Anantara Suite is the pinnacle — a three-bedroom residence with its own stretch of beach, large pool, and dedicated butler team.
The dining
Four distinct restaurants make the Kihavah dining programme the most varied in Baa Atoll. Plates is the all-day main restaurant with international cuisine. SEA is the underwater fine dining experience. Spice is the Asian restaurant with Thai and Indian influences. FIRE is the grill experience for evening barbecue dining. The diversity and ambition of the Kihavah dining programme is unmatched in the atoll — and the SEA restaurant experience, in particular, is one of the most extraordinary in the Maldives.
Who is Anantara Kihavah for?
Guests who want the full range of Baa Atoll experiences — house reef, Hanifaru Bay mantas, world-class dining, and genuinely unique underwater experiences — in a single resort. Couples celebrating significant occasions who want a resort that delivers memorable moments across every dimension. Divers who want excellent diving alongside exceptional dining. Guests who want more variety than the more intimate boutique resorts in the atoll can offer. Those who prioritise the finest house reef above all else should consider Milaidhoo first.
Frequently asked questions
Transfer details vary by atoll. Speak with our Niche Getaways specialists who will confirm your seaplane or speedboat transfer timing based on your international flight arrival.
Many of our featured resorts are outstanding for honeymoons. Our Niche Getaways specialists can match you to the perfect property based on your priorities — overwater villas, marine life, dining, or seclusion.
Inclusions vary by resort and meal plan. Some resorts offer all-inclusive packages covering meals, beverages, and activities. Our Niche Getaways specialists will confirm exactly what is included before you book.
Contact our Niche Getaways specialists by email at hello@nichegetaways.com or WhatsApp on +960 760 5656. We provide a complete all-in package price including accommodation, transfers, and meals with no hidden costs.
How to book
Speak with our Niche Getaways specialists for current pricing, villa availability, and to secure the SEA restaurant experience during your stay. We respond within 24 hours.