Anantara Kihavah
Review 2026
The verdict
Anantara Kihavah is the most experientially diverse resort in the Maldives. The Golden Wall house reef — accessible without a boat from the beach — is one of the finest in the country. SEA, the underwater restaurant, is a bucket-list dining experience. SKY, the overwater observatory with a resident astronomer, is available at only two resorts in the Maldives. FIRE and SPICE complete a dining programme of genuine theatrical quality. For guests who want the full luxury Maldives experience — great reef, great dining, great design — without the remoteness of Noonu Atoll, Kihavah delivers everything.
Getting there
Baa Atoll — 35-minute seaplane from Male. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Hanifaru Bay manta aggregations accessible June-November.
The Golden Wall
The Golden Wall is the defining feature of the Kihavah house reef and one of the most extraordinary snorkelling sites accessible from any luxury resort in the Maldives. A coral wall that begins at 3 metres depth and descends to 25 metres — dominated by soft coral formations in gold and yellow unlike any other reef system in the country. Accessible from the beach on the island's northern side near the overwater spa, without a boat. Reef sharks patrol the wall. Eagle rays cruise the sandy channels. Turtles are encountered year-round. Night dives reveal fluorescent corals invisible during daylight.
SEA — the underwater restaurant
SEA is an underwater restaurant and wine cellar set below the lagoon surface, with panoramic glass walls revealing the house reef on all sides. Diners sit within the reef ecosystem — fish, coral, and occasionally reef sharks visible through the glass — eating from a menu of genuine quality. The experience consistently appears on lists of the world's most extraordinary dining venues. Advance booking essential — SEA fills weeks ahead during peak season.
SKY — the overwater observatory
SKY is the overwater observatory — one of only two dedicated resort observatories in the Maldives. The resident astronomer leads evening sessions identifying planets, constellations, and deep-sky objects through a powerful telescope. Designed for all levels from complete beginners to amateur astronomers. Advance booking recommended as sessions are limited per evening.
The villas
80 villas across beach and overwater categories. Every villa features a glass-floor bathtub positioned above the lagoon or reef — guests observe the reef ecosystem from their bath. Overwater Pool Villas have direct lagoon access and are positioned within swimming distance of the outer reef edge. All villas recently refurbished to the highest standard.
Hanifaru Bay
Kihavah's position in Baa Atoll places it 30 minutes by boat from Hanifaru Bay — the world's most significant manta ray feeding aggregation. During June to November hundreds of mantas congregate at Hanifaru to feed on plankton blooms. The resort's marine biologist coordinates excursions and advises on timing for the best encounters.
How to book
Speak with our Niche Getaways specialists for current pricing, villa availability, and the best room category for your group. We respond within 24 hours.