Anantara Kihavah Maldives review by Dreaming of Maldives.
Explore everything you need to know about one of the Maldives’ most luxurious and experience-rich resorts : the stunning Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas. Located in Baa Atoll, this dreamy retreat impressed us with its underwater dining, dreamy house reef, and private villas made for the perfect castaway escape.
The video and most of the photos featured in this review were created during our stay at the resort by Sakis. Since then, Kihavah has added a sky observatory and upgraded some villas together with new photos. These photos are stated as such.
I review Maldives resorts based on real, in-depth stays and personal experiences. I explored Anantara Kihavah Villas thoroughly during our visit, from snorkeling to spa treatments, fine dining to the kids club with our son. This review is a reflection of what we genuinely experienced on the island.
The video and many of the photos featured in this review were created by Sakis during our visit. Since then, the resortt has introduced new experiences and updated some areas.
Resort photos are stated as such.
Anantara Kihavah Review
When I think of Anantara Kihavah, I don’t just picture its perfect beaches or stunning villas, I remember how it felt to live here, even for a short while. Here I’m sharing the island exactly as I experienced it. As an avid snorkeler, Ashtanga yoga practitioner, and mum, I found Kihavah to be that rare kind of resort that truly ticks every box. My mornings often began with yoga on the beach, followed by snorkeling straight from our beach villa. Afternoons were a mix of underwater explorations…again, meanwhile our son was also snorkeling and discovering the island at the kids club.
Evenings brought Italian dinners, a magical underwater fine dining experience at SEA, and Asian flavors at SPICE.
My only regret ? I wish I were there to stargaze at SKY, but sometimes, timing just isn’t on your side.
Even without the telescope, what stays in my mind is the rare beauty of this island — it is exactly what the Maldives should be. Kihavah isn’t just luxurious, it is complete, and that’s what makes it so special to me.
About Kihavah
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is located in Baa Atoll, at a 35 minutes seaplane flight from Male, on a beautiful typical Maldivian Island, round, full of vegetation and surrounded by an amazing house-reefs.
Managed by the renowned Thai brand Anantara Hotels, Kihavah blends elegant Asian design with untouched Maldivian nature.
Besides its glorious vegetation, the resort offers one of the best snorkeling experiences we’ve had in the Maldives — right from the beach and all around the island. From an underwater restaurant to a rooftop observatory, Kihavah is a Dream for travelers looking for ultimate privacy, great snorkeling and exceptional experiences.
Category
5★ Luxury
Villas
79
Atoll
Baa
Island Size
Width – 560m
Length – 270m
Transfer
35 mns
by seaplane
Airport
130 km / 81 mi
Diving
Excellent
Snorkeling
Extraordinary
Lagoon
Good
Rooted in Thai traditions, Kihavah perfectly blends Maldivian island charm with Asian elegance. The result is a refined combination with a natural feel.
The dreamiest asset of all. Anantara Kihavah has one of the most stunning house reef you’ll ever in the Maldives. Rich, and extremely close to the shores, it surrounds the all island. An extraordinary experience for all ages and levels.
Talk about high gastronomy. At Kihavah, dining is exceptional and extremely diverse. And every meal is served in a dreamy setting, on the beach, overwater, or under the sea…
Anantara Kihavah Video © Dreaming of Maldives
All villas are exceptionally spacious and designed for maximum privacy, hidden by lush tropical vegetation or set above the open lagoon. Views are completely unobstructed, with no side-by-side neighbors.
SEA, the underwater restaurant, delivers a surreal fine dining experience with panoramic views of marine life gliding by your table.
Boli Kids Club is thoughtful, fun, and creative. Our son was in love with the snorkeling, theater and games tailored just for them.
Anantara Kihavah Maldives at a Glance
Anantara Kihavah is a 35-minute seaplane flight from Male, located in the heart of my favorite atoll : Baa. This atoll is a haven for manta rays, perfect island formations, and rich marine biodiversity. Over the years and after many Maldives resort visits, Anantara Kihavah remains one of my personal favorites, mainly for its snorkeling and dining experiences.
Slider Photos © Dreaming of Maldives
Anantara Kihavah is the perfect Maldives island dream : round in shape, lush with tropical vegetation, and surrounded by an extraordinary house reef.
The luxury resort blends barefoot Maldivian beauty with refined Asian hospitality.
From extraordinary dining, above or under the sea, to sky observation, from an excellent kids club to world-class snorkeling and beautiful private villas, Kihavah has it all.
Here you will find one of the finest selections of gourmet restaurants in the Maldives. The resort’s SEA.FIRE.SPICE.SKY dining complex takes you from the depths of the ocean to the stars in a single day.
The Anantara Spa, perched above the lagoon, offers wellness journeys combining ancient techniques with modern therapies.
The villas, among the largest in the Maldives, are designed for absolute privacy and unobstructed views.
With a thriving house reef, seasonal manta encounters in nearby Hanifaru Bay, and a wealth of curated activities for couples, families, and adventurers, Kihavah is a place where every moment feels extraordinary.
Anantara Kihavah is a perfect island where nature, privacy, and world-class experiences come together in one complete Maldivian dream.
Anantara Kihavah boasts 80 spacious villas and residences, each with a private pool and generous indoor–outdoor living space. Set either along the beach or poised over the lagoon, they offer the perfect balance of Maldivian charm, Thai soul and modern luxury. Several multi-bedroom residences are ideal for families or groups, while every villa comes with the attentive service of a personal Villa Host to cater to your needs throughout your stay.
Photo © Anantara Kihavah
The resort unique gastronomic experiences is an extraordinary highlight with a stunning Over and Under Water Dining Complex. The overwater pavilion, consists of 4 separated Signature restaurants. Each outlet is as unique as its perspective. Situated on the edge of the house reef, this highly visible group of buildings resembles a small village from afar. Since our visit, Kihavah has added a sky observatory to the restaurant complex.
Photo © Anantara Kihavah
Superbly perched overwater, the Spa, managed by the excellent Anantara Spa provides the ultimate spa experience offered by highly trained therapists. At the menu : medical Spa programs, Thai massages, balance wellness journeys, Yoga, Pranayama, Ayurvedic retreats…
Photo © Dreaming of Maldives
Anantara Kihavah is blessed with an incredible house reef, teeming with marine life and accessible directly from the shore. It’s a top-class snorkeling destination where turtles, reef sharks, rays, and schools of tropical fish are a daily sight. Diving here is another dream. The resort offers quick access to some of the Maldives’ most spectacular dive sites, including the famed Golden Wall and seasonal manta ray encounters in Hanifaru Bay.
Photo © Anantara Kihavah
Anantara Kihavah is a dreamy escape for families, with spacious family villas and the Thiththi Boli Kids Club welcoming children aged 3 to 12. Little ones can enjoy a wide range of fun, educational activities while you can relax. Located in the center of the island with plenty of activities and a big playground, kids enjoy a rich weekly schedule that includes : art & crafts, theater acting, snorkeling, camp nights, video games, stargazing, cooking classes and so much more !
Photo © Dreaming of Maldives
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Welcome to your villa.
© Dreaming of Maldives
Anantara Kihavah features 80 pool villas and residences, among the largest in the Maldives, each with generous living spaces, private pools, and direct access to the beach or lagoon. Options range from one-bedroom Beach Pool Villas and Over Water Pool Villas to multi-bedroom Beach Pool Residences and Over Water Residences, perfect for families or groups. Every villa comes with a dedicated Villa Host to anticipate and fulfill your needs.
The Beach Pool Villas are surrounded by lush tropical gardens, just steps from the sand, with spacious outdoor bathrooms and shaded dining areas. Over Water Pool Villas open directly onto the turquoise lagoon, with glass-bottom bathtubs, netted hammocks, and panoramic ocean views. Sunset-facing options in both categories offer unforgettable evening skies.
These overwater retreats are so exceptional that they’re featured in my Best Maldives Water Villas We’ve Seen series — read my full, updated review of the Over Water Pool Villa at Anantara Kihavah for a closer look.
The Beach Pool Villas were freshly renovated in July 2025, showcasing serene neutral tones, natural textures, and expanded outdoor living spaces next to the vibrant house reef.
No trees were removed during Anantara Kihavah’s development. Instead, villas are built around the island’s natural vegetation, preserving its beauty.
Beach Pool Villa
Nestled amid lush tropical gardens and opening onto pristine sands, these spacious 258 m² retreats offer the best of indoor–outdoor luxury. Features include private infinity pools, sunken tubs for two, both indoor and outdoor rain showers, and vaulted wooden ceilings.
Sunset Beach Pool Villa
Offers the same intimate design as Beach Pool Villas but with a (bonus!) vantage point for Maldivian sunsets. Expect warm evening glow over pool and sea views.
Over Water Pool Villa
These 267 sqm sanctuaries hover above a turquoise lagoon, combining soaring vaulted ceilings, hardwood interiors, and private pools. Highlights include hammocks over the water, sundeck lounging, and direct lagoon access.
Sunset Over Water Pool Villa
Everything you love about the Over Water Pool Villa, but facing west for nightly sky shows. Glass-bottom bathtubs, ocean breezes, and sunset-lit decks make evenings unforgettable..
One-Bedroom Family Beach Pool Villa
Nestled in the island’s greenery, these villas blend family convenience with elegance. Parents enjoy peaceful privacy in queen suites, while little ones have a separate sleeping nook, and all of it just steps from the sand.
One-Bedroom Family Over Water Pool Villa
An overwater hideaway equally perfect for families, with its separate kids’ sleeping quarters, a sunken glass-bottom tub, and private pool over the lagoon. Intimate, luxurious, and family-friendly.
Two-Bedroom Family Beach Pool Villa
A rare gem for families and groups alike. It links two villas via a shared 12-meter pool and sun terrace, with master king and twin bedrooms, shaded dining sala, outdoor BBQ area, and open-air bathtubs.
Kihavah’s Dreamy bathrooms
One of my favorite features of the Beach Pool Villas is the open-air bathroom : a private garden sanctuary in itself. Surrounded by high walls and lush tropical plants, it features a deep soaking tub, indoor and outdoor rain showers, and plenty of space to lounge. Sunlight filters through palm fronds during the day, while at night, the space feels like a hidden spa under the stars. It’s a place where even something as simple as a shower becomes an island experience.
Also featured in The Most Extraordinary Hotel Bathrooms We’ve Seen in Maldives
Anantara Kihavah Kids Club
Besides its family villas, Anantara Kihavah is a dream for families, and the Thiththi Boli Kids Club is one of the best we’ve seen in the Maldives.
Open to children aged 3 to 12, it offers a daily program of fun, educational, and creative activities — from marine biology lessons and treasure hunts to Maldivian arts and crafts.
My son still talks about the little theater they made together, the snorkeling trip to a neighboring island, and the treasure hunt that kept him running across the sand with new friends. On rainy days, the PlayStation corner was a welcome treat. There’s also a shaded outdoor playground, a splash pool, and a warm, multilingual team that made him feel at home. Knowing he was having the time of his life gave us the freedom to enjoy our own moments on the island.
The resort’s SEA.FIRE.SPICE.SKY dining complex offers a journey from the depths of the ocean to the stars. SEA is an underwater restaurant and wine cellar with panoramic reef views; FIRE serves teppanyaki with a Japanese-Peruvian twist; SPICE celebrates Asian flavors; and SKY is a rooftop bar and observatory.
Other highlights include Plates for beachfront breakfasts, Manzaru for Mediterranean poolside dining, and Dine by Design experiences on secluded sandbanks or in-villa.
SEA – Dining Beneath the Ocean
SEA is Anantara Kihavah’s underwater restaurant and wine cellar, where panoramic glass walls reveal a living reef as you dine. The menu is refined and creative, pairing fresh seafood and premium meats with rare wines from an extensive cellar. It’s a surreal experience — you could be savoring lobster while a turtle drifts past your table.
FIRE – Teppanyaki with a Twist
At FIRE, dinner becomes theatre. Chefs prepare Japanese teppanyaki before your eyes, blending traditional techniques with unexpected flavors, including Peruvian accents. The sizzle, the aromas, and the artistry make each meal as much a performance as a feast.
SPICE – A Journey Across Asia
SPICE is my favorite for its fine and rich flavors of Asia. The menu spans Thai curries, Indian spices, and Chinese stir-fries. The open-air setting over the water adds a gentle breeze and the sound of the waves, making it a perfect spot for a long, lingering dinner.
SKY Bar – Stargazing with a Cocktail
SKY is more than a rooftop bar, it’s an experience. Sip crafted cocktails while the resident astronomer guides you through constellations using one of the Maldives’ most powerful telescopes. On clear nights, you can spot Saturn’s rings or the moons of Jupiter between sips.
Plates – Beachfront All-Day Dining
Plates is Anantara Kihavah’s main restaurant. Where mornings begin, with breakfast served right by the beach. Fresh tropical fruits, flaky pastries, and made-to-order eggs are joined by Maldivian specialties for a taste of the islands. By night, it transforms into a relaxed venue for themed dinners.
Manzaru – Mediterranean by the Pool
Manzaru is another favorite’s of mine. The resort’s Italian and Mediterranean hub, set beside the infinity pool, serves fresh pasta, wood-fired pizza, and grilled seafood in a breezy, open-air space. The perfect place for a long lunch with a view.
Other Dining options
At Kihavah, dining goes far beyond a beautiful plate of food. The resort curates personalised culinary journeys, whether it’s a private dinner on a secluded sandbank, a table for two under the stars, or a bespoke menu served in the privacy of your villa. Michelin-starred guest chefs regularly bring their artistry to the island, elevating each bite into a story.
For those who love to cook, intimate classes with the resort’s own chefs offer a chance to learn Maldivian recipes and global flavors in a hands-on, joyful way.
We met Kihavah’s Chef. Time to cook !
Recipe : The Maldivian Tuna Curry Marinade by Anantara Kihavah Chef .
Time To Cook !
Umberto Piccolini, at the time – Chef at Ananatara Kihavah during our stay, putting the final touch to a delicious meal.
The overwater Anantara Spa is one of those places you never forget. I only tried the Thai massage during my stay, and it was pure bliss. Set above the lagoon, the spa blends Eastern and Western wellness traditions in a setting that already feels like therapy in itself. The menu is wonderfully varied, from soothing Ayurvedic rituals to facials using marine ingredients and body scrubs inspired by local botanicals.
Beyond treatments, the spa offers sunrise yoga, meditation sessions, and multi-day wellness programs if you want a more holistic stay. For me, it was the combination of the setting, the utra-skilled therapists, and the little touches — like in all Anantara resorts I’ve stayed at — that made the experience so special.
At Kihavah, you can enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, tennis, beach volleyball, Muay Thai boxing, and yoga.
One of the main highlight is snorkeling the house reef just meters from shore,. You’ll see turtles, reef sharks, octopuses, rays, countless fish,….
Then head to SKY for cocktails and stargazing with one of the Maldives’ most powerful telescopes. Indulge in a Thai massage or a wellness ritual at the overwater Anantara Spa.
And if you’re here between May and November, don’t miss a trip to Hanifaru Bay, where manta rays gather in spectacular numbers.
I’ve shared my complete list in a dedicated post — 10 Top Activities To Do at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas.
SKY is a rooftop bar and Maldives’ first overwater observatory, home to the most powerful telescope in the region. Here, guests can sip cocktails under the open sky while an astronomer guides them through constellations, planets, and deep-sky wonders.
Kihavah’s house reef, the famous Golden Wall, one of Baa Atoll’s best snorkeling and dive spot. is just meters from shore and rich with marine life. So, expect magical explorations !
Anantara Kihavah’s Elements Dive Center is a PADI 5-Star facility offering everything from beginner courses to advanced certifications. The team is passionate and highly knowledgeable about the surrounding waters of Baa Atoll, including renowned dive sites like the Golden Wall, Dharavandhoo Thila, and the famous Hanifaru Bay (seasonal for mantas and whale sharks).
Anantara Kihavah Dive Center makes it easy to explore not just the resort near-by reefs, but also Baa Atoll’s other famous sites, including Hanifaru Bay during manta season. The resort’s location also offer a great opportunity to dive on the Yellow Wall, one of the Maldives most wanted diving spot.
The House reef at Anantara Kihavah
Anantara Kihavah’s reef completely surrounds the island. It is healthy, varied, and easy to access from both the beach and overwater villas, making it perfect for beginners and seasoned snorkelers alike. What I love most is that it’s always there, ready for a quick morning swim or a long afternoon drift. And if you visit between May and November, the resort can take you to Hanifaru Bay for a chance to snorkel with dozens of manta rays in a single day.
Anantara Kihavah has a sublime house reef that completely surrounds the island.
Snorkeling at Kihavah
Snorkeling at Anantara Kihavah is one of my top three best experinces in the Maldives, plus and few luxury resorts can offer something so close, so rich, and so easy to access.
Just a few minutes swim from the beach or your overwater villa, you’ll find yourself among turtles, reef sharks, eagle rays, moray eels, and swirling schools of colorful fish. You can snorkel everywhere around the island, slipping into the water from the beach or your villa to find turtles, reef sharks, eagle rays, and vibrant corals.
I’ve shared all the details in my dedicated post here: Snorkeling Review at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas.
I snorkeled here every day, sometimes twice, and each time was different. My son stepped in the lagoon with a mask, and a few seconds later, surprise… : an octopus !
where to snorkel around Anantara Kihavah ?
At Kihavah, you can snorkel everywhere around the island, and that’s the magic ! The near-by reef wraps entirely around it, so you can simply pick a spot, slip into the water, and find life waiting. For experienced snorkelers, several channels lead beyond the reef drop-off into deeper water, where stronger currents bring the chance to encounter bigger pelagic species.
Anantara Kihavah – Snorkeling Map around the island
Take a look at Kihavah’s snorkeling map below for a better understanding of the island’s surrounding reef and the best areas to explore.
click to enlarge
This map of Anantara Kihavah shows the villas, the restaurants, spa, main snorkeling areas, activities, the coral garden, where to see dolphins and turtles, the kids club, etc…
Here is a curated gallery of images from our stay at Anantara Kihavah : from aerial views, and jet ski, to the spa, sunset dining, SEA underwater resurant and wine cellar, massage in our villa… every photo was taken on location during our visit.
all photos © Dreaming of Maldives
Step into one of the dreamiest resorts in the Maldives with our complete video tour of Anantara Kihavah. From its lush island beauty and spacious villas to underwater dining and stargazing at SKY, this film captures the essence of Kihavah as we experienced it. Every shot was created by us during our stay, to give you a true feeling of what it’s like to live the dream here.
Anantara Kihavah is, to me, the definition of a complete Maldivian dream. The island itself is everything you imagine the Maldives to be — round, lush with palms, and ringed by a living reef so rich you can snorkel everywhere. The villas are among the most spacious I’ve seen, designed for privacy and comfort, while dining here takes you from underwater wonders at SEA to the stars above at SKY.
What stays with me is not only the beauty of Kihavah but its rare balance — a place where couples, families, snorkelers, divers, and stargazers all find their version of paradise.
My only regret ? Missing stargazing at SKY on this trip. Even without it, Kihavah proved unforgettable, a resort that doesn’t just look like the Maldives dream but feels like it. And that’s why, after visiting so many islands, it still remains one of my favorites.
- Snorkeling and Diving. Snorkeling Review : Anantara Kihavah – My Experience in One of the Maldives’ Best House Reefs
- SEA. Anantara Kihavah Underwater Restaurant in Video and Review
- 10 Top Activities To Do at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
- 10 Amazing Places in Place : SKY Observatory
- 8 Amazing Underwater Structures in Maldives. SEA Underwater Restaurant
Snorkeling Review : Anantara Kihavah – My Experience in One of the Maldives’ Best House Reefs
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