Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas

Why Anantara Kihavah works for honeymooners

The resort’s location in Baa Atoll is deliberate. It’s a 35-minute seaplane ride from Malé, which means you arrive already relaxed, watching coral islands stitch themselves into the horizon. The island itself is small enough to walk in under 30 minutes, yet large enough that the villas feel private. No kids’ club noise spills onto the beach; instead, the only sounds are waves and the occasional Bodu Beru drum welcoming new guests. The villas—especially the sunset overwater pool villas—are built for couples. Expansive terraces with private pools, open-air bathrooms, and glass floors that let you watch fish swim beneath your feet create a sense of seclusion that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.

A good rule: that if they want a honeymoon where every detail feels intentional, Kihavah delivers. The resort’s design blends Indian-Moroccan influences with Maldivian thatch, so the villas feel exotic yet familiar. The overwater villas, in particular, are among the largest in the Maldives, with high ceilings and hardwood floors that make them feel more like a private home than a hotel room. And because the resort is spread out, you can spend days without seeing another guest, even when the island is fully booked.

Romantic experiences you can’t book elsewhere

• Dine underwater at SEA, one of the world’s few underwater restaurants. The wine cellar is submerged, the walls are glass, and the marine life—turtles, reef sharks, schools of fish—swims past as you eat. The sommelier pairs each course with wines from nine decades, and the experience is so immersive that couples often forget to check their phones.
• Stargaze at SKY, the overwater observatory. The resort’s location near the equator means you can see both the northern and southern skies. The Sky Guru uses a powerful telescope to point out constellations, planets, and even distant galaxies, all while you sip champagne and share tapas.
• Snorkel with manta rays in Hanifaru Bay. From May to November, the bay becomes a feeding ground for hundreds of mantas. The resort arranges snorkeling trips where you can watch these gentle giants somersault in the water, often just meters away. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that feels like swimming in a nature documentary.
• Book a couples’ spa treatment in an overwater pavilion. The spa’s six treatment rooms are suspended over the lagoon, with glass floors so you can watch fish while you’re massaged. The signature Anantara massage uses local oils and techniques designed to relax and rejuvenate, and the relaxation area includes a cold plunge pool and sauna with ocean views.
• Watch a movie under the stars at Cinema Paradiso. The open-air cinema is set in the island’s jungle, with floating daybeds and wireless headphones. The resort curates a selection of classic films, and the experience is so romantic that it’s become a favorite for honeymooners.

These aren’t just activities—they’re memories in the making. The resort’s team understands that honeymooners want experiences that feel exclusive, even if they’re shared with other guests. That’s why they offer private sandbank picnics, floating breakfasts in your villa pool, and even a ‘Slumber Guru’ who can arrange a bed on the beach for a night under the stars.

Honeymoon perks that make a difference

Anantara Kihavah doesn’t have a formal honeymoon package, but the resort’s service ethos ensures that couples feel celebrated from the moment they arrive. The welcome ritual—Bodu Beru drums, cold towels, and a refreshing drink—sets the tone. Your villa host, assigned upon arrival, acts as a personal concierge, arranging everything from private dinners to snorkeling trips. They’ll also stock your villa with surprises if you let them know it’s your honeymoon, like rose petals on the bed or a bottle of champagne on ice.

The resort’s size works in your favor. With only 80 villas, the staff-to-guest ratio is high, and the team is trained to anticipate needs. If you mention you’re celebrating, they’ll often upgrade your dining experience — a private table at SEA with a customized menu or a beachfront dinner with a chef who prepares your meal tableside. The butlers are discreet but attentive, ensuring that you never have to lift a finger unless you want to.

Dining: Where romance meets adventure

Food is a highlight at Anantara Kihavah, and the resort’s dining options are designed to impress. SEA, the underwater restaurant, is the obvious standout. The four-course lunch menu features dishes like Maldivian lobster medallions and Japanese wagyu, all paired with wines from the resort’s submerged cellar. The dinner menu is even more elaborate, with a focus on seafood and international flavors. The sommelier is on hand to guide you through the wine list, which spans nine decades and includes rare vintages.

For a more casual meal, FIRE offers teppanyaki and grilled specialties on the beach. The restaurant’s open-air setting means you can dine with your toes in the sand, and the chefs put on a show with their knife skills and flame grilling. SALT, the Asian fusion restaurant, is another favorite, with a menu that blends Thai, Japanese, and Indian flavors. The resort also offers private dining experiences, like a beachfront barbecue or a floating breakfast in your villa pool, which are well suited to honeymooners.

Don’t miss the SKY bar, perched over the lagoon. It’s the right spot for sunset cocktails, and the bar’s signature drinks—like the ‘Kihavah Sunset,’ made with local rum and tropical fruits—are as vibrant as the view. The resort’s gin bar, located at Manzaru, is another underrated, with a selection of gins from around the world and a cozy, intimate setting.

The house reef: Snorkeling without leaving your villa

Anantara Kihavah’s house reef is one of the best in the Maldives. The reef forms a near-perfect circle around the island, creating a natural lagoon that’s concentrated with marine life. You can snorkel directly from the beach or your overwater villa, and the water is so clear that you’ll feel like you’re swimming in an aquarium. The reef is home to turtles, eagle rays, reef sharks, and a dazzling array of tropical fish. The resort’s marine lab even offers coral adoption programs, where you can help regenerate the reef by adopting a coral rope.

For those who want to explore further, the resort arranges snorkeling trips to nearby sites, including Hanifaru Bay. The bay is a UNESCO-protected area and one of the few places in the world where you can see hundreds of manta rays feeding at once. The resort’s dive center also offers PADI certification courses, so you can take your underwater adventures to the next level.

When to go: Timing your honeymoon

The best time to visit Anantara Kihavah is between January and April, when the weather is dry and the seas are calm. This is also peak season, so the resort is busiest, but the service remains impeccable. If you prefer fewer crowds and don’t mind the occasional rain shower, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons—May to June or September to October. The resort is quieter, the rates are lower, and the marine life is still abundant. Plus, the brief rain showers often leave the island lush and vibrant, with fewer guests competing for the best snorkeling spots.

I’d avoid July and August if you’re sensitive to rain, as these months see the heaviest downpours. However, if you’re flexible and don’t mind a little weather, the resort’s indoor and overwater experiences—like the spa, underwater restaurant, and observatory—ensure that your honeymoon remains magical.

How to get there: The journey is part of the experience

Anantara Kihavah is accessible by seaplane from Malé International Airport, a 35-minute flight that offers striking views of the atoll’s turquoise waters and coral islands. The resort partners with Manta Air, which provides a comfortable and scenic transfer. If your flight arrives outside of daylight hours, the resort can arrange a domestic flight to Dharavandhoo Airport, followed by a short speedboat ride. The resort handles all transfer bookings, so you don’t have to worry about the logistics.

The seaplane transfer is an experience in itself. As you fly over the atoll, you’ll see the Maldives’ well-known overwater villas and pristine beaches from above, setting the stage for the luxury that awaits. The resort’s team greets you at the seaplane dock with a traditional Bodu Beru welcome, complete with drums and singing, making your arrival feel like the start of a grand adventure.