Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas occupies its own island in the Baa Atoll and has earned a reputation for combining some of the Maldives' most impressive private villas with one of its most remarkable dining experiences.

Kihavah is an island that feels deliberately spacious. Wide beaches, mature vegetation and generous distances between villas create a sense of privacy that is apparent from the moment guests arrive. The resort unfolds gradually rather than revealing itself all at once, with timber walkways crossing the lagoon, quiet stretches of shoreline leading to hidden corners of the island and public spaces that never feel crowded. There is a confidence to the way the resort is laid out, allowing guests to experience the island at their own pace rather than directing them towards a single focal point.

That sense of space extends throughout the stay. Whether walking to dinner beneath the palms, cycling between different parts of the island or watching the sunset from a villa terrace, Kihavah feels composed and unhurried. It is a resort that understands luxury often comes from privacy, freedom and room to breathe rather than constant activity.

Staying

Accommodation is centred on a collection of beach villas, overwater villas and larger residences, all featuring private pools and substantial indoor and outdoor living areas. The villas are notably generous in scale, with high ceilings, expansive terraces and layouts that encourage guests to spend as much time outdoors as they do inside.

The Beach Pool Villa and Sunset Beach Pool Villa place guests directly on the sand, while the Sunset Over Water Pool Villa and Over Water Villa with Private Pool provide uninterrupted views across the lagoon. Families are particularly well served by the One Bedroom Family Beach Pool Villa, One Bedroom Family Over Water Pool Villa and larger two bedroom residences, which offer enough space for longer stays without sacrificing privacy.

Dining is a defining part of the Kihavah experience, with five restaurants and one bar spread across the island. Plates serves as the main restaurant, while SPICE focuses on Asian flavours and FIRE specialises in premium meats prepared over open flames. Manzaru provides relaxed beachfront dining throughout the day.

The centrepiece is SEA, one of the Maldives' most celebrated underwater restaurants and wine cellars. Dining here places guests beneath the surface of the ocean amongst the marine life of the house reef, creating an experience that remains unique even by Maldivian standards. Evenings often continue at SKY Bar, where cocktails, stargazing and the resort's overwater observatory add another distinctive dimension to life on the island.

Experience

The reef surrounding Kihavah is one of the island's greatest assets and sits just steps from many of the villas. Snorkelling can begin straight from the shore, while diving excursions explore the wider waters of the Baa Atoll. Sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, fishing and other watersports provide plenty of ways to spend time on the water, whether actively exploring or simply enjoying the setting.

Beyond the lagoon, guests can cycle through the island, enjoy tennis, join cooking classes or take advantage of the resort's proximity to Hanifaru Bay during manta ray season. Families are well catered for through the children's club and dedicated activities, while couples often find themselves drawn towards the quieter stretches of beach and the privacy of their villas.

Wellness

The overwater spa extends across the lagoon and provides a comprehensive wellness offering that goes beyond traditional treatments. Facilities include treatment rooms, relaxation areas, a steam room, sauna and spaces dedicated to yoga and fitness. A wide range of massages, body treatments and wellness programmes are available throughout a stay.

The fitness centre supports both independent workouts and guided sessions, including personal training and fitness classes. Combined with the outdoor lifestyle encouraged by the island, the wellness experience feels integrated into daily life rather than separate from it.

Where

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is located on Kihavah Huravalhi Island in the UNESCO recognised Baa Atoll and is reached by a seaplane journey of approximately 35 minutes from Malé, placing guests within one of the Maldives' most important marine environments and close to Hanifaru Bay.