Best for
Couples who value private pool time alongside marine experiences have a clear reason to stay here, with beachside villas or accommodation above the lagoon.
Best for
Couples who value private pool time alongside marine experiences have a clear reason to stay here, with beachside villas or accommodation above the lagoon.
What makes it special
The overwater spa keeps the ocean in view during treatment time, giving a quieter day at Kihavah a connection to its marine setting.
Room to consider
Choose beachside accommodation for sandy surroundings or an overwater setting for lagoon views; that daily connection matters more than a small difference in floor area.
Insider tip
Coordinate international arrival times with the resort before booking flights; seaplane transfers operate only during daylight, and later arrivals need a different transfer arrangement.
Free membership gives you access to preferred rates, exclusive benefits and current promotions for your stay.
At Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, the surrounding ocean is part of the accommodation, dining and daily life. Pool villas open onto the beach or stand above the lagoon, while SEA places its dining room beneath the water and SKY has an overwater observatory. The resort occupies Kihavah Huravalhi Island in Baa Atoll's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with a house reef close to shore and Hanifaru Bay within reach by boat. These are distinct experiences of the same marine setting, rather than activities added to an otherwise conventional beach resort.
There are 80 beach and overwater pool villas and residences across the property. Arrival from Velana International Airport is by seaplane, with a flight of approximately 35 minutes over the atolls. A domestic flight to Dharavandhoo followed by a speedboat transfer is an alternative route. Once on the island, bicycles provide a simple way to move between the villas, restaurants and recreation areas.
Stepping stones lead across a reflecting pool in the open-air bathroom, where an oval tub stands in front of a covered daybed. White walls, wood pillars and a deep arched recess frame this bathing area. Inside the bedroom, exposed white rafters rise above wooden floors and a pale rug with a green leaf pattern.
The window seat has a view into the garden, with an armchair nearby and green shades above the bedside tables. Outside, an enlarged dining sala faces towards the shore. Pale fabrics and natural materials are part of the villa’s new design, completed in July 2025.
Stepping stones lead across a reflecting pool in the open-air bathroom, where an oval tub stands in front of a covered daybed. White walls, wood...
The twin beds are in a compact children’s room beside the main bedroom, rather than a second adult bedroom.
A white pitched ceiling rises above the main bedroom, where green lampshades and a leaf-patterned rug echo the garden outside. An armchair and a built-in window seat offer places to sit away from the bed. The children’s room has its own window, wood flooring and bright wall art.
The outdoor bathroom has an oval soaking tub, with stepping stones across a shallow reflecting pool. Beyond it, a round daybed rests in a covered arched recess. An enlarged dining sala opens towards the shore, with palm trees and planting around the villa. The new interiors use pale colours and natural textures.
A white pitched ceiling rises above the main bedroom, where green lampshades and a leaf-patterned rug echo the garden outside. An armchair and a built-in...
Floor-to-ceiling glass doors slide open from the bedroom to a wide deck, with steps leading down into the lagoon. A timber daybed hangs beneath the roof outside, beside a table and chairs. The partly sheltered deck has room for both dining and lounging, with the water directly below.
Inside, a sofa and armchair sit within the main room. White curtains frame the glazing, while turquoise cushions add colour to the pale rug and wooden floor. The bathroom opens to the outdoors and includes a deep soaking tub for two. The swimming pool can be reached from the bedroom, bathroom and deck.
Floor-to-ceiling glass doors slide open from the bedroom to a wide deck, with steps leading down into the lagoon. A timber daybed hangs beneath the...
A sheltered dining sala extends the living space towards the sand, with tropical planting around the villa. The bedroom has a white roof with exposed rafters, green lampshades and a pale rug patterned with leaves. A window seat and a separate armchair form a small sitting area beside the bed.
In the open-air bathroom, white stepping stones cross a shallow reflecting pool to an oval bathtub. A round daybed sits beyond the tub, set within an arched alcove under cover. Wood floors and light fabrics complete the new interiors. The redesign also enlarged the dining area.
A sheltered dining sala extends the living space towards the sand, with tropical planting around the villa. The bedroom has a white roof with exposed...
The children have twin beds in a small separate room. A daybed offers another place to sleep.
A glass-bottomed bathtub gives the bathroom a view into the water below. The main bedroom opens towards the lagoon, and the outdoor lounge leads onto a deck with direct access to the sea. There are both shaded places to sit and areas open to the sky.
The children’s room has white walls, a wooden floor and turquoise cushions. A small timber table sits between the beds, beneath round decorative plates on the wall. Its window looks through an exterior timber screen. The open-air bathroom is set apart from this compact sleeping space.
A glass-bottomed bathtub gives the bathroom a view into the water below. The main bedroom opens towards the lagoon, and the outdoor lounge leads onto...
A sunken bathtub for two has a glass base looking down into the lagoon. Outside, a private veranda holds a dining table and chairs, while a hanging daybed sits under the roof. The deck also has an open lounge area beside the water, with steps leading down to the sea.
Wide glass doors link this outdoor space with the bedroom. White curtains frame the glazing, and a sofa and armchair sit on the wooden floor inside. Turquoise cushions and a pale rug bring colour and texture to the room. The bed faces towards the ocean, with Egyptian cotton linen among its furnishings.
A sunken bathtub for two has a glass base looking down into the lagoon. Outside, a private veranda holds a dining table and chairs, while...
Two villas connect around one shared deck and pool; each of the main bedrooms has its own bathroom.
The main bedroom’s bathroom opens to the air and has a soaking tub. In the twin room’s bathroom, rain showers are fitted both indoors and outside. Between the two main rooms, an extra connecting space holds a daybed, with turquoise and yellow cushions beside a long wooden dressing table.
The covered veranda has space for board games, while the sand lies just beyond the deck. An outdoor dining area sits close to the water. Indoors, white walls contrast with polished wood floors, and a broad mirror hangs above the dressing surface in the connecting room. A small upholstered stool fits beneath it.
The main bedroom’s bathroom opens to the air and has a soaking tub. In the twin room’s bathroom, rain showers are fitted both indoors and...
High vaulted ceilings rise over hardwood floors in the shared living areas. A lounge and dining space sit apart from the bedrooms, with doors leading outdoors to the broad deck. The sheltered dining table looks through a gap in the greenery towards the sand and sea, while a private path connects the residence directly with the shore.
Outside, the deck extends the lounge towards the sea, with areas of sun and shade beside the house. The bathroom has a sunken bathtub. Natural wood is used across the floors and furniture, while the tall roof leaves the main living space open above the seating.
High vaulted ceilings rise over hardwood floors in the shared living areas. A lounge and dining space sit apart from the bedrooms, with doors leading...
The bedrooms are at opposite ends. Each has its own bathroom and outdoor sitting area.
At the end of the boardwalk, a high-roofed living room opens to the ocean through wide glass doors. The white ceiling rises above a timber floor, with a large sofa on one side and a dining table on the other. Woven pendant lights hang above the table, and turquoise cushions line the pale seating.
The deck reaches around an infinity pool, with views across open water. Cream curtains frame the doors, and pale woven rugs mark the separate lounge and dining areas. Broad windows also face the water from the rooms used for exercise and spa treatments, keeping the ocean in view throughout these spaces.
At the end of the boardwalk, a high-roofed living room opens to the ocean through wide glass doors. The white ceiling rises above a timber...
A central living room brings the bedrooms together around a shared lounge and indoor dining area. Each bedroom has its own outdoor bathroom, so the bathing spaces are separate from one another. A private path runs through the planting to the shore, with the house reef just offshore.
The deck stretches around the infinity pool, bordered by tropical greenery. Covered verandas provide shade beside the house, while a Jacuzzi is set within the outdoor grounds. From the dining area, the view passes between leafy plants towards the beach. Sun loungers stand on the sand beyond, under a large white parasol.
A central living room brings the bedrooms together around a shared lounge and indoor dining area. Each bedroom has its own outdoor bathroom, so the...
This combines a three-bedroom home with a beach villa. The bedrooms are spread across both buildings.
Glass doors on several sides open the main living room towards its decks and gardens. A high white ceiling rises above pale rugs, with timber dining furniture beside a long white sofa. The lounge and indoor dining area sit next to one another, while a palm-fringed sala provides a place to eat outdoors.
The grounds extend to a private stretch of beach, with broad sun decks, loungers and shaded seating along the way. Leaf-shaped ceiling fans hang over the main living room, and curtains soften the edges of the glass doors. Mustard cushions add colour to the pale sofa, with a low marble-topped table in front.
Glass doors on several sides open the main living room towards its decks and gardens. A high white ceiling rises above pale rugs, with timber...
The Beach Pool Villa brings together a king bedroom, private infinity pool, dining sala and al fresco bathroom. Direct beach access keeps the sand within a few steps, while planting around the villa gives the outdoor areas a more sheltered feel. Natural textures and neutral interior tones keep attention on the garden and sea. Separate wardrobes are a useful detail for longer stays, and the outdoor sala makes space for meals away from the restaurants.
Sunset Beach Pool Villas share the beach setting and main facilities, with their position adding sunset views. Both categories have a published area of 258 square meters. Private pools, al fresco bathrooms and dining salas extend these villas beyond the bedroom.
Over Water Pool Villas exchange garden surroundings for a deck above the lagoon. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors connect the bedroom to the terrace, where an infinity-edge pool, hammock and outdoor lounge face the water. Steps lead directly into the lagoon. At a published 267 square meters, the layout gives swimming and outdoor lounging as much attention as the bedroom. The Sunset Over Water Pool Villa adds a west-facing position and a sunken glass-bottom bathtub for two.
The choice between beach and overwater changes the character of a stay more than the small difference in reported area. Beach accommodation connects the villa to sandy walks and shaded garden space. Overwater accommodation keeps the horizon and lagoon immediately in view. Wine fridges, pillow menus and yoga mats are among the touches that make time in the villa comfortable without filling the rooms with unnecessary equipment.
The One Bedroom Family Beach Pool Villa has a king bed and twin beds, with a children's sleeping quarter rather than two equivalent adult bedrooms. The One Bedroom Family Over Water Pool Villa also keeps a single main bedroom, with twin children's beds and a daybed. Its glass-bottom bathtub and outdoor lounge retain the lagoon-facing character of the overwater accommodation. These layouts give children their own sleeping arrangements without turning the villa into a full two-bedroom residence.
A different arrangement appears in the Two Bedroom Family Beach Pool Villa. Two interconnected villas share a sundeck and pool, and each bedroom has its own bathroom. The master bathroom includes an outdoor soaking tub; the twin bedroom's bathroom has indoor and outdoor rain showers. This separation is useful when different members of a family keep different sleeping routines.
The residences add shared living and dining areas to the private bedrooms. In the Two Bedroom Sunset Over Water Pool Residence, the bedrooms sit at opposite ends, each with its own outdoor living area. The Three Bedroom Beach Pool Residence has a central lounge, dining area and kitchen, plus a private beach path and spa treatment room. The Four Bedroom Beach Pool Residence combines that three-bedroom arrangement with an additional beach pool villa and has two infinity pools.
SEA's underwater dining room and wine cellar are among Kihavah's defining features. The windows look into the surrounding marine habitat, allowing a meal to unfold beside passing fish rather than a conventional sea view. The cuisine includes caviar specialties, with seafood and meat dishes on the menu. Wine pairings are part of the restaurant's offer, but the setting remains as important as what arrives at the table.
Above the water, FIRE focuses on teppanyaki with Japanese and Peruvian influences. Seating around the cooking area makes it a more animated meal than SEA. SPICE has an open kitchen and an Asian menu that includes tandoori dishes, curries and wok cooking. Its open-air, overwater position gives dinner a view across the ocean.
Plates serves international breakfast with live stations and dishes prepared to order in a casual open-air setting. Manzaru sits beside the resort pool and offers Mediterranean and Italian food, along with poolside refreshments. In-villa dining makes use of the private dining pavilions and salas, so a family meal or a quieter dinner need not mean leaving the accommodation.
SKY combines a rooftop bar with an overwater observatory. Cocktails and light bites accompany the sunset, while telescope sessions focus on planets and constellations after dark. The observatory gives evenings a different purpose from dining alone, particularly for guests interested in astronomy. Viewing depends on the sky and weather conditions.
The house reef supports snorkeling and diving close to the island. Its Golden Wall section is known for yellow and gold soft corals, adding a distinct dive site to the resort's marine surroundings. Kayaking and paddleboarding offer other ways to spend time on the lagoon. Hanifaru Bay excursions extend that interest beyond the house reef, with seasonal opportunities to snorkel near manta rays. Sightings depend on marine activity and conditions, so the attraction is access to their habitat rather than a guaranteed encounter.
Anantara Spa has six overwater treatment rooms and a separate relaxation area with warm and cold plunge pools. Thai massage, Ayurvedic treatments and bath rituals sit alongside infrared and Finnish saunas and a steam room. Yoga, a fitness center and tennis provide land-based alternatives to swimming and diving. For children, Thiththi Boli Kids' Club offers activities for ages four to twelve. Elsewhere on the island, Nala Orchid Garden provides a shaded setting for afternoon tea among the orchids, away from the open decks and shoreline.
Baa Atoll's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve setting and the island's house reef give snorkeling and diving a central place in the stay, beyond poolside relaxation.
At SEA, an underwater dining room puts the surrounding marine habitat beside your table, making the setting as much a reason to book as dinner.
SKY's overwater observatory gives an evening an astronomical focus, extending the island experience beyond dining and beach time; clear skies remain essential for viewing.
Kihavah Huravalhi Island, Baa Atoll 20215, Maldives
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