Kandolhu Maldives is a boutique island in North Ari Atoll with a strong house reef and only 30 villas. You’ll arrive by a 25-minute seaplane flight from Malé, followed by a short speedboat hop. The feel is calm and personal—ideal for couples and small groups who value quiet beaches, good food, and easy snorkeling.
Location & Access
North Ari Atoll; compact island with beaches and a close-in house reef.
Transfer: ~25 minutes by seaplane from Malé + ~10 minutes by speedboat.
30-villa Maldives resort focused on privacy, reef access, and attentive service.
What Stands Out
Excellent snorkeling straight from the beach; frequent turtle and ray sightings.
Rare for a small island: five à-la-carte dining venues plus bar and private dining.
Calm, low-key atmosphere; suits honeymoons and quiet getaways.
Thoughtful sustainability touches and a well-run PADI dive center.
If you want a Maldives resort with strong dining and a top house reef without crowds, Kandolhu Maldives is a solid choice.
Beach Collection
Beach Villa: Direct sand access, shaded deck, indoor/outdoor bathroom.
Jacuzzi Beach Villa: As above with private outdoor whirlpool.
Pool Villa / Duplex Pool Villa: Private pool; duplex adds a second level lounge.
Calm design, king bed, generous storage, and blackout curtains.
Overwater Collection
Ocean Villa: Deck over the lagoon with steps to the reef.
Ocean Pool Villa: Adds a private pool; many face sunset.
Large bathrooms, walk-in wardrobe, coffee machine in selected categories.
Glass doors for light; privacy screens without blocking views.
In-Room Basics
Air-conditioning + ceiling fan; Wi-Fi; Smart TV.
Minibar and in-room tea/coffee; in-room safe; daily housekeeping.
For the reef: Ocean Villas put you closest to drop-offs and fish life.
For privacy: Duplex Pool Villas (beach) and Ocean Pool Villas (overwater).
Sunset views are limited to certain overwater categories—book early.
Overwater rooms may have age restrictions for safety.
Family Notes
Small, quiet island; no kids’ club. Best for older children and teens.
Extra beds/cots on request in select categories.
Shallow sections of lagoon for beginner snorkeling under supervision.
Medical support available; bring reef-safe sunscreen and rash guards.
Restaurants
The Market: Breakfast buffet + à-la-carte; relaxed all-day venue.
Olive: Open-air Mediterranean on an elevated deck with ocean views.
Sea Grill: Fresh seafood and meats, grilled or tandoor-style by the beach.
Banzai: Tepanyaki, sushi and sashimi under the stars (limited seats; pre-book).
Ata Roa: Light tacos and ceviches with a Mexico-Peru twist (lunch spot).
Bars & Private Dining
Vilu Bar: Sundowners, classic cocktails, and low-key evening music.
In-villa dining across all meal periods; beach or jetty private dinners on request.
Meal plans range from BB to “Ultimate Inclusions” (check current inclusions).
Vegetarian/vegan and allergy-aware menus available with advance notice.
Restaurant opening days rotate on a schedule; book specialty venues early, especially Banzai and private dinners.
Beach & Pools
Quiet beaches around the island; loungers and umbrellas provided.
Island pool with service from Vilu Bar.
Many villas feature private pools or outdoor jacuzzis.
Towels available at pool and dive center.
Varu Spa
Treatment rooms for singles and couples; calm garden setting.
Massages, scrubs, facials; simple wellness tips for before/after care.
Salon services by appointment.
Yoga sessions scheduled on select days.
Dive & Marine
PADI dive center with courses and guided dives in Ari Atoll.
House-reef entry points marked; easy snorkel circuits around the island.
Seasonal manta and shark sites accessible by boat (weather dependent).
Underwater photography support on request.
Fitness & Leisure
Compact gym with cardio/weights; island paths for walking.
Non-motorized water sports: kayaks, SUPs, basic sailing (intro lessons available).
Book library and board games at the bar for quiet evenings.
Small boutique for essentials and beach wear.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi in villas and public areas.
Concierge desk for dining and excursion bookings.
Laundry service available; return times vary by day.
Multilingual team; simple arrival brief on reef safety.
On the Water
Reef snorkeling from shore; guided house-reef tours for orientation.
Boat trips to thilas and channels; manta/snorkel safaris in season.
Sunset cruises and local-style fishing trips.
Jet-ski and parasailing typically not offered to keep the reef calm.
On the Island
Yoga and stretching sessions on set days.
Occasional tastings, chef’s tables, and low-key evening events.
Photography sessions for couples and honeymoons (pre-book).
Reading, board games, and quiet bars for relaxed nights.
Marine activities depend on weather and currents; always follow reef-safe guidance from the team.
You’ll fly by seaplane from Malé (~25 minutes). On arrival at the platform, a short speedboat (~10 minutes) brings you to the island. The resort coordinates timing based on your international flight.
Yes. Standard Wi-Fi is available in villas and public areas at no extra cost. Speeds vary with location and time of day.
Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out by 12:00. Early check-in or late check-out is subject to availability; guaranteed options usually require an extra night.
The vibe is quiet and best for older children. There is no kids’ club, but cots/extra beds are available in select categories. Overwater rooms may have age limits.
Yes—this is one of the island’s highlights. Entry points are close to villas; currents change with tides, so ask for the daily advice map at check-in.
Options typically include Bed & Breakfast, Half Board, and an enhanced plan with à-la-carte dining (“Ultimate Inclusions”). Inclusions vary by season—check your dates.
Yes, especially Banzai (limited seats), private dinners, and peak-time spa slots. Book on arrival to secure preferred times.
Within North Ari Atoll
Thilas and channels known for pelagics and schooling fish.
Seasonal manta points reached by short boat journeys.
Local islands for culture and crafts (modest dress required).
Calm lagoons for beginner snorkel trips.
Day-Trip Ideas
Private sandbank picnic with snorkel stop.
Sunset dolphin cruise along atoll edges.
Two-tank dive to signature thilas with guide.
Photography cruise for sunrise or blue hour.
General & Payments
Check-in from 14:00; check-out by 12:00.
Passport and card used for booking may be required at check-in.
Resort collects applicable taxes per local regulations.
Major credit cards accepted; cash services limited on island resorts.
Transfers & Luggage
Seaplanes operate in daylight hours only; flight timing depends on your international arrival.
Weight limits apply to seaplanes; excess fees may be charged.
Weather can impact schedules; leave buffer time for connections.
Arrival lounge assistance provided at Malé for check-in and transit.
Families & Safety
Children welcome; some room types have age limits over water.
Cots/extra beds on request; babysitting on limited basis with notice.
Drone use is restricted to protect privacy and wildlife.
Reef-safe rules: don’t stand on coral; keep distance from marine life.
Sustainability & Etiquette
Reef-safe sunscreen encouraged; refillable amenities where possible.
Quiet island; low music levels after late evening.
Conserve water and power where practical.
Follow snorkeling briefings and current-condition signage.
Policies and inclusions can change seasonally. Your confirmation will show the exact terms for your dates.
Best Time to Visit
Dec–Apr: Drier months, calmer seas—great for first-timers and photography.
May–Oct: More wind/showers; often better value and lively reefs.
Year-round: Warm water ~26–30 °C; visibility changes with currents.
Manta/shark highlights vary—ask the dive team for the weekly forecast.
Ideal Duration
3–4 nights: Reef intro, one boat trip, one specialty dinner.
5–7 nights: Two marine excursions, spa day, dine-around of all venues.
8–10+ nights: Certification course, multiple private trips, full photo set.
Who It Suits
Couples & Honeymoons: Quiet island, private dinners, ocean sunsets.
Snorkel/Dive Fans: Easy reef access; strong marine life.
Food-focused Travelers: Five à-la-carte venues on a small island.
Small Groups: Book adjacent villas; create a custom dine-around plan.
Nearby Attractions & Day Trips
Outer-reef snorkel with guide for turtles and rays.
Two-tank dive to North Ari thilas and channels.
Private sandbank lunch with shade setup.
Sunset cruise with chances of spinner dolphins.
Packing Tips
Reef-safe sunscreen, long-sleeve UV tops, and water shoes.
Underwater camera or phone case; spare batteries/memory.
Light layers for breezy evenings; smart-casual for dinners.
Dry bag for boat trips; basic first-aid and motion tabs.
Weddings & Honeymoons
Beach ceremonies with simple décor and photography add-ons.
Private dinners on the jetty or beach; customized menus.
Couples’ spa treatments and sunrise photo sessions.
Honeymoon amenities vary by package and length of stay.
Corporate Retreats
Intimate meetings for small teams; tailored F&B plans.
Team bonding on snorkel trips and reef clean-ups.
Private sandbank events with simple AV on request.
Airport coordination for staggered arrivals.
Celebrations
Anniversaries and birthdays with custom cakes and set-ups.
Sunset canapé cruises for small groups.
Professional photo/video services on request.
Weather back-up plans for outdoor events.
All event options are customized to dates, group size, and venue availability. Pre-book for peak seasons.
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