Maldives - 2024


We were invited to the world’s most Instagrammable resort, Anantara Kihavah in the Maldives! Our journey to this tropical paradise was nothing short of magical, and we’re excited to share every detail of our unforgettable experience with you.

Sunset view from luxury resort balcony overlooking ocean waters.
Artistic underwater photograph showing flowing red dress against blue tiled background.
Beach scene with overwater bungalows visible in background during sunset.

A Luxurious Arrival


Anantara Kihavah is a private island in the Maldives, boasting 80 beach and overwater pool villas and residences. Each accommodation option offers unparalleled luxury, privacy, and breathtaking views. One of the most unique features of the resort is its award-winning underwater dining experiences and the Maldives’ only overwater observatory. The resort’s design pays homage to the seafarers of old, seamlessly blending Indian Ocean, Arab, and Portuguese motifs with indigenous materials. This thoughtful approach ensures that the pristine nature of the island remains intact, with villas growing up around the existing trees.


To get to Anantara Kihavah, we flew from LAX to Dubai, then from Dubai to Malé. From Malé, we took our first-ever seaplane to the Baa Atoll, the home of Anantara Kihavah. The seaplane ride itself was an adventure, offering stunning aerial views of the Maldives’ iconic turquoise waters and coral islands. Upon landing, we were greeted with a quick boat ride to the welcome dock, where the staff welcomed us with refreshing drinks and a comprehensive tour of the resort led by our 24-hour villa host, Ifoo.

Curved overwater villa walkway stretches across crystal clear tropical lagoon.
Aerial view of luxurious overwater bungalows forming a curved pattern in crystal clear turquoise waters of the Maldives.
Aerial drone shot of overwater villas connected by wooden walkways in pristine tropical lagoon.

Our Overwater Villa Experience


Ifoo then escorted us to our luxurious overwater villa, and “luxury” is truly an understatement. The villa was spacious and beautifully designed, featuring floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that opened to breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. Each of us had our own walk-in closet, complete with a vanity for Abbey to relax while applying her makeup. The villa’s bathroom was our favorite part, equipped with glass-bottom indoor and outdoor showers, a glass-bottom tub, and even a glass-bottom toilet. The villa’s patio area was the perfect place to lounge and enjoy the sea, with a large comfy swing, dining area, hammock, and lounge chairs. We were in heaven!

Elegant beach restaurant terrace with rustic furniture and thatched roof overlooking turquoise ocean.
Woman swimming in luxurious infinity pool with tropical waters in background.
Modern overwater villa bedroom interior with sliding doors opening to private deck and lagoon view.
Luxurious overwater villa bedroom with infinity pool and ocean view in the Maldives.
Silhouette against blue sky on overwater villa deck at sunset in tropical paradise.
Luxury overwater villa with private infinity pool and jacuzzi overlooking turquoise ocean.
Luxurious white bedroom interior with arched doorways and modern decor in tropical resort.
Indoor tropical shower with wooden walls and cascading water in luxury spa setting.

Dining in Paradise


Once settled in, it was time to eat. Anantara Kihavah boasts seven restaurants and bars, several of which are housed in an overwater complex. Our favorite dining experience was at the award-winning underwater restaurant and wine cellar, SEA. We could have stayed there all day, savoring the contemporary European cuisine while marveling at the vibrant marine life, including reef, fish, sharks, and turtles.

Luxurious underwater restaurant with panoramic ocean views and elegant table settings surrounded by marine life.
Restaurant with large aquarium walls featuring tropical fish swimming past dining tables.
Underwater restaurant with panoramic views of coral reef and tropical fish in the Maldives.
Underwater hotel room with floor-to-ceiling aquarium views showing tropical fish and sharks swimming above beds.
Dining table setup at underwater restaurant with vibrant marine life visible through glass walls.

Endless Activities and Adventures


Anantara Kihavah offers a plethora of activities, both on land and underwater. On land, guests can enjoy private movie viewings, floral garden tours, and stargazing at the overwater observatory. However, our favorite activities were underwater! The resort’s dive shop is top-notch, and we were fortunate enough to dive with the incredible dive team to explore the house reef and surrounding areas. Within the first 30 minutes of our dive, we encountered sharks, turtles, and an array of colorful fish and gorgeous reefs. It was a dream come true to have all this beauty just steps away from the shore, truly a diver’s paradise! We were especially honored to collaborate with the dive team on an underwater ad campaign for the resort, which we will share more about later on.

Two scuba divers carrying equipment on white sand beach with turquoise ocean.
Scuba diver preparing for dive on tropical resort pier with turquoise waters.
Scuba divers with gear on wooden pier at tropical resort with clear blue waters.
Two scuba divers communicate underwater while kneeling on sandy ocean floor.
Divers descend along dramatic underwater cliff wall in deep blue ocean waters.
Scuba diver swimming among colorful tropical fish and coral reef in crystal clear waters.
Scuba divers swim alongside a school of tropical fish in crystal clear blue waters.
Scuba diver explores vibrant coral reef formations in turquoise tropical waters.
Scuba diver explores colorful coral wall with pink soft corals in clear blue waters.

A Trip of a Lifetime


Overall, Anantara Kihavah was the most incredible place we have ever seen. Each day felt like a dream, surrounded by the island’s natural beauty and luxurious amenities. This trip was truly the trip of a lifetime, and we cannot wait to return. A huge thank you to the Anantara Kihavah team for hosting us and providing this life-changing experience. We are forever grateful and excited to continue creating and collaborating together.

A flowing red dress creates an ethereal underwater scene in a tiled pool.
Silhouette walking on beach during golden sunset with boat in background.
Person lounging on black floating bean bag in crystal clear turquoise ocean waters.
Figure in flowing white dress poses gracefully on wooden pier at sunset over tropical waters.
A relaxing scene at a luxury villa pool with turquoise water and modern architecture.
Luxury overwater villa bedroom interior with wooden floors and white furnishings in tropical setting.
White dress flows in breeze atop wooden pier overlooking tropical waters.
Silhouette against golden sunset sky on oceanfront observatory deck with dramatic sunbeams.
Aerial view of floating bean bag chair on pristine turquoise waters in tropical paradise.
Tropical overwater bungalow with dining area overlooking turquoise ocean.
Silhouette stands with arms raised on overwater villa deck against blue ocean.
Woman leaping joyfully on a wooden jetty over turquoise ocean waters under dramatic blue sky.
Woman relaxing in infinity pool with sunglasses against turquoise water background.
Float bean bag drifting on crystal clear turquoise ocean waters under cloudy sky.

Planning Your Visit to Anantara Kihavah


For those inspired by our experience and considering a visit to Anantara Kihavah, here are a few tips to make your trip even more memorable:



  1. Travel Preparations: Ensure you book your flights well in advance.
  2. Pack Smart: Bring light, breathable clothing suitable for tropical weather, as well as swimwear and diving gear if you plan to explore the underwater wonders.
  3. Dining Reservations: Make reservations for the underwater restaurant, SEA, ahead of time to secure a spot at this sought-after dining venue.
  4. Activities: We especially loved the overwater stargazing. This is a must do!
  5. Capture the Moments: Don’t forget your camera or smartphone to capture the stunning vistas and unique experiences. Anantara Kihavah offers plenty of Instagrammable spots!
  6. Explore and Relax: Balance your itinerary with both activities and relaxation. While there’s plenty to do, the serene environment is perfect for unwinding and soaking in the natural beauty.


We hope our journey inspires you to experience the magic of Anantara Kihavah for yourself. It’s a destination that promises unforgettable memories and endless photo opportunities. Safe travels and happy adventuring!