Kandolhu Maldives

The house reef was spectacular - the fact that it only has 30 villas was a big draw for us

Thank you to the Kandolhu team for such a wonderful and memorable experience. We were taken great care of and Claudio and Luciana head up a fantastic team of people both front of house and behind the scenes who combine to make such a beautiful and inspiring holiday experience. Thank you. We will be back to this little piece of true paradise.

Amazing Experience for Our Honeymoon The island is quiet and small, a perfect paradise for couples. House reef snorkelling is fantastic: expect to see all types of reef fish, white and black tip sharks, eagle rays, cowtail rays, and more. We also went scuba diving, which was incredible. There's a dive centre right on the island. We booked an excursion to see manta rays as well, and it did not disappoint. The staff are wonderfully friendly and attentive, and our room was always impeccable, with cleaning twice a day. There are five restaurants on-site, all excellent, so you can try something different every day.

Kandolhu was the first resort we had the pleasure of staying at for our first time in the Maldives. We loved absolutely everything about Kandolhu - the island is peaceful with the most beautiful vegetation and a spectacular house reef. For a small island it felt spacious and never crowded adding to the peaceful atmosphere. All of the staff were very helpful, friendly and attentive and there are plenty of great food and drink options to choose from. The rooms are beautiful and always clean. They offer plenty of activities / excursions to experience the Maldives too. A few of the other guests we spoke to during our stay mentioned that they were returning visitors to Kandolhu which speaks volumes about how lovely the resort is. We hope we can come back one day too!

Kandolhu exceeded our expectations. We went for our honeymoon and everything was great. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The food in all restaurantes was great. And the island is like a small paradise. The house reef is amazing the scuba dives we did were amazing, as well as the Manta Ray spotting.

When we arrived on Kandolhu to be welcomed by Mr. Jaleel and led along a shady meandering sandy path to our villa, we immediately felt ourselves relax into a different pace of life; stress vanished, our heartbeats slowed and noise subsided into the gentle breaking of waves onto the golden beach and smiles lit our faces. We remained in this state of serene bliss for the next five days. The island is magical, the staff non-intrusive, but always friendly, helpful and attentive; the food in the choice of five restaurants is delicious; often tiny cute Maldivian chickens provide amusing entertainment as they run around in the sand from bush to bush defending their territory ; above all the house reef is superb, blessed with healthy vibrant corals and buzzing with amazing marine life. An early evening snorkel at the jetty finds the area populated by sleepy nurse sharks; an adventurous night snorkel provides lots more exciting activity on the house reef. We are divers and after exploring the incredible house reef, we ventured further afield on daily dive trips with Jodie and Tessa in the dive school who guided us to incredible dive sites teeming with life and amazing corals. The two tank morning dive is not to be missed and leaves your afternoon free for lazier activities, peaceful dozing or even the odd adventurous watersport with the ever friendly Noovilu team. We discovered Kandolhu - an amazingly beautiful and exclusive resort island (just 30 villas!) – a veritable paradise found! What more can we say? After our short stay, we bid our sad farewells to wonderful Kandolhu, to managers Claudio, Lucy and Jaleel and their wonderful team, but we leave with images and memories of wonderful dives and snorkel trips that we will relive in our dreams. And we will return!

The best hotel in the Maldives, an incredible house reef with very friendly animals, you can take amazing photos with sharks, turtles, and other fish. The food is delicious, with a wide selection of dishes, the staff will add or subtract ingredients as needed to suit your needs, and the homemade ice cream after lunch will brighten your day. The staff is always friendly and welcoming. My English isn't very good, but they were patient and polite. Special thanks to Adhil, the barter, who is available 24/7, and to Shaamin, my faithful assistant at the restaurants.

Premetto che sono stato alle maldive per 11 anni in diversi Resort tra cui gli ultimi 7 anni presso il Kandolhu. Un Resort fantastico con forse il miglior Reef che abbia visto alle Maldive. Il personale è molto simpatico e preparato e ti fanno sentire come se fossi a casa tua. Le camere sono bellissime anche se un pò datate e richiederebbero un Restyling ma molto ben tenute e con ogni comfort e la pulizia sempre eseguita in maniera profonda. La Direzione ha un idea molto chiara su cosa serve all'isola per evitare che il mare si porti via la sabbia e sono totalmente contrari a costruire dei muri di contenimento che sono orribili da vedere e rovinerebbero la bellezza dell'isola. In generale posso confermare che se sono tornato per ben 7 volte al Kandolhu, una motivazione ci deve essere. Mi auguro che continuino con questa mentalità per evitare di rovinare un gioiello delle Maldive. Consiglio a chiunque abbia la possibilità di andarci e sono sicuro che rimarrebbe stupefatto da tanta bellezza, simpatia, cordialità e pulizia dell'isola. Non mi voglio nascondere e quindi lascio il mio nome - Lopez Giancarlo Giubiasco (Svizzera). Traduzione in inglese. Let me start by saying that I’ve been to the Maldives for 11 years, staying at various resorts—including the last 7 years at Kandolhu. It’s a fantastic resort with perhaps the best reef I’ve seen in the Maldives. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable, and they make you feel right at home. The rooms are beautiful, even if a bit dated and in need of a makeover, but they’re very well maintained, equipped with every comfort, and always thoroughly cleaned. The management has a very clear vision of what the island needs to prevent the sea from washing away the sand, and they’re totally opposed to building retaining walls, which are an eyesore and would ruin the island’s beauty. Overall, I can confirm that if I’ve returned to Kandolhu seven times, there must be a reason. I hope they continue with this mindset to avoid ruining one of the Maldives’ gems. I recommend it to anyone who has the chance to go, and I’m sure they’ll be amazed by the island’s beauty, friendliness, warmth, and cleanliness. I don’t want to hide my identity, so I’m leaving my name—Giancarlo Lopez Giubiasco (Switzerland). Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Kandolhu una perla di 30 camere 5 stelle, personale cordiale ed attento che ricorda i gusti e le intolleranze di tutti i clienti, ci si sente supercoccolati. Adatta soprattutto per chi desidera tranquillità. Non atterrano idrovolanti (si arriva sull’isola vicina che dista 7 minuti di barca veloce e quindi non si sentono nemmeno i rumori tipici degli aereoplanini. Direzione Svizzera anche se la struttura è di proprietà maldiviana che fa salire la qualità della struttura attebti a tutti i minimi dettagli. La ristorazione é sublime alla carta ma all you can eat offre ben 5 ristoranti con cucina molto ricercata e varia nonostante ci si trovi su una piccola Isola sembra di trovarsi in Europa. Il bar é eccezionale cocktail buonissimi e snack a tutte le ore deliziosi. Arriva pesce pescato localmente quasi tutti i giorni. Nelle camere compreso nel prezzo una cantina di vini, spumante e snack. L‘isola pulitissima offre spiagge da cartolina con un reef con moltissimi coralli in salute e pesci, squali nutrice, pinna nera, pinna bianca e tartarughe. Il reef é molto bello ma forse ad ari sud alcune isole offrono un tappeto senza soluzione di continuità. É forse insieme ad un‘altra simile l‘unica isola dove ritornerei senza alcun dubbio.

Purtroppo l‘arrivo all‘isola da un‘altra isola tramite idrovolante organizzato dalle due strutture dove eravamo ospiti ha richiesto tempi di attesa lunghissimi facendoci perdere un giorno di vacanza, beanche arrivassimo dall‘Italia. Checkout a Machchafushi alle 10 arrivo a Kandolhu alle 17 avviamo ricevuto solo scuse di circostanza e nulla più dalle strutture e compagnia dí idrovolanti

The island is just amazing. I love diving and snorkelling and this house reef is probably one of the best I have ever seen in the Maldives. The dive sites around are evenly stunning with a very nice dive team. I really enjoyed the dive trips. double tank dives in the morning to amazing sites where I have seen different species of sharks on all dives, eagle rays, octopus, schools of jack fish, tunas and we even found a beautiful blue frog fish. if you are into diving and snorkelling this is the place to stay. All the restaurants are fantastic with super friendly staff who made my stay very personal and enjoyable. I highly recommend Kandolhu and will be back for more diving and snorkelling.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I had an amazing stay at this resort in the Maldives. From the moment we arrived, everything was exceptional — the beautiful surroundings, stunning views, excellent service, and attention to detail. The staff were incredibly friendly, professional, and welcoming, always making sure we were comfortable and well taken care of. The resort itself was beautiful, peaceful, and the perfect place to relax and enjoy the Maldives. The food was excellent, the facilities were great, and the overall experience exceeded my expectations. What really made the stay special was the hospitality and the effort the entire team put into making our holiday memorable. I truly enjoyed every moment of my stay and would definitely recommend this resort to anyone looking for a beautiful and relaxing Maldivian getaway. I would happily come back again!

This was our second visit to beautiful Kandolhu. Our first was 10 years ago for our 25th Silver Anniversary. We’ve dreamed of returning and I’m so glad that we did. From the moment we were greeted by our wonderful host Adhil, (just before stepping onto the island’s private boat), we felt excited and knew we’d made the right decision. He congratulated us on our 35th Anniversary and thanked us for choosing to share it there. We stayed in one of the Ocean Pool Villa’s. Our request of having the one on the end (No.211) was fulfilled. The spacious room was once again beautifully clean and the glass outdoor bathroom was just as magical as we remembered it. The island is just stunning and kept immaculately clean and tidy. We snorkelled daily in the amazing reefs, using the equipment kindly provided, including an underwater camera. The food in the five 5* restaurants was absolutely exquisite; so much choice and attention to detail. On our Anniversary we were presented a delicious cake, which was a lovely surprise. We were literally treated like royalty the entire week. The amazing, attentive, friendly and genuine Team just couldn’t do enough to make us feel relaxed and at home. We’ve travelled the World but never felt this welcomed previously. All Team members were great, but we’d like to give special mentions to Skye, Elvie and Roman, and of course Adhil again, for his friendliness, helpfulness and attentiveness. We had such wonderful week and completely relaxed, unwound and forgot about life’s pressures. We were so sad to leave but would love to return one day. Can absolutely thoroughly recommend this stunning little piece of paradise 🏝️❤️

I had a wonderful stay at this hotel. The staff were warm, friendly, and always ready to help with a smile. The room was clean, spacious, and very comfortable, with excellent housekeeping throughout my stay. The food was delicious, with a good variety of options, and the restaurant staff provided outstanding service. The facilities were well maintained, and the peaceful atmosphere made it a perfect place to relax. I truly appreciated the hospitality and professionalism of the entire team. Thank you for making my stay so enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a comfortable and memorable experience, and I look forward to visiting again.

Absolutely beautiful and relaxing experience. Nothing is too much, very personalised service and everything felt very private. The only thing we’d change is the layout of the decking on the water villas, other wise we found it excellent. Great food, great drinks, overall excellent.

We had an unforgettable stay at Kandolhu. It was absolutely beautiful, and every little detail had been thoughtfully considered. You could really tell how much care and attention had gone into creating this little paradise. House reef: Truly breathtaking—there's no need to book excursions. All the beautiful things the sea has to offer are right in front of your villa! Room: The room was spacious, and the outdoor bathroom was fantastic. A big shoutout to Shiman, who did an amazing job keeping our room spotless throughout our stay. Food: Outstanding! We especially recommend all the dishes marked as "locally sourced." Not only were they absolutely delicious seafood dishes, but they also served as a wonderful reminder that you're staying on a small island. It's a thoughtful way to encourage guests to appreciate and support the local community and its resources. What truly made our stay unforgettable, however, was the incredible team. Their warmth, kindness, and genuine hospitality made all the difference. We especially want to thank a few team members in particular: Sylvia, Aditya, and Naveen, thank you for making the best "you can surprise us" cocktails. Skye, Elvie, Astrid, Shaamin, and Ifham, thank you for the wonderful service at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the lovely chats, and your attention to detail. Tshering, thank you for the relaxing spa treatments. We would also like to thank all the other team members, both front-of-house and behind the scenes, who work tirelessly to prepare such incredible food, keep the island immaculate, and ensure that every guest has an unforgettable stay. Your dedication and hard work do not go unnoticed. Due to the weather conditions, we had some difficulties getting home and ended up at the airport in Malé. Even then, we could still rely on the support of the Kandolhu team and the Versa team at the airport to coordinate with our travel agent and Emirates. Amazing!

We spent a perfect 6 nights at Kandolhu, spending 4 nights in a pool Villa,103, which we thought was a perfect location with beautiful beach and turquoise water in front and 2 nights in an ocean pool villa,206, again in a great location but the pool villa was certainly our favourite. We booked Kandolhu mainly because of the house reef and it certainly exceeded our expectations. We spent hours each day snorkeling, so many sharks, turtles and rays to see as well as the beautiful coral. We even saw a small manta ray one day. The food was excellent at all 5 restaurants and we had some of the best cocktails we’ve had from the bar, our favourite was the second brew espresso martini! The staff were what made the resort so special, making us feel so at home. There was honestly nothing to fault at Kandolhu and a resort we would definitely go back to.

The seaplane touched down softly on the ocean surface, like a cloud floating down into the earthly realm. “We’ve arrived,” I said to my wife, my brow slightly furrowed with worry—she was suffering from motion sickness. Flying on a seaplane for the first time, we had been so captivated by the islands scattered across the sea like strings of pearls, snapping photos non-stop, that I completely forgot to remind her to take her motion sickness pills. Entirely my fault. On the floating platform, my wife lowered her center of gravity and sat down to keep the rolling waves from torturing her any further. Kandolhu’s transfer boat had already arrived. We stepped aboard, and within three seconds of a cold, coconut-scented towel touching her face and neck, I saw pure joy bloom in her eyes once again. What a truly magical towel. Beside us, our Island Host, Adhil, was all smiles. Hey, wait... I would love to elaborate on every single detail like this, but this is a review section, not a free preview of a third-rate novel, right? So let me just give you a quick, montage-style glimpse of our memories: beach villas hidden in lush greenery, reef sharks swimming alongside us, water villas with breathtaking ocean views, one exquisite feast after another, and the warmest staff imaginable... And those lovely, unforgettable names: Astrid, Adhil, Naaish, Elvie, Naveen, Skye, and Ifham. I really wish I could write out every detail of our time with all of you, but I’ll have to leave it at that. Thank you, Kandolhu, for making me forget I’m living in the mortal world once again.

Every day staying at Kandolhu is fantastic. All staff on the island are warm and friendly. Our villa is neat and comfortable, surrounded by remarkable natural ecology. The one‑legged little bird still stays fresh in our memory. We highly approve of the resort’s well‑executed sustainability projects. Special thanks to our host Adhil, as we received impeccable service throughout our entire stay.

Having spent 6 days on the sister island of Kuramathi, we were excited to go to Kandolhu for some rest, relaxation, exceptional snorkelling and fabulous eating and drinking and Kandolhu did not disappoint! This was our second visit and it was just as wonderful as before. Many staff remembered us and it was lovely to see them and enjoy their wonderful hospitality! Our villa, 108, was on the most perfect spot of beach with uninterrupted views of breathtaking ocean. I loved sitting watching sharks, rays and turtles go past! The snorkelling here is fabulous, the reef remains very healthy with an abundance of marine life but especially sharks, including big nurse sharks! Food and drinks were excellent, with an extensive selection on all menus, the bar service was also excellent with wonderfully prepared and presented cocktails! The management cocktail evening was excellent, with super food and drinks! The island is beautiful, it’s peaceful and a perfect place to relax and enjoy quiet times. The villa had everything we needed, from snacks, wine and drinks etc and they are very luxurious too with the wide range that is provided! This is our 8th island, with other islands including Kuramathi, Hurawalhi, Furaveri, Komodoo and one year we blew the budget and went Kodadoo but Kandolhu is where we love and consider it to be our favourite! Kandolhu is perfect for couples and families who are looking for a little spot of paradise to relax and be together, whilst being incredibly spoilt! We cannot wait to go back for another visit! Thank you to all the wonderful staff who looked after us so well, I did get tearful on our last night as I was sad to leave this wonderful island paradise!

Kandolhu lives up to its 5 star location and service with ease. Having travelled to the Maldives previously, we were keen to search for a small island paradise with phenomenal snorkelling and legendary service and facilities. Kandolhu has it all. Luxury rooms, postcard views, outstanding food and service, and an underwater paradise. Think African safari but underwater!! We snorkelled every day and the 360 degree house reef means you can always find clear and calm water to enjoy the sea life. Our favourites were the hawksbill turtles and the very safe and friendly small reef sharks which all inhabit this pristine reef ecology. We also booked an incredible manta ray excursion which blew our minds and was very reasonably priced compared to other resorts. Guide Shaad ( Shark as he prefers!) was exceptionally skilled at finding Mantas, ensuring our safety and interacting casually with our Australian sense of humour. He made the trip very memorable and is an incredible asset to Kandolhu. He was ably supported by boat skipper Rasheed who was always on the look out for mantas and always there to collect us for a speedy pick up. Well done boys! And let’s not forget the professional 4K cameras you can use for free to capture every underwater moment, and quickly and easily download to your phone. We used them every day on the house reef. The ultimate inclusions food and drink package is very generous with 30 international wines in your room wine fridge plus the same choice when dining out! The food and food choices are also outstanding with 5 diverse restaurants. We often ate without other guests and so we often felt like we were the only ones there. This only accentuated the deserted island paradise vibe, all with an amazing bar within arms reach! We were also impressed with their care of their staff and the sustainable approaches to the resort and protecting this incredibly untouched reef. We felt very confident that we could return in a few years and find the reef in pristine condition and the staff as warm and helpful as ever. We certainly do hope to return one day. However, above all, what makes Kandolhu an 11/10 is the incredible staff and service. They remember your name and your drink orders and have a genuine interest in conversation. A huge thank you to Adhil, Nana, Elvie , Skye, chef Astrid, Nasruu, Roman and Ifham who provided us with amazing service and warmth. Hosts Lucy and Claudio are first class and Lucy was always guiding us to the best snorkelling spots around the reef each day. They clearly care for the island, its reef, their staff and us as guests. If you’re looking for a small island with a big heart, and 5 star food and service whilst you are barefoot at dinner, with world class snorkelling at your door step, then Kandolhu is a must. We can’t thank you enough for what was a perfect 8 days in paradise. Natalie and Scott Adelaide, Australia

We had an absolutely wonderful time and will definitely come back. Everything was simply perfect. A little paradise.

Amazing staff very attentive and warm, food is great and the island is so peaceful and serene

What can I say! I feel like I’ve been in a Paradise dream for 10 days! From start to finish it has been the most memorable holiday in years! Every staff member Naveen, Aditya, Silvia, Nassrull, Elvira, Naish, Ifam, Sky, Romel, Telma, Reni, Jenny and not forgetting Nana have made the trip just outstanding! They are all kind, nothing is an issue, the service is the best!!!!!!! Food is amazing! So relaxing, cocktails are 10/10! Spa treatments are a must! Full all inclusive package is the best I have ever experienced! Villas are wonderful, water villas the view is just wow! Duplex villas are just as wonderful! Gym is great! The Management Team have created something wonderful here & I just can’t wait to go back! Everyone must go to this island 🏝️ Grateful to have been to this wonderful island! Natalie & Dan x

This petite 5* resort in the Maldives, home to one of the most beautiful house reefs in the country, can be found in the North Ari Atoll a short seaplane ride from the capital Male. We chose this resort based on the size, 30 villas, its reviews and its mention in the Honeymoon vlog of our homegrown Scottish makeup mogul Jamie Genevieve, to whom ultimately, we must thank for finding the place. Peace and relaxation were at the top of our list, and this resort undoubtedly provides just that. From the luxury interiors of the villas to the splendid selection of restaurants, this small isle does not skimp in big offerings. You’ll be invited to Maldivian themed dinner feasts in Seagrill, enjoy refreshing cocktails from the bar or be entertained by the resorts teppanyaki chef at Banzai. You will end your stay feeling extremely well rested and fed wishing you had more time to try it all! If you’re an ocean lover, the vibrant house reef is alive with so much to see as well as a range of excursions on offer at the Noovilu Sports Centre, if you’re a foodie you can be transported from Italy in Olive or to Mexico in Ata Roa for delicious fresh ceviche. The Market restaurant also offers a delightful menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner with views across the white sands to the ocean. If you prefer relaxation and lazy days, the Spa and its facilities offer peace and tranquillity in beautiful, lush surroundings. Kandolhu really has it all. Above all this, the most important factor that makes this resort outstanding, is the incredible community of staff and managers. From the resort managers Claudio and Luciana’s warm welcome as you step off the arrival boat, to Chef Ragu and Chef Justin for providing some of the best food we have ever tasted as well as accommodating so well, my partners vegetarian diet. To Elvie, Nasru and Harsha whom head up the hardworking waiting staff team in the restaurants and bar (Skye, Nhana, Maan, Shariff, Shamin, Shifuh, Aafaaq, Sylvie, Angel, and many others whose outstanding service is noticed and truly appreciated), to the lovely Spa ladies, Jenny, Tshering, Telma and Reni for providing heavenly massages, so good I almost fell asleep, to Hannu for keeping our villa meticulously clean every day, to the nimble ‘Coconut Man’ (unfortunately we didn’t get his name) who made climbing coconut palms look incredibly easy, to all the staff who maintain the island landscape and whom sweep endlessly the paths every day to allow us to walk barefoot around the island. To the lovely young lady at Ata Roa from Java, Indonesia who made the most delicious fresh churros I’ve ever tasted. And lastly but by no means least a very special mention and thanks to Shad at the Noovilu Sports Centre on the island, whose endless knowledge of the reefs and the area allows you to experience the ocean in ways you can’t imagine. To Shad, Ibby, Navide, the boat drivers and all other staff mentioned above and to those behind closed doors that dedicate their time and hard work to providing us with the best holiday, we thank you. We miss you. We will be back soon to our second home, Kandolhu.

Beautiful island with very caring,warm and friendly staff. Diving excellent. Food great. Intimate and peaceful atmosphere.

My stay at Kandolhu was nothing short of exceptional. I travelled at the end of May alone with my two teenage children and had a wonderful experience overall. Before travelling, I had been quite worried about the weather, particularly visiting the Maldives at the end of May. I had booked a total of 9 nights, with the first 4 nights at Kandolhu and the final 5 nights at Ananea, which actually turned out to be the perfect balance. Weather-wise, we experienced a mix of conditions. Most days were sunny with intermittent cloud cover and very comfortable temperatures for sunbathing and swimming. We did have one very stormy evening and one full stormy day with heavy rain, but overall I still had plenty of beautiful weather and was very glad I made the trip. What became immediately obvious is that there is absolutely no comparison when it comes to the snorkelling and marine life at Kandolhu. The house reef is truly outstanding and on another level entirely compared to anywhere else I visited. The abundance of marine life and coral was breathtaking - colourful fish everywhere, rays, reef sharks, and vibrant coral just steps from the beach. Snorkelling here genuinely felt like swimming in an aquarium. The island itself is tiny in the most perfect way - intimate, peaceful, and absolutely stunning. I stayed in one of the Duplex Villas and Kandolhu very kindly arranged for two single beds to be added to the downstairs living room area for my teenagers, which worked really well for my family. The villa felt spacious and comfortable, and having two bathrooms made a huge difference. I especially loved the outdoor shower, which felt incredibly luxurious, along with all the high-quality shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and body moisturiser provided. The huge wine fridge and daily snacks were another fantastic touch, and the private pool and sea view were simply incredible - waking up to that view every morning was unforgettable. The service throughout the island was incredibly personal. Every member of staff seemed to know our names from the very beginning, which made the experience feel warm and genuinely welcoming rather than transactional. A special thank you to Elvie, Sylvie, Roman, and Skye, who all provided exceptional service and made our stay even more memorable. The food was another standout. The variety across the restaurants was fantastic, with everything beautifully presented and consistently delicious. The freshly made drinks and cocktails were equally impressive and added to the luxury feel of the resort. One thing worth noting when booking is the view from some of the duplex villas. Unfortunately, a number of them have views that are significantly obscured by the water villas: * Duplex Villas 119 to 116 mainly overlook the backs of the water bungalows * Duplex Villas 114 to 113 have an acceptable but more limited view For the best beach villa views, I would highly recommend: * Villas 105 to 101 * Villas 112 to 106 My only real disappointment was the Noovilu water sports and dive centre, which sadly let down what was otherwise a perfect experience. The lady running the dive centre was rude, dismissive, and unkind during my interactions, while the gentleman there largely ignored us completely. More concerning was the manta ray excursion. Before booking, I specifically checked whether the weather conditions were suitable for the trip and was reassured that they were. Unfortunately, we ended up caught in a very frightening storm while out at sea. The conditions became so severe that the boat could barely move and we were effectively stranded for a period of time. I completely understand that weather in the Maldives can change quickly, however this storm had been forecast and, in my opinion, the trip should never have gone ahead. It felt genuinely dangerous and was quite upsetting. It is such a shame because the dive and water sports centre was the only aspect of the holiday that fell below expectations. Aside from this, Kandolhu truly is a magical island with one of the best house reefs I have ever experienced - perfect for anyone looking for a small luxury island with outstanding snorkelling, exceptional food, and genuinely heartfelt service.

This was my fifth trip to the Maldives, and I’ve always had wonderful things to say about every resort I’ve visited but Kandolhu has completely redefined my idea of the perfect Maldivian escape. First, the staff. Every single person we encountered was exceptional. The level of attentiveness and attention to detail was unlike anything we’ve experienced before. We genuinely felt cared for throughout our stay. A special thank you to Mafaaz for helping us plan our activities for the week, Roman, Elvie, and Skye for making every meal memorable, Sylvia for her phenomenal cocktails, and of course the chefs, who completely ruined my diet in the best possible way. As for the resort itself, it's absolutely stunning. Kandolhu feels like a tiny slice of paradise, and tiny is exactly what makes it so special. With only 30 villas, the island feels intimate, peaceful, and incredibly exclusive. The rooms are spacious, beautifully designed, and incredibly comfortable. I actually audibly gasped when I first walked into our water villa. And then there’s the house reef, truly the crown jewel of Kandolhu. We snorkeled multiple times a day and saw something new every single time. I’ve never seen such vibrant, diverse coral so full of life. Turtles, sharks, rays, eels, octopus, and endless schools of fish. It felt like swimming in an aquarium. I honestly don’t think you could ever get bored exploring it. All in all, Kandolhu is a small but majestic paradise, and without question my new favorite resort in the Maldives. I already can’t wait to return.

During our trip to Kandolhu in the Maldives this May, we enjoyed a wonderful vacation. The staff here were incredibly friendly and attentive, and some even spoke a little Chinese. We stayed two nights in a beach villa and two nights in an overwater villa. Every room was cleaned promptly, allowing us to enjoy a spotless space at any time. Our butler, Mafasa, always responded to our questions without delay and helped us make dining reservations. We went snorkeling at least twice a day and were constantly amazed by the vibrant coral reefs underwater. The snorkeling guide was highly professional and patiently taught us how to use our fins, masks, and snorkels. We were extremely lucky to spot a green sea turtle during one of our snorkeling trips! The island offered a wide variety of delicious and healthy meals. The SPA was also well worth experiencing. It was incredibly relaxing. We would definitely come back to Kandolhu Island if we get the chance.

From the moment you step onto the island, you immediately feel the warm and heartfelt welcome from the team. It is a small natural island with so much to offer. Lush vegetation surrounds the island, and it has one of the best and richest marine ecosystems in its house reef, which encircles the entire island. You can spot turtles, different types of sharks, large schools of fish, and walls of sea anemones — simply magnificent. Every member of staff was attentive and helpful, always greeting guests politely with smiles on their faces. Ibby from watersports is very knowledgeable and guided us around the stunning reef. Food was excellent, super thanks to Roman, Elvie, Shaamin, and Harsha from F&B who were always around and offered such great hospitality. Led by a passionate and genuinely kind management couple, Claudio and Luciana, there is no wonder the guests here keep coming back. Overall, a place where you can truly feel peaceful and be amazed by the wonderful offerings they have.

This was our fifth visit to the Maldives and our second to Kandolhu. I am sure it won't be our last. The beauty of the island is it's size, all the staff know you (there were staff from our previous visit four years ago who remembered us) and nothing is too much trouble. If there are more than two people on the beach or at the bar, it's a crowd! The reef is stunning and you can swim straight from your villa. We had our wedding anniversary whilst there and enjoyed private dining on the beach. If you want intimacy and to be away from the crowds and just relax, you won't be disappointed.

This was our first time visiting Kandolhu in the Maldives, and it completely exceeded our expectations! The scenery here is absolutely breathtaking, the food is delicious, and every member of staff we met was incredibly friendly and attentive. A special shoutout to Aman at the reception, who welcomed us with such warmth from the very start. During our stay, we completely forgot about work stress and daily troubles, just soaking in every moment of paradise. We’re truly grateful to the entire team on the island for their dedicated, thoughtful service. This has been an unforgettable vacation, and we’re already counting down the days until we come back to Kandolhu again!

Absolutely beautiful island, friendly & fun staff who made us feel pampered & so relaxed. Food was amazing in all restaurants, huge villas, best house reef we’ve ever snorkelled. Quiet

It’s been a few years now but we can’t stop thinking about this island! the most magical resort and reef. what a place

This was our fifth visit to Kandolhu and once more we had a fantastic holiday. The weather was perfect so we were able to snorkel a few times a day, regularly right round the whole reef. The coral is visibly showing more colour and life. As always we saw lots of turtles, rays (eagle, sting rays and mini mantas), shoals of beautiful fusiliers and so much more. The Manta Ray trip with Shaad was excellent and we were very privileged to spend a long time with a manta. One of our main criteria for choosing Kandolhu is the reef which is spectacular but we also choose it for the team and the food. Too many people to mention everyone individually though we would thank Maan, Elvira, Nana, Astrid, Skye and all in the restaurant and Sudharma in the bar for his great service and smile. Luciana and Claudio are very friendly and helpful to guests, especially at such a busy time helping guests manage their airline bookings due to disruptions. The food is excellent in all the restaurants. We were very lucky to be there for the special dining experience with a visiting chef, both in Olive and Sea Grill. So good we are booked to come back again! Thank you to all the team at Kandolhu for their welcome and care Anne & Nigel x

Wow. We wanted the holiday of a lifetime, and Maldives delivered. Having never previously visited Maldives, we chose through @Kuoni to spend 4 nights at each of three different islands: Kuramathi, Ananea Madivaru and Kandolhu. The views expressed below are unique to us, we know and respect that others will have different. Our overall assessment is the Maldives is what we perceive paradise to feel and look like, the most incredible white beaches, gorgeous blue sea full of interesting sea life and coral, complimented by plenty of sun. Our review is as follows: Kandolhu. 7 out of 10. Unlikely to return Every island offered a unique experience, and all helped create ‘paradise’ and our holiday of a lifetime. So what lies behind these scores: Kandolhu Is a very small mature island with some lovely staff. The À la carte menu and food choices were outstanding. Snorkelling felt safe and a unique experience of coral and sea life - ‘our own tropical fish tank’, particularly when staying in an over the water villa. What improvements would we recommend for each island: Kandolhu: To be more than a snorkelling island, and be better value for money (particularly bar prices which were stupidly expensive)

We had a wonderful five day stay at Kandolhu! It was definitely the perfect first stop in the Maldives. Our OW bungalow was clean and modern and just looked out to the sea- so private. The food was very good especially dinner at Sea Grill. Keep thinking about the Prawn Curry from lunch at the main dining room as well. The staff at dining, particularly Skye, Nana and Roman, were beyond friendly and helpful. Hassan in housekeeping did a great job keeping us in towels. Ibby and Adam were so helpful and informative at the Dive Center. I especially appreciated the loan program that they offered for an insta360 for a few hours. Took some really good underwater photos. I cannot say enough about the house reef. It was teeming with fish and so shallow and easy to snorkel right from the dock. It was definitely snorkeling for beginners and what an extraordinary coral reef- fish soup! It is a small island if that is what you are looking for and we did divide up our stay at a second resort. Although house reef at 2d resort was not nearly as interesting with coral or abundance of fish. My husband and I enjoyed the usually empty fitness center and the evening bar scene even had live music one night. Kandolhu is only a 25 minute seaplane trip plus a 5 minute boat pick up so fairly close to the Male airport.

Resort is absolutely fantastic. Purchased the Sand Bar Excursion for x2 cost of $500 for 3 hrs and was totally discusted with the state of the sandbank. Littered with wood pallets,oil drum,bottles, plastic fishing lines and ropes ect. Absolutely appalling mess. No refund offered. Don't book.

Our stay at Kandolhu Maldives was simply perfect from beginning to end – truly a dream vacation that exceeded all expectations. The island itself is breathtakingly beautiful: small, intimate, and immaculately maintained, with powder-white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water all around. It feels like your own private paradise. The house reef is absolutely spectacular – one of the best we have ever experienced in the Maldives. Just a few steps from the beach, you can snorkel among vibrant corals, colorful fish, reef sharks, and rays. Every swim felt like entering a natural aquarium. We stayed in a stunning duplex villa with our own private pool and direct beach access, which made the experience even more special. Waking up and stepping straight onto the sand or into our pool felt like pure luxury. The villa was beautifully designed, very spacious, and impeccably clean – as was the entire island. Everything was maintained to the highest standard, and you could feel the attention to detail everywhere. What truly made our stay unforgettable was the incredibly warm and attentive staff. Every single team member went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and cared for. Their genuine friendliness and attention to detail created such a relaxed and personal atmosphere – we felt valued at every moment. The food was outstanding. Each restaurant offered exceptional quality, creativity, and variety. From fresh seafood to perfectly prepared international dishes, every meal was a highlight. The presentation, flavors, and service were consistently excellent – fine dining in paradise. Kandolhu is the perfect combination of luxury, privacy, nature, and heartfelt hospitality. Everything was flawless, and we wouldn’t change a single thing. We are already dreaming of coming back – and we most certainly will. Highly, highly recommended!

Tudo absolutamente excelente. Perfeito.

This was our 7th visit to Kandolhu and it did not disappoint! Whilst it is certainly a beautiful island and the reef is better than ever (and one of the best in the Maldives), it is the staff that make this island what it is. Claudio and Lucy have a fabulous group of people working to look after your time on the island. From Justin and Ragu who produce the most amazing food, to Roman and Elvira who run the restaurants so well the staff are all excellent and so friendly. We have to mention Naaven on the bar and Maan, Nana, Skye and Nasru who made every meal a joy. Thank you to you all and those we have not had space mention!

We spent 11 nights on Kandolhu to celebrate a “big birthday” and can not recommend it highly enough. Kandolhu feels friendly and personal from the moment you meet the first team member at Male Airport and the experience on the island itself is outstanding! A small number of high quality rooms on an island with its own house-reef and excellent facilities lays the foundation for a splendid experience, but it is the team of people on Kandolhu who make it stand out. They all know your name before you get there and recognise your face within a few hours of you arriving, so you never need to be called “Sir” or “Madam”. Every mealtime and every visit to the Bar or the Spa or the Dive School/Watersports team very quickly becomes an opportunity to catch up with people who are more like friends than “the team who serve you”. They have mastered the art of knowing when you want to chat, for how long, or when you want some privacy as a couple - a ”trick” that can’t be easy but they all have it. But here is the part of our experience that capped it all and confirmed our decision that we will go back - and it happened on our departure day. Our departure by seaplane was early in the morning, requiring a short speedboat ride to get to another island which had a seaplane dock. Our seaplane journey involved one stop on our way to the airport at Male - imagine our surprise and, very quickly, our delight when the Seaplane Pilot came back to the aircraft and said “it seems you left your carkeys in your room on Kandolhu - here they are”!! So, the guy who cleaned our Villa must have found them after our speedboat departed and then the team sprang into action and sent another speedboat to an island that was even further away in what turned out to be a successful attempt to get the keys to us in time. That is what a friend would do, and that is the ultimate example that happened to us which confirmed what we thought all along - that we were staying on an island where a group of friends we hadn’t known previously were doing their utmost to make sure we enjoyed ourselves and that everything was perfect.

We had a wonderful stay at Kandolhu! The food was excellent and it is truly impressive that such a small island offers five different restaurants. Two of them, one Japanese-inspired and one Mexican/Spanish, are very intimate, more like small huts with six seats. This actually made the experience even more special, as the chef prepared the dishes right in front of us while explaining what was being made. Simply delicious and very personal. We stayed in a Sea Villa, which we really liked. The bathroom was particularly nice, with a large window facing the ocean. The sun deck had been newly renovated and our villa was facing the sunset, which made the evenings especially enjoyable. The house reef is beautiful, with lots of coral, fish and turtles and plenty of cute reef sharks. It is the most beautiful reef we have seen across the four different resorts we have stayed at in the Maldives. The sand around the island is also very fine and pleasant. A special thank you to the hosts Claudio and Luciana, who manage the island operations. They always greeted us warmly and took the time to exchange a few words during the late afternoon drinks. It was clear that they are genuinely interested in their guests’ stay and wellbeing. We would also like to give a special thanks to our professional guide Shaad who took us out to swim with mantas and guided us during an extraordinary whale shark encounter. A truly amazing and unique experience.

Kandolhu is the place if you are looking for a small intimate barefoot escape with a luxurious vibe, friendly people, excellent food and perhaps the best house reef in the Maldives. The over-the-water ocean villas are recommended for the sunset views and absolute privacy, not to mention the direct ocean access. Highly recommended!

We have had many trips to this island it is small only 30 villas but has five restaurants which all provide excellent varied food. The staff are amazing and always go out of their way to help and make your stay as memorable as they can. A big shout out to Elivera who asked chef to make special gluten free dishes and even arranged a visit to the island doctor when I had a cold she is a star!

Kandolhu Maldives Resort is a beautiful small island with an intimate, peaceful atmosphere. The house reef is outstanding and easily one of the best in the Maldives, perfect for snorkeling right off the beach. The staff are incredibly friendly, and the service feels very personal. The villas are spacious, comfortable, and well designed. Diving is excellent, with fantastic nearby sites and a professional dive team. A truly special luxury resort.

In kandolu, we had a good time with kind staffs great marine enviroment and overall calm atmosphere we will like to visit agian when possible

Kandholhu Maldives was truly a pleasure. This intimate cute little island is easy to explore on foot, extremely relaxing. I stayed in a gorgeous beach villa with a pool and jacuzzi, the view from this two storey villa over looking the sunset and ocean was breathtaking. The beauty of Kandholhu is exemplified by the amazing staff. Luciana and the rest of the staff were immensely kind and welcoming, and even the resort manager, Claudio, stood out for his professionalism and genuinely approachable nature. I wholeheartedly recommend Kandolhu to anyone looking for a peaceful, calm atmosphere to unwind.

Extraordinary experience, high quality services, wonderful resort team, fabulous gastronomy in all 5 restaurants, superb home reef with quality corals, numerous and various fish, sharks, rays, turtles in less than 50 meters from the beach, excellent diving center with very good team and equipment and dive sites (sharks, mantas, wreck, coral reef...). It was a wonderful experience on a magical little island surounded by a super clean beach and lagoon. We would love to come back again.

From the moment we arrived at Kandolhu, we felt genuinely welcomed and cared for. The team is truly outstanding, and it’s clear that management places great importance on creating a happy, motivated staff. Special thanks to Gobsson, Nasru, Elvie, Nana, Skye, Shaamin, Anjelieta, and the entire Kandolhu team for making our stay so memorable, as well as Dr. Saurav for excellent care. Although Kandolhu is a small island with just 30 bungalows, it offers everything you could want from a luxury resort: wellness facilities, gym, dive center, water sports, a beautiful house reef, and an impressive five restaurants. Dining was a highlight—every restaurant was excellent, with à la carte menus (no buffets except breakfast), making each meal feel special, fresh, and well balanced. The house reef is outstanding and easily snorkeled in under an hour, with abundant marine life including sharks, rays, turtles, and even dolphins. Manta rays and whale sharks are also reachable within 30 minutes. We stayed on the Ultimate Inclusive package, which was incredible. Kandolhu delivers exceptional service, superb food, and a relaxed luxury that makes it hard to leave—and easy to recommend.

Having to leave. All good things must come to an end and so did our vacation.

After searching online for a small resort with a great house reef, we found and booked an eight-day holiday in December directly with Kandolhu. With just 30 villas, it has the amenities of a larger resort (spa, gym, water activities and five restaurants) plus direct access to snorkelling from various points on the island. This is a place to relax in quiet barefoot luxury. Kandolhu has a peaceful and intimate magic about it, making you feel as though you have the island to yourself while being completely looked after. The seaplane transfer was seamless from our arrival at Terminal 1 at Velana Airport in Male with the accompaniment of Ishan and after a short boat ride we were warmly greeted at Kandolhu. Everyone was welcoming and clearly happy to give guests the best experience, from Landysh’s orientation to the resort and our water villa, to Jenny and Rennie at Varu Spa (the four-day relax massage series is a must), to Navide from Noovilu excursions whose youth belies his camera skills in the water (amazing videos from our swim with manta rays).  The variety of food on the island makes you feel like you’re in a much larger resort but without the crowds. All of the wait staff knew us by name and quickly picked up on our preferences. We felt very much at home and well cared for by Elvie — who made sure we got our favourite tropical fruits for breakfast — Shaamin, Ameen, Nana, Shifa, Sharif, Maan and all of the restaurant staff (too may to mention!). Kudos to the chefs with their inventive menus and well executed dishes and desserts, where we got to appreciate the delicacy of Maldivian food as well as every other cuisine. The housekeeping is impeccable and we looked forward to the sweet treats from the turn down service every day. The groundsmen make sure to sweep the leaves off the paths and keep the beach pristine after a storm, allowing us to walk around the island barefoot. It was also great to get an insight into the intricacies of running an island resort from managers Claudio and Luciana. The recently renovated deluxe ocean pool villas are large and well appointed, with a generously sized bathroom, his and hers sinks and a fantastic view from the bathtub. We appreciated having an eternity pool on the private deck of our deluxe ocean villa, the colours perfectly matching the turquoise and pale aqua of the reef waters beyond. The water villas face west, giving the best view of the endless ocean and spectacular sunsets. As a tip, it is fascinating to go out to the jetty at night after dinner to look at black tip reef sharks and other sea life in the water. There's also a resident grey heron that can be seen catching fish on the beach. All in all, we had the most wonderful and relaxing stay at Kandolhu, which encapsulated everything anyone could want from a beach holiday.

I wasn’t sure what I could say that hadn’t already been said by the other reviewers. We’ve been to the Maldives a number of times and been to some fabulous resorts. This was our first time on Kandolhu, and at Christmastime too, so no pressure. We were not disappointed, in fact we were surprised and delighted by this small piece of paradise and its wonderful hosts. The island is very small (tick), good house reef (tick), a variety of restaurants (tick), great mix of accommodation (tick). We had a duplex beach villa. Lots of space and the addition of a plunge pool - a lovely treat. The spa was very luxurious and treatments felt indulgent. Special thanks to Reni and Tshering our therapists on both our visits. We tried all of the five restaurants, some several times. Our favourites were Ata Roa for ceviche and tacos (shout out to talented young chef Astrid), Sea Grill and Banzai for teppanyaki (and chef Philip’s entertainment). Best evening was the gala dinner on Christmas Eve. The decoration, the food, the service and the whole organisation was just superb. Not to mention the lovely touches of Santa hats and gifts in our rooms. Special mention to Chef Justin and his pastry team for the incredible giant gingerbread house. And finally, the thing that sets Kandolhu apart - it’s incredible staff. From reception, to villa hosts, to watersports team, to bar staff and food and beverage staff - all take pride in their work and a genuine interest in guests. We couldn’t remember all of their names (although they all knew ours) but had to mention Nana, Skye and Ameen from Elvie’s restaurant team. Congratulations Luciana and Claudio for such a wonderful paradise. We hope to be back again in the future.

Our family of four from Singapore stayed at Kandolhu from 24 December 2025, and although this was our first visit, it certainly won’t be our last. We’ve been to the Maldives (previously staying at Soneva Gili, now Gili Lankanfushi, and Conrad Rangali), always choosing overwater villas, and all three resorts were beautiful in their own ways. The main reason we chose Kandolhu was for its renowned house reef, and it absolutely exceeded our expectations. This tiny private island is surrounded by spectacular reefs, and you can snorkel around the entire island in about 2 hours. We swam with friendly nurse sharks right under the jetty and spotted black and whitetip sharks all around the island. I’ll admit I was nervous at first, but they always swam away when humans approached. We had a stingray gliding beneath our villa, saw three majestic manta rays on an excursion, and even swam with a sea turtle on another outing. Truly magical moments. Because the island is so small, the staff quickly felt like friends. Their genuine warmth made our stay feel extra special. Shaamin introduced us to Maldivian chili (which I loved!) and even gave us one to bring home to grow. Ameen, who once watched Taylor Swift in Singapore, shared lovely stories of his journey through Malaysia and Singapore. The staff at the Sports Centre were incredibly helpful and proactive in arranging all our activities, from manta ray encounters to snorkeling excursions. A special mention goes to Nishan who took our family on a catamaran ride around the island. He was entertaining, engaging, and made the entire experience wonderfully fun. We truly had a fantastic time and appreciated the warm, enthusiastic service throughout. Although we didn’t manage to learn all the staff names, they knew each of us by name, and we felt so welcomed by everyone. Always greeted with smiles, always asked how our day was. Their sincerity is unforgettable. On our last day, we joined the cooking class led by a very friendly (and yes, handsome!) chef. It turned out to be such a highlight. All the guests bonded easily, chatting like old friends. Chef, if you ever read this, thank you for the wonderful Maldivian curry recipe; we’re already planning to recreate it at home! And a big thank you as well to the charming “assistant chef", actually a fellow guest, which made the class even more fun. The resort is run by a very hands-on German/Swiss couple, and their dedication shows in every corner of the island. They create a warm, homely atmosphere that explains why so many guests return year after year. We met people who had been coming back for 7 or 8 consecutive years and now we understand why. This unforgettable holiday wouldn’t have been the same without the wonderful team at Kandolhu. The stunning house reefs are reason enough to visit, but it is the people who truly make the experience complete. Thank you to everyone at Kandolhu for giving our family such a fantastic holiday.

After reading plenty of reviews about Kandolhu and working ourselves in the tourism industry, our expectations were high - and Kandolhu more than delivered on all fronts! If you are looking for a wonderfully intimate, relaxed, unpretentious hideaway paradise with a truly one-of-a-kind service – your search has come to an end. Accommodation: Our Beach Villa was spacious, well-equipped, beautifully designed and thanks to our amazing Housekeeper Adam in absolute perfect condition. We greatly enjoyed our outdoor shower and stunning beach access from our terrasse. Food & Beverage: Having 5 restaurant options on such a small island already says it all - outstanding. The culinary experience under the amazing Executive Chef Justin was a real treat. It is hard to come up with a ranking for all the fantastic meals we had the pleasure of enjoying. Astrid, the chef in the Peruvian Mexican fusion lunch restaurant treated us to great Tacos and Ceviche. The themed dinners (Indian Night, Seafood Night) as well our Teppanyaki evening left us with no open wishes and the Wine Tasting Dinner was showcasing Executive Chef Justin's skill set that would easily fit in any high-end dining setting. However, apart from all the culinary delights, the restaurant and bar personnel were the true stars of the show. Our special thanks go to Ameen, Maan, Nana and Anjelita who lived personalized service culture to the highest extend. Snorkeling & House Reef: In two word: Absolutely Stunning. This has been a key criterion on all of our trips to the Maldives and the Kandolhu House Reef is without any doubt one of the best on the Maldives. Black and White Tip Reef Sharks, Grey Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Eagle Rays, Turtles, Eels, huge schools of Jackfish, the list is endless. The Dive Center Team under the lead of Chiara and Mike was equally as impressive as the fantastic house reef. They organized amazing Manta excursions for us (one that was memorable on all fronts 😊) and our special thanks go to Shaad who introduced us to the world of free diving and whose free diving talent, dedication and enthusiasm was truly inspiring and contagious. Our greatest respect go to the Management couple Luciana and Claudio. You created something that is very hard to replicate: an atmosphere of true personnel relationships between guests and staff. When the holiday is over and you depart from Kandolhu, you will surely miss the beautiful island, the amazing food, the stunning reef, but what you will miss the most is the staff that you truly connected with. That is an accomplishment that not many places worldwide are able to achieve and the secret ingredient why we, amongst so many other regular Kandolhu guests, want to be back again and again. Thank you! Martin & Angela

An unforgettable Maldives experience. Excellent service, a dreamlike villa, and a fantastic SPA made our stay truly special.The food was top class, and the house reef is perfect for diving and snorkeling. A heartfelt thank you to the amazing hosts Claudio & Luciana and the entire team for their warmth and professionalism. Everything was simply perfect … we can’t wait to return ☀️ 🌴✨

Прекрасное сочетание цены и качества. Отличный риф где много акул (безобидных) и рыб. 5 ресторанов с отличной кухней. Прекрасный персонал.

We’ve been coming to Kandolhu for quite a few years now and we don’t know anywhere else that can top it. If you’re coming to the Maldives, you’re coming for the soft white sandy beaches, crystal clear blue water and spectacular underwater life. Kandolhu has all of those in spades, and it has a special magic that no photos can convey. Add to that the top class accommodation, an excellent range of dining experiences and a superb spa, and you’ve got just about anything you might want. It is a small island with just 30 villas, so the tranquility and sense of privacy are palpable - especially if you’re lucky enough to have booked a beach pool villa, where you basically have a beach to yourself. But the greatest thing of all on Kandolhu is that it feels like home, albeit a spotless, luxurious home where you don’t have to lift a finger. The staff are truly exceptional and will make your stay special and memorable. They get the combination of high levels of service and human warmth just right, making for a gentle, friendly environment where you feel genuinely looked after. Kandolhu is the perfect mix of barefoot luxury without the swagger and brands. If like us you’re looking for calm and relaxation in beautiful surroundings, this is the place for you. There is some serious competition on the island for the most infectious smile, but from an in-depth survey of two, we agree that Elvie, Naveen and Justin are the deserving winners. Thank you to all of you who made our stay so special: there are far too many of you to name, but you know who you are :-). A special mention nonetheless for Samad, who kept our villa positively gleaming each day, and Raghu who constantly pandered to our predilection for Sri Lankan food. See you next year!

The stay was simply fantastic. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. The beach villa perfectly suited our needs. The beach dinner for my birthday was wonderful. If we return to the Maldives, it's definitely Kandolhu again! Der Aufenthalt war einfach grossartig. Sehr freundliches und herzliches Personal. Die Beach Villa hat unseren Bedürfnissen bestens entsprochen. Das Beach Dinnerzu meinem Geburtstag war wunderschön. Wenn wieder Maledieven, nur Kandolhu!!

Ein Traumurlaub auf einer wunderschönen kleinen Insel mit Hausriff, mit tollem Ausblick,alles perfekt, feines Essen, Extrem zuvorkommende Mitarbeiter, jeder Wunsch wird erfüllt.

Nichts

From the moment we landed at Malé airport, the Kandolhu experience began. We were warmly greeted by hotel staff who assisted us with our seaplane check-in and escorted us to the private lounge at the seaplane terminal. After long travels, the snacks, drinks, and welcome shower were a refreshing start to what would become the most unforgettable 10 nights of barefoot luxury. The seaplane touched down at a neighboring island, followed by a scenic 20-minute speedboat ride to Kandolhu. We were welcome d on the boat by friendly staff, cold towels and some chilled water. Management and staff greeted us personally on arrival at the Kandolhu jetty and we were immediately escorted to our Duplex Pool Villa, our home for the first five nights. The villa was stunning—private, beautifully designed, and complete with a lovely pool. The minibar and wine fridge were standout features that added a touch of indulgence. For the final five nights, we moved to an Ocean Pool Villa. All we can say is: WOW. The bathroom alone is a masterpiece—luxurious, spacious, and offering a 180-degree view of the turquoise waters. It was like living in a dream. And what more can you ask to just go down a few steps, and you are snorkelling on the amazing housereef. Lets touch on the housereef. This was one of the main reasons I chose Kandolhu, and we were not dissapointed. The variety of fish is incredibale. The reef itself with such a colourful variety of both soft and hard corals are a feast on the eye. Top that off, by seeing eagle ray, stingray, turtle, reefshark, nurseshark, eels and so much more. This was by far the best reef I have had the privilge to snorkel on. Dining at Kandolhu is a culinary journey. Breakfast at The Market includes a small buffet and a delightful à la carte menu. For lunch, we alternated between The Market and Ata Roa, where Mexican-inspired tacos and ceviche stole the show. A special mention must go to Astrid, the chef at Ata Roa. Her warmth, creativity, and genuine hospitality made every meal memorable. On our last day, she surprised us with a dish from her personal recipe—an absolute treat. Dinner options included The Market, Sea Grill, Olive, and Banzai. While the Japanese experience at Banzai was exciting and a lot of fun, we found the flavors at the other restaurants more to our taste. Olive was a standout, especially the Tuna with Truffle and Saffron Jus.....a flavor bomb and our favorite dish of the trip. Sea Grill offered the freshest seafood, prepared to perfection. What truly elevated our experience was the exceptional staff. From the moemnet you arrive, the staff no your firts names, which makes the experience so personal. Besides Astrid, we were looked after by Elvie and Ameen, who remembered not only our names but also our preferences from the second meal onward and always had thoughtful recommendations. By the end of our holiday they were not staff anymore, they were our friends. Maan crafted exquisite cocktails, and Nasru shared his passion for wine—definitely a future sommelier! A heartfelt thank you to Claude, the GM, and his wife (whose name sadly escapes me), as well as Les, the Food & Beverage Manager. Their presence, warmth, and attention to detail made us feel like part of the Kandolhu family. This was my seventh resort in the Maldives, and without a doubt, Kandolhu is number one. I never thought I’d return to the same resort twice—but Kandolhu may have changed my mind. It’s not just a resort; it’s an experience of a lifetime. 10 nights of barefoot, feet-in-the-sand, 7-star luxury. Thank you, Kandolhu. We’ll be back.

It was a perfect stay in every sense, and we are deeply grateful for the care and professionalism everyone showed us. We would like to extend our special appreciation to • Landysh, great and highly professional host • the Market Restaurant Team, specially to highly competent Elvy and her colleagues Nana and Ameen, • the Mexican Specialties team, with skilfull Astrid in charge at the Ata Roa Beach Restaurant • then the Vilu Bar team, with Angelita, Sudharma and Naveen who posess outstanding interpersonal skills • and last but not least to Les Hartung the F&B Manager, sharp and a true host personality Thank you for your outstanding kindness and professionalism! We met the charming managers Luciana Codiferro and Claudio Stupan on our last day, because they were on holiday during our stay, so you might think "When the cat's away, the mice will play", but not on this island! A5 Star Hotel in Paradise!

This was our second time staying, the last time was 9 years ago. We were pleased that nothing had changed, it remains as beautiful as ever. We stayed in water villa 211 which is the one on the end, which is great ti access the snorkelling channel to the reef. The weather was unfortunately not kind and was very windy & rainy for the majority of our time there, so i would avoid October in future. The staff are definitely who make this place special from the grounds men working to constantly keep the paths & walkways free of leaves, to Elvie, Maan, Iffam and all the team at the restaurants who are always happy & smiling and offer great service. The cocktails are also amazing and such a great selection. The star of the show for us would be chief Raghu who made some special spicy curry’s for my partner who enjoys his curry’s hot & they were the best! The seafood grill was our favourite place to eat, definitely a must for those who love fish. We also ate at the Teppanyaki which was very entertaining. I had the best message I’ve ever had from Jenny at the Spa. I also made use of the gym during the rainy weather, so it’s great to have that facility. The main purpose for our visit was the snorkelling and although it was a bit rough, we did still manage to get out most days, and the final two days when the weather was good, it was the best snorkelling ever, seeing turtles, sharks, tuna, eels, as so many fish. My partner also went to a local reef diving, with Ibrahim, who was great, he did say snorkelling at the house reef was just as good as the house reef is excellent.

My husband and I spent 10 nights at Kandolhu in January for our honeymoon, and it was absolutely incredible from start to finish. We split our stay between a beach villa and a water villa, and both were equally amazing in their own ways. The beach villa felt private and peaceful, with our own stretch of sand and the most beautiful sunsets, while the water villa was a dream - spacious, romantic, and perfect for a dip straight into the sea. The house reef was another real highlight. We went snorkelling almost every day and were blown away by how much there was to see - turtles, colourful fish, and so much vibrant marine life right off the beach. My husband also went scuba diving one day, which he really enjoyed, but honestly, you can see so much just snorkeling that you don’t even need to go far to experience the reef’s beauty. We chose Kandolhu because it’s small and boutique, with only around 30 villas, and that intimate feel made it so special. You really do feel like you’re on your own private island. The staff were wonderful - they get to know you by name and are so warm, welcoming, and attentive in a way that feels so personal. A special mention to Ameen, who always made us laugh and brightened every meal when he was our waiter, and to Astrid, whose food and company were absolute highlights of our trip. She went above and beyond to make every lunch special, and we adored chatting with her - we eat there every day if we could, she’s an incredible chef! We’d return to Kandolhu in a heartbeat. It’s the perfect mix of luxury, privacy, and genuine hospitality. For anyone looking for a truly romantic and unforgettable Maldives experience, we couldn’t recommend it more highly! We hope to be back!

Wow what a fantastic Island! We stayed for 14 nights in a Duplex villa in September and from the moment we pulled up to the welcome jetty to the most warmest welcome from Lucy, Claudio and several staff members to the day we left we were made to feel very special and treated with the utmost care. It seemed all staff knew out name from the first day! Our villa was perfect - the view from the bedroom of the ocean was amazing, waking up to that every morning was a dream. Sunsets were spectacular. The room had everything you needed the fridge and wine fridge were replaced daily with whatever you used. A fantastic wine selection which i must admit we didn't really use - it was too hot to drink through the day! Our room attendant was brilliant - the room was cleaned exceptionally well every day. The island was perfect for chilling and relaxing, hubby used the gym every day which was well maintained, i made use of the Spa! Jenny was amazing and i was totally relaxed after my 5 day tranquil package. The island was very well maintained - the staff behind the scenes worked hard at keeping it immaculate. Even though it is a small Island you never felt like there were many people there - Although there were only about 11 guests when we first arrived Lol! the snorkelling and house reef were amazing, we go for the relaxing and snorkelling and it did not disappoint. We saw Black, and white tip sharks every time we snorkelled - they were a lot larger than we had seen at Vilamendhoo previous years. Eagle rays, turtles, so many different fish - i'm not into the names but my husband was very impressed. The highlight of our trip was snorkelling for 2 hours with Manta rays - thank you Shaad for helping to fulfil my wish. First time in our 4 visits to the Maldives we have had such a special and magical experience! We spent an afternoon helping do a reef clean with the staff which made us feel like we were helping the environment. Now the restaurants - the food and service were out of this world - i don't think i could name a favourite they were all exceptional. I could go on and on, we will definitely be returning. Special mention to all the restaurant waiting staff - Elvie, Ameen, Shameen, Maan and Sharif. They made us feel so welcome and nothing seemed to be too much trouble, we miss you all ! The chefs looked after my husband well - making him a special lactose free dessert every night, many thanks ! Lucy and Claudio - thank you to you and all your amazing staff for making our stay so memorable it was the perfect place to chill, relax and heal. We hope to see you again!!

I had an absolutely wonderful stay at Kandolhu Maldives. The sunset view room was an unforgettable experience ,waking up and winding down to those breathtaking views felt truly magical. The pool was fantastic as well, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. What really made the stay special, though, was the staff.Everyone was extremely friendly, attentive, and accommodating, going out of their way to take care of even the smallest requests promptly and with a smile. Kandolhu is a perfect mix of comfort, natural beauty, and exceptional service. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable Maldivian getaway.

I absolutely loved my stay at Kandolhu! The accommodation was beautiful and comfortable, and the service from the staff was outstanding — so warm and attentive. Truly an unforgettable experience!

From my first day of arrival, the Kandolhu team treated me like family. Everyone on the island greets you with a smile and are never too busy to chat and genuinely interested in my stay. The room was extremely luxurious and had all amenities required for the duration of the stay. Housekeeping turn down was always on point and once again, extremely friendly staff, The restaurants and their dining selection was 6 stars, and I always had options to my dining needs. The menus, buffet labeling were clear and marked accordingly and show cased all dietary requirements on the menu options. Bar and restaurant staff were extremely helpful and always willing to go the extra mile to accommodate my mealtime experience. I highly recommend Kandolhu to any traveler and is truly a hidden gem. The "hardware" is truly magnificent, however, the "software" (staff), makes Kandolhu tick

Gorgeous, peaceful setting with an excellent house reef (recommend the night snorkel tour), spacious, luxurious villas are scrupulously clean and comfortable (wonderful sunsets from the overwater villas), five restaurants delivering a wide range of high quality food with an inclusive package providing a good selection of easy drinking wines and spirits; marvellous massages at the spa, good range of activities on offer (manta ray trip was a highlight); all underpinned by friendly, thoughtful staff who go the extra mile to make your trip special. Lots of renovation done since our first visit three years ago and Kandolhu was even better this time.

Beyond my expectations. The Kandolhu team made me feel like home. Excellent infrastructures, services, food. Thank you all. It was my third time in Maldives and as a solo traveler I have to say I didn't get bored a minute. The house reef is healthy and vivid , the restaurants have excellent choices for all tastes and even me that I have to be gluten free never felt I had limited choices. The villa was very well equipped with everything you might need. The size of the island makes you feel almost like you are on a private one. Big resorts and crowds are not for me. If you are searching for the best in a serene place with nothing to annoy you and everything to please you, just choose it. You will be rewarded with the rest and renewal of your life. I have to refer only some of the team members that were excellent and helped me to have such a wonderful time. So many many thanks to: Luciana and Claudio that take care the so smooth run of everything. Cornelia from the diving center for making me so safe during our dives. Navide for the snorkeling and his videos Elvira for her supreme service at the restaurants accompanied by Ameen, Zameeh, Saamim. And of course Landysh and Sameena from customer relations and reception. Already miss everything there. See you the sooner possible.

Great team. The service was excellent

A little paradise! The island is small and full of nature, with beautiful trees, and the sea is crystal clear. The house reef is amazing with colorful fish just a few meters from the beach. It’s very peaceful and private, perfect for relaxing. The food was another big surprise. Even if the island is small, there are different restaurants, and every meal was delicious and different. A special mention goes to fresh seafood that were fantastic, and the view of the ocean made every dinner special. Also, we really appreciated the gym, small but well-equipped and always clean, perfect for a quick workout before breakfast. What makes everything even better is the management: always present, kind, and very professional. The whole team is smiling, helpful, and always ready to make your stay perfect. You really feel welcome and well taken care of. This was my first time in the Maldives, and Kandolhu made it unforgettable. I will gladly recommend this beautiful, peaceful, and well-managed island to all my friends looking for a perfect honeymoon or vacation.

This place truly is something special, and I can understand why people keep coming back (we met a couple, who were there for the 16th time). It’s a beautiful tiny and totally unspoiled island, surrounded by an incredible house-reef. Despite the Island being very small, they have 5 restaurants, which is pretty unique I think and all the food we had was great. What we loved the most, was the way Kandolhu is a full blown luxury nothing-is-missing-5-star-experience - but in a very laid back, relaxed, almost homely way. And then the peace and stillness. Watching the sunset from the pool in our over water villa was one for the books. As was watching the ‘shark after party’ from the jetty at night time. Lastly I wanna complement the staff, who were all so kind, attentive and beautiful souls, and it seemed to us, that they where very happy with their work and life at the resort. Also had a nice conversation with Claudio and Luciana, who runs the place - thank you for having us and making it such a memorable stay.

Had the most amazing time at Kandolhu. We chose the island as we wanted access to a house reef and one with fewer villas to allow for a more relaxed and intimate experience. Kandolhu more than delivered on both fronts, and we are already planning our next trip!

We had the immense joy of celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary at Kandolhu Maldives, and it truly exceeded every expectation. From the moment we arrived, we were embraced by the peaceful beauty of the island and the genuine warmth of the entire team. Every detail—from the perfectly prepared villa to the thoughtful surprises that made our anniversary so special—reflected the care and dedication that make Kandolhu such a unique and magical place. What impressed us the most was the exceptional service: always attentive, never intrusive, and delivered with such kindness that we felt genuinely welcomed and cared for throughout our stay. Kandolhu is not just a stunning destination; it’s an experience of serenity, beauty, and heartfelt hospitality that stays with you long after you leave. We are deeply grateful to the whole team for making this celebration unforgettable and cannot wait to return to this little corner of paradise.

Kandolhu Maldives was pure perfection. From the serene atmosphere to the incredible food and vibrant reef, everything felt effortless. The staff were warm, attentive, and made the whole experience feel personal — I couldn’t have asked for more. The tranquil atmosphere paired with truly world-class food was beyond anything I expected.Honestly the meals alone were worth the trip. 😁 And snorkeling… I wasn’t even keen at first. But with a little encouragement from the amazing water sports team, that completely changed. Swimming with turtles and exploring the reef right off the beach turned me into a full-on snorkeling fan. 🐢🐠

Wonderful experience. The house reef and the small number of villas are the main attractions

We have just returned from a wonderful 11 nights in paradise. This isn’t the holiday for you if you are looking for 24/7 activities and entertainment but if you are looking for pure relaxation, amazing hospitality, stunning snorkelling and great food then I couldn’t recommend Kandolhu more highly. Yes, some areas of the villas need some TLC but as mentioned in a number of reviews this is due to take place in the next couple of months and we certainly came across nothing more than general wear and tear. Our villa was kept immaculately clean - as were the public areas - and if you needed anything you simply had to ask. The staff were all amazing and helped make the holiday but we would particularly call out Elvira, Ameen, Maan and Shering (the best massages I have ever had!). The food was varied, tasty and with more restaurants to choose from than you would expect for a resort of this size. A big thank you to chef for the amazing prawn and coconut curry he made for us one evening after I had commented how much I liked coconut! My only slight niggle was on the departure arrangements. Our flight was late at night which meant we had around 5 hours at the airport. On our day of departure we were told that we could have booked the Kandolhu lounge at the sea plane terminal - but as this required 24 hours notice it was not possible to do so and instead we had to pay for the use of an airport lounge. It would be really helpful to make guests aware of this option with plenty of notice please. We are looking forward to coming back. We very rarely visit the same place twice but will definitely be making an exception for Kandolhu 🥰🥰

We have visited the Maldives several times , but for us the peace and tranquility of this small island was the best.On an island like this nothing else is required. The service one of the island’s outstanding features .From Gobbson our room boy to the restaurant staff all were outstanding. Our particular favourites were Elvira , Ameen and Maan. As for Raghu the chef,as well as his cooking skills he was the most delightful and modest person. The cocktails were the best we’ve had in the Maldives. The barman from northern India was so interesting to talk to.( so sorry I can’t recall your name) I recently read a review written by someone from The Czech Republic , it seemed she must have been to a different island!!!! I recently read

Small and beautiful island and clean island Specially snorkeling is one best island beautiful reef many fish around ................. One building too many restaurant ..breakfast not so good ...... When we are Departure not good .......

Kandolhu is a tiny island, you can walk around it in under 15 minutes. The atmosphere is charming, the sea views at breakfast are stunning and there are only 30 villas in total. 🩵 We were originally booked in a basic beach villa, but it turned out to be so small we didn’t even have space to unpack our suitcases. So we decided to pay for upgrade to a basic water villa for more comfort. While the space was better, it was clear that the villas are quite worn and in need of renovation - which, we were told, is planned for summer this year. Still, the prices remain high despite the current condition, which doesn’t really feel justified. 😒 ⚠️Caution: If you’re considering a water villa with a pool and privacy is important to you - think twice. The entire bathroom is glass-walled and easily visible from the ocean. Staff may say no one passes by, but in reality, people do snorkel and swim nearby. You can close the blinds, but that defeats the purpose of the view. The biggest highlight of Kandolhu is definitely the snorkeling! It’s among the best we’ve experienced in the Maldives and we’ve seen a lot. 🥰👌🏼The reef is easily accessible and you can snorkel all the way around the island. I saw so many anemones, blacktip, whitetip and grey reef sharks, turtles, moray eels and a huge variety of fish. The marine life was absolutely incredible! 🐠🦈🐢🐙 Beach: there really isn’t much of one. During high tide, the water reaches the bushes and during low tide, you can see sandbags in some places. A few villas have better beach access, but if you’re looking for a wide sandy beach or a large swimming lagoon, this isn’t the place. Food: I can’t say anything bad about the food - overall, it was good. Not exactly a gourmet experience, but considering the price range, it was more or less what we expected. The highlight was definitely the butter chicken and naan bread. 😊 Service: it was sadly underwhelming for a 5-star resort. There’s no butler service - everything goes through reception. Staff seemed overwhelmed, dishes weren’t being cleared and they struggled to keep up. Several items were missing from the menu for days (like tuna or fresh watermelon juice) and when we asked, the response was a simple shrug. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Also, because the island is so small, there are no sports facilities like a tennis or volleyball court. Not even a pool table - even though there would be space for one, for example instead of the library, which is usually empty anyway. Housekeeping: was very poor - everything was smeared: the glass doors, TV, shower and mirrors. The floor wasn’t properly cleaned either. We haven’t experienced such poor service even in 4-star resorts. 😳 A major disappointment was the resort management. They weren’t very proactive and made no real effort to check if guests were satisfied. It’s quite clear that the current team lacks experience with running a Maldivian resort. When we raised concerns about the cleanliness at reception, no one from management followed up or came to speak with us and no one checked back later to see if things had improved (unfortunately, they hadn’t much). From what we’ve seen in other Universal Resorts properties as well, it seems they are increasing prices while cutting back on spending and investment. It’s a real shame. 😕 All in all, Kandolhu is a lovely resort for snorkeling enthusiasts and those seeking peace and quiet. But if you’re after luxury service or need more activities, it might not be the best fit - especially if the weather turns bad, as there’s not much else to do. 🙈 I’ve already visited 54 Maldivian resorts as a tourist. If you’d like a closer look at Kandolhu, you can find it featured in my highlights on Instagram anezka_travel. 🌴

If your idea of paradise is a pristine tropical island with swaying palm trees and pure white beaches surrounded by a fantastic house reef, then Kandolhu should be at the top of your list when visiting the Maldives. We have wanted to visit the Maldives for a long time but with so many islands, which one should we choose? We were recommended Kandolhu by our Travel Agent and we were certainly not disappointed throughout. We were greeted on the arrival by Claudio and Luciana and members of the team and received a warm welcome – this personal attention continued throughout our stay but at just the right level – we are quite private people. We celebrated our 30th Wedding Anniversary during our 10 night stay and fully appreciated our wonderfully decorated bedroom and gluten-free anniversary cake as welcomed surprises on the day. We ate in all the restaurants but our favourite was Sea Grill as we liked to sit in front of the kitchens and watch the different foods being prepared and cooked. In all the restaurants, nothing was too much trouble and dietary requirements and personal preferences were easily catered for. The Dress Code day and night was really whatever you wanted it to be! We ensured we did not visit the restaurants or bar in swimwear and were modestly dressed when walking around the island. We dressed up a little most evenings, dresses, shirts and shorts and flipflops but it seemed to really be down to personal preference (which we really liked) - and you really only need to take one pair of flat summer shoes, we wore flipflops or went bare feet and the other shoes we had packed remained unworn. We would like to give credit to ALL the friendly, hard working staff across the whole island from the team of people sweeping and clearing the paths and beaches first thing in the morning (which we witnessed when we arose early to watch the sunrise on numerous occasions) to the people working in the offices, bars and restaurants, your team effort ensured we had simply had the best holiday. We would also like to acknowledge a few individuals who particularly stood out for us which include Ameen, Maan, Astrid and Jenny (my spa treatment was amazing). The Doctor was also very professional and helpful when we needed to use his services. As newbie (nervous) snorkellers, we enjoyed our complementary snorkelling session on our first day with the very patient Shard and were delighted to see a turtle and even a large green turtle just beyond the reef (followed by a very interested shark!). We attempted a second snorkel ourselves but as this was a less enjoyable experience, we embarked on another guided tour, this time seeing nine Eagle Rays and octopuses and another turtle, again with Shard and have been delighted with the videos he took on a GoPro (especially as he was able to free dive and really capture some fantastic footage to help us remember the amazing house reef.) We also kayaked around the island one afternoon which was lovely to see the whole island but it is not as romantic as it looks in the brochure (Ha Ha). We stayed in a Duplex villa and loved having out own pool, and direct access to what felt like a private beach most of our stay. The villa was cleaned to a high standard inside and out everyday and we particularly liked the well stocked Mini Bar with a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink choices. We were blessed throughout our holiday with amazing weather everyday. The only rain we saw was on the morning we left with a torrential downpour but Luciana still came to say goodbye despite the early hour and weather. We would recommend Kandolhu to anyone looking for a small, intimate island with caring and attentive staff, a la carte restaurants and the most wonderful house reef. We would love to visit again one day very soon.

A very charming and serene island, the perfect place for a chilled and relaxed vacation. Kandolhu has one of the best house reef in Maldives. There were a huge variety of fishes and fauna. When went for the guided snorkelling with one of the staff who was very patient with us. In one trip we saw different variety of reef fishes, turtle, black tip shark. Nurse shark and a turtles right in front of us. And they had a huge group of clown fish and they looked so adorable. The underwater world looked so colourful it was wonderful. They have five restaurant & 04 serves specialised cusines. The food was amazing we stuffed ourselves until we couldn't handle and still regret not trying more. They even serve mini snacks at the bar if you ever feel peckish or miss the dining hours. The staff there were amazing and so attentive to the details. A Special thanks to Zameeh & Nasru. I would love to again, hoping to see them soon 😊

Very beautiful small (private island) resort with great service Love the attention to all the little details Highly reccomend the house reef for snorkelling or a free dive And the beachside bar/restaurant is perfect for evening chillouts

This was the most amazing trip. We planned it to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Everything from the location, to the staff to the amenities were all absolutely wonderful. Now need another excuse to go again.

From the moment we stepped off the speed boat and were welcomed by the management team, until the moment we were waved off the pier when left the island, we experienced nothing but 5* luxury. The reception staff explained that our Duplex villa was being prepared for us (we arrived before 10am) and proceeded to show us around the island and took us for breakfast at the Market restaurant, which was delicious. We were then shown to our Villa....Wow, Room 115 was everything we'd hoped for, the duplex rooms have everything you could ask for. The private pool was a must, along with two outdoor sitting areas (one on the upper floor and one on the ground level), these allowed the most amazing views, especially at sunset. The outside shower, bath and toilet seemed strange at first sight, but we loved it (also an inside shower and toilet upstairs). The coffee/tea/soft drinks were replaced daily. My request for Tiger beer in the fridge was granted immediately. The wine chiller and wine selection was astonishing, we barely scratched the surface but loved all we tried. The four spirit bottles were untouched although a welcome sight. The food was a big incentive for us choosing Kandolhu, and we were not disappointed! Surely plenty of choice for anyone. The chefs were in total control, none seemed rushed at all, while the waiting staff were so attentive, and always with a smile. Our favourite was the Sea Grill (we love fish and seafood), the Ata Roa for Ceviche and Tacos at lunch... bliss (you need to book). I'd the most amazing seafood tagliatelli in the Olive, while the Banzai chef provided a wonderful experience. The Market is the standard for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plenty of choice on each menu, while the staff would accommodate any request if you wanted something special (we had a plate of fresh mango one morning). I can honestly say I loved everything we tried, I only wish we had been there longer to experience more. All the guests we talked with, loved the house reef for snorkelling, being afraid of deep water, I was happy to mess about in the lagoon outside our villa, lots of colourful fish even in the shallow waters. The cocktail menu at the Vilu Bar is extensive, every cocktail expertly prepared and delivered by the friendliest of staff. The Spa was unbelievable, my wife enjoyed four treatments, I had reflexology and a full body massage. So, so relaxing. You can choose how intense you want the treatment to be, the young masseuse had me squirming with her strong thumbs. I'd recommend the Ultimate Inclusion package, everything other than lobster and champagne included. I'd also recommend interacting with the staff, they have so many wonderful stories to tell are are so friendly. We are already planning a return visit, this time with friends. Thank you to everyone on Kandolhu who made our holiday so enjoyable.

It was the tenth time in Maldives for us and the fist in Kandolhu, we chose it especially for the reef and because it is small with few accommodations. Our experience went beyond expectations, the reef is wonderful, one of the most beautiful ever seen, the welcome is spectacular. Despite being of high level it is informal, great sense of freedom and guaranteed privacy. The accommodation is well equipped with every comfort. But what makes the holiday special is the kindness of all the staff who work in this lodge. A heartfelt thank you to the guys who take care of our villa, attentive to every need, to all the waiters and bartenders always available to fulfill our requests and advise us, a beautiful spa with competent operators. The food is fantastic with a variety of incredible proposals. An unforgettable holiday and we hope to come back.

As close to your dreams of being on a deserted island paradise with all the comforts of home. Secluded, quiet, slow pace, and dreamy. Team members are very attentive and accommodating. Their only mission is to make your stay positive and memorable. Everything we have been looking for and can not wait to return. Thank you to everyone for making our stay so special.

From the very first moment, we arrived at the airport and met the Kandolhu team until our departure. Every detail of our stay was flawlessly orchestrated to create an exceptional experience. Though we stayed for only three nights, the warmth, professionalism, and excellence of the team made it truly unforgettable. Location: The journey itself is part of the magic—just a 20-minute scenic seaplane flight followed by a short 5-10 minute boat ride that transports you to this paradise. The Island: Small, serene, and breathtakingly beautiful, Kandolhu is the epitome of a private island retreat. The Resort: Thoughtfully designed with just 30 villas, the property balances exclusivity and comfort. It offers five outstanding restaurants, a stylish bar, a well-equipped gym, a serene spa, and a sea activities center—ensuring that every guest finds their own perfect way to unwind. Our Villa: We chose an overwater villa, and it exceeded all expectations. With a private pool and direct sea access, it provided the perfect blend of luxury and tranquillity. Staff & Service: The essence of true hospitality is mastered here. The team anticipated our needs before we even realized them, creating a seamless, highly personalized experience. Their warmth and attention to detail set a new benchmark for excellence. Dining: A standing ovation to the executive chef, sous-chefs, and the entire culinary team. The food was fresh, inventive, and packed with flavour. With five distinct restaurants—offering Mexican-Peruvian, Mediterranean, Japanese, Sea Grill, and an all-day dining option—every meal was a delightful journey of taste. Spa: We had the 'couple ritual'. A sanctuary of relaxation, the spa at Kandolhu offers a truly rejuvenating experience. With expert therapists, soothing treatments, and a tranquil setting, every session feels like a retreat within a retreat—perfect for unwinding and embracing the island’s serenity. Housekeeping: Impeccable.

the house reef and the snorkeling / diving experience and the manta-ray expedition was the best...

more food choices for vegetarians

A wide variety of food, except breakfast. I actually add 2 points for stuff in the restaurant who really do their best.

1. The road. A sea plane with an intermediate landing plus a boat is long and inconvenient, especially in bad weather. 2. The sea. Despite the beautiful pictures, reality looks different (photo attached). I do not recommend taking a duplex villa, in bad weather when entering the sea through sandbags you can damage your limbs. And the view is not beautiful. However, on the other side of the island there is practically no sea - shallow and small, only snorkelling behind the reef. 3. The room. I do not advise taking the hotel in bad weather - the room is flooded with water, which the hotel fights with towels (photo attached). 4. The island and entertainment - it is probably difficult to find a smaller island, no entertainment at all, except for a speaker in the bar, but the hotel management throws a party there for themselves every Tuesday. 5. Management - does not bother you to the level of indifference, you will not see them during the day, there was no communication from them for a week, neither about the return flight, nor about the dinner program, nor about the free sunset cruise included in the offer. However, in the evening you can regularly meet them in the same bar. And also when leaving the island, the whole team vigorously waves after you. Overall, one of the worst experiences in the Maldives in more than 20 years of travel.

Perfect little gem of a resort. Delicious food, with locally-sourced options at every meal (don't miss the fish tacos!). Warm and friendly personal service. Diving is exceptional - instructors are patient with beginners and offered bespoke itineraries for qualified divers. The house reef is lively and healthy, and for sites further afield the best dive boat this side of the Caribbean. Rooms are beautifully put together. Just lovely.

It is a tranquil location away from the noise. The sunset is amazing. The food is great. The staff is happy to help. I also liked the water activities available in the resort.

There's nothing to dislike.

The trip was truly incredible! We stayed for a week and had a wonderful time, thanks to every individual who worked at the resort, and everyone who had a part to play in putting our adventure together. From the moment we stepped off the boat, we were greeted by the owner and some of the staff, who couldn't have been more helpful throughout our stay, their attention to detail was phenomenal. The food in every restaurant was lovely, and there was enough to keep any palate satiated throughout their stay, along with a plethora of drinks options, whatever your tipple. The location itself was fantastic, surrounded by a magical reef that was teeming with wildlife, from colourful fishes, to turtles and reef sharks. Travel further afield and you can see manta-rays up close and personal, that one excursion was particularly awesome. If you want to be active on the island, the gym is adequately stocked with a enough equipment to keep you busy, and you can use the variety of water-sports equipment too, as well as a nice spa facility that offers expensive, but very enjoyable treatments. If you don't want to be so active, your time can be whiled away simply ogling the incredible turquoise waters, and the soft white sand that envelopes the island. Overall, we hoped that our trip to the Maldives was going to be special, and it exceeded our expectations in every sense, particularly the spell-binding scenery, but also the staff, they were awesome. We enjoyed celebrating our 20th anniversary, and we will no doubt return to celebrate another milestone in the future. Thank you!

The weather - A couple of days we had some rain, and the clouds got in the way of the perfect sunset - of course I am being facetious, this didn't detract from our experience what-so-ever, it was the perfect getaway!

Amazing rooms and beautiful island. Food is delicious and the service is the best!!!

Easy to get around Lots of activities to do 5 restaurants with a bar Very friendly and helpful staff

very good service, a lot of very good a la carte restaurants! And perfect service - friendly staff, nice manager who cares about all guests! fantasic house reef!