A 3-kilometre island in Dhaalu Atoll with 270 villas, ten restaurants, the longest pool in the Maldives, and an energy that sits somewhere between beach club and barefoot luxury — built for guests who want more than just a sunbed.
5-Star Lifestyle Flight + Boat 75 min Good Reef Family Friendly
Atoll
Dhaalu
Villas
270
Transfer
Flight + Speedboat
Transfer Cost
~$675 pp RT
Packages From
$2,669 / couple
Meal Plans
BB / HB+ / FB+ / Premium AI
$2,669 / couple
Save $3,120 per coupleSAVE 54%From $2,669
Get a Personalised Quote
More inclusions than direct
Opened2017
Kandima is the big, vibrant island resort that most of the Maldives isn't. A 3 km stretch of Dhaalu Atoll with ten dining venues, a full-size football pitch, the longest pool in the country, and a genuine beach club with DJs. It's five-star but unpretentious — more activity-packed playground than hushed luxury retreat.
220 new reviews in the past 6 months across Google, TripAdvisor & Booking.com. Average rating 4.5 / 5 from 5,200 total reviews.
+5% review volume vs. prior 6 months
6
Awards since 2019
Leading All-Inclusive Resort
World Travel Awards '25
Travellers' Choice
TripAdvisor '23
Best Lifestyle Resort
World Luxury Hotel Awards '22
Best Sports Facility
World Luxury Hotel Awards '21
How It Compares
Kandima vs. the Field
Where this resort sits across the dimensions that matter most when choosing a Maldives property.
BudgetUltra-Luxury
Adaaran Club
LUX* South Ari
Soneva Fushi
Kandima
LivelySecluded
Kuredu
Lily Beach
Kudadoo
Kandima
Easy AccessRemote
Gili Lankanfushi
Anantara Kihavah
Park Hyatt Hadahaa
Kandima
CouplesFamily
Komandoo
W Maldives
Siyam World
Kandima
BoutiqueLarge Resort
Makunudu (36)
Coco Bodu Hithi (100)
Meeru Island (286)
Kandima (270)
Poor ReefExceptional
Finolhu
Vilamendhoo
Kandima
Kandima
Reference resorts
Accommodation
Choose Your Villa
Kandima's 270 villas span everything from compact studios to two-bedroom overwater suites. The sweet spot for most guests is the Beach Villa with Swirl Pool — 55 sqm indoors with your own plunge pool and direct beach access. Overwater options start with the Aqua Villa and top out at the Honeymoon Aqua Pool Villa.
BeachNo pool
Studios & Beach Rooms
From
$310
40–55 sqm ·Standard for mid-range
Beach & Sky Studio40 sqmNo pool$310
Premium Beach Room40 sqmNo pool$350
Premium Ocean View Room40 sqmNo pool$380
Beach3 of 4
Beach Villas
From
$420
55 sqm ·15% below avg
Beach Villa55 sqmNo pool$420
Beach Villa with Jacuzzi55 sqmPool$480
Sunrise Beach Pool Villa with Swirl Pool55 sqmPool$520
Sunset Beach Pool Villa with Swirl Pool55 sqmPool$550
Overwater2 of 3
Aqua Villas
From
$520
55–95 sqm ·Standard for category
Aqua Villa55 sqmNo pool$520
Aqua Villa with Swirl Pool55 sqmPool$620
Ocean Pool Villa95 sqmPool$850
SignatureAll pool
Honeymoon & Family Suites
From
$950
95–120 sqm ·Largest on property
Honeymoon Aqua Pool Villa95 sqmPool$950
Family Sky Suite with Pool120 sqmPool$1,100
Not sure which villa is right? We'll match you based on your group size, budget and priorities.
Prices shown are indicative low-season per night. See the season guide in the sidebar for how rates vary by time of year. We'll confirm exact pricing for your dates.
Dining
5 Restaurants & 3 Bars
Ten dining venues — the most of any resort at this price point. Two buffet halls, three à la carte restaurants, a deli, a café, and three bars. The Dine Around All-Inclusive unlocks everything including à la carte dinners and premium drinks.
Flavour
International Buffet
One of two main buffet restaurants with live cooking stations spanning Asian, Mediterranean, Indian, and Western cuisines. Rotates themes nightly so repeat meals never feel repetitive.
SettingBeachfront · Main restaurant
Our tipThursday night is seafood night — get there early
Zest
International Buffet
The second all-day buffet, positioned by the main pool. Same quality as Flavour but with a different layout and slightly different rotation — useful when one gets busy.
SettingPoolside · Open-air
Our tipQuieter than Flavour for breakfast
Smoked
Steakhouse
Charcoal-grilled steaks, smoked ribs, fresh catch, and a solid vegetarian menu. The open-air BBQ kitchen makes for good theatre. Reservation recommended.
SettingBeachfront · Open grill
Our tipThe tomahawk steak is the signature — share between two
Sea Dragon
Asian
Pan-Asian fine dining with Chinese, Thai, and Japanese dishes. The teppanyaki counter and dim sum are standouts. Adjacent to the adults-only Forbidden Bar for post-dinner drinks.
SettingIndoor · Adjacent to Forbidden Bar
Our tipBook the teppanyaki counter on your first night
Azure
Mediterranean
Relaxed Mediterranean beach house with pasta, seafood, and wood-fired dishes. The most casual of the à la carte options — ideal for a long lunch with ocean views.
SettingBeach house · Casual chic
Our tipBest sunset views of any restaurant on the island
Breeze Bar
Cocktails
The main bar and social hub — live music, cocktails, and a relaxed beachfront setting. The natural gathering point after dinner.
SettingBeachfront · Live music
Beach Club
Light Bites
The largest beach club in the Maldives with DJ sets, pool access, and a lively daytime atmosphere. Drinks and snacks served all day.
SettingPoolside · DJ sets
Forbidden Bar
Cocktails
Adults-only bar adjacent to Sea Dragon with live DJs and craft cocktails. The closest thing to nightlife you'll find in the Maldives.
SettingIndoor · Adults only
Meal Plans
Dining Inclusions
Four meal plan tiers — the Premium All-Inclusive is the sweet spot for most guests, unlocking à la carte dinners at Smoked, Sea Dragon, and Azure plus premium drinks and daily minibar. HB+ and FB+ guests get 20% off à la carte restaurants.
Plan
Restaurants
Alcohol
Minibar
~pp/day
Bed & Breakfast
Flavour or Zest (B)
—
—
Included
Half Board Plus
Flavour or Zest (B+D)
—
—
+$50
Full Board Plus
Flavour or Zest (B+L+D)
—
—
+$80
Premium All-Inclusive
All venues + à la carte
Premium
Daily
+$150
Bed & BreakfastIncluded
Flavour or Zest (B)
Alcohol —Minibar —
Half Board Plus+$50 pp/day
Flavour or Zest (B+D)
Alcohol —Minibar —
Full Board Plus+$80 pp/day
Flavour or Zest (B+L+D)
Alcohol —Minibar —
Premium All-Inclusive+$150 pp/day
All venues + à la carte
Alcohol PremiumMinibar Daily
Experiences & Activities
Your Days on the Island
Kandima has more activities than almost any other resort in the Maldives — partly because of the island's size (3 km), partly because the resort genuinely leans into sport, art, and music as part of the experience rather than just offering a spa and a dive centre.
Water Sports & Diving
Aquaholics centre on-site. Non-motorised equipment included in Premium AI plan.
Jet skiing30 min sessions
Wakeboarding & fun tubes
Kayaking & paddleboardingComplimentary on Premium AI plan
Windsurfing
Catamaran sailing
Snorkelling equipmentFree on Premium AI · $9/day otherwise
PADI dive centreDiscovery dives through advanced · 20+ nearby sites
Glass-bottom boat trips
Parasailing
Dhaalu Atoll diving. The Dhaalu Atoll is less dived than central atolls — expect cleaner sites, healthy coral, and good chance of mantas and whale sharks on channel dives. Kandima's Aquaholics team runs daily boat trips to 20+ sites.
Excursions & Cruises
Bookable through the resort. Premium AI guests receive excursion credit.
Sunset dolphin cruiseSpinner dolphins common in Dhaalu · traditional dhoni
Private sandbank picnicDeserted sandbank with hamper — bookable for couples or families
Local island hoppingMaaembudhoo, Kudahuvadhoo (atoll capital), Hulhudeli
Big game fishingHalf-day charters · tuna, marlin, barracuda
Night fishing on dhoniTraditional handline fishing at sunset
Babysitting serviceOn request · so parents can enjoy Forbidden Bar
Family snorkelling trips
Kids cooking classes
Family Sky SuitesInterconnected rooms with shared pool
Family & Kids
Family-Friendly Features
Kandima welcomes babies from six months old at Kandiland — one of the largest kids clubs in the Maldives, open until 8 PM. Older kids race e-go-karts, bowl, and play VR games at PlaySpace, while the 100-metre infinity pool gives everyone space to spread out. Children under 6 eat free, and the 2 Bedroom Family Sky Suite means nobody sleeps on a sofa bed.
Kandiland
Ages 6m-12 · 9am-8pm · Free
Under 12 Stay Free
Under 6 eat free
Babysitting
$20/hr
Teen Program
Dedicated activities for teenagers
Highlights for Kids
Go-kart trackPlaySpace gaming hubBowling100m infinity pool
Family Villa Options
2 Bedroom Family Sky Suite
Snorkeling & Marine Life
House Reef & Underwater
6.8
Good House Reef
Lux Atolls Reef Score · above average for Dhaalu Atoll
Shore entry · Reef accessible from jetty area
Decent coral · Reef fish · Better sites by boat · 20+ dive sites nearby
The house reef at Kandima is accessible but not the island's main draw. It's a reasonable snorkel with decent coral and reef fish, but the best diving in Dhaalu requires a boat trip — which the resort runs daily to 20+ sites with better visibility and bigger pelagics.
Regularly spotted here (+7)
Reef Sharks
Blacktip — occasional on house reef, common on boat dives
Sea Turtles
Hawksbill & green — regular visitors
Stingrays
Eagle rays on channel dives
Tropical Reef Fish
Parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, clownfish
Manta Rays
Seasonal — boat trip to cleaning stations
Dolphins
Spinner dolphins — common in Dhaalu, best on dolphin cruise
Octopus
Occasional on night dives
Not typical at this reef (−1)
Whale Sharks
South Ari is the reliable spot — not Dhaalu
PADI dive center on-site. Night snorkeling available. Marine life observations sourced from dive logs and guest reports.
Getting There
Transfer from Malé
Kandima is in Dhaalu Atoll — too far for a speedboat, too close for most seaplane routes. The standard transfer is a 35-minute domestic flight to Kudahuvadhoo followed by a 15-minute speedboat.
Option 1 — Standard
Domestic Flight + Speedboat
Malé → Kudahuvadhoo (35 min) + boat (15 min)
~$675 pp roundtrip
Option 2 — Scenic
Seaplane (TMA)
Direct from Malé · ~45 min · Daylight only
~$675 pp roundtrip
Seaplane daylight only. Arrivals after ~3:30pm take domestic flight. Both options cost the same — seaplane is scenic but schedule-dependent.
Resort island map — Kandima Maldives
Our Take
Who This Resort is For
Kandima fills a gap in the Maldives that few resorts attempt — genuine five-star facilities with energy, variety, and accessibility rather than exclusivity. It won't win awards for intimacy or reef quality, but for sheer range of things to do at a competitive price, very few resorts come close.
Ideal for
Families wanting activities beyond the beach — kids club, sports, art studio
Groups of friends or multi-generational trips who need variety
Couples who want nightlife, DJs, and a beach club atmosphere
Budget-conscious travellers wanting five-star facilities without ultra-luxury pricing
Consider elsewhere if
Couples seeking intimate, secluded romance — this is a 270-villa resort
Snorkellers prioritising a world-class house reef
Those wanting hushed, traditional Maldives luxury — Kandima is deliberately lively
Season & Pricing Guide
Dec 20 – Jan 10Peak · Highest rates
Jan 11 – Apr 15High · +30–50%
Apr 16 – Jul 15Shoulder · +10–20%
Jul 16 – Dec 19Low · Best value
Peak season fills 4+ months ahead. Shoulder season offers the best balance of weather, price and availability.
Why Book Through Lux Atolls
More Inclusions, More Maldives
What you get booking with us vs. going direct or through an OTA
Book with Lux Atolls
Best rate guarantee — avg. 11% below OTAs
Complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability)
Welcome bottle of champagne on arrival
One complimentary 60-min couples spa treatment
Early check-in / late checkout (subject to availability)
Personal trip advisor — villa matching, transfers, meal plan guidance
Direct resort relationship — we resolve issues in real time
Book Through Others
Standard rack rate
Room type as booked — no upgrades
No welcome amenities
No spa inclusions
Standard check-in/out times
Generic customer support
No direct resort contact
Frequently Asked Questions
Kandima Maldives — FAQ
Is Kandima Maldives all-inclusive?
Kandima offers four meal plan tiers: Bed & Breakfast, Half Board Plus, Full Board Plus, and Premium All-Inclusive. The Premium AI unlocks all ten dining venues including à la carte restaurants, premium drinks at all bars, and daily minibar restocking. Most guests choose the Premium All-Inclusive.
How do you get to Kandima Maldives from Malé?
Two options: a 35-minute domestic flight to Dhaalu Airport followed by a 15-minute speedboat, or a 45-minute seaplane direct to the resort (daylight only). Both cost approximately $675 per person roundtrip. Late arrivals after 3:30pm take the domestic flight.
Is Kandima Maldives good for families?
Yes — Kandima is one of the most family-friendly resorts in the Maldives. It has Kandiland (one of the largest kids clubs, ages 3–12), a teens zone, Family Sky Suites with interconnected rooms, a full-size football pitch, art studio, and children under 6 eat free.
Does Kandima Maldives have a good house reef?
The house reef is moderate — decent for a casual snorkel with reef fish and turtles, but not a top-tier snorkelling destination. The best diving in Dhaalu Atoll requires boat trips, which the Aquaholics dive centre runs daily to 20+ sites with better coral and pelagics.
How big is Kandima Maldives?
Kandima sits on a 3-kilometre island — one of the largest resort islands in the Maldives. It has 270 villas, ten restaurants and bars, the longest pool in the Maldives (100m), a beach club, football pitch, tennis courts, and an art studio. Bicycles are complimentary for getting around.
Packages From
$2,669 / couple
5 nights · Sky Studio · All-Inclusive · Transfers extra
Quote Request Sent
We'll reply within 4 hours with a personalised itinerary and exact pricing.
Lux Partner Rate
Save $3,120 per couple
5 nights in a Sky Studio with All-Inclusive (all meals, unlimited selected drinks, daily minibar). Complimentary snorkeling, kayak, SUP. Upgrade to Beach Villa with Jacuzzi from $3,499 or Aqua Villa overwater from $3,639 per couple. Seaplane transfers ~$836 extra.
