Thirty villas on a tiny island in North Ari Atoll, ringed by a house reef where turtles and reef sharks come close to shore.
Kandolhu measures just 150 by 200 metres, in North Ari Atoll about 70 km south-west of Malé: 25 minutes by seaplane, then 10 by speedboat. There are only 30 villas and five restaurants, and the mood is barefoot and quiet, with no nightly entertainment.
Six Beach Villas (85 m²) are the only villas without a pool. The rest have one: eight two-storey Duplex Pool Villas and five Pool Villas on the beach, then seven Ocean Pool Villas with a glass-walled bathroom and four Deluxe Ocean Pool Villas with a 23 m² pool and a net over the sea.
The Market does breakfast and international and Maldivian dishes, Olive is Mediterranean, Sea Grill grills the day's catch on the beach, Banzai does sushi and teppan, and Ata Roa serves tacos and ceviche at lunch over the water. Vilu Bar is on the sand, Varu Spa sits in the middle of the island, and the Noovilu team runs dives to the North Ari thilas and channels.
It's tiny and children under eight aren't accepted, so it suits couples and older families. The Beach Villas have no pool, and transfers, by seaplane and boat, are charged on top.
Six villas with a verandah, daybed and dining table, a garden bathroom with a jetted tub, and a shaded path to the beach.
King bed
Eight two-storey villas: living room and garden bathroom below, bedroom and balcony above, and an 18 m² pool with a shallow wading shelf.
King bed
Five east-facing villas set apart on the beach, with a shaded 9 m² pool and a bathroom that opens onto the deck.
King bed
Seven villas over the reef with a plunge pool, a glass-walled bathroom and steps straight down to the house reef.
King bed
Four larger overwater villas with a 23 m² infinity pool, a bath facing the horizon and a net over the sea.
King bed
The same resort and the same villa, booked through people who live here.
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Breakfast and all-day international and Maldivian dishes, open to the ocean
Mediterranean plates on a raised deck facing the ocean
The day's catch off an open flame on the beach, dinner only
Sushi, sashimi and teppan in an intimate open-air setting
Mexican and Peruvian lunches, tacos and ceviche, over the water
Beach bar for cocktails, wines and light bites all day
Spa in the island's green centre
Small dive team using the island's own dhoni
The shape comes from OpenStreetMap, simplified: a guide to the layout, not a survey. © OpenStreetMap contributors.
About 25 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport, then a 10-minute speedboat ride. Seaplanes fly in daylight only.
Dates, budget, who is coming. We will come back with three resorts that fit, and why.
