Kandima Maldives review: A spectacular slice of island luxury that sums up Maldivian magic

About Kandima

While the Maldives is made up of over 1000 islands grouped into 26 atolls, only around 200 of the islands are inhabited - and sitting privately on its very own island in the Dhaalu Atoll, is the spectacular Kandima resort.

Boasting a breathtaking lagoon, white sand beaches, acres of rich, tropical greenery, and incredible wildlife, Kandima’s island stretches over 3km and is home to one of the most magical resort experiences the Maldives has to offer.

The expansive resort accommodates guests with its 270 studios and villas, ranging from sleek, modern apartments to the iconic water villas the Maldives is famous for, which allow you to make home in the midst of the Indian Ocean for your stay.

There are 10 food and drink outlets on offer, each fantastic in its own way - plus everything you could ask for when it comes to facilities and activities. Whether it’s a spa day and a full-body massage meters away from the shore, a day at sea with wild dolphins, or an adrenaline rush from laps around a huge go-karting track you’re after, Kandima does it all. All this, plus the easy breezy pace of Maldivian island life, with a backdrop of crystal waters, palm trees, and powdery beaches, makes for something very special.

Getting to Kandima

They’re a group of islands dotting a small patch of the Indian Ocean over 5000 miles away from the UK, so it goes without saying that the journey to the Maldives makes for quite the travel day. For me, arriving at Kandima made every minute of time spent flying, driving and sailing from London to the resort instantly worth it, but it’s got to be said that a trip here is likely not the best choice if travelling for around 20 hours doesn’t sound like how you want to start your vacation.

My travel companion and I started our journey in London Heathrow, flying 7 hours to Doha, where we had a two-hour layover, before a four-hour flight to Male, the bustling capital city of the Maldives.

From here, you can get to Kandima via a direct flight in a seaplane or take a 30-minute domestic flight from Male to Dhaalu Airport, followed by a short taxi ride, before hopping in a speedy motorboat that zips you from the port in Dhaalu to Kandima’s jetty in just another half an hour.

We took the second option, and while we initially felt a little regretful that we didn’t take the seaplane, we were later told that they can be a somewhat cramped and stuffy experience and not for those not keen on small spaces.

Besides, the domestic flight Male to Dhaalu was comfortable enough and provided some sensational views of the countless lagoons and islands in the beautiful water below, and feeling the warm wind in our hair as we jetted across the ocean on our boat ride was a welcome refreshment after hours spent in plane seats and at airport departure gates.

As we arrived at the Kandima jetty, we were greeted by friendly, smiling staff who helped us off the boat, whisked our bags away, and handed us an icy cold face towel to help us cool down. We were escorted to the bright and airy reception area, where we were checked in seamlessly, before being zipped to our water villa via golf buggy.

Rooms at Kandima

Throughout our stay at Kandima, we were treated to a tour of all of the accommodation types on offer, and I think I can safely say that there is no bad room option at this resort. For our five nights in Maldivian paradise, one of Kandima’s Aqua Villas, complete with an outdoor swirl pool, was our home.

There are 29 Aqua Villas with swirl pools situated on the resort’s long, curved jetty that expands out to sea, and 30 without the addition of the jacuzzi-type tub on the villas’ private decking areas. While the Aqua Villa experience would be just as magical without the luxury of a swirl pool, we made great use of it throughout our stay and enjoyed evenings sipping beer and bubbles as we watched some of the most magnificent sunsets I’ve ever seen.

The spacious, bright and beautifully clean villas are perfect for couples or two friends travelling together; however, the 73 m2 rooms can sleep up to two children, too. With speedy free wifi access, all the amenity essentials (think stocked mini bar, coffee machine, complimentary flip flops and fluffy towelling robes, and the rest), a huge comfy bed, air conditioning and plenty of wardrobe space, we felt right at home. The luxurious villas feature direct access to the sparkling blue lagoon via the private decking area, where sunloungers and an outdoor seating area are located.

This meant that sunrise/ sunset dips in the gorgeously warm, crystal clear sea became a daily ritual - as did a spot of snorkelling to watch the spectacular sealife the water is home to. Countless manta rays, reef sharks and tropical fish were spotted during our stay, whether it was from our private decking, during a stroll on the jetty, a swim in the sea or a paddle on the sandy shoreline.

The villa’s bathroom was another interior highlight that allowed for plenty more sealife spotting to be done, thanks to the huge windows overlooking the ocean. While the large blue-tiled rainfall shower was thoroughly enjoyable, a bubbly soak in the giant bathtub looking out to sea was a real treat.

Other room types on offer at Kandima include beachfront studios with multiple bedrooms, ideal for families, plus large private villas with private pools, overlooking the ocean or beach, some boasting jacuzzis, outdoor bath tubs, and tropical outdoor rainfall showers for a serious touch of jungle luxury.

There's also Kandima's brand new Coral Residences - sleek studio apartments and, opening in 2026, luxury two- and three-bedroom apartments that make Kandima feel like a second home.

Accommodation options at Kandima are dotted around the island, nestled amongst the greenery of the island’s lush forest, spaced apart so nothing feels crammed in or too close together.

The resort centres around a path through the centre of the island’s forest, which allows you to easily get from place to place, either on foot or on the speedy shuttles that drive in a loop, picking you up from wherever you spot one and dropping you off at various stops around the resort.

We never had to wait long before a shuttle appeared and whisked us to wherever we wanted to be in a matter of minutes, as we took in the beautiful greenery and ocean views whizzing by.

Alternatively, for a real taste of slow island living, hiring bikes meant leisurely cycles around the resort, while really soaking in the tropical feel of the place was one of our favourite modes of vacation transport - although the heat and humidity did sometimes mean arriving a little hot and flustered to our destination, so often the breezy, convenient shuttle buses were preferred.

Food and dining at Kandima

At the end of our stay at Kandima, my travel companion and I declared to one another that we had not eaten a mouthful of food that wasn’t utterly delicious.

The impeccably fresh, flavoursome, and diverse food on offer at the resort meant that there wasn’t a single mealtime we were left underwhelmed by, from breakfast all the way until each sensational dinner experience. We were dining on Kandima’s all-inclusive package, which grants access to all of the hotel’s buffet and à la carte restaurants, although a small selection of dishes and drinks on the menus required additional charges.

Beginning each day with a beachside breakfast at Kandima’s Zest restaurant made for a luxuriously relaxed morning every day. Situated on the soft sand under a large, shady cabana, with palm trees and the Indian Ocean as a backdrop, we enjoyed top-tier breakfasts with everything you could want on offer, served buffet-style.

Beautifully fresh fruit, sweet treats and pastries, omelettes and eggs made to order, hot options like bacon, sausages and hashbrowns, traditional Maldivian and South Asian dishes and so much more is on offer here. With gluten-free options available and laid out separately, too.

By the end of the week, a bowl of various flavoured yoghurts, topped with chia seed pudding, cinnamon honey, granola and fruit was my go-to - followed by a hash brown or two for good measure.

Zest is also open for lunch and dinner, with countless delicious dishes at its buffet - the same as the larger Flavour restaurant on the other side of the island. Just like at Zest, you’ll find food from across the globe at Flavour, prepared fresh at live cooking stations. We couldn’t fault the food here, but in June the large food hall was cooled with multiple large ceiling fans, which didn’t quite cut it in the same way as air conditioning. This made for a slightly stuffy dining experience at Flavour, but nothing unbearable.

We were lucky enough to try all of Kandima’s à la carte restaurants, too, indulging in cuisine from across the globe at lunch and dinner times.

The Sea Dragon treated us to sensational Asian dishes, complete with fish, crab and lobster freshly caught from the Atoll’s waters as we dined on outdoor decking above the water, spotting small sharks and looking out at the waves.

Azure made for a beyond stunning lunch spot, serving up vibrant Mediterranean dishes from afternoon until evening. Sipping on Aperol Spritzes at Azure while devouring a lunch of fresh prawn skewers, beautiful salads, woodfired pizza, and soft focaccia under the shade of a beach palm tree was no doubt a dining highlight.

If smoke, meat and BBQ are among your favourite foodie buzz words, Kandima’s Smoked restaurant will be for you. Serving up steaks, burgers, fresh fish and so much more all grilled to perfection, it’s the perfect place for a sunset dinner or decadent meal under the stars.

If lunching while you lounge is your vacation vibe, Kandima’s Breeze pool bar and Beach Club offer relaxed, laid-back dining options - with dishes that are just as delicious.

Activities and facilities at Kandima

It’s hard to believe that everything Kandima has to offer can all take place on one gorgeous little island - so prepare to be truly amazed. Whether you want a full-body massage to the sound of Indian Ocean waves crashing just meters away and a morning spent spotting pods of breathtaking wild dolphins or a whizz on a jet ski and a few laps around Kandima’s enormous go-karting track, you’re sorted here. Of course, there are the holiday essentials done incredibly, too. With two main pool areas on the resort, the island is home to the longest pool in the Maldives, stretching 100 metres.

Both pools are beachside, with one boasting a swim-up Beach Club bar, plenty of sunbathing space and a quieter vibe - while the other is beside the Breeze Beach Bar - home to delicious food and live music.

We were able to experience so much here. A boat trip and morning of snorkelling in the middle of the ocean to spot sea turtles, sunset paddle boarding, a glorious spa afternoon, and so much more is what made our Kandima experience so special and confirmed to us that we could’ve stayed for weeks without tiring of life on the serene island.

Booking water sports, diving trips or excursions is easily done by visiting the friendly team at the Aquaholics centre, located beachside. And be sure to request a snorkel and flippers set to take back to your room if you are staying at one of the aqua villas, to take your sea swims to an even more magical level.

If you are able to book onto a dolphin cruise during your stay at Kandima, make sure you do so without hesitation. It was one of the most enchanting experiences of our entire visit as we spent the morning being whisked around the Indian Ocean, watching pods of wild spinner dolphins in their natural habitat.

The boat crew leading the trip were friendly, informative, and a pleasure to spend the morning with - and sought out groups of dozens of dolphins in no time, while making sure to respect the animals and their space. The gorgeous creatures put on a real show for us once they spotted our boat, dancing alongside us and leaping out of the water to show off the impressive spins they’re known for.

It was enough to bring a tear to any animal lover’s eye, and an unforgettable part of our Kandima stay. While the boat crew did explain that the cruises can feel less intimate when they’re fully booked, we couldn’t believe our luck when we heard that the other guests booked onto our tour had cancelled, making for a truly special, private-feeling experience.

If focussing on rest and relaxation during your stay is your goal, a trip to the Eskape Spa is a must at Kandima. With its steam room, plunge pool and full range of treatments on offer, Eskape provides just that - escapism.

There are dreamy massage rooms that open up onto the shore to let in the sound of the crashing waves and bright and breezy open-air areas, perfect for a post-massage unwind. After our full body massages, we lounged in our soft cotton robes on comfy cabana beds looking out onto the beach and were brought revitalising ginger tea and nuts to snack on while we watched the island’s often-spotted Flying Fox bats fly between the palm tree branches in pure zen and comfort. What a way to spend an afternoon.

Fitness lovers will feel right at home at Kandima, too, thanks to its fully-equipped gym, tennis and volleyball courts, football pitch and plenty of classes.

It’s also easy to suss out exactly what you want to be doing on the island and when, thanks to the handy Kandima app that provides an easy schedule of everything going on across the resort - and displays any bookings or reservations made on your phone.

While Kandima is the perfect place for couples, friends and solo travellers to find paradise - it’s family-friendly, too, with plenty to keep little ones entertained. Notably, the newly opened PlaySpace - a state-of-the-art entertainment hub that injects some serious fun, vibrance and playfulness into a tucked-away corner of the island. Complete with a bowling alley, karaoke facilities, arcade machines, dance mats, bar, dancefloor, escape rooms, and so much more.

The essential facilities on the island are worth noting, too, with a trip to Kandima’s medical centre meaning we were able to experience first-hand what it’s like if you need a doctor during your stay.

After my travel companion had an allergic reaction to some mosquito bites (be sure to pack your insect repellent for a trip to the Maldives), she requested to see the on-site doctor. This was quickly arranged at the island’s clinic, and a super-friendly doctor provided her with a tube of hydrocortisone cream for her bites in no time.

When to visit Kandima

If you’re wondering which time of year is best to travel to the Maldives, don’t let months usually classed as ‘off season’ keep you away. While the dry season usually lasts from November to around April, with the rainy season taking up the rest of the year, don’t be put off travelling during the wetter months.

We visited Kandima in the midst of the so-called rainy season in June 2025 - and had nothing but glorious weather the entire stay, with days that were hot and sunny (albeit rather humid) and balmy, clear nights. Don't forget to look up at night for some of the starriest skies you'll ever see.

As we chatted to staff on the island, we learnt that even on rainier days, the showers come in short bursts and are often followed by gorgeous sunshine. So there’s no need to entirely write off a visit to the Maldives during the midst of the UK’s summer. Travelling in June also meant that the resort was much quieter than it would have been in peak season - so no space ever felt busy or crowded.

Prices at Kandima

Kandima offers a range of board types, with bed and breakfast, full board and all-inclusive, all on offer for each room type.

Current prices range from £137 per night for bed and breakfast in a premium room to £444 per night for all-inclusive in a water villa. Full price details correct as of January 2026 are as follows:

Premium Rooms from £137/night on B&B, £267/night on FB, £333/night on Dine Around All-Inclusive

Beach Villas from £226/night on B&B, £357/night on FB, £422/night on Dine Around All-Inclusive

Water Villas from £248/night on B&B, £378/night on FB, £444/night on Dine Around All-Inclusive