Kandolhu is picture-perfect, with diverse dining and accommodation options that belie its tiny size.
Beautiful Kandolhu presents the best of both worlds: a tiny, tranquil island with a lush green interior encircled by glorious white sands and coral reefs, yet with a choice of restaurants and rooms more typical of a larger island.
Each of the five à la carte restaurants is small and intimate – the Japanese restaurant, Banzai, has just six seats. The Market is the all-day dining restaurant; elevated Olive offers Mediterranean classics; and Sea Grill serves fresh seafood cooked to order. The island’s relaxed new daytime eatery, Ata-Roa, serves up a street food-style menu from Mexico and Peru, specialising in ceviche and tacos washed down with pisco cocktails. Kandolhu offers one of the Maldives’ most generous all inclusive packages, including access to all restaurants, plus a large variety of drinks, including in the minibar and in-villa wine chiller. Considering just how much is included, it’s excellent value. The house reef can be reached from access points around the island, perfect for snorkelling – often among turtles – and dive sites can be reached by boat in minutes from the dive centre.
The elegant, Maldivian-style villas have modern interiors with wooden floors and high ceilings, and include thoughtful extras like iPads and GoPro cameras. Beach Villas have huge open-air bathrooms with jetted bathtub. For a beach villa with pool, opt for a Pool Villa or one of the two-storey Duplex Pool Villas – rare to find in the Maldives. The Ocean Villas and Ocean Pool Villas are reached by an overwater jetty, with steps straight into the ocean.
Kuoni Insider
Kandolhu has everything! This tiny island is perfect for a true Maldivian getaway with its stunning white sand beach and gorgeous sunsets. Take a leisurely circle around the island’s house reef and you’ll see colourful fish, very often alongside turtles and baby sharks.
I recommend opting for the Ultimate All Inclusive package – you’ll be spoilt for choice with all à la carte dining and Five Star service. Lunchtime is flexible any time between breakfast and dinner, the latter served until 11pm so there’s no rush to do anything here . . . the only reservation you’ll need to make is at Banzai, the Japanese restaurant, which seats just six guests. For wine lovers you can’t beat the in-villa wine chiller stocked with an impressive range of quality international wines – all included and refilled as often as you like!”