Kandima Maldives OLD

The Resort — An ultra-cool retreat that prides itself on good vibes

Claiming prime Maldivian real estate in the picturesque Dhaalu Atoll, this secluded sanctuary is made up of a three-kilometre stretch of untouched powder-white sand. The beach elegantly slices through the warm tropics of the Indian Ocean, creating an ombré divide between an impossibly turquoise lagoon and the ink-blue depths of the open ocean. Pockets of completely uninhabited islets are revealed at low tide, inviting guests to embrace the opportunity to wade through the shallows and find a private patch of paradise. The infinite stretch of kaleidoscopic reef that runs parallel to Kandima offers myriad opportunity to discover the Maldives’ iconic marine life. Sink your toes into the soft sand and fixate your gaze on the ocean and you could spot pods of resident dolphins dancing around the shoreline. Alternatively, dive into the underwater world from the resort’s exclusive snorkelling pontoon and weave through a rainbow maze of hard and soft coral with turtles, rays and friendly reef sharks.

More than just the breathtaking paradise that surrounds it, Kandima Maldives is a haven of positive energy and adventure, perfectly merging fun and luxury to create a niche that’s long been missing in the Maldives. From the moment you ‘rock in’ to HQ, you’ll be greeted by a sea of smiling faces as sparkly as the surrounding waters — the service here is unparalleled, and so are the facilities.

Unwind, dance or enjoy a splash at the oceanfront Breeze Bar, where good vibes and silky sands flow from the poolside to the indoor bar. A sensual journey awaits each day from 10am until midnight: listen to live bands and the latest DJs, sip cocktails and inhale the scent of flavoured shisha while watching the hues of sunset bathe the lagoon. Activities are aplenty at this beachfront bar: make new friends with a game of water volleyball, take a cocktail-making masterclass or hang around on a Saturday for Glow Latin Night and live la vida loca. Switch it up and head over to the Beach Club, a laidback hangout that invites you to ‘Beach More! Worry Less!’. Stroll across the boardwalk that stretches out into the ocean and relax in one of the impressive UFO-style cabanas perched above the turquoise waters. Let the DJs entertain you with their chilled house beats while you sip a fruity cocktail or kickstart the party with a delicious shot.

You are spoiled for choice at Kandima’s two main dining venues, Flavour and Zest, conveniently located at opposite ends of the island. Dine across multiple live cooking stations, from Arabic to Indian, and self-service areas featuring delicious salads and indulgent desserts. For something special, choose to dine at one of Kandima’s three impressive à la carte restaurants. Pull up a seat at Azure, sink your toes into the sand and enjoy a Mediterranean feast of fish, tapas, steaks and oven-baked pizzas. Dine under the stars at Smoked, where a tantalising selection of meats and seafood are grilled to perfection. For Far East dining and a modern bar with an Asian twist, look no further than Seadragon, positioned at the open-ocean side of the island, where guests can witness waves crashing against the reef. Then, perhaps head through the psychedelic tunnel to the adjoining adults-only Forbidden Bar and dance the night away.

Take advantage of the impressive watersports centre — AQUAHOLICS — and embark on an ocean adventure, with jet skis, glass-bottom kayaks, parasailing and scuba-diving available. For something more relaxing, head to the picturesque lake in the heart of the resort and enjoy a painting class with resident artists in the dedicated art studio, unwind at the fabulous EsKape spa, or have a swing at tennis on the full-sized grass court. There’s also a football pitch — why not enjoy a friendly game of guests vs. staff? Want to stay on top of your fitness? Check out the resort gym complete with state-of-the-art hydro pool.

Travelling with family? Kandima is home to the biggest Kids Club in the Maldives — Kandiland — an impressive complex with its very own waterpark and a daily programme of jam-packed fun and informative activities hosted by dedicated, multilingual carers. Kandiland is complimentary and is open for children aged 4-11.

There’s a carnival of events and activities year-round at Kandima, so stay on top of the action with the exclusive app (available on Android and iOS). Once at the resort, you can use the app to book spa treatments or even order food to your studio or villa.

Your Handpicked Inclusions — Roundtrip flights from Malé, speedboat transfers, daily buffet breakfast and dinner, daily sunset cocktail and more

Relax with roundtrip flights from Malé Airport to Dhaalu Airport and roundtrip speedboat transfers to Kandima included, and feel refreshed on arrival with a welcome juice at HQ.

Enjoy half-board dining (daily breakfast and dinner) alongside stunning Indian Ocean vistas at the resort’s Flavour and Zest restaurants, offering an elaborate, daily changing buffet with a variety of fresh and flavoursome international cuisine. Each afternoon, you’ll be treated to a sunset cocktail per adult at your choice of Breeze Bar or the Beach Club. Plus, you’ll receive 20% discount on à la carte dining at Azure, Smoked and Seadragon restaurants.

Enjoy unlimited access to resort facilities, including the gym and hydro pool, tennis, badminton and volleyball courts, the football field and regular boat shuttles to the exclusive snorkelling pontoon.

No need to perfect your selfie: you’ll be treated to a one-time 30-minute photoshoot from SNAP studio at your choice of location.

Plus, rock in and out on your terms! Choose your check-in time, then check out at the same hour. So, if you arrive at 2pm on the day of check-in, you can stay until 2pm on the day of checkout.

Travelling with family? Up to two children (aged 11 years and under) stay, play and eat for free (half-board only, surcharge applies for all-inclusive) with complimentary access to Kandiland — the Maldives’ largest Kids Club.

All-Inclusive Upgrade: Treat yourself to an all-inclusive package and enjoy unlimited dining and free-flow drinks for the duration of your stay. Indulge with daily buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner at your choice of five restaurants (two buffet and three à la carte) as well as unlimited selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Plus, you’ll receive complimentary access to non-motorised watersports, including kayaks, paddleboards and windsurfing equipment.