Last year, I spent 7 days at Anantara Kihavah for my 10th wedding anniversary, and I almost messed up my arrival before I even left home. Most first-time visitors to the Maldives don’t realize that getting to a private island resort isn’t as simple as booking a flight and hopping in a taxi. If you’re figuring out how to get to Anantara Kihavah without overspending or wasting hours of your vacation time, this guide covers every detail I wish I’d known before my trip. We’ll break down all transport options, hidden fees, timing hacks, and what to do if your international flight gets delayed.
How to Get to Anantara Kihavah: First Step – Book Your International Flight to Male
Your journey starts with booking a flight to Male Velana International Airport (MLE), the only international entry point for the Maldives. All international arrivals to the Maldives land at Male Velana International Airport (MLE), so you don’t have to worry about picking a smaller regional airport by mistake. Major carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Etihad operate daily flights to MLE from hubs across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia.
One thing most travelers miss when booking their flights is the seaplane schedule restriction. Seaplane services only run between 6 AM and 6 PM local time, since there are no runway lights for night landings on the resort’s private seaplane dock. If your international flight arrives after 4 PM local time, you won’t make the last seaplane transfer of the day, so you’ll need to book a night’s stay at a hotel in Male or Hulhumale before continuing to the resort the next morning.
You don’t need to apply for a visa in advance to visit the Maldives. All nationalities get a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival, as long as you have a valid passport with at least 6 months left before expiration, a confirmed resort booking, and proof of onward travel. The customs process usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, even during peak travel seasons.
Your Main Transport Options From Male to Anantara Kihavah
Once you clear customs and collect your luggage, you’ll head to the resort transfer desk in the airport arrivals hall. Anantara Kihavah has a dedicated staff desk there, so you won’t have to wander around looking for the right vendor. Before you arrive, it helps to know which transfer option fits your schedule and budget, so you can confirm your booking with the staff immediately.
There are two official transfer options for Anantara Kihavah, and you can book either directly through the resort when you make your room reservation. Before you pick one, make sure you have these essentials ready for your trip:
- Your printed resort booking confirmation, which you’ll show to the transfer desk staff at MLE
- Water and snacks for your transfer, as seaplane lounge snacks are limited and often pricey
- Sunscreen and a hat if you’re opting for a speedboat transfer, as you’ll be exposed to direct tropical sun for the entire ride
- A portable power bank, since seaplanes don’t have charging ports and you’ll want to take photos of the atolls from the air
Seaplane transfer is the most popular option for visitors to Anantara Kihavah, and for good reason. The 25-minute flight gives you stunning bird’s-eye views of the Maldives’ turquoise atolls, white sand banks, and overwater villa clusters, and many travelers count the seaplane ride as one of the best parts of their trip. Return seaplane transfers cost between $550 and $650 per adult, and half that price for children under 12. If you book an all-inclusive resort package, the transfer fee is often already included, so double check your booking confirmation before paying extra.
The second option is a private speedboat transfer, which takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes from Male to the resort. Return speedboat transfers cost between $320 and $420 per adult, so they’re a good budget pick if you’re traveling with a group. Speedboats run 24 hours a day, so they’re also your best bet if you arrive in Male after the last seaplane departs and don’t want to stay overnight in the city. But if you get seasick easily, skip the speedboat – the Indian Ocean can get choppy, especially during monsoon season, and the long ride can be very uncomfortable.
Hidden Transfer Costs and Mistakes to Avoid
I almost made the mistake of assuming my resort booking included transfer fees, and I would’ve been hit with a $1200 surprise bill for me and my partner when I arrived at the airport. Always confirm if your resort booking includes transfer fees before you pay for your reservation, because most basic room rates don’t include the cost of seaplane or speedboat transport.
Another common hidden cost is excess baggage fees for seaplane transfers. Seaplanes have very strict weight limits: each passenger is allowed 20kg of checked luggage and 5kg of carry-on luggage. Any weight over that limit costs $2 per kg, and if you’re traveling with heavy diving equipment or large suitcases, those fees can add up fast. If you know you’ll be carrying extra weight, mention it to the resort when you book your transfer, and they can arrange for extra space for a small fixed fee.
Don’t waste money booking your transfer through a third-party travel agent at the Male airport. These agents mark up transfer prices by 25% to 35% compared to booking directly through the resort, and they often don’t communicate schedule changes to the resort staff, which can lead to missed transfers. It’s always cheaper and more reliable to book your transfer directly through Anantara Kihavah’s reservations team.
If you have a tight connection and miss your scheduled seaplane, you’ll have to pay a $100 per person rebooking fee to get on the next available flight. To avoid this, book your international flight to arrive at least 2 hours before your scheduled seaplane departure, to leave time for customs delays and long baggage waits.
What to Expect When You Arrive at Anantara Kihavah
Once your seaplane lands on the resort’s private dock or your speedboat pulls up to the jetty, you’ll be greeted by a team of resort staff holding cold scented towels and fresh coconut water. You don’t have to rush to fill out check-in forms right away – you can sit and relax with your welcome drink while the staff handles all the paperwork for you.
You don’t need to carry your luggage yourself – the resort staff will handle all your bags and deliver them directly to your villa within 15 minutes of your arrival. If your villa isn’t ready yet (check-in time is 2 PM local time), you can use all the resort’s public facilities for free while you wait, including the infinity pool, beach restaurant, and overwater bar. The staff will even store your luggage safely for you, so you don’t have to drag it around the island.
If you’re traveling for a special occasion like a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday, mention it to the resort staff when you book your transfer. They’ll often prepare small free surprises for you on arrival, like a chilled bottle of champagne in your villa, a custom cake, or flower petals scattered across your bed. You don’t have to pay extra for these perks, as long as you mention the occasion at least 72 hours before you arrive.
The staff will also give you a quick orientation of the island when you check in, so you know where all the restaurants, activity centers, and emergency facilities are located. You can ask them any questions about dining reservations, snorkeling trips, or spa bookings during this orientation, and they’ll arrange everything for you on the spot.
Planning your trip to the Maldives doesn’t have to be stressful, especially when you know exactly how to get to Anantara Kihavah without unnecessary delays or extra costs. Take the time to confirm your transfer details before you leave home, pick the transport option that fits your schedule and budget, and you’ll be sipping coconut water on your overwater villa deck before you know it. If you have any questions about your specific itinerary, drop a comment below and I’ll help you out.