Sky Studio
40 sqm internal space · Private balcony or terrace ·
Pulse Hotels & Resorts · Dhaalu Atoll
Kandima Maldives
- 50 min by flight and boat
- Land by 20:45
- 4.7 on TripAdvisor · 3,531 reviews
- All taxes in the price
- Visited Oct 2022
See all 15 photographs full size →The fact sheet: transfers, villas, meals, the reef, and what is not in the price →
When are you travelling?
Prices are for two adults sharing and cover the villa, your meal plan, the return flight and boat, and every Maldivian tax, green tax included. Nothing else is payable at the resort for those.
Meal plan
Your stay
The villas
On the beach
Beach Studio
40 sqm internal space · Private balcony or terrace ·
Beach Villa with Swirlpool
18 villas · 55 sqm internal space · Private Swirl Pool ·
Sunrise Beach Pool Villa with Swirlpool
18 villas · 55 sqm internal space · Private Swirl Pool ·
Sunset Beach Pool Villa with Swirlpool
18 villas · 55 sqm internal space · Private Swirl Pool ·
Between the beach and the lagoon
Ocean Pool Villa
18 villas · 60 sqm internal space · Private infinity pool ·
Over the water
Aqua Villa
30 villas · 48 sqm internal space · Overwater location ·
Aqua Villa with Swirlpool
29 villas · 48 sqm internal space · Private Swirl Pool ·
Sunset Aqua Pool Suite
We will price these dates for you
Send the dates and we come back with two or three villas, the flight and boat, and the taxes inside the number, within 24 hours.
Tell us your dates and we will price them
Rates move with season, villa and meal plan. Send us the dates and who is travelling, and we come back with two or three villas, the flight and boat, and the taxes inside the number, within 24 hours.
House reef
Our rating
2/5 Thin
There is no snorkelling off the beach here. The reef sits about 500 metres out and is reached by a free boat to a platform at the reef edge, six times a day at 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00 and again at 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00, so nothing crosses the middle of the day. Guests who take it see turtles, coral and baby sharks, but several report bleaching. The lagoon is the better story: shallow and safe, which suits toddlers, with baby sharks and rays in the shallows. Bring water shoes, there is dead coral near the shore.
Getting there
RouteDomestic flight + speedboat
Journey50 min, airport to island
Last arrival that works20:45
AlternativeSeaplane
Journey45 min
Last arrival that works15:00
Land at Velana after 20:45 and the last domestic flight of the day will have gone, which means a night in Malé before you reach the island.
A domestic flight, then a short boat. It runs far later than a seaplane, so an evening arrival usually still reaches the island the same day.
We were last here
October 2022
Kandima Maldives stands out as one of the archipelago's most dynamic destinations, and for good reason. This expansive island resort offers something rare in the Maldives: genuine variety without compromising on luxury. The sheer scale of the island is immediately impressive. Unlike many intimate atolls, Kandima gives you space to explore, discover, and settle into different corners depending on your mood. Whether you're seeking quiet beachfront moments or vibrant social...
About the resort
Kandima is 270 rooms on a three-kilometre island in Dhaalu Atoll, reached by a 30-minute domestic flight and a speedboat. Three nights for two in a Sky Studio, with breakfast, both transfer legs and every Maldivian tax inside the figure, is the cheapest thing we sell.
The later dates are the cheaper ones here, which is unusual. A Sky Studio over four nights drops by about a quarter once the Indian package price begins. That package carries a booking deadline, so ask us to confirm it for your dates.
What you pay
Pick a room and a travel window above. Every figure is two adults, with breakfast, the return domestic flight and speedboat, green tax and every other Maldivian tax already inside it.
Three nights is the base here, not four. Four is priced beside it so you can see what the extra night does before you commit to it.
Two children stay free on the package dates. Up to two aged 2 to 11.99 share your room on bed and breakfast at no charge, paying only green tax and their own transfer. On later dates they eat free on your plan as well. That makes a family of four cheaper here than at almost anything else we sell.
What’s included, and what isn’t
In the price: the room, breakfast at Flavour or Zest, the return domestic flight and speedboat for two, green tax and all Maldivian taxes.
Not in the price: your international flights, travel insurance, lunch and dinner, all drinks, the spa, excursions, Indian TCS, and anything not named above.
Read the meal plans before you upgrade. Half Board Plus and Full Board Plus are served inside fixed windows at Flavour and Zest. Premium All Inclusive is the tier that opens the a la carte restaurants and the bars. Buy the middle tier expecting the top one and you will be disappointed, so tell us how you eat.
Who this isn’t for
Anyone who came to snorkel from the beach. You cannot. The reef sits about 500 metres out and is reached by a free boat that runs six times a day, at nine, ten and eleven in the morning and two, three and four in the afternoon. Guests are lukewarm about what is out there.
Anyone who wants a small, hushed island. Three kilometres long, 270 rooms, a go-kart track and a bowling alley. Kandima is loud on purpose.
Anyone travelling over Christmas or New Year. Those dates are not priced on this page: a five-night minimum, compulsory gala dinners and no check-out on 31 December. We price them on request.
Before you book
Your flight times decide your route. The domestic flight will not connect if you fly home before 09:00, and the seaplane cannot take you if you land at Male after 15:00. Send us your flights before you book them.
There is a hospital on the island, with German doctors, a dentist and a decompression chamber. That is rare in the Maldives, and it matters more the further out you go.
Children in an overwater villa need a signed disclaimer. The resort asks for one on every Aqua and Ocean Pool category. There is no minimum age, but the form is not optional.
Tell us your dates and the ages of anyone travelling with you. We will price two rooms across the windows either side of your dates, apply the family offer wherever it lands, and tell you which meal plan is worth the step up for the way you eat. Message our Maldives specialists on WhatsApp or send us an enquiry. We reply within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kandima Maldives?
In Dhaalu Atoll, south of Malé. Kandima Maldives is one of the longer islands in the country, about three kilometres end to end, with 270 studios and villas along it.
How do I get to Kandima Maldives?
The price on this page includes a domestic flight from Velana to Kudahuvadhoo and a short speedboat to the island, about 50 minutes door to door, and it runs well into the evening. A seaplane is available for an extra charge, but it flies in daylight only and cannot take you if you land at Velana after 15:00. Going home, a flight leaving Malé before 09:00 will not connect on the same day by either route, so send us your flight times before you book them.
What rooms and villas are there?
Sky Studios and Beach Studios, Beach Villas and Beach Pool Villas with a swirl pool, Aqua Villas over the lagoon with or without a swirl pool, Ocean Pool Villas, and the Sunset Aqua Pool Suite. Two-bedroom family suites exist too, priced for four, and we price those on request.
What dining options are available?
Kandima has 8 restaurants and bars including Flavour & Zest (all-day dining), Azure Mediterranean, Smoked BBQ, Sea Dragon (Asian cuisine), Beach Club, Breeze Pool Bar, Aroma Café, and Deli. Most outlets are open from morning until late night.
What is PlaySpace at Kandima?
PlaySpace is Kandima's ultimate gaming and entertainment hub, featuring two bowling alleys, Eskape Rooms, a Classic Games Zone, VR Hologate Arena, Karaoke Room, Movie Theatre, Arcade Games, and PlaySpace Café. It's open to all ages.
What is the Fast Track at Kandima?
Fast Track is the Maldives' first asphalt oceanfront electric go-kart track. The 500-metre course offers high-speed racing with stunning island views. Minimum height: 1.4m, minimum age: 10 years.
Is Kandima suitable for families with children?
Absolutely. Kandima has Kandiland, a dedicated kids club with a daily programme of fun and educational activities. The resort also has a large lagoon, shallow water areas, PlaySpace, and family-friendly dining options.
What watersports and diving are available?
Aquaholics, Kandima's watersports and diving centre, offers scuba diving, snorkelling, marine biology activities, and a full range of water sports. The resort also has a Diving School and Marine Biology Centre.
Is there a spa at Kandima?
Yes, Eskape Spa offers a full range of treatments including massages, facials, and body treatments. The spa also has a steam room, sauna, yoga classes, nail bar, and hairdresser.
What is included in the price?
The room for two, breakfast, the return domestic flight and speedboat, green tax and every Maldivian tax. Indian TCS is extra, see our Taxes and TCS page.
Message a Maldives specialist →Read the full fact sheet →Back to the prices →
What guests say
4.7
out of 5 on TripAdvisor
3,531 reviews
3,531 reviews
Birthday and Anniversary celebration
We returned to Kandima Maldives after 4 years to celebrate our daughter’s 18th birthday and our 20th wedding anniversary in July and it was an incredibly special and memorable stay.
A wonderful family holiday at Kandima Maldives
We spent two fantastic weeks at Kandima Maldives in August 2026 with our two young children, and it was everything we hoped for and more.
Outstanding housekeeping service from Kalu
We would especially like to thank Kalu from the housekeeping team for his excellent work throughout our stay.
The resort
Tell us your dates and who is travelling
We will price two or three villas with the flight and boat, and the taxes inside the number, and quote dates outside the ones above on request. We reply within 24 hours.
A day here
Scale sets the shape of your day here. Kandima is three kilometres long, which is enormous by Maldivian standards, and it means you walk or cycle to things rather than stepping out of your room into them. It also runs a 24-hour room policy, which is rare in the Maldives and makes your arrival and departure days worth far more.
- Domestic flight + speedboat, 50 min
- Land by 20:45
- Bed and breakfast
- House reef 2/5
Worth knowing
We would talk you out of 3 nights here. On an island three kilometres long you spend the first day just working out where things are.
Day 1, arriving
A domestic flight to Dhaalu then a short boat, around fifty minutes of actual travelling. It runs far later than a seaplane, so an evening landing at Velana usually still reaches the island the same day. A seaplane is available instead, faster in the air but tied to a 15:00 daylight cut-off, so it only helps a morning arrival. Then the fact that changes everything: there is no fixed check-in or check-out time, and you may stay a full 24 hours from when you arrive. Land at eight in the evening and you leave at eight in the evening. On a four-night stay that is close to a whole extra day, and almost nobody books it knowing.
Do these three things when you land.
- Get a bicycle. Three kilometres is a long way to walk to dinner twice a day.
- Ask when the reef boat runs. It is free and roughly hourly, and it is the only way to snorkel here.
- Pack water shoes if you did not bring them. There is dead coral on the seabed near the shore.
Days 2 to 3, your full days
Mornings
There is no snorkelling off the beach. We say that plainly because the island is large and beautiful and people assume the water matches. The house reef is a five-minute boat ride to a platform at the reef edge, the boat is free and runs roughly hourly, and guests who take it see turtles, coral and baby sharks. The lagoon itself is shallow and safe.
- Anyone who came to snorkel
- Take the boat, and take it early. It is free and it is genuinely good out there. Just do not expect to walk into it from your villa.
- Families with small children
- The shallow lagoon is the point. It is safe for toddlers, and you will see baby sharks and dolphins from the jetty without going anywhere.
- Anyone here to be active
- This is the island for it. Tennis, badminton, beach volleyball, a football field, the art studio and one of the largest pools in the Maldives.
Afternoons
Kandima runs one of the fullest activity programmes in the country, which is a large part of why people choose it. The schedule and prices are set by the resort and move through the season, so tell us what you want to do and we will price it against your dates.
Evenings
Seven restaurants and several bars, which on an island this size means you should book rather than wander. The rate you see is bed and breakfast; half board, full board and premium all-inclusive are all sold as supplements on top, and the plan rates 4 out of 5 on our all-inclusive ratings. Children under six eat free on their parents' plan, and there are dated family offers that can make two children under twelve free on both room and meals where two adults share. Ask us to run those, because they change the arithmetic more than the villa choice does.
Day 4, leaving
The 24-hour policy applies here too, so you are not turned out at eleven in the morning. Work backwards from your domestic flight rather than from a check-out time, and reconfirm the connection the evening before.
Who this island's day does not suit
Anyone who wants a small quiet island, and anyone whose idea of the Maldives is snorkelling from the beach. This is a big, busy, energetic island and it is unapologetic about it.
What you will still pay
Whatever sits outside bed and breakfast, which on this island is most of the eating and drinking unless you bought a plan. Then the spa, the water sports and the excursions. Kandima is a place where the folio grows quietly because there is so much to do, so decide about a meal plan before you arrive rather than after two dinners.
Day 1, arriving
A domestic flight to Dhaalu then a short boat, around fifty minutes of actual travelling. It runs far later than a seaplane, so an evening landing at Velana usually still reaches the island the same day. A seaplane is available instead, faster in the air but tied to a 15:00 daylight cut-off, so it only helps a morning arrival. Then the fact that changes everything: there is no fixed check-in or check-out time, and you may stay a full 24 hours from when you arrive. Land at eight in the evening and you leave at eight in the evening. On a four-night stay that is close to a whole extra day, and almost nobody books it knowing.
Do these three things when you land.
- Get a bicycle. Three kilometres is a long way to walk to dinner twice a day.
- Ask when the reef boat runs. It is free and roughly hourly, and it is the only way to snorkel here.
- Pack water shoes if you did not bring them. There is dead coral on the seabed near the shore.
Days 2 to 4, your full days
Mornings
There is no snorkelling off the beach. We say that plainly because the island is large and beautiful and people assume the water matches. The house reef is a five-minute boat ride to a platform at the reef edge, the boat is free and runs roughly hourly, and guests who take it see turtles, coral and baby sharks. The lagoon itself is shallow and safe.
- Anyone who came to snorkel
- Take the boat, and take it early. It is free and it is genuinely good out there. Just do not expect to walk into it from your villa.
- Families with small children
- The shallow lagoon is the point. It is safe for toddlers, and you will see baby sharks and dolphins from the jetty without going anywhere.
- Anyone here to be active
- This is the island for it. Tennis, badminton, beach volleyball, a football field, the art studio and one of the largest pools in the Maldives.
Afternoons
Kandima runs one of the fullest activity programmes in the country, which is a large part of why people choose it. The schedule and prices are set by the resort and move through the season, so tell us what you want to do and we will price it against your dates.
Evenings
Seven restaurants and several bars, which on an island this size means you should book rather than wander. The rate you see is bed and breakfast; half board, full board and premium all-inclusive are all sold as supplements on top, and the plan rates 4 out of 5 on our all-inclusive ratings. Children under six eat free on their parents' plan, and there are dated family offers that can make two children under twelve free on both room and meals where two adults share. Ask us to run those, because they change the arithmetic more than the villa choice does.
Day 5, leaving
The 24-hour policy applies here too, so you are not turned out at eleven in the morning. Work backwards from your domestic flight rather than from a check-out time, and reconfirm the connection the evening before.
Who this island's day does not suit
Anyone who wants a small quiet island, and anyone whose idea of the Maldives is snorkelling from the beach. This is a big, busy, energetic island and it is unapologetic about it.
What you will still pay
Whatever sits outside bed and breakfast, which on this island is most of the eating and drinking unless you bought a plan. Then the spa, the water sports and the excursions. Kandima is a place where the folio grows quietly because there is so much to do, so decide about a meal plan before you arrive rather than after two dinners.
Tell us your flight times and we will check this against your actual dates.
