NH Maldives Kuda Rah Resort
South Ari Atoll · 25 minutes by seaplane · Half board to all inclusive
A small island in South Ari Atoll, the corner of the Maldives best known for whale sharks and mantas, 25 minutes from Malé by seaplane. Every villa has its own pool, on the beach or over the lagoon, and you can split a stay between the two. The catches are a patchy house reef beyond a barrier, and a seaplane that needs you in Malé by mid-afternoon. Everything worth knowing before you decide, in one page.
- Getting there
- 25 minBy seaplane, in daylight
- Latest you can land
- 15:30For the seaplane. Fly home from 09:00
- House reef
- 3 of 5Patchy, the best of it beyond a barrier
- Villas
- Every oneWith its own pool, beach or overwater
- Meal plans
- ThreeHalf board, full board, all inclusive
- Nearby
- Whale sharksAnd mantas, in season, by boat
Location and transfers
Send us your flight times first. We check the seaplane both ways before you book.
The villas
| Villa | Where | Size | Sleeps, at most |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach Pool VillaOn the beach, with a private pool and a jacuzzi. | Beach | 90 m² | 2 adults and 1 child |
| Overwater Pool VillaOver the lagoon, with a private pool and sundeck. | Over the water | 118 m² | 3 adults and 1 child |
| Overwater Royal Residence with Private PoolThe largest overwater villa. | Over the water | 210 m² | 3 adults and 1 child |
| Beach Pool Pavillion SuiteA one-bedroom suite on the beach, with a private pool. | Beach | 231 m² | 3 adults and 1 child |
| Two Bedroom Beach Pool Pavilion VillaTwo bedrooms on the beach, for families or friends. | Beach | 231 m² | 4 adults |
Every villa has its own pool. The Beach Pool Villa is the way in. The overwater villas are larger and take a third adult.
Split stays are sold. Two nights on the beach and one or two over the water. The resort decides which you start with.
The resort does not recommend overwater villas for children under twelve, and parents who choose one sign a waiver on arrival. The two-bedroom villa is priced on request.
Meal plans
All inclusive adds
- Lunch, alongside breakfast and dinner
- Dinner at Sea Spray, Ocean or Glow
- Cocktails and wines by the glass
- Afternoon tea and a daily minibar
Charged even on all inclusive
- Champagne, brandy and in-villa dining
- Diving and excursions
- The spa
- The Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners
| Plan | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Half board | Breakfast and a themed buffet dinner, with a fifth off the menu at Ocean |
| Full board | Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Drinks are charged |
| All inclusive | All meals, a choice of dinner venue, drinks by the glass and the minibar |
Every plan includes
Bicycles, the kids' club, the gym and Wi-Fi.
Restaurants and bars
| Venue | What it is | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Spray | The main restaurant. International | Breakfast 07:30 to 10:00, lunch from 12:30, dinner 19:00 to 21:30 |
| Ocean | Seafood and Mediterranean | 11:00 to 22:30 |
| Glow | Bar with light bites | 10:00 to midnight |
| Malaa | Maldivian culture and food | 16:00 to 17:30 |
| In-villa dining | Charged on every plan | Ask the resort |
A small island, a short list
Sea Spray and Ocean carry most meals. Tell us about vegetarian, Jain or other needs when you book and we will pass them to the resort.
The water
The reef is patchy
A small lagoon with patches of reef rather than a continuous wall. The best marine life sits beyond a protective barrier that guests describe as a swim for confident swimmers only. Inside it you find blacktip reef sharks, green turtles, a resident guitar shark and plenty of fish, with coral breakage visible in many places. We score the house reef 3 out of 5.
South Ari's big animals
What this corner gives you is the trips. The local thila dive is exceptional, and whale sharks and mantas are within reach in season by boat.
Children and safety
Kids' club
Included on every plan. Families take the beach villas or the two-bedroom villa, since overwater villas are not recommended for under-twelves.
On the island
On the island
A spa, a gym, bicycles and a dive centre. Ask us about the dive programme for your dates.
Who it suits
✓Yes
- Divers and big-animal hunters.Whale sharks and mantas in season, and a fine local thila.
- Couples who want a pool.Every villa has one.
- Anyone curious about water villas.The split stay is the cheap way to try one.
✕No
- Snorkellers who want the reef from the beach.The best of it is beyond a barrier.
- Families with young children over the water.Not recommended for under-twelves.
- Anyone landing late or leaving early.The seaplane flies in daylight only.
Things we would rather you heard from us
- The house reef disappoints some. Patches of reef, coral breakage, and the best of it beyond a barrier.
- The seaplane sets the clock. Land by 15:30 and fly home from 09:00, or lose a night.
- A short list of restaurants. Sea Spray and Ocean carry most meals.
- You do not choose the order of a split stay. The resort decides whether you start on the beach or over the water.
- The entry villa takes two adults. With one child. A third adult needs an overwater villa.
Shall we price it for you?
Tell us your dates, your flight times and who is travelling. We will check the seaplane, match the villa or the split to your party and price the three meal plans side by side. We reply within 24 hours.