Photo of the picturesque arrival jetty at Kihaa

Best Budget Resorts Maldives: Kihaa Resort Review

Last Updated on 07/12/2024

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Cheap Maldives Resorts in Baa atoll

There are many Maldives islands and resorts in Baa atoll. Baa atoll is one of the best tourist destinations in the Maldives because it is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and has the best place to swim with manta rays in the world. Luckily there are also some more affordable resorts that include cheap overwater villas and budget beach bungalows.

Which resort to stay in in the Maldives?

My recommendation for a budget resort in the Maldives is Kihaa Resort in Baa Atoll.

Photo of the picturesque arrival jetty at Kihaa
Arriving at Kihaa Resort by speedboat to these gorgeous views
Cheap Resorts in the Maldives: Kihaa Resort Review

I have now stayed at Kihaa resort in both 2018 and 2019. It is one of the most affordable resorts in the Maldives and one of the top resorts in the Maldives, in my opinion, because it has Hanifaru Bay on its doorstep, the best place to snorkel with manta rays in the world. I really enjoyed both my stays at Kihaa and I would definitely go back again.

Cheapest Resort in the Maldives: Kihaa Resort Accommodation

There are overwater villas and beach bungalow options here both which are some of the cheapest resort deals in the Maldives. Both times we stayed in a beach bungalow and I absolutely love them! They have amazing outdoor bathrooms, huge bath tubs and two outdoor showers. The villas themselves are an unusual octagonal shape which I love and all of them have a view of the beach. Even the Kihaa beach villas set a little way back are a short stroll to the beach. The housekeeping staff were fantastic, even doing special set ups during turn down service while we were out at dinner.

Kihaa Beach behind me
Follow me to Kihaa’s beautiful white sand beaches, just a stroll from our beach villa
Kihaa Island Resort Reviews: Best activities in Kihaa

The best activity to do in the Maldives is snorkelling and scuba diving. The house reef around Kihaa means it has some of the best snorkelling in the Maldives. In a couple of hours snorkelling we saw two turtles, multiple black tip reef sharks, a nurse shark, moray eels and beautiful schools of banner fish. Scuba diving around Kihaa is great because of the fairly decent coral reefs and you have a high chance of seeing manta rays while diving because of the proximity of Hanifaru Bay. Please note that you can only snorkel with mantas inside Hanifaru bay as scuba diving is prohibited due to strict regulations by the Maldivian government to protect this area for manta conservation. For more about snorkelling with manta rays in Hanifaru Bay, read my post here. 

underwater photo of snorkelling with a manta
Snorkel trips to see manta rays in the Maldives
Kihaa Resort: Best Swimming Pools in the Maldives

Kihaa resort has a gorgeous infinity pool with a bar behind it. You can drink cocktails in the swimming pool and spend the day lounging on sunbeds all around the pool. At the end of the infinity pool, there is a beautiful, white sand beach which stretches all the way around the island. The beach opposite the arrival jetty is the most picturesque. There is a second swimming pool surrounded by palm trees on the right of the lobby which also has a kids’ pool.

The infinity pool at Kihaa Beach
Dancing in the gorgeous infinity pool at Kihaa Beach
Best Budget Resort with the best beach in the Maldives

While I haven’t been to all the resorts in the Maldives, I can definitely say that Kihaa Resort has one of the best beaches I have seen. The beach opposite the arrival jetty is a huge area of white sand and crystal clear waters. They also have the best beach furniture of all shapes and sizes to lounge on and take photos with. They even have a manta swing!

Squad Goals for my 30th birthday celebrations in Kihaa Resort
Maldives Best Budget Resort: Kihaa Resort Restaurants

The main restaurant is by the beach and offers a buffet menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner with live stations. The first visit to Kihaa I was not that impressed with the food but on my second trip, a year later, I thought the food was great! We stayed on a Monday evening and experienced Arabic night which was delicious, with hummous, pita bread and a yummy pumpkin curry. It was very vegetarian friendly. During our stay we had the full board package in Kihaa which I think is definitely worth the money. The pizza from room service is also excellent. In my opinion, it is therefore one of the best budget friendly resorts in the Maldives because of the full board package. They also offer an all-inclusive package which could be worth it as the alcohol is not cheap.

Kihaa Resort and Spa

The spa at Kihaa doesn’t look that attractive from the outside but when in the spa it is over the water and looks out on the beautiful Indian ocean views. I didn’t try out any spa treatments as I am more a fan of the water activities.

Booking Kihaa Resort Maldives

Read more reviews and book via Agoda here or compare prices with Booking.com website here.

Kihaa Resort Contact

If you want to email them directly than contact Kihaa Resort via email: reservations.kihaamaldives@coralislandresorts.com
They usually reply within a couple of days. If you want to call them you can call Front Office on +960 6606686.

How to get to Kihaa Maldives one of the best affordable resorts, Maldives

For a transfer to Kihaa Maldives, you will need to take a domestic flight from Male to Dharavandhoo airport. You can book this through with domestic airlines such as Maldivian, Fly Me or Manta Air. Maldivian usually has the cheapest domestic flights in the Maldives. Once there Kihaa can arrange a short transfer from Dharavandhoo island by speedboat. It is the next door island so won’t take more than a 10 minute journey.

Maldives Resorts offering work permit rates

Kihaa is one of the best resorts for work permit holder rates in the Maldives. If you hold a valid work permit for the Maldives then they offer a rate of $180 per double room including the full board package. So that works out to $90 per person per night with three meals included. For me, this resort is great value for money because of the beach villas, great snorkelling and swimming pools. Even without a work permit, this is one of the best budget resorts in the Maldives.

For more information about travelling the Maldives

Travelling to local islands for a budget trip to the Maldives? Read this blog post with all my local island info and advice

Not sure what to pack for your Maldives holiday? Follow my Maldives island packing guide here

Interested in scuba diving? Read my post about the Maldives best kept secret for the best diving in the world

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4 thoughts on “Best Budget Resorts Maldives: Kihaa Resort Review”

  1. What an amazing budgeting trip guide for traveler lovers. Maldives is really amazing place. Thanks for sharing it.

  2. Wow this is an amazing and wonderful place. I really want to visit Maldives Island and after seeing these beautiful places i can weight to visit here… I love nature and it is full of natures beauty..
    Thank you for shearing this article to us

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