Hurawalhi is an adults-only island in Lhaviyani Atoll that stakes its identity on its reef — the world's largest all-glass undersea restaurant sits 5.8 metres below the lagoon, and the resort runs its own marine biology centre around one of the world's largest known populations of reef manta rays.
Seaplane · 40 min
90 villas
Adults only
All-inclusive available
Reply within 24 hours
Maldives only for 8 years · 50+ resorts visited in person
Villas
Ocean Pool Villa
At 132 square metres, the largest of the overwater categories — suspended on stilts above the lagoon, with a private infinity pool that runs to the deck's edge.
2 adults · Private infinity pool · Overwater, suspended above the lagoon
A few steps back from the beach on the island's sunset-facing side, 132 square metres with an infinity pool angled to catch the evening light and easy access to the main restaurants.
2 adults · Private infinity pool · Beachfront, sunset side of the island
The smallest villa count on the island at nine — set a few steps from the beach, with the same 132-square-metre footprint and infinity pool as the Beach Sunset category, without the sunset-facing angle.
The other 105-square-metre overwater category, built for direct ocean access rather than a pool or bathtub feature — steps lead from the terrace straight into the lagoon.
Hurawalhi occupies its own island in Lhaviyani Atoll, a 40-minute seaplane flight from Malé, and admits only guests aged 15 and over. Ninety villas across five categories ring a lagoon and a reef the resort's own marine biologist studies — home to one of the world's largest known populations of reef manta rays. Four restaurants carry the stay, from the buffet-and-à-la-carte Canneli to the 5.8 Undersea Restaurant, 5.8 metres below the surface.
Recommended For
Couples and honeymooners
A single king-bed villa in every category, wedding ceremonies staged on a private sandbank, and a Champagne Pavilion built for a sunset toast — Hurawalhi's whole layout assumes two people travelling together.
Divers and snorkellers
A PADI 5-star dive centre, a resident marine biologist, guided manta and reef trips, and free snorkel gear at the water's edge make the house reef the actual centre of a Hurawalhi stay, not a side activity.
Guests who want a break from other guests' children
The resort-wide minimum age of 15 means no children's club and no family villas — for travellers who specifically want that, Hurawalhi delivers it as a standing policy, not an incidental quiet week.
Wine & Dine
Canneli Restaurant
International and Asian, buffet-style · Breakfast · lunch · dinner
Breakfast and dinner run buffet-style with live cooking stations across the open floor; lunch switches to an à la carte menu.
5.8 Undersea Restaurant
Set lunch and dinner menus, now with vegan-inclusive options · Lunch · dinner (set menu)
Ten tables sit inside a glass tunnel 5.8 metres under the lagoon, reached down a spiral staircase, with a set menu that now includes vegan-inclusive options.
Kashibo
Chinese, Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese-inspired — "Taste of Asia", including teppanyaki · Lunch · dinner
Teppanyaki, seafood and a Pan-Asian menu served overwater, with the resort's 336-label wine cellar showcased behind glass at one end of the room.
Offshore trolling, jigging and popping for marlin, tuna, sailfish and dorado — a different boat and crew from the sunset hand-reel trip.
Boduberu Cultural Show
Live Boduberu drumming and dance, paired with the evening or arrival cultural programming resorts run alongside it — culture talks, on-site museums, welcome ceremonies.
Destination Private Dining
A private meal on the beach, in a villa, a garden or an overwater deck, arranged by a private chef and butler outside the resort's own restaurants.
Dolphin Cruise
A dhoni or speedboat trip, usually timed to sunset, built around spotting wild dolphins — the most widely offered named excursion in the Maldives.
Group Fitness, Gym & Training Classes
Structured group fitness beyond a yoga mat — HIIT, TRX, Pilates, boxing and circuit training, run out of the resort's own gym or fitness pavilion.
House-Reef & Guided Snorkel
A guided swim over the house reef, off the beach or a short boat ride out, with private, night and beginner variants at resorts that run their own dive centre.
Malé · seaplane, 40 minutes · Hurawalhi Island, Lhaviyani Atoll
Nearest airport
Velana International Airport (MLE)
Transfer
40-minute scenic seaplane flight direct from Velana International Airport
Arrival lounge
Guests are met after Immigration and Customs, checked in at the TMA seaplane ticket counter, then hosted in the TMA Terminal with a cold face towel, complimentary drinks, snacks and Wi-Fi before the flight.
Departure lounge
The Hurawalhi Lounge at the TMA Seaplane Terminal stays open into the early evening, with private transfers on to the International Departure Terminal.
At a glance
Villas
90 villas · 60 overwater · 30 beach · Private pool in some villas · Largest 132 m²
Dining
4 restaurants · 3 bars · Meal plans: All Inclusive Plus (AIP) · All-inclusive available
Families
Adults only
Diving & reef
Dive centre (Prodivers) · Notable house reef · Resident marine biologist
Spa
Sulha Spa
Before you book
How do we get to Hurawalhi, and how long does the transfer take?
Hurawalhi is a 40-minute scenic seaplane flight from Velana International Airport. After Immigration and Customs, the resort's team meets guests and escorts them to the TMA seaplane ticket counter, then hosts them in the TMA Terminal lounge with a cold face towel, complimentary drinks, snacks and Wi-Fi before the flight.
Is Hurawalhi suitable for children?
No. Hurawalhi runs an "Adults' Escape" policy with a resort-wide minimum age of 15, and there is no children's club. The programme — dive centre, marine biology talks, spa, watersports — is built around an adults-only stay.
What meal plans are available?
The optional All Inclusive Plus package covers daily breakfast, lunch and dinner at Canneli, a Dine Around option of a set lunch or dinner at Kashibo or JFK, unlimited drinks at Coco Bar and Kashibo Bar, and one regularly scheduled Sunset Dolphin Cruise, among other inclusions. It does not cover the Champagne Pavilion's Champagne-and-canapés supplement (a US$120 add-on) or festive-season gala dinners.
How good is the house reef and the diving here?
The house reef is central to Hurawalhi's identity, and the resort's own Marine Biology Centre studies one of the world's largest known populations of reef manta rays from it. Prodivers runs a PADI 5-star centre on-site with regular guided dives and snorkelling trips, and free snorkel equipment — including a snorkel vest — is available at the Prodivers hut.
What is the 5.8 Undersea Restaurant like?
It's the world's largest all-glass undersea restaurant, sitting 5.8 metres below the lagoon's surface with only ten tables, reached by a spiral staircase. It serves a set lunch and dinner menu that now includes vegan-inclusive options, with reef fish visible through the glass throughout the meal.
Can we get married or renew vows at Hurawalhi?
Yes — symbolic, not legally binding, wedding and vow-renewal ceremonies are held at Dream Island, a petal-strewn sandbank a short trip from the main island, at the overwater Champagne Pavilion, or inside the 5.8 Undersea Restaurant.
The factsheet
Every fact we hold on Hurawalhi Island Resort (villas, dining, transfers) in one document.