Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit Kiha Beach.
Hanifaru Bay is a small, protected bay in Baa Atoll where manta rays gather in large numbers to feed on plankton, sometimes alongside whale sharks. It lies within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and Dharavandhoo is the closest inhabited island.
For relaxing and enjoying good weather, the best time to visit the Maldives is the dry season, from December to April, when skies are clear and the sea is calm.
The best time to see manta rays in Baa Atoll is the wet season from May to November, when plankton levels are highest.
Dive centres on Dharavandhoo take divers to some of the best dive sites in Baa Atoll, where colourful coral, canyons and overhangs shelter turtles, stingrays, grey reef sharks and, with luck, whale sharks. The house reef is also worth a snorkel.
Travelling to the Maldives as a couple is generally very safe, with a warm, welcoming atmosphere in Dharavandhoo. As it’s a local island, dress modestly in public and relax in swimwear at the bikini beach of Kiha Beach.
Fly from Velana International Airport in Malé to Dharavandhoo on a domestic flight of about 25 minutes, with daily services. A 5-minute drive brings you from Dharavandhoo Airport to the hotel. Scheduled speedboats also run on some days. Kiha Beach can help arrange your transfer.
Manta rays gather at Hanifaru Bay to feed. During the southwest monsoon, tides and currents funnel plankton into the bay’s shallow, funnel-shaped reef, creating dense clouds of food. Mantas come in large numbers to feed, sometimes swirling together in chains.
Alcohol isn’t available on local islands like Dharavandhoo. At Kiha Beach, you can enjoy a range of 0% alcohol beverages, ideal for sipping by the sea.
You can book directly by emailing reservations@kihabeach.com. For faster communication, message us on WhatsApp at +960 779 5533.
No. Manta rays are gentle giants and harmless to people. They have no functional stinger and feed only on tiny plankton. Keep a respectful distance and never touch them, as contact can harm the animal.
Yes. Whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary or a proposal, tell us what you have in mind and we’ll arrange it. We can cater to your needs and shape the occasion around you.
Kiha Beach is a 5-minute drive from Dharavandhoo Airport, so you can go from the plane to the beach in no time.
Yes, bicycles are available for free, so you can explore Dharavandhoo at your own pace.
Breakfast is served from 7:30am to 9:30am, lunch from 12:30pm to 2:30pm, and dinner from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Earlier breakfasts can be arranged on request.
Dharavandhoo is home to a welcoming Maldivian community, so you’ll experience island life as it really is. Expect a warm welcome wherever you go.
Yes, schools of fish, rays, turtles and reef sharks are commonly seen by the house reef, and dolphin pods occasionally pass. Sightings vary by day.
Dharavandhoo is a small, quiet community, and many travellers stay here alone, as couples and as families.
Yes, swimwear is welcome at the bikini beach, and Kiha Beach sits right on it. Elsewhere on the island, we ask guests to respect local customs and dress modestly.
Snorkel the house reef, relax on Bikini Beach, dive at Dharavandhoo Corner, cycle the island lanes, visit sandbanks, and take a dolphin cruise. Kiha Beach can arrange excursions and water sports as well.