2025 Havoddaa Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in October)

#maldiveshotel NH Collection Maldives Havodda — Where Freedom Feels Like Barefoot Luxury Back for the third time. And still in love with NH Collection Maldives Havodda (ex-Amari) in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll— not because it’s flashy, but because it’s *free*. No heels. No dresses. No pretense. Just you, barefoot on soft sand, walking to dinner under stars — and no one cares what you wear. (Though I did laugh at a woman in stilettos and Gucci bag… honey, this is not Milan. This is paradise.) ✨ **Why We Keep Coming Back:** 📍 **Overwater villa 101** — home away from home. Perfectly located, private, peaceful. 🌊 Direct lagoon access — jump in anytime. Reef fish glide under the floor. 🌤️ **Weather magic:** → Feb: endless sun, calm seas, → Apr–May: sunny days, rain only at night — nature’s lullaby, → Oct: first half golden, second moody — dramatic skies, powerful rain, but never ruined the trip. 🍽️ **Food & Vibe:** → Buffet + à la carte — fresh seafood, local curries, global dishes, → No dress code. Just joy. → Staff? Warm, smiling, always ready with cold towels and a joke. 🤿 **Snorkeling:** The house reef is alive! Turtles, rays, blacktips — all close. We bring our own mask & fins — but rentals are free if you don’t. 🧴 **Eco-heart:** We skip sunscreen. It kills coral. Instead: UV-protective swimwear. I swim in long-sleeve rash guard + leggings — zero burns, full freedom. Let’s protect this beauty together. ⚠️ Big news:** Rebranded from Amari to NH Collection**. We hope prices stay fair — this place should remain within reach of those who truly love it. This isn’t just a resort. It’s a **state of mind**: simple, deep, real. See you here in August. Barefoot. Unplugged. Alive. 📍 Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll #NHCollectionHavodda #MaldivesFreedom #BarefootLuxury #RealParadise #AnaTravels

#maldiveshotel Background NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort is a secluded 5-star all-villa resort located in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, about 400 km south of Malé.  To reach it, you take a 55-minute domestic flight from Malé to Kaadedhdhoo Airport, followed by a 15-minute speedboat transfer.  The property has 120 villas in total: 60 overwater and 60 beachfront, each with a private deck ideal for sunrise or sunset views, and designed in a modern Maldivian style.  Why It’s Worth Visiting • The marine life is outstanding: there’s a house reef just off the beach, which is highly praised for both snorkeling and diving. You can expect to see reef sharks, turtles, large schools of fish, and vibrant corals. The resort won Best Dive Resort in 2025 at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards, underscoring its quality for underwater adventures.  • Amenities cover both relaxation and activity: there are three restaurants (including all-day dining and grill options), two bars, a spa offering signature treatments, a fitness centre, outdoor pool, kids’ club, and a full water sports & dive centre.  Yoga sessions — sunrise and sunset on certain days — add to the wellness experience.  • It balances luxury with sustainability: the resort has begun implementing eco-friendly practices, such as protecting turtle nesting sites, minimizing plastic waste, and generally respecting the natural surroundings.  My Impression Staying at Havodda feels like stepping into a quieter, more mindful side of the Maldives. The villas are beautiful and private; waking up to the sound of water, stepping out onto your deck, and being able to snorkel off the beach — it all makes for moments that are restorative. The reef is healthy and lively, which always makes a difference compared to resorts where marine life feels like it’s just for show. Evenings at the bar watching sunset or dining under the stars are peaceful and deliberately unhurried. If I had to choose a highlight: snorkeling off the beach at dawn — soft light, few people, fish around you, sea calm — that was unforgettable.

We enjoyed an incredible experience at NO Havodda. From the instant we arrived, things were flawlessly organized and surpassed our expectations. The villa was stunning, the meals were superb, and the island itself seemed like a genuine paradise with its pristine waters and colorful underwater life. Most importantly, we want to deeply thank our host, Murooj. He was consistently considerate, attentive, and ensured we had all we required. His assistance with bookings and thorough answers to our inquiries made our visit entirely stress-free and delightful.

If you're seeking a resort in the Maldives that truly stands out， look no further. NH Collection Havodda impresses you right from arrival. You're greeted with music and warm smiles from the staff， making you feel joyfully welcomed. Right after， they offer chilled rose-scented towels and a refreshing juice to help you unwind after the trip. Your host will explain the hotel areas and provide a phone number to contact at any time for your needs. We were a bit let down that some activities were canceled due to the low season and fewer guests. Activities like DJ nights and yoga classes were missed， which seemed unfair， as all guests deserve the same experience regardless of the time of year. The island is regularly fumigated， so mosquitoes are not an issue at all. The whole island is impeccably maintained， from public restrooms to restaurants and lounging spaces. Cleanliness is truly exceptional throughout the hotel.We enjoyed massages at the Spa with Tya and Noksen， two very professional ladies whose massages we loved. We stayed in a Water Villa... how does one capture paradise?! Like the rest of the hotel， it's well-maintained and supplied with everything you could need. Housekeeping visits twice a day—morning and evening—so the room remains immaculate. The bed is perfect. The open-air bathroom is amazing—our favorite was the outdoor shower with views of the turquoise horizon... Simply dreamy.The rest of the resort is unbeatable—from the marvelous facilities， restaurants， hammocks—everything is well-designed and tended with great attention to detail. The only small downside is the wooden bridge leading to the Water Villas; walk cautiously if barefoot due to splinters and a few loose boards. (We were informed renovations are forthcoming， so likely this will be addressed soon.)The buffet food pleasantly surprised us with its variety and quality， especially the breakfasts， which were unmatched! Besides the vast selection， you can request whatever you'd like， and they will gladly prepare it. The Surf restaurant features an outstanding Executive Chef， Arthur， who is incredibly kind， approachable， and cooks amazing dishes! You must try his curated menu. Big kudos to Arthur and the whole kitchen team! Including Chinthaka and Noli， two chefs who prepare everything beautifully with great care at the Surf restaurant， where you can watch cooking live from the open kitchen.Our waiter， Suraj， was very attentive， extremely kind， and ensured we had everything we needed during our dinners... Congratulations to him; he truly deserves it.At this resort on an island in the Indian Ocean， you'll find beauty in every corner and feel the nature's vibrant energy. While natural beauty is abundant on any Maldivian island， what sets NH Collection Havodda apart is its exceptional staff. Words can't express how genuinely they made us feel—every staff member， every moment. Good service is expected at hotels， but they excel beyond it. You have to meet them to understand. No staff member， from waiters to cleaners， will slip from memory! With sincere smiles and perfect manners， they outshine many five-star hotels—we've never experienced anything like it.Special mention to Kush， Kalyan， and Mikal—congratulations to these wonderful individuals. They were so warm and special! Simply 10/10 professionals and remarkable human beings. The deep conversations we had with them will stick with us. They emit a wonderful energy that lifts your spirit constantly， enhancing the trip's beauty. They cared with dedication and made us laugh continuously.We’d also highlight Ismail from the diving center. He guided us to nearby islands on jet skis and took loads of photos and videos—a genuinely friendly and cheerful guy. None of the staff ever refused anything， didn’t make a fuss， and their sincerity and dedication were evident in every gesture. Their care felt genuine every moment. Cold scented towels， fruit shots—no detail was overlooked.Thank you all， truly! This trip wouldn't have been the same without you. We're already eager to return. Going to NH Collection Havodda is genuinely disconnecting from the hectic world into paradise. If you can visit—don't hesitate. It's absolutely worthwhile...!!!Again， heartfelt congratulations to the entire NH Collection Havodda team. We've been genuinely happy. Thanks!Maria & Marcos

I can't emphasize enough how amazing our time at NH Havodda was. The included transfer was very smooth. Upon arriving on the island， we were amazed by how well-maintained everything was， from the house reef to the amenities. We were always met with smiles as we walked around the island. Our villa host， Murooj， was incredibly knowledgeable and knew the island thoroughly! He was always ready to do whatever it took to make our stay exceptional. The service at the bar， including the Pizza Kaage， was consistently 5-star! These were some of the best drinks my wife and I have ever tried. The chefs and restaurant staff were incredibly friendly and professional. The food was fantastic and delicious， with a great variety. The highlight was when the main chef cooked the emperor snapper I caught during the traditional Maldivian fishing trip. The fish was grilled to perfection! We always enjoyed chatting with the staff we met. The one-hour massage we chose was the best we've ever had—so good that we both dozed off at some point and felt refreshed from our travels. Room cleaning was always perfect， and we returned to a fresh villa morning and evening. NH truly knows what it’s doing at every location we've visited. Thank you to the entire team! We will return!

I had an exceptional stay at NH Collection! Having experienced more than 30 resorts in the Maldives， I confidently declare this to be the finest house reef I’ve ever snorkeled on—it's breathtaking and very accessible. If snorkeling is part of your plans， I highly recommend this resort. Besides the reef， the villas are spacious， contemporary， and meticulously designed for maximum comfort. The spa stood out to me; my therapist was very attentive and made the session truly soothing. Don't skip the Surf restaurant—it's a must-try! The new set menu is delectable and a perfect way to end the day. Thank you， NH Collection， for a fantastic stay. I eagerly look forward to my return!

The overwater villas at NH Collection HAVVODA Maldives are the best! The house reef that surrounds the island is amazing. Wake up to the sea in the morning! This resort allows you to meet turtles, colorful fish, rays, and sharks. You can enjoy the beautiful sunrises, sunsets, and night skies to the fullest in the great outdoors. The executive all-inclusive plan offers various benefits, and the free dolphin cruise and massage plan at the SPA are just too good to be true! The buffet meals were great, with fresh fruit every day. The authentic curry and Chinese food were delicious. I also liked the lamb chops. #MaldivesTrip #Snorkeling

Address - NH Collection Havodda Resort Ambiance/Facilities - Relaxed, family friendly resort in Maldives Highlights - Excellent service and delicious themed foods everyday Avg. Price per Person - $$$$ Rating - 4.8/5 #maldives #travel #maldivesislands #visitmaldives #beach #maldivesresorts #travelphotography #nature #travelgram #ocean #maldiveslovers #paradise #sea #vacation #sunset #love #maldivesisland #beautifulmaldives #photography #holiday #maldivestrip #indianocean #island #travelblogger #maldivesbeach #islandlife #instagood #ig #maldivesparadise