The underwater spa
A couples’ room below sea level with the reef all round, plus 2 double and 4 single rooms over the water; every therapist is trained by Beata Aleksandrowicz (2026 fact sheet, spa). A 60-minute massage costs $250 with taxes (spa).
Huvafen Fushi
Huvafen Fushi, in the Maldives’ North Malé Atoll, 30 minutes by speedboat from the airport: the world’s first underwater spa and 46 bungalows and pavilions with pools.
A week here, month by monthFor couples who like a personal assistant to arrange dinner and excursions, the lowest seller on Google showed one night taken alone for 2 adults from $2,106. A holiday built around long walks calls for a larger island.
Official siteDoes it suit you?
5 pairs of hotels, and the guide tells you whether this one suits you.Like a regular
Sunrise from the deck
I would ask for the Lagoon Bungalow with Pool: 130 m² facing sunrise, with a freshwater plunge pool and a private deck opening directly onto the lagoon.
The May price window
Read on 13 October 2026, the week of 1–7 May 2027 ranged from $2,106 to $2,147 for one night taken alone; the highest shown was $5,221 on 23 October 2026.
Allow for the charges
For spending beyond the bungalow, allow for the resort’s 17% GST and 10% service charge, which it applies to all bills; any gratuity remains entirely at your discretion.
Book the cellar dinner
Reserve Vinum before you go down for dinner: the underground wine cellar serves a 6-course menu and holds daily wine and cheese tastings, with reservations required.
What Huvafen Fushi is
The island, Nakachchaafushi, has held a resort since 1979 according to the Ministry of Tourism’s register (resort register); it opened as Huvafen Fushi in 2004, and in 2023 all 46 bungalows and pavilions were renovated (TTG). It measures 350 by 150 metres and can be walked round in 10–15 minutes; the jetty runs 500 metres out to the furthest pavilion (useful information).
There are 6 kinds of bungalow: 12 Lagoon and 12 Ocean over the water, of 130 and 160 m²; 16 Deluxe Beach on the sand, 196 m² with 2 pools; 4 Two-Bedroom Ocean Pavilions of 330 m²; the Beach House and the Three-Bedroom Beach Pavilion, 800 m² each (2026 fact sheet). Every guest has a thakuru, a personal assistant (useful information).
The spa, which the resort calls the world’s first underwater one, has a couples’ room with the reef all round and 6 overwater rooms; Vinum is the Maldives’ first underground wine cellar, with 6-course dinners (spa, 2026 fact sheet). The house reef rings the island about 25 metres from shore (useful information).
It scores 4.7 out of 5 on Google from 218 reviews and 4.8 on Tripadvisor from 1,512 (Google Hotels, Tripadvisor); for Condé Nast Traveller it is a place guests come back to (Condé Nast Traveller).
One Lume
Lumina Guide 2027
Gives more than the other hotels of its place and price range.
Huvafen Fushi is worth the trip for 3 things on one small island, half an hour by boat from Malé: the spa under the sea, a cellar dug below ground and a reef that starts 25 metres off the beach.
How Lumi are awardedGuests
72 reviews read: the location pleases almost every guest who mentions it, the room more than 9 in 10. Still too few to say more.
Ours (exceptional)
All 46 bungalows and pavilions, each with a pool and from 130 to 800 m², were renovated in 2023; you walk round the island in 10–15 minutes, dine at Salt over the water and have a thakuru, a personal assistant.
Our reading, point by point
What we found reading the hotel’s own pages, one thing at a time.
Location
30 minutes by speedboat from the airport, at any hour; reef 25 metres out.
Character
The first underwater spa, an underground cellar, a small island renovated in 2023.
Rooms
46 bungalows and pavilions with pools, from 130 to 800 m².
Food and social life
Salt over the water, Vinum, Celsius, Fogliani’s, Raw; dinners on rocks and sandbanks.
Wellness
A spa above and below the sea, separate saunas, the Lonu Veyo salt pool.
The stay as a whole
From $2,106 for one night taken alone for 2 adults on Google, read on 13 October 2026; price the full stay separately.
What makes it rare
A badge is an experience travellers look for, that is really here and that few hotels in the guide have.
A spa worth the trip
Here: a spa above and below the sea, separate saunas, the Lonu Veyo salt pool.
31 of the 32 guests who write about the spa are pleased. 28 hotels of 335 hold it.
Every hotel with this badge
The 5 things that matter, as guests tell them
What do Huvafen Fushi’s guests say? They write it in their reviews, even those who only came for a drink or dinner: we read every one and tell the 5 things that matter, from the location to the bill.
Location
Nearly every guest who mentions it is happy with it. Guests write about the reef that rings the island some 25 metres from the shore, the quiet and the 30-minute speedboat from Malé, with no seaplane.
Room
9 in 10 guests who mention it are happy with it. All 46 bungalows and pavilions were renovated in 2023 and have a pool: guests describe the space, the cleanliness and the ocean view, even from the bathroom.
Staff and service
9 in 10 guests who mention it are happy with it. Every guest has a thakuru, a personal assistant: guests thank theirs by name, for the dinners and activities he books and for the daily attentions.
Breakfast
Breakfast, included with every bungalow, is at Celsius, over the water: guests recall both the buffet and the à la carte dishes.
Price
The rate read on Google includes taxes; GST and service are added to every extra, and the speedboat transfer is charged separately.
The numbers, and how we count them
| What | Score out of 10 | Guests who mention it | Happy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | 9.0 | 40 | 97% |
| Room | 8.4 | 32 | 94% |
| Staff and service | 9.2 | 65 | 94% |
| Breakfast | 7.4 | 11 | 73% |
| Price | – | 4 | 75% |
The scores come from 72 Google reviews with text, left from 19 December 2023 to 3 October 2026. The other hotels are the ones weighed for a stay near Malé: for each we read its latest 500 Google reviews with text, or all of them where there are fewer, as of 5 October 2026. The score is the average of what they say, from 0 if they speak of it very badly to 10 if they speak of it very well. Where only a few mention something, the score stays close to the guide’s average: a handful of voices does not make a reputation.
The hotels we weigh it against near Malé:
- Gili Lankanfushi
- Reethi Rah
- The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
- Waldorf Astoria Maldives
Price: for two on the night of 1 May 2027, from $2,106 (seen on Google Hotels on 13 October 2026).
What a night costs, season by season
For one night taken alone, May to early September 2027 showed $2,106–$2,370, against $3,558–$4,836 over the festive period. I would check the whole stay before choosing dates: for 16–23 November 2026, Google’s lowest seller and the resort’s own listing both asked $5,563 per night, against individual nights from $2,304.
| Period | Dollars a night |
|---|---|
| 14 October to 31 October 2026 | 1,820–2,166 |
| 1 November to 22 December 2026 | 2,239–2,592 |
| 23 Dec 2026–10 Jan 2027 | 3,558–4,836 |
| 11 January to 30 April 2027 | 2,529–2,933 |
| 1 May to 7 September 2027 | 2,106–2,370 |
Lowest price any seller showed on Google Hotels for one night searched alone for 2 adults, read on 13 October 2026; no room or meal plan specified. On 23 October the figure was $5,221; on 26 October, $5,013. The calendar ends on 7 September 2027. Booked as 7 nights from 16 November 2026, the lowest seller Google listed that day asked $5,563 a night; the resort’s own listing, $5,563.
Huvafen Fushi, W Maldives or Reethi Rah
Huvafen Fushi suits a stay with personal assistance and a short boat arrival; W Maldives suits a reef-centred holiday with a compulsory seaplane. One&Only Reethi Rah keeps the boat journey, with a 45-minute crossing from the airport.
| Hotel | A night, from |
|---|---|
| Huvafen Fushi | $2,304 |
| W Maldives | $3,093 |
| Reethi Rah | $3,315 |
Lowest individual night in 16–22 November 2026, searched alone for 2 adults on Google Hotels: Huvafen read on 13 October 2026, W and Reethi Rah on 12 October. These are single-night searches, not quotes for the full stay.
The underwater spa, Vinum, Salt, dinners on rocks and sand, the reef and the dolphins
A massage among the fish, dinner underground, Japanese cooking over the water, the reef from the beach and dolphins at sunset.
Vinum
The Maldives’ first underground wine cellar, with tastings and 6-course dinners beneath suspended art installations (2026 fact sheet).
Salt
Japanese cooking with Latin influences, izakaya style, over the water, for dinner as the sun goes down (dining).
The special dinners
A table dug into the sand, dinner on a rock, Latitude 4° under the sea, or a sandbank under the stars (dining).
The house reef
It rings the island about 25 metres off the beach; the snorkel set is free, and FLOAT, the PADI centre, runs dives and courses every day (useful information, 2026 fact sheet).
Dolphins and mantas
Dolphin cruises, manta and whale-shark trips, sunset fishing and coral adoption with the marine biologists (2026 fact sheet).
Good to know before you book
Every bill carries 17% GST and 10% service, and the green tax is $12 per person per day. Source: huvafenfushi.com
The shared speedboat takes 30 minutes and runs at any hour, night included; the site publishes no fare, and Booking.com says it is not in the room rate. Source: huvafenfushi.com
Every bill carries 17% GST and 10% service (useful information), and the green tax is $12 per person per day (MIRA).
The shared speedboat takes 30 minutes and runs at any hour, night included (location); the site publishes no fare, and Booking.com says it is not in the room rate (Booking.com).
For the most quiet, choose an Ocean Bungalow: in some beach bungalows, guests write on Tripadvisor, you can hear the neighbours (Tripadvisor).
A resident doctor holds clinic hours and is on call at any hour; Malé’s hospitals are 30 minutes away by speedboat, decompression chambers about 45 (useful information).
In the evening the restaurants ask for smart casual dress (useful information); drones are prohibited (useful information).
There are no day visits: to see the island you book at least one night (useful information).
Water and beach bungalows, pavilions and 2 houses, each with a pool
Getting here
By speedboat from Malé, 30 minutes, at any hour of the day or night: no seaplane.
| Shared speedboat | About 30 minutes for 26 km; the team meets you at arrivals and takes you to the private airport lounge (useful information). You travel with other guests landing at a similar time (location). |
|---|---|
| At night | Direct transfers run at any hour of the day or night (location). |
| Price | Not published; Booking.com says the transfer is not in the rate and is charged separately (Booking.com). |
| Private | On request, the resort’s speedboat with its starlit ceiling, or a yacht (location). |
Sources read on 4 and 5 October 2026.
From Huvafen Fushi to Malé
The resort in North Malé Atoll and the airport, 26 km away. Tap a place for details.
Loading map…
Recommended for you
A day at Huvafen Fushi
Morning
Breakfast above the lagoon
At Celsius, start with fresh juice and Belgian waffles above the water.
Late morning
Swim to the reef
Collect the complimentary snorkel set and swim from the beach to the reef, around 25 metres offshore.
The afternoon
Pause beneath the sea
In the underwater spa, a treatment comes with panoramic views of the reef.
Sunset
Cocktails on the deck
Take a seat at Raw Sunset Deck, under the palm-thatch roof above the sea.
Dinner
Japanese flavours at Salt
At Salt, Japanese dishes meet Latin influences in an izakaya setting over the water.
Huvafen Fushi reviews
Platform scores and what guests write about the reef, the spa, the cooking and the service.
Scores read on 5 October 2026
Google218 reviews4.7/5
Tripadvisor1,512 reviews · Travelers’ Choice 20264.8/5
Booking.com72 reviews9.5/10Guest voices
From the resort’s Google listing, February to October 2026: the sea, the spa, the quiet and a Beach House.
GoogleThe most beautiful sea
The most beautiful sea this guest has ever seen, written in early October 2026: snorkelling, sunsets, and a wish to come back.
Google · October 2026Read the review
GoogleThe spa and the salt pool
Soft sand and plenty of life underwater just snorkelling round the island; among the highlights the underwater spa and the Lonu Veyo at sunset.
Google · July 2026Read the review
GoogleQuiet evenings
No noisy evening events, only the sounds of nature and the breeze; discreet, attentive service, with a butler who anticipated requests.
Google · July 2026Read the review
GoogleA family in the Beach House
A family in the Beach House: a spacious villa, a well-designed island and everything close at hand, from the gym to the restaurants. 4 stars.
Google · July 2026Read the review
GoogleThe water villas and the service
A guest in February 2026 prefers the boat to the seaplane and praises the water villas and the reef, but gives 3 stars: small slips at every meal and constant background music in the bars and restaurants.
Google · February 2026Read the review
Questions before you go
Sources read on 4 and 5 October 2026.
How much is a night at Huvafen Fushi?
On Google Hotels, read on 5 October 2026 for 2 adults, individual nights searched alone cost $2,378 on 16 November 2026, $2,238 on 5 December and $5,346 on 31 December; $2,775 on 11 January 2027, $2,797 on 20 April and $2,146 on 20 June. Those are historical single-night observations. Read on 13 October 2026, the bookable May run started at $2,106 for one night taken alone. For 7 nights booked together from 16 to 23 November 2026, the lowest seller and the resort’s own listing on Google both asked $5,563 per night.
Read on 5 October 2026, for a stay from 16 to 19 November 2026 the resort’s own site asked $1,950 a night for the Lagoon Bungalow and $2,149 for the Deluxe Beach Bungalow, on the Early Booker offer with half board thrown in (Google Hotels). These prices include taxes and charges: for 3 nights in the Lagoon Bungalow the site showed a total of $5,849 on Google, $1,862 of it tax and $646 charges (Google Hotels). Extras carry 17% GST and 10% service (useful information).
Is breakfast included? Is there an all-inclusive?
Breakfast at Celsius comes with every bungalow (Lagoon Bungalow). Half and full board are offered, with dinner at Celsius and a $65 per person per night food credit at the other restaurants (offer); no all-inclusive is published.
How do you get to Huvafen Fushi?
By speedboat from Malé, about 30 minutes for 26 km, at any hour of the day or night; the team meets you at arrivals and takes you to the private airport lounge (useful information, location). The fare is not published and the transfer is charged separately (Booking.com).
Does Huvafen Fushi have a house reef?
Yes: the reef rings the island about 25 metres from shore and you swim to it from the beach; the snorkel set is free and FLOAT runs guided trips (useful information). From the Lagoon and Ocean Bungalows you step straight into the lagoon (Lagoon Bungalow, Ocean Bungalow).
Which bungalow should you book?
Over the water, the Lagoon Bungalow, 130 m² facing sunrise, or the Ocean Bungalow, 160 m² facing sunset with 3 tiers of deck (Lagoon Bungalow, Ocean Bungalow); on the beach the Deluxe Beach Bungalow, 196 m² with 2 pools (Deluxe Beach Bungalow). For a family, the 330 m² pavilions or the two 800 m² houses (2026 fact sheet).
Is Huvafen Fushi good for children?
It is mostly a couples’ island: on Booking.com children of all ages are welcome (Booking.com), but the resort shows no kids’ club. On the Family Sanctuary offer, in the pavilions and the Beach House, children stay free with the booked meal plan (offers).
What taxes are added?
17% GST and 10% service on every bill (useful information), plus the green tax of $12 per person per day (MIRA).
What is the underwater spa like? Is it included? Is there a day pass?
It has a couples’ room below sea level with the reef around it, 2 double and 4 single rooms over the water, a hand and foot salon, and separate saunas and steam rooms for men and women (2026 fact sheet). Treatments are charged: $250 for a 60-minute massage, taxes included (spa). Group yoga, 6 days a week, is included (Lagoon Bungalow). There is no day pass: a day visit, spa included, means booking a full night (useful information).
What restaurants are there?
Celsius over the water for breakfast and dinner; Salt, Japanese with Latin influences; Vinum in the underground cellar; Raw, organic raw food at lunch; Fogliani’s, pizza and pasta under the palms; Cardamom round the tandoor; and UMBAR on the beach (2026 fact sheet). In-room dining runs at any hour (2026 fact sheet).
Will you see dolphins, mantas and turtles?
On excursions: dolphin cruises, manta and whale-shark trips, sunset fishing (2026 fact sheet). On the house reef guests meet turtles, sharks and shoals of fish (The Resorts Collection).
Are there any offers?
A Flexible Rate with free cancellation up to 14 days before (Flexible Rate); Early Booker; Love Retreat for honeymooners, from 4 nights; Family Sanctuary; Long Stay, from 10 nights, with half board thrown in (offers).
Can you get married at Huvafen Fushi? What does it cost?
Yes: the resort holds weddings and vow renewals on the beach and in the underwater spa room, with the reef all round (weddings), and also on the rock, at Vinum and on Stingray Beach, with dedicated packages (2026 fact sheet). Neither the prices nor the maximum number of guests are published: you ask the resort (weddings).
What happens at Christmas and New Year?
The festive programme runs from 22 December 2026 to 6 January 2027: on Christmas Eve a dinner at Fogliani’s, on Christmas Day an omakase at Salt (2026 festive programme). On New Year’s Eve the night starts at 7pm with DJs and live saxophone, then cocktails and the gala dinner from 8pm to 10:30pm; after midnight it carries on at UMBAR (2026 festive programme). The gala dinner’s price is not given: you book through your thakuru (2026 festive programme).
Is Huvafen Fushi open all year? When should you go?
Yes, the resort publishes no closure. November to April is hot and dry, May to October brings showers followed by sunshine (useful information).
What are the check-in and check-out times? Is there Wi-Fi?
Check-in at 2pm and check-out at noon; free Wi-Fi across the island; buggies at any hour (useful information).
What do guests say?
4.7 out of 5 on Google from 218 reviews, 4.8 on Tripadvisor from 1,512 and 9.5 on Booking.com from 72, read on 5 October 2026 (Google Hotels, Tripadvisor, Booking.com). The praise goes to the service, the food and the reef (Google). Every bill carries 17% GST and 10% service on top, and the speedboat is not in the room rate.
Do I need a car at Huvafen Fushi?
Arrival is by speedboat from the airport. The island measures approximately 350 by 150 metres and takes 10–15 minutes to walk around; buggy pick-up and drop-off are available at any time.
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