Six Senses Kanuhura

I visited this place exactly 20 years ago when this was One & Only Kanuhura. I got my Advanced Open Water certification and Nitrox in 2003 at Kanuhura Sun Dive Center. Kanuhura used to be one of the Read MoreI visited this place exactly 20 years ago when this was One & Only Kanuhura. I got my Advanced Open Water certification and Nitrox in 2003 at Kanuhura Sun Dive Center. Kanuhura used to be one of the first top resorts in Maldives at that time. We eagerly awaited this new Six Senses to open and immediately went on our family vacation. VILLAS – 9/10 We arrived at Six Senses a few days after the official opening as a family of 3 (together with a couple that were our friends), and we stayed in Beach Villas with a pool facing Northeast (the side of the Water Villas). First of all, I believe this is the better side of the island as it is quieter as all the activities are on the other side (Boat jetties, Water planes, and so on are all on the other side) On the water villa side, the beach is narrower, but the sand is more soft (beautiful soft white sand) Most of the villas are fully refurbished with pools, and there are some completely newly built ones called retreats (marked K, L, M, and N on the hotel map) that you can download from the Six Senses website. The newly built villas are around the Point restaurant. The new villas are superb; however, be aware that the newly planted vegetation around these retreats is quite sparse, and there is plenty to grow in the future. So, there can be a sense of insufficient privacy. I recommend water villas and beach villas marked B and E on the side where the water villas are located. At each villa, you get your own bicycle that even has a tag (with each guest's initials laser engraved in wooden tags attached to the bicycle. FOOD – 10/10 The food at the resort was exceptional, and we particularly enjoyed dining at the Spanish restaurant THE POINT for lunch and dinner. Our favorite Chef, Manu (from Sevilla, Spain), is a super friendly and great guy; we loved his food, ambiance, and even our conversations. Food includes many Spanish specialties like Jamón ibérico, lobsters, fresh fish and beef on the Josper grill, long-time cooked lamb cutlets, etc. Below the restaurants at night-time is a gathering place for baby sharks, sting rays, and birds. The restaurant for breakfast, "The Market," also offers an incredible selection of high-quality food, including over 50 different types of fresh fruits. Guests can enjoy a variety of freshly squeezed juices, excellent coffee, and eggs prepared to order. The breakfast station also features an array of different top-class cheeses and other delicious options, such as Hand-sliced prosciutto, freshly baked bread and focaccias, huge croissants and pastry section, salad bar, and 2 x Asian food stalls. On a few nights, we had thematic buffets (Asian and the better one was a Barbecue dinner with lobsters, shrimps, fresh tuna reef fish, and all kinds of meat. We dined for a few days in the Italian restaurant "Bottega,” a great Italian chef cooking special pasta for our son, who had some allergies, and personally cooked his pasta. Great pizza and other Italian dishes are on the menu. Sip & sand is a restaurant and bar near the main pool – casual to drink a few draft beers. We had lunch there for a few days. Scoops is where you can always pass and get your lovely ice cream- your scoops of complimentary Six Senses ice cream. My son passes every day to get his marvellous vanilla ice cream. The only place we did not dine for lunch was Drift, located on the gorgeous Jehunuhura Island *the neighboring island is amazing. The reason was that this restaurant was not included in our Full Board pack, and we opted out of the other great lunch options (Point was the best). Even if you do not dine in Drift, a free boat ride visit to Jehunuhura is a must as this is incredible beauty. SCUBA DIVING 10/10 Fushifaru Protected Marine Area used to see more than 100 sharks in one dive in 2003 and is still great today. You cannot see 100 sharks now, but in an area of 20 in one dive, yes. The scuba diving experience is fantastic, especially if you love sharks, as the dive sites around the channels are brilliant. Fushifaru Kandu and Fushifaru Thila are brilliant spots, particularly if you can dive during the incoming current, as it is full of big fish from sharks, huge tuna, barracudas, schools of Eagle Race, and huge Stingrays. During one dive, you can witness at least 20 sharks, schools of fish, and huge turtles. We were fortunate enough to experience four Manta Rays, even though the manta season had not started yet, and it was amazing. I was so lucky some days to be alone on the boat with my divemaster, Elisa. I basically had private diving:) Diving boats and the quality of the equipment and service on board was beyond expectations (and I have been diving in 10 different Maldivian Atolls) WATER SPORTS (SNORKELLING) – 10/10 My wife and son also went snorkeling with the Water Sports Center and were fortunate to swim with the Manta Rays. They also spotted and snorkeled with 4 mantas in Fushifaru and snorkelled with 20 big nurse sharks, which was fantastic. Safety (one of the guides always swims with my son), food, service, boats, everything is over 10 /10. Overwater plane transfers were excellent with Manta Air – all transfers were smooth, efficient, and well-planned. There is a game club called Island Hideout, with pool tables, foosball tables, darts, and other games. Nice one OVERALL: It is a brilliant resort that was hard to leave. Or you leave with tears in your eyes. As this is in the soft opening period, things will only improve, and we look forward to returning. Read Less

From the moment we arrived at the jetty until we flew back home, we felt like we were in paradise. A warm welcome ceremony and the kindness of the staff throughout the entire stay really made us Read MoreFrom the moment we arrived at the jetty until we flew back home, we felt like we were in paradise. A warm welcome ceremony and the kindness of the staff throughout the entire stay really made us feel welcome and at home. The villa and all amenities are top-notch, recently renovated and spotless clean. Even though I haven’t seen the housekeepers once the room magically was prepared and all set up every single time we got back. Whether you are more into spa, water sports or just into relaxing at the most beautiful beaches, it’s all there. And the food: 10 out of 5 stars! Plus a well chosen wine list. Special thanks to Sujau and Ameen our GEM. So polite and well mannered. He responded to all our requests within seconds, day and night! We were so touched by the warm hearted people that my wife even had a couple of tears running down her cheek as we saw them all waiving goodbye as our sea plane took off. We’ll see you again next year. Kindest regards Maria Virginia & Marc Read Less