05 Underwater Restaurants of Maldives & What Guests Say About It

The concept of dining underwater was just a mere dream until the world’s first underwater restaurant made its appearance in Maldives during April 2005. Imagine having a scrumptious meal sitting inside a life-size aquarium meters in to the deep blue sea, watching the marine life come alive around the vibrant coral gardens. Having a meal underwater sounds quite fascinating and it is no doubt, an experience of a lifetime. Here are 05 spectacular underwater restaurants in the Maldives.

1. Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Image Source: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Ithaa undersea restaurant is the first of its kind in the world. ‘Ithaa’ means ‘mother of pearl’ in Dhivehi, Maldivian native language. At Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, guests can enjoy dining five meters below the surface of the ocean. With a 180-degree panoramic coral garden views along with exquisite delicacies and fine wines, dining took on a new meaning with the opening of Ithaa Restaurant.

My husband and I decided to splurge on lunch at Ithaa and we were not disappointed. The food was delicious and artfully prepared. The views of coral, fish and sharks only enhanced the experience! It was an experience that we will never forget. The staff was friendly and attentive and ensured we had an enjoyable experience.
A couple from Austin, Texas

2. 5.8 Undersea Restaurant, Hurawalhi Maldives

5.8undearsea_030420 — Image Source: Hurawalhi Maldives

This iconic restaurant is named after its location, 5.8 meters below the surface of the turquoise lagoon. 5.8 Undersea Restaurant is the world’s largest all-glass underwater restaurant and offers flavoursome delicacies including vegan options. With only 10 tables, this intimate restaurant is perfect for a unique gastronomic experience with your loved ones.

If you stay in Hurawalhi resort, this is a must to do! Last Saturday, we had a lovely dinner with 07 course menu. Amazing food, stunning view and excitement ambiance from day to night under the sea!!
If you have to choose between lunch or dinner, just go for dinner. U wont regret it! Thanks again to Hurawalhi team for their excellent service.
A couple from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

3. Subsix, Niyama Private Islands Maldives

subsix_030420 — Image Source: Niyama Private Islands Maldives

Six meters below the surface of the waters of Niyama Private Island Maldives, is an ‘underground playground’. Subsix is the world’s first club where dancing meters deep in the lagoon is totally normal. The restaurant is accessible by a speedboat followed by a three-story staircase. The Italian abstract interior gives the restaurant a magical feel. With champagne breakfasts, subaquatic lunches, gourmet dinners and fun-filled glow parties, this restaurant delivers a truly unique experience alongside the rich marine life.

We were at the Subsix “night club”. Unforgettable setting with panoramic views 6 meter under water out over the reef.
Some in my group decided to go for a night swim and swam passed the thick glass windows. Best day ever for the staff and all honeymooners
A couple from Stockholm, Sweden

4. SEA, Anantara Kihavah Maldives

sea_030420 — Image Source: Anantara Kihavah Maldives

When one says dining at the SEA, who would think it quite literally means dining at the sea? With the world’s first underwater wine cellar, Anantara Kihavah’s SEA restaurant offers fine dining for lunch and dinner, and breakfast on request. With its international gourmet menu along with splendid wines, enjoying a meal at the SEA is truly a world-class experience.

We went to lunch on a sunny day, the view of fish was spectacular. Hundreds of varieties of fish seen close up. Food and service very good. Free glass of champagne on arrival much appreciated.
A family from Brisbane, Australia

5. H20, You & Me by Cocoon

Offering a 360-degree view of the magnificent lagoons, H20 is the first of its kind, entirely submerged underwater restaurant. The restaurant offers an array of delicious cuisines along with the breath-taking views of the Maldives’ marine life. A romantic meal with your loved ones while the fishes swim above and around you, now that sounds like an experience of a lifetime.

Beautiful views and beautiful food – we chose the lunchtime session because we had read that the evening underwater views were slightly marred by reflection in the glass, so can only comment on our experience – lovely!
A couple from Maidstone, UK

When booking the perfect trip, we all look into the perfect travel bag, travel visa and travel cards. But there is so much more to packing for a trip than the essentials. We might know the perfect clothes and the cheapest flights to book to a destination. But, some essentials could make or break a trip. Imagine you book a trip to the Maldives and you forget to bring your charging cable. Although it’s easy to drop by a shop to get a new charger, the stress is just not worth it. This is why so many people have made lists before their trip. Well, we’ve made our list of some extras that can amp up your next trip to any destination.

Apple AirTag

We’ve all seen people losing their bags. Whether it’s the airport or the train station, lost baggage can really ruin your trip. One of the best ways to make sure that you can keep a tag on your baggage is by putting an Apple AirTag on it. This way, whether your baggage got lost in transition or stolen, there is a much easier fix than running around in circles. This hack has become more common as of late, as baggage tends to end up in the wrong places, never making it to your hotel. The next time you book a trip for summer vacation, take that extra safety measure by using an Apple Airtag.

Noise Cancelling Headphones

Do you have a long flight coming up? Are you worried about babies crying on the flight for 16 hours straight? Well, there is no way to control a crying baby, but you can always wear noise-cancelling headphones for the noise. This tip is also perfect for anyone who is booking a trip to the Maldives. We all love a good seaplane ride, whether it’s on TMA, Manta Air or Maldivian. But a lot of people struggle to enjoy the scenery due to the loud noise of the seaplane. Just put on your noise-cancelling headphones and enjoy the ride!

Powerbank / Portable Charger

If you’re planning a trip that requires a lot of sightseeing, don’t forget to pack a power bank or a portable charger. Although this travel tip comes in handy in general, it’s especially important on adventure trips. But it’s better to not take the risk for long-haul flights either. The last thing you want is to be stuck at an airport with a 1% charge or have your phone die while you’re still on the flight. Although a lot of us dismiss this one, a good power bank can save your trip. Its easier to carry a small portable charging device around than continue to charge your phone every single time at your hotel.

Adapter for International Trips

We all learn this travel tip the hard way – bringing an international adapter. Sometimes it’s hard to guess which type of adapter is used in the country we are travelling to. So rather than taking a guess, it’s always better to pack an international adapter so you can charge your devices from any corner of the world. Although you can opt to buy an adapter from the destination, it’s much easier to add in the small device into your travel bag than worrying about it during your trip.

Bagsmart Cable Organiser

This travel tip is especially important for digital nomads who are exploring different destinations. But if you’re a traveller who takes their laptops and other devices on trips, this one is for you as well. Just like how you would get a make-up bag, you can also get a bagsmart cable organiser. Not only will this ensure that you pack all your cables to and back from you trip, but it will also help keep things untagled and less messy!