The world’s first underwater restaurant appeared in the Maldives in 2005. This is an almost completely glass room, located under water at a depth of 16 feet. Ithaa Restaurant was designed by architect Ahmed Saleem for resort island Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. In addition, years later, in the same hotel complex, Ahmed brought to life another project – an all-glass bedroom under water – The Muraka, about the same depth. Through the glass you can see underwater inhabitants, among which, among others, you can even meet a shark or blue surgeon fish. The restaurant hall has a panoramic view of 180 degrees – this picture enchants. Resort staff, as well as marine biologists, make sure that underwater structures have a minimal impact on the surrounding reef.
Underwater restaurants in the Maldives
As of this writing, there are 6 underwater restaurants in the Maldives:
- Ithaa restaurant on the resort island Conrad Maldives Rangali Island (Ari Atoll)
- Sea Restaurant on the Anantara Kihavah Island Resort (Baa Atoll)
- Subsix restaurant on the resort Niyama (Dhaalu Atoll)
- Restaurant 5.8 Undersea on the resort island Hurawalhi (Lhaviyani Atoll)
- Restaurant M6M on the resort island OZEN by atmosphere at Maadhoo (South Male Atoll)
- Restaurant H2O on the resort island You & Me by Cocoon (Raa Atoll)
These are all five-star luxury hotels, and the restaurants serve world-class chef dishes.
Underwater restaurant menus and prices
The main focus of Maldivian underwater restaurants is fish and seafood. However, the menu is compiled in such a way as to satisfy a variety of tastes as much as possible. Both vegetarians and lovers of meat dishes will find something to eat here. Grilled dishes are worth mentioning separately, especially lobsters, tuna and juicy steaks. In general, European and Maldivian cuisine prevails in underwater restaurants. Desserts and premium alcoholic drinks are a must.
As a rule, restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, and breakfast is available upon request. The cost of dinner in a restaurant, of course, depends on the dishes chosen, but the average bill for two will cost $400-700, including alcohol.
How to get to an underwater restaurant in the Maldives
To visit an underwater restaurant in the Maldives, you need to book a villa in one of the resorts where restaurants are located. Some neighboring hotels, in agreement with the management, also offer to visit the restaurant under water. These are resorts Kuredu Resort & Spa and Komandoo Island Resort next door to Hurawalhi. Thus, visitors to the above hotels can visit the 5.8 Undersea restaurant.
Important: a table in a restaurant must be booked in advance – ideally, several months in advance, especially when it comes to holidays. Of course, there is a chance that you will be lucky and you will be able to dine at an underwater restaurant by booking it a few days before your visit, but the chances are slim. Such excitement is due to the limited number of seats in the restaurant, as well as high demand.
To make sure you get dinner at a restaurant under water, notify your manager in advance. This can be done on the wiotto.com in online chat, or when booking a villa in the Maldives catalog. Managers will help you decide on the resort, as well as book a table for the desired date.
In addition to delicious dishes, you will find an incredible panorama and atmosphere of the underwater kingdom. If you are looking for new emotions, you should definitely visit an underwater restaurant in the Maldives.
