Astronomer’s Paradise

Fifty years ago, Apollo 11 landed on the moon and astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped down from their lunar module onto the surface of the moon, the first humans in history to do so.

Anantara Kihavah Villas commemorates the 50th anniversary of man’s first walk on the moon with ‘The Eagle Has Landed Celebration.’

The astronomer’s paradise, Baa Atoll in the Maldives, is one of the best places on earth to enjoy moon and stargazing. Its proximity to the equator and its non-polluted skies means both hemisphere’s stars are clearly visible from the resort. SKY, the Maldives’ first and only overwater observatory featuring a research-grade 16” Meade LX200 telescope.

The custom-built Ash-dome observatory sits on the roof deck of the resort’s Sky Bar surrounded by nothing but open skies and the ocean waves below.

The resort’s resident Sky Guru, Ali Shameem, a native Maldivian who grew up on an island without electricity, spent his childhood mapping the constellations. A protégé of Italian astronomer Dr. Massimo Tarenghi, Shameem has spent the last decade observing the stars as a professional astronomer.

He shares his passion and expertise of the constellations in weekly stargazing experiences for the resort’s guests. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first moonwalk guests are invited to join Shameem for a ‘Star Gazing’ breakfast with an early start of 4am.

Lay back to gaze at the stars that glitter overhead, and be regaled by Shameem’s knowledge as he takes you on an intergalactic journey before taking a look through the powerful telescope at the craters on the moon that still amaze people 50 years after the first landing. The Stargazing Breakfast offers guests a unique chance to see the stars in perfect view and greater clarity as the humidity and light pollution are at its minimum during this time.

Indulge in a four-course breakfast of chilled Champagne and lobster benedict to accompany your once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The price for the experience including breakfast is USD 450 per person.For guests who like a later start to the day the SKY Bartenders at Kihavah have created a new signature cocktail to mark the occasion – The ‘Buzz’ Aldrin.

All on property guests will receive the complimentary cocktail. While it should provide a buzz, we can’t guarantee you’ll experience weightlessness.