Stargazing in the Maldives

At some point in our lives, we’ve all gazes into the night sky, thoughtful the mysteries of the earth. If you ever find manually ready to research deeper into the secrets of the stars, there’s possibly no better goal than SKY at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas.

Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Anantara Kihavah offers more than just a tropical atoll retreat—it’s a sanctuary for stargazers. Situated far from urban light pollution and close to the equator, it offers wonderful views of together the southern and northern skies.

SKY, the overwater observatory and luxury cocktail bar at Anantara Kihavah, provides an supreme space experience. Here, visitors can enjoy Champagne or cocktails while peering through one of the region’s most powerful telescopes, all while being regale with charming tales of the night sky by the resort’s resident SKY Gurus.

Zunnoon Ahmed, kindly known as Zunnu, and Ali Arushal, also known as Shalli, are the Resident SKY Gurus at Anantara Kihavah. Both citizens of Baa Atoll, they not only split exciting stories of the stars but also haven their own exclusive backgrounds.

ZUNNOON AHMED

Zunnu grew up on the peaceful island of Kudarikilu in Baa Atoll, where his fascination with the nighttime sky started early on. His interest in uncovering the mysteries and tales of the stars evolved into a passion for astrophotography at the age of 16, signaling the beginning of his exploration into the fascinating realm of astronomy.

Zunnu is pursuing a traditional career in IT as an Assistant IT Manager by day and a storytelling SKY Guru by night. His passion for stargazing is growing, as he collaborates with online telescope operators in his free time to capture captivating views of the universe. He is continuously motivated to expand his knowledge of the cosmos and seeks new opportunities for exploration. Zunnu regularly checks online astronomy forums for the newest celestial findings and interacts with other space enthusiasts to discuss his interests.

Zunnu began working at Anantara Kihavah in 2017 as an IT Coordinator. His duties included managing the hotel network, overseeing hotel applications, and enhancing technological features to improve guest experiences. Zunnu pursued his interest in stargazing by volunteering with the resort's SKY Guru, Ali Shameem.

Over the next five years, Zunnu conducted research, finished theoretical exams, and took part in stargazing demonstrations as essential parts of his comprehensive training program. "When I first started, learning about the stars was somewhat difficult," he said. "But now, it's truly amazing. Exploring the universe has been both fulfilling and enlightening."

Upon reflecting on his first stargazing event at Anantara Kihavah, Zunnu expressed how the positive reactions from the guests turned it into a rewarding and enriching experience for both himself and his captivated audience. Currently, the charming Zunnu effortlessly shares his passion with others. "We all have an inherent curiosity to comprehend the world around us," he explained. "And the night sky, filled with numerous stars, has always been a source of awe and inquiries. Stars often carry cultural and mythological significance in different societies. Various cultures have crafted narratives, myths, and legends inspired by constellations and individual stars, contributing a touch of mystery and significance."

Aldebaran is dear to him, but Zunnu enjoys using the clear skies at Anantara Kihavah, free from light pollution, to share various celestial events with the resort's visitors. "Our cosmic display often includes stunning solar eclipses, captivating lunar eclipses, beautiful meteor showers, and enchanting planetary alignments," he shared enthusiastically.

Ali Arushal

A new member has joined the respected SKY Gurus team at Anantara Kihavah, bringing a strong bond to Baa Atoll from the peaceful island of Kendhoo. Growing up on Kendhoo was filled with happiness and cherished moments, and his interest in the sky began at a young age. However, it was during his time at Anantara Kihavah that he delved deeply into the exploration of astronomy.

Ali was originally part of the resort's transport department starting in 2021, focusing on maintaining smooth operations in transportation. His deep fascination with the Maldivian night sky inspired him to volunteer for training as the resort's upcoming SKY Guru.

Having completed intensive training for eighteen months under the supervision of the resort's first SKY Guru, Ali's path included theoretical tests, thorough studies, and hands-on stargazing experiences. To enhance his knowledge, Ali actively seeks further information from online platforms such as the internet and YouTube.

Ali remembers his first stargazing session with guests as a captivating experience, easily adjusting to his new role. As a SKY Guru, he takes great pleasure in spreading his love for the stars and explaining their secrets to others. Although Antares is dear to him, Ali delights in presenting far-off constellations and amazing celestial occurrences like lunar eclipses, solar eclipses, and meteor showers to his guests.

SKY Gurus such as Ali lead guests on a breathtaking journey through the cosmos, shedding light on the wonders of both hemispheres' skies. They explain visible phenomena using only the naked eye and a green laser to point out different constellations. Guests gain knowledge about light-years and various types of galaxies. Afterward, guests can look through the observatory telescope, which offers an impressive viewing range of 30 million light-years.

Guests at Anantara Kihavah can witness lunar eclipses, stars, and planets not usually visible from places like Europe or America. Depending on the weather and time of year, lucky viewers might see Saturn with its pale-yellow rings, Jupiter's dynamic belts of different widths, colors, and intensities, and the numerous stars in Messier 13.

SKY is the top over-water observatory in the Maldives. It includes a 3.8-meter rotating Ash-dome and accommodates a Meade 16” LX200 telescope for research, offering 400 x magnifications. The telescope is mounted on a large field tripod, ensuring unique celestial exploration opportunities.