Maldives Resort Recomendations

[victor]

I seem to have lost my original post.
I have found some cheap flights to the Maldives so I am looking for recomendations for a resort.
Not a liveaboard as my wife does not dive (yet). If it was a good price then she might do her open water.
It can be a budget resort, we don't need posh, but would like aircon in the bedroom.
Possibly for 10 days, maybe as long as 2 week.
Probably 3* is good enough. I would like to get a lot of shore diving and snorkeling in.

Any recomendations gratefully accepted

 

[Airborne Diver]

You can try Bandos Island stayed there before and dive with them too.

30-45min from airport.
Rooms are spacious. 3.5 - 4 star US$200-300 depending on peak season.
3 boat dive daily night dive can be arrange.
Free Nitrox if you are certified.
Dive package available upon checking in. (10,20...dive package)
Average dive time 55-60min

http://www.bandosmaldives.com/

 

[Doc]

Thank heavens that someone finally had an idea through experience.

Most of us who inhabit ScubaBoard never get to the Maldives, those of us who do generally wind-up on a liveaboard, 99 out of 100. That has been my only experience.

When one flies into Male airport, it is in and of itself situated on its own small island. Everything is a transfer from there. They might put you in a cigarette boat and zoom you off at 70mph to meet up with your liveaboard, or they might pack you into a float plane to go to your island resort. (So you see, the time from the airport needs qualifications as to the mode of transport).

Our liveaboards always stopped for "shore leave" at several of the many isalnd resorts, but I am ignorant as to their services or quality. I see a lot of Brits do travel there, certainly not as many as the Red Sea, but you chaps seem to have a well worn path down to these lovely islands.

 

[Airborne Diver]

You can try Bandos Island stayed there before and dive with them too.

30-45min from airport.
Rooms are spacious. 3.5 - 4 star US$200-300 depending on peak season.
3 boat dive daily night dive can be arrange.
Free Nitrox if you are certified.
Dive package available upon checking in. (10,20...dive package)
Average dive time 55-60min

http://www.bandosmaldives.com/

Transport is by speed boat provided by the Resort. Check with the resort whether it is included in the charges. Do note that there is a compulsory check out dive at the shore. Turtles, Sting Rays, Black Tip can be spotted there. strictly no Dive 24hrs before check out day. Have Fun

 

[scubatr]

I am also looking for a resort in Maldives for my honeymoon. Wife does not dive but she is interested. I am looking for 5x (but not at the top) resort island with a rich house reef...ideal for snorkeling all the day

Also it should have water villas...

any ideas???

 

[smokey braden]

scubatr,
try this site.
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/MLEHITW-Hilton-Maldives-Resort-Spa-Rangali-Island/index.do
upon your safe return let us know how much fun you had.

 

[scubatr]

scubatr,
try this site.
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/MLEHITW-Hilton-Maldives-Resort-Spa-Rangali-Island/index.do
upon your safe return let us know how much fun you had.

Thanks a lot ! This is one of the possibilities, but I am looking for a smaller, more peacefull, less crowded island...

These ones fit:

www.mirihi.com
www.baros.com

 

[robandliza]

Hi Scubatr

I got married in Sri Lanka and spent my honeymoon in the Maldives 9 years ago. It may have changed since then, but if it has it would only be for the better(if that's possible..it really is paradise)

We stayed at www.kurumba.com . I wasn't a diver then and we only snorkelled, but that was pretty amazing
It's about a 45 min boat trip from the airport
Chalet style rooms gave the impression you were the only people on the island, as did your own private bit of beach. You were cut off from others on the beach by vegitation

We did a boat trip one day and visited www.fullmoonmaldives.com and Baros. Full Moon was even quieter than Kurumba but I didn't rate Baros at the time. It needed a lick of paint and there were too many water sports ( sailing,water skiing etc) which weren't allowed on Kurumba. Fine if you're there in a group for fun I guess

Of course, it was over 9 years ago and things may well have changed

My only advice would be....GO. It is magical

Hope that helps

Rob

 

[scubatr]

Hi Scubatr

I got married in Sri Lanka and spent my honeymoon in the Maldives 9 years ago. It may have changed since then, but if it has it would only be for the better(if that's possible..it really is paradise)

We stayed at www.kurumba.com . I wasn't a diver then and we only snorkelled, but that was pretty amazing
It's about a 45 min boat trip from the airport
Chalet style rooms gave the impression you were the only people on the island, as did your own private bit of beach. You were cut off from others on the beach by vegitation

We did a boat trip one day and visited www.fullmoonmaldives.com and Baros. Full Moon was even quieter than Kurumba but I didn't rate Baros at the time. It needed a lick of paint and there were too many water sports ( sailing,water skiing etc) which weren't allowed on Kurumba. Fine if you're there in a group for fun I guess

Of course, it was over 9 years ago and things may well have changed

My only advice would be....GO. It is magical

Hope that helps

Rob

Thanks a lot robandliza !

Kurumba looks also nice but a little crowded and I didn't like the wall on the sea, surrounding the island

I also looked the fullmoon, the nature is fantastic, the house reef looks so big, but this place is also very crowded.

I found Huvafen Fushi, it looks like the best place on Maldives...but so expensive

 

[robandliza]

No prob Scubatr

Kurumba looks crowded?....believe me the place could be at max capacity and you'd still think you there on your own. We were there in mid March( which is pretty much peak season) and didn't feel crowded at all

maybe they look crowded as they are so small. We walked around the shore line at Kurumba and it took less than 20 mins. Full Moon is even smaller. The ones with even less people have less people for a reason....not many can afford them!!!

As for the wall, that was the best place to snorkle and kept the water inside soooo calm. It was like a bath.

Anyway, good luck with the choice....whichever you chose will be great

Rob