Recommendations for Land-based Resorts, January 2026

[billt4sf]

We are looking to go to the Maldives in January 2026 and we are looking for recommendations for land resorts where the dive sites are within a few minutes boat ride from the resort.



We are getting on in years and although we still dive well (600 dives each) we have increasing limitations in other ways, so unfortunately our requirements are rather specific. Hoping some of you knowledgeable people can help us out.



It has to be land-based, and the dive sites have to be close to the resort to limit my wife’s exposure on boats as she loves to dive, but gets seasick more and more easily. She has tried everything and now it is time to limit boat trips.



For the same reason as above, it would be best - almost a requirement – for the resort to be reachable from the airport within, say a 30 minute boat ride.



We need a private DM, someone experienced and attentive.



We don’t need aircon but good beds are essential.



Our budget can handle most things and we prefer four star but it doesn’t have to be. I think we would probably prefer a western-style resort to a local place. A friend mentioned Kuramathi, which seems to be a resort with diving, and I wondered whether we would get the personal attention we need there.



We envision spending 7 – 10 days in Maldives, so perhaps we should think about hitting a couple places in our first trip? This will be our first expedition to the Maldives, but maybe not the last.


Thanks and happy bubbles!



Big Bill

 

[Jay_Remi]

January is high season in the Maldives, and you will have great weather, and fantastic visibility under water. Given the requirement of a short boat transfer from the airport (smart choice anyhow) you would thus have to chose between North Male atoll and south Male atoll. Vaavu and Ari would be too far away for you. Kuramathis is way longer than 30 mns speedboat ride, so that would not fit. Almost all resorts have dive centers. Since you are French, you may be familiar with Club Med. Their Kani resort is really nice, well located with a good dive center and good boats too, with lots of nice dive sites closeby. You also have the possibility to stay in a local island (Himmafushi, Thulusdhoo in North Male for instance), or if you want of tourits and amenities: Maafushi in South Male, Guraidho and Gulhi are options too. Almost all local islands have dive centers. Stays in local islands and dives are half the price you would pay in a resort. But obviously it's not the same type of vacation. Let me know if you need more info.

 

[Luko]

Since you are French,

He's not. Although tries hard but fails on food & wine taste.
(private joke for Bill aka BBB )

 

[Jay_Remi]

He's not. Although tries hard but fails on food & wine taste.
(private joke for Bill aka BBB )

Food and wine, the ultimate test!

 

[Blackcrusader]

We are looking to go to the Maldives in January 2026 and we are looking for recommendations for land resorts where the dive sites are within a few minutes boat ride from the resort. We are getting on in years and although we still dive well (600 dives each) we have increasing limitations in other ways, so unfortunately our requirements are rather specific. Hoping some of you knowledgeable people can help us out. It has to be land-based, and the dive sites have to be close to the resort to limit my wife’s exposure on boats as she loves to dive, but gets seasick more and more easily. She has tried everything and now it is time to limit boat trips. For the same reason as above, it would be best - almost a requirement – for the resort to be reachable from the airport within, say a 30 minute boat ride.

We need a private DM, someone experienced and attentive.
We don’t need aircon but good beds are essential. Our budget can handle most things and we prefer four star but it doesn’t have to be. I think we would probably prefer a western-style resort to a local place. A friend mentioned Kuramathi, which seems to be a resort with diving, and I wondered whether we would get the personal attention we need there. We envision spending 7 – 10 days in Maldives, so perhaps we should think about hitting a couple places in our first trip? This will be our first expedition to the Maldives, but maybe not the last.

Thanks and happy bubbles! Big Bill

I was there in May 2025 but stayed in a hotel not a resort. Thing is yes you can get one dive site close to your resort but many dive sites will not be. I'm almost 65 and left leg a bit wobbly from an accident in my youth. You can also rent apartments in Male as well. We stayed not far from the harbour where our dive op Raajje divers picked us up and brought us back to the hotel every day. Shark Tank is a 10 minute trip and the dive site is easy to dive. My buddy and I were lucky, we basically had one boat and one guide to ourselves for our trips to dive sites. Low season.

We passed some resorts and for me glad I did not stay at one. Being on the island meant being able to get to restaurants pharmacies and walk the streets and could walk to the beach in 2 minutes. Those at resorts don't have that option. Also you will still be a boat trip of 30 mins or more to get to other good dive sites.

Our guide Fish was great as were the other guides. Fish led us to the dive sites but let us explore on our own which we like to do. Take Manta Point, there are lots of Fire Gobi, Snappers, and other marine life that is fun to dive with, and cleaning stations we could hang around and watch while keeping an eye out for Mantas. We asked to do back to back dives at Manta point rather than travel to another dive site. So we did the relaxing surface interval on the boat at the site rather than traveling elsewhere. That was great certainly many sites you can dive multiple times and still have great dives seeing different things.

Have a great trip we did but we like to travel in low season as we find it more relaxing.

 

[Centrals]

but we like to travel in low season as we find it more relaxing.

You forgot to mention it is cheaper as well.
I just do not have that issue, low season usually means all round unfavourable conditions especially weather.

 

[Tippytoes12]

Bandos would probably fit the bill for you, it is very near the airport. It is near some very good dive sites. But now we do liveaboards and local islands. Our best experience was at Boutique Beach in Dhigurah South Ari Atoll. We also loved Fuvahumulah with the tiger sharks.

Bandos is beautiful, the staff were delightful and the island was stunning. But while we saw good stuff including many mantas, having got just off a LOB, we really missed the comeraderie.

Most of the guests were wedding couples and their enormous entourages including several photographers.

Many divers in the Maldives are in their 60s and older, and boat crews and guides do everything that is wanted and needed to support their divers. The diving is insane !

 

[scubaozy]

I would still reconsider LoB; Dhoni's that are belonging to island resorts are often much smaller so they are more likely to make you sea sick. Additionally, Dhoni ride on an island is much longer. I just returned a week ago, despite being off season with more wind and rough seas, the LoB was pretty stable.
I can second Bandos, it is very close to Male and has a decent house reef for snorkeling and doing perhaps couple of dives. It also is reasonably priced.