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Original poster

Recommend me an island in the Maldives please

17 replies

TotalBastardBollocks · 10/04/2021 20:27

Looking for recommendations in the Maldives. 2 years away for my DHs 60th. Looking to do Maldives and Dubai.

Must have...
Good coral reef for snorkelling
Beach villas
All inclusive
Preferably Adults Only but not essential.

Thanks!

OP posts:

cptartapp · 10/04/2021 20:32

We stayed at Paradise Island in the North Atoll so only a short speed boat ride from Male.
This was twenty years ago but still our most memorable holiday ever.
Don't think it was adults only but there weren't many DC iirc.

politics31 · 10/04/2021 20:33

Komandoo is amazing. Highly recommended!

VetOnCall · 10/04/2021 20:47

Baros Maldives for diving/snorkelling
One & Only Reethi Rah
Milaidhoo Island
Soneva Jani
Four Seasons at Landaa Giravaaru

All of these are beautiful. Baa Atoll is stunning.

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VeniVidiWeeWee · 10/04/2021 20:48

I think 2 years away is going to cost you a fortune!

DobbyTheHouseElk · 10/04/2021 20:51

I stayed on Sun Island and Paradise Island. Sun Island is a sea plane or a long boat ride away from the airport. Bigger island, but lovely.

Paradise Island is smaller and closer to the airport. We chose this the second time because we wanted to have a shorter transfer time.

Both are AI. Both have the Spa which was important to me.

Food is fantastic. Accommodation is fabulous. The islands are stunning.

magicstar1 · 10/04/2021 20:54

Oblu at Helengeli. It’s adult only, with its own reef. You can walk out a few feet and be surrounded by fish, and spend hours on the reef. All inclusive...the food is lovely.

Hersetta427 · 10/04/2021 22:39

Villamendhoo. Not adult only but the water villas and jacuzzi beach villas are adult only as is the bar and pool closest to them. Great house reef.

Original poster

TotalBastardBollocks · 10/04/2021 22:51

Excellent! Thank you so much! Lots of research (and saving as DH wants business class too)!

OP posts:

Saisong · 10/04/2021 22:57

We went to Bandos island some years ago and it was amazing, a beach villa with practically a private beach. I think it has been refurbished since. It was also only a short boat ride from Male which was a relief.

The flight into the airport was somewhat hair-raising though, and on the return flight we transited via Sri Lanka and landed in a tropical storm (which was the worst flight I've ever done, though the pilot was very reassuring over the tannoy - we all genuinely clapped in relief when we stopped!)

eatsleepread · 11/04/2021 00:14

Aah, literally my dream holiday.
Enjoy!

Yubaba · 11/04/2021 00:20

We went to Kurumathi for our honeymoon and it was beautiful. There is a gorgeous sandbank that changes with the tides, it has a spa too and a padi dive centre if that’s your thing.

Ineedaneasteregg · 11/04/2021 00:29

We very much enjoyed snorkeling and diving at Baros.

minipie · 11/04/2021 00:41

Which island depends on budget and whether you want activities/buzz or peace and quiet.

Bear in mind all the coral in the Maldives was very sadly bleached a few years ago (el nino) so the corals are not what they were. But there is still plenty of fish life to see. You definitely want to choose an island that has the reef close enough to the beach to snorkel straight off the beach - on some the reef is so far that a boat is needed.

On a lower end budget, we went to Drift a few years ago, and it was perfect if you want a true quiet getaway. It’s teeny tiny, so hardly any guests, just one restaurant/bar, no pool, no watersports or activities as I recall. There is a small spa. But the beach and snorkelling are fabulous, food good, and it was very very good value.

Also on a budget, look at Angaga - dated decor and the food was unremarkable but the island is naturally beautiful (lovely beach all the way round which is rarer than you’d think!) and the reef is great.

For more money, I’ve always loved the look of Mirihi. Gets rave reviews and lots of repeat visitors. Never been though. Again a small peaceful island rather than busy and buzzy.

Original poster

TotalBastardBollocks · 11/04/2021 10:39

Thanks everyone that’s really helpful!!

@minipie we probably have about £6000 to spend on the Maldives hotel but can change if needed. It depends what we can get the flights for I suppose . Budget is about £12000.

OP posts:

ScottishDiblet · 11/04/2021 12:00

Ooh exciting!! We went to Baros for our honeymoon and would love to go back. For us it had everything. A short boat ride from the airport, amazing service and a stunning house reef. The clientele was older than us and we met a fair few couple celebrating a big birthday or wedding anniversary. People mostly kept to themselves and there were no children there. We booked with a lovely specialist travel agency “No news no shoes” who I really recommend. Enjoy!

MrsPerfect12 · 11/04/2021 13:04

We went to Niyama when it first opened back in 2012. It's beautiful. They've extended the other side of the island now. We were approx 12k for two weeks.
I don't think it's all inclusive I think we had half board. I don't remember many of the resorts being all inclusive. You can snorkel straight off the shore or go with a boat trip.

Hersetta427 · 11/04/2021 21:28

Ooh great budget. I would pick if I had the budget Lux (south ari atol). They are very near whale shark alley and one of the few places where you could see whale sharks from a house reef. Not adult only but in the Maldives it's not so important as they are so few children that go.

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