The best resorts in the Maldives with reefs for snorkeling.
Snorkeling at the Maldives’ own reef resorts is a great added value to your Maldivian beach experience. The best reefs of the resorts themselves for snorkeling in the Maldives are generally easily accessible; Just put on a mask, snorkel and fins, and head to the water to enjoy beautiful underwater wonders filled with an abundance of marine life. This unique area in the heart of the Indian Ocean attracts sun and sea lovers from all over the world who want to discover the best coral reefs.
To fully enjoy the snorkeling activity, you need to choose the right place. All Maldives resorts offer snorkeling, but that can be a $20 boat trip once a day, at worst. Honest resorts make several free snorkel trips a day if their own reef is not accessible.
White sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, luxury accommodations make the islands first-class holiday destinations. If it comes to marine life, what are the best dive resorts in Maldives? These resorts with the best reefs for snorkeling allow you to discover a different world; A treasure trove of natural wonders. We check them out for you, see our list of the best resort reefs in the Maldives and start planning your snorkeling vacation.
- Robinson Club Maldives Resort Reef in Gaafu Atoll
Robinson Club Maldives Adults Only is an all-inclusive resort located on a beautiful island in the heart of the Indian Ocean with incredible blue waters and white beaches – all the ingredients for your perfect honeymoon. Located in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, a remote southern part of the Maldives, the 4-star resort occupies its own private island and offers 121 beach and garden bungalows and overwater villas with seating areas and terraces. The food gets great reviews from guests, and Sundowner Bar is a favorite for afternoon drinks in bean bags placed along the sand. With its own amazing reef for snorkeling, a wide range of activities and programs, great entertainment options, this is a great all-inclusive option for couples, but keep in mind that getting there requires a 70-minute domestic flight from Male Airport, followed by half an hour of speedboat transfer.
The reef of the resort is beautiful! It feels like swimming in a huge aquarium. You will dive every day and always something new to unveil, including sharks, turtles, fish, rays and dolphins. The island is surrounded by coral reefs, but lately some customers have said the coral has suffered some damage in recent years. Snorkeling equipment is free for the duration of your stay – which is great, especially if you are staying in a water villa built meters above the water had steps leading directly into the water where you can swim and snorkel to your liking.
2. Lily Beach Resort and Spa Reef in Ari Atoll
Reopened in 2009 as a 5-star resort, Lily Beach is a romantic place for an All Inclusive family vacation that includes food, drinks, and various activities. The elegant and spacious rooms have outdoor bathrooms with hot tubs, outdoor terraces with direct access to the ocean or beach, as well as other facilities: From sunscreen and quality toiletries to mini bars and large flat-screen TVs. Family facilities at the resort include a children’s buffet in the restaurant, a swimming pool and a play club. Active guests can enjoy land and water sports, while couples have plenty of romantic options and places to isolate. New overwater villas make snorkeling easy – just a few steps down and a short drift to the reef exit of the house. The reef edge of the resort is normally located 10-20 meters from the beach. If there is no strong tide, snorkelers can glide right over the tips of the corals.
3. Safari Island Resort Reef in North Ari Atoll
With its own luxury safari boats, the Safari Island resort is located in the heart of North Ari Atoll, Maldives. Combining warm hospitality with a charming atmosphere, the main highlights of the resort are white sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters with amazing snorkeling on its own reef. Located just 20 minutes by seaplane from Male Airport, the Safari Island resort is the perfect getaway for a relaxing and exciting getaway. Safari Island’s own reef offers one of the best snorkeling experiences in this part of the country. The waters surrounding the island teem with brightly colored fish and other marine species. Snorkeling is exciting and provides schools of fish to explore and interact with. The resort reef is 7-8 meters away from the beach and ideal for diving and snorkeling with live corals and many different types of sea creatures.
4. Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas Resort
Voted the most Instagrammable hotel in the world, staying at the
Anantara Kihavan Maldives Villas resort
is much more than just enjoying the luxury of its private area. Strong swimmers can snorkel around the edge outside the resort reef. The fall is an exciting chasm in deep blue waters, with ledges, caves and many other things. However, in the past there have been some events related to coral bleaching, against the backdrop of the stress of the construction of the complex, so the quality and scale of the coral cover is not very impressive. The marine life is beautiful, with large schools of fish, including perch and triggerfish, including turtles, sharks and rays. With a sandy bottom, the beautiful lagoon is coral-free and is ideal for swimming and water sports. Another reason – the rooms are so beautiful that guests are only occasionally spotted on a resort reef or snorkeling.
5. Dusit Thani Maldives Resort
If the idea of staying in the Maldives in a Thai-style hotel raises eyebrows, think about what it gives you. Thailand’s warm hospitality in an unprecedented luxury setting: Two of the best aspects of an Asian luxury trip on a magnificent trip. Located on the island of Mudhdhoo in Baa Atoll, the Maldives’ first and only Biosphere Reserve, Dusit Thani seduces guests with pearly white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, lush vegetation and a fantastic reef bank with one of the most abundant marine species in the Maldives. Inspired by Thailand, the architecture offers solo private living with vibrant nature with both classic and modern styles. The resort’s villas and apartments are beautiful retreats of modern sophistication, with luxurious facilities and state-of-the-art amenities. Fine cuisine in an exotic setting is another highlight of this resort. The complex is also home to the largest infinity pool in the Maldives with an impressive 750 square meters. As the hotel’s visual hub, this pool combines technology and nature with the majestic Banyan tree. The resort is located in the heart of Baa Atoll, where abundant marine life has earned UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status. Fantastic reef snorkeling and diving are guaranteed – and for non-divers – the resort’s local biologist is always on hand to learn more about the marine life.
6. The W resort of Maldives.
In luxury hotels mysteriously called “W”, the Starwood group emphasizes a young and confident brand, oriented to design, fashion and music. Located on North Ari Atoll, the Maldives W Resort offers 77 escapes and suites located both on land and overwater, including 28 Wonderful Beach Oasis, 46 Fabulous Oasis Overwater, three WOW Ocean Escape and an Extreme WOW Ocean Haven (the W brand’s interpretation of the Presidential Suite). Each elegant and spacious escape features an infinity pool. There is a mix of six bars and restaurants in W Maldives. The kitchen, the all-day gastronomic bistro and the fire, where guests can choose from four different barbecues, offer menus for everyone’s palate. Swim to the Wet pool bar and order a light lunch. There’s even a dining option on the resort’s private desert island, Gaathafushi, or Fish, the resort’s specialty seafood restaurant perched above the water and under the stars. Quince Abajo is the only underground club in the Maldives, with its own resident DJ and a Sushi Beat sushi bar. Guests can also spoil themselves with a selection of more than 125 treatments at the award-winning Overwater Away Spa.
7. The Reef at Hurawalhi Island Resort
The resort of Hurawalhi in Maldives – this is incomparable, extraordinary and absolutely original. Ecologically innovative, a new 5* star resort, the world’s largest underwater restaurant, the tropical champagne pavilion, elegant villas and politics just over 15 years old, and no other resorts in the neighborhood as far as you can see – Hurawalhi Island Resort offers its own look at Paradise. Just a 40-minute scenic flight by seaplane from Velana International Airport (Male), and here is for you a distinctive collection of beautifully designed, exclusive and extremely spacious villas through the bright sapphire of the clean lagoon – ideally located, so that all guests can enjoy the sunrise or sunset views over the ocean floor. And with restaurants being on the beach, on the water and even underwater, the philosophy here is that nothing is impossible. For sports lovers: For lovers of outdoor activities there is tennis, badminton and beach volleyball, as well as a fully equipped fishing boat for deep sea fishing. Fantastic snorkeling is offered on the resort’s reef, including a night fluorescent dive, and a snorkeling excursion with a marine biologist, and of course a full PADI certification course at the educational 5* dive center.
8. The reef of the Vakkaru Maldives resort
Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Vakkaru Maldives resort is a timeless sanctuary intuitively designed for guests seeking luxury and appreciable experiences. A scenic 30-minute seaplane ride from Male International Airport takes you to this secluded island of reefs blessed with timeless ocean views, powdery-soft white sand beaches, unique deep blue holes, and spectacular marine biodiversity. The 113 beautifully appointed Villas on water and beach are elegantly designed to respect the surrounding tropical nature and Maldivian charms. Plus, indulgent dining options, a world-class winery – home to a curated selection of excellent vintage and non-vintage old-to-new World offerings, as well as curated leisure activities and amenities create enriched experiences for everyone.
9. The reef of the Baros Maldives resort
The Baros resort is a perfect getaway located in the North Male Atoll just 25 minutes by speedboat from Male Airport. Located on a beautiful private island with a crystal clear coral lagoon, Baros is a 5-star boutique hotel in the Maldives that will surpass all your highest fantasies of the “dream island”. Surrounded by clean, warm waters and snowy white sands, with groves of coconut palms and fragrant flowers, this cozy tourist landscape is truly worthy of fainting. The baros resort reef is known as one of the best reefs in the Maldives. With a length of 300 meters, the coral gardens have easy access. The reef is dropped down the ledges to a depth of 20 meters, where the hypnotic world of corals is located with an incredible variety of vibrant marine life. Expect to see blacktip reef sharks, turtles, and many species of fish, including pelagics. In Baros it is particularly popular fluorescent night diving, offering a look at the underwater world in a new light.
10. The reef of the Angsana Ihuru resort
A true island paradise, Angsana Ihuru is an eco-friendly luxury resort located on the beautiful little island with the best reef house in the Maldives. A 25-minute speedboat ride from Velana (Male) Airport, a tranquillity is the name of the game at this boutique resort with 45 villas managed by Singapore’s Banyan Tree, one of the world’s most luxurious hotel brands. For guests there is one of the best reefs of the resort in Maldives – literally a few meters from the beach is hypnotic snorkeling (free!), as well as excellent diving (own 5* star PADI dive center). Delicious food and drinks are served in the restaurant, and guests should expect easy, discreet pressure from staff offering to book a therapy session at the excellent Thai spa. To diversify the activities there is a free transfer to Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru next door, where you will also find a restaurant, bar and spa.
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