I disagree with the comment "EVERY resort in the Maldives (100+) have 'good diving/snorkeling'."

Usually there are only 2 or 3 people who respond to questions about the Maldives on Fodors. For a recommendation on the best snorkelling vs budgeted rates I suggest you ask your question on Tripadvisor.com, same owner as Fodors.com!

ok good point thanks Hanuman.
MaldivesComplete - the island may still be there but I heard the one & only is shut down - i'll re-confirm.

Criteria: it's for a honeymoon celebration, want to definitely dive, snorkel, definitely want blue/green waters to hang out in in front of the villa (can be beach villa or water villa but must be within 500$) - either half board or full board within $500 - would prefer not to see other islands around so would like it within some distance from Male.

Would wnat to do a private island one day - so a resort that has that option to rent us a private island for the day.

Really looking for a pretty beach at the resort to hang out in and be able to go into the waters.

Thank you!

ok so it's under a different management apparently - also any idea for late May (monsoon season) is north/south atoll better? i know rain means short bursts during the day or perhaps only sunny who knows - but is one area of Maldives preferable for late May?

i found out north atoll - so any resorts you can recommend in north atoll with the above criteria would be great thanks!

hi, any other recommendations?
Looking for a great house reef somewhere in the northern atoll to reduce impact of the monsoon in late may..

Looking at the following:
Veligandu Island Resort
Vilamedhoo Island Resort
Angsana Ihuru (no pool)
Komandoo

Have you tried Tripadvisor yet?

My spouse has been making annual dive trips to Bandos for 15 years - they have an excellent dive operation there, and a house reef. He pays well under $500 per day, half board, unlimited boat dives. It's a boat ride from Male, but not a terribly long one.