Best snorkelling in the Maldives
 

Any suggestions for the best snorkelling resorts in the Maldives. I just want to walk into the water from my beach bungalow and off I go!

Do you have a budget? If not, I would say the Four Seasons or the Soneva Fushi or Soneva Gili. However, I have not been to any of these resorts since the Tsunami last year, so can't say for sure that the coral close to shore (i.e. shallow water) was not ripped up by the waves or buried by sand. Perhaps others can comment.

The Four Seasons was 75% destroyed by the tsunami (we had friends there when it happened) and is under reconstruction, but not yet reopened. I believe it's due to happen early next year. They had some fiar snorkeling areas off the beach before the tsunami, but to see the really good stuff you needed to take a short boat ride.

There was excellent snorkeling right off the beach at Banyan Tree, but I thought the bungalows were much too close together....no privacy.

As Cicerone points out, it could all have changed since last Dec 26, so you need a report from someone who has been there since then.

In my experience, if you want to do quality snorkeling in Maldives, you have to take a boat to get to certain coral reefs. If you are interested in diving and your hotel offers such program, do give it a try.

My husband and I used to be avid scuba divers while living in Asia, and visited Maldives every year. Sucuba Diving experience in Maldives is just incredible. You shoul not miss that.

Anyone been to Maldives in 2006-2007? What is condition of coral for avid snorkelers? Where is the coral the healthiest and what 2 resorts would you rank the best for boat trips to reef outcroppings with different underwater pleasures, good food, very nice (A/C) accommodations (not necessarily Four Seasons, though? Would snorkel 4 1/2 days out of a 6 day stay, does that make sense?

I have not yet been to the Maldives, but have been doing some research. One place in particular that interests me is called MIRIHI. It has an amazing house reef, stylish water bungalows and the rates are quite reasonable for the Maldives It gets rave reviews on tripadvisor. All in, I think a great value for money option.

www.mirihi.com

My wife and I stayed at Lily Beach, Maldives, in November 2006.
we researched long and hard before selecting this resort.
There were two main reqirements:
1. House reef was a must.
2. Sea-plane transfer...as I'd never been on one before.

The snorkeling was fantastic, and yes, twenty yards from the bungalow and off you go!! It's a very small island, 500 metres by 50 metres, I think. All around the island is beautiful sand. On one side it slopes off gently with loads of coral and on the other side, after about 10 metres there is a sudden drop to maybe 30 metres, so there is a great variety of snorkeling. No need to take a boat!!!

Some photos of our time at Maldives on this link

http://leightravel.smugmug.com/

There is a dive centre at this resort which does special snorkeling trips. Whilst we were there, some friends went off one day in the hope of seeing Giant Manta Rays.............they did!!!!! I so wish I'd taken that trip.

Is Lily and or MIRIHI in the northern atolls? I am told the coral is heathiest in that area. How long is the seaplane or launch from Male?
Thanks.

South Ari Atoll and the seaplane is around 45 mins. This resort can only be reached by seaplane from Male. At least the hotel says seaplane transfer only.

Interesting what you say about the north atoll being healthier - I went to Hakuura Hura in May & the coral wasn't healthy although it didnt stop us seeing some fantastic stuff snorkelling - we're talking eagle rays, sting rays, reef sharks, as well as loads of smaller fish which I never got to find out what they were. Problem was getting into the water we had to have rubber shoes which werent much help. Is the Northern atoll better in that way then?

It's been some years since we were in Maldives, but I actually heard the opposite--the southern atolls are better. Or at least the further away from Mahe the better. (Hence the seaplane). We stayed at Filitheyo (?) which catered to both snorkeling and diving crowds. Not the top-notch 5star, but very comfortable accomodation and good food, definitely 4.5stars.

Strongly recommend water airplane--it is an very interesting experience.

Does anyone have any experience to share from Kuredu Island Resort?