[Cass1]

Penny and I are hoping to get to the Maldives this year.
I was wondering if those who have been had any thoughts on the places they've been and how they rated them.

Also the best time to go.We dont have any particular preferred dates as we haven't kids to worry about.However it seems its better to go in our Spring time rather than towards our summer.
I'm trying to pursuede her to do a Paddi course as well, so we can make the most of the reefs.However that might have to happen over there due to her reluctance to freeze her bits off in Cornwall in the next 2 months

Many thanks
Martin & Penny

[bobba fett]

Hi,

I went to Thulaghiri, a small island with a house reef that goes 360 degrees around it with just a channel carved so boats can get in and out, it has a dive school on site and is a short boat ride from other places, in all fairness most of the life worth looking at is better snorkeled than dived.

Its a real robinson crusoe island and perfect.

Jan is the best time to go to the Maldives. Through the year the temp only changes by 2 degrees c aparrantly but the rainfall alters dramatically

[dave14]

Hi Martin, we went to Kuredu which was fantastic for a luxury holiday and 5 star service, we chose a sultan pool villa with its own pool, also the water villas are great.
Unfortunately the house reef is very poor and you really need to go on a boat to the sister island Komandoo which is stunning, also there is a good partially submerged tuna boat which has good snorkelling but again you have to go by boat.
Also to go on the boat trips you must be able to swim, snorkel and use fins because of the currents.
Boat trips about $35 per half day per person.
As far as when to go, certainly nov to march seems safest, but we went late july and only had two 10Min downpours in 2 weeks.
I honestly don't think anyone could be dissapointed irrespective of which island they went too, it's just idylic.

[lukeeee1990]

Cass1, on Jan 23 2010, 01:38 PM, said:

Penny and I are hoping to get to the Maldives this year.
I was wondering if those who have been had any thoughts on the places they've been and how they rated them.

Also the best time to go.We dont have any particular preferred dates as we haven't kids to worry about.However it seems its better to go in our Spring time rather than towards our summer.
I'm trying to pursuede her to do a Paddi course as well, so we can make the most of the reefs.However that might have to happen over there due to her reluctance to freeze her bits off in Cornwall in the next 2 months

Many thanks
Martin & Penny

hi mate, i'm off to kuramathi on the 21st of feb - jason has recently been himself and took some cracking pictures (search simont garrett, and look at his posts...should find it from there )

not sure when you're looking at going but i'll post a full review with pics when i get back

[Andrew]

Hi Martin,
i'm off in a couple of weeks, i picked Feburary as it's surposed to be one of the months with the least rainfall!

[Blacktip]

Hello
I've stayed on Kuredu twice. Kuredu is on a Northern Atoll. As mentioned a beautifull island. Not a typical Island as it as a choice of resturants and bars. Personally it is a little too built up now, but it is a great great place. Great if your concerned that the Maldives might be a little to quiet. The dive school is probably the best in the Maldives. Some great sights around. Shark express is good with some serious current. The general area has good diving. Great for big stuff. Shark Manta dolphin sailfin but not great on colour. Really good as a first time Island. There is a big long spit of sand at the bottom of the island. I walked down there and had a black tip reef shark swimming on each side of me! Not many places like that on earth.

The other island I've been to is Hakura Hura. A typical island. One restuarant, one bar sort of thing. Very quiet. Not as classy as Kuredu but again a great island. The diving here is great. It is on a southern atoll. All the bigger stuff and the reefs are good and healthy with more colour. All in all though Maldives isn't great on colour but is awesome for the big stuff.

As for weather, it depends on whether you head north or south so just chech before you go. Bear in mind that stuff like Manta are around when the visibility isn't so great.

[Blacktip]

Hello
I've stayed on Kuredu twice. Kuredu is on a Northern Atoll. As mentioned a beautifull island. Not a typical Island as it as a choice of resturants and bars. Personally it is a little too built up now, but it is a great great place. Great if your concerned that the Maldives might be a little to quiet. The dive school is probably the best in the Maldives. Some great sights around. Shark express is good with some serious current. The general area has good diving. Great for big stuff. Shark Manta dolphin sailfin but not great on colour. Really good as a first time Island. There is a big long spit of sand at the bottom of the island. I walked down there and had a black tip reef shark swimming on each side of me! Not many places like that on earth.

The other island I've been to is Hakura Hura. A typical island. One restuarant, one bar sort of thing. Very quiet. Not as classy as Kuredu but again a great island. The diving here is great. It is on a southern atoll. All the bigger stuff and the reefs are good and healthy with more colour. All in all though Maldives isn't great on colour but is awesome for the big stuff.

As for weather, it depends on whether you head north or south so just chech before you go. Bear in mind that stuff like Manta are around when the visibility isn't so great.

[Cass1]

Thanks for the response.
I've heard lots about Kuramathi from Jas,who hasn't,lol!
It does seem ideal although I'm slightly concerned I'll be bored in the evenings.
I do like the idea of swimming from the beach straight onto a house reef.If we can get away without diving then that means I havent got to pursuede Penny to learn in Cornwall before we go.
It seems from the reply's and also what I've read so far that the sooner we go the better as far as climate is concerned.Its alot of money to spend if your going to be sat under a canopy watching the rain for several days as one person told me the other day. 5 days rain on a 10 day holiday!
Kureda seems very popular and alot busier than most,which might keep us occupied although sounds like the house reef could be a bit sparse.

I think we're going to try and get away before April to cath the best weather.Which resort is still in the bag.

Thanks again for the responses.
It does seem that those who've been have all backed up what the brochures claim.

Martin

[lindsay]

Martin

When me and linda went we had a few hours rain in 10 days ,,the guy there said its been like this for a few years now in September .
The rain can also be welcome for a few hours as it sure does get hot

Before you go rushing into booking m8 hold back as i have me eye on three islands ,,one maybe hard to get a booking but the other 2 a lot easier

I have chosen these 3 as the house reefs look fantastic and are better for snorkeling than Diving .
Given the time you have your more likely snorkel more than dive so always important to keep this in mind


jas

[Ross1]

Personally, I love tropical down pours. Unless it's monsoon season I dont see why anyone should worry about a few downpours. As Jas says they are welcome, everywhere is that little bit cooler afterwards.

[bobba fett]

Cass1, on Jan 24 2010, 09:12 AM, said:

Thanks for the response.
I've heard lots about Kuramathi from Jas,who hasn't,lol!
It does seem ideal although I'm slightly concerned I'll be bored in the evenings.
I do like the idea of swimming from the beach straight onto a house reef.If we can get away without diving then that means I havent got to pursuede Penny to learn in Cornwall before we go.
It seems from the reply's and also what I've read so far that the sooner we go the better as far as climate is concerned.Its alot of money to spend if your going to be sat under a canopy watching the rain for several days as one person told me the other day. 5 days rain on a 10 day holiday!
Kureda seems very popular and alot busier than most,which might keep us occupied although sounds like the house reef could be a bit sparse.

I think we're going to try and get away before April to cath the best weather.Which resort is still in the bag.

Thanks again for the responses.
It does seem that those who've been have all backed up what the brochures claim.

Martin

If you want the reef within swimming distance (20m from beach) and quiet, I still highly recommend Thulhagiri, have a look!