Which are our favourite house reefs in the Maldives?
What on earth is a house reef?
This is one that’s actually accessible from the island. So the reef, as in the coral, with all its fish and other marine life, are close by rather than a boat trip away.Â
Why does this matter?
To some people, it doesn’t! It all depends on your priorities while holidaying in the Maldives. You will always be able to get to great snorkel and dive sites by boat from all islands, and it can be so much fun to go to different spots over your stay in this way, especially if you have a good week or so.
And of course – Â snorkelling is not the only thing to do when in the Maldives is it, and other things matter too – like budget and villa size and dining options. And if you are more of a pool person, then a close-by and healthy reef isn’t going to be a priority for you.Â
I personally love an island with a good house reef that allows me to snorkel right from the beach or my water-villa stairs. I can hop in and out for a quick swim and explore whenever I feel like it, not feel I need to go out and commit to a whole half-day excursion. It’s also a great choice for less confident swimmers as they can take easy breaks – so naturally a good fit for children learning to swim and use goggles too.Â
A blog felt needed as I do get asked about this a lot – so check my personal favourites below – and just call me to discuss more and to pick the right island for you.Â
Carly x
My Winners!
A 5* adult-only luxury boutique (so sorry, no one under 9 allowed). Beautiful reef accessible right from the sand and wraps around half of the island. A safe bet for turtles, reef sharks and fish. Stunning. Plus accessible to Hanifaru Bay by boat. Win win.Â
Conveniently just a short speedboat from the international airport and with a protected reef with resident turtles, all just a few steps from the sand. And a special island overall with outstanding restaurants.
The golden wall alone is worth an honourable mention – look at that coral! Certainly one of the most luxurious resorts in the Maldives, you can even see the reef and the extensive marine life from their underwater restaurant,Â
Jungly with quirky villas featuring game rooms and treehouses, we love this island for families. But stay in a water villa for the best views and to experience the wonderful house reef easily, you can reach it in a few moments.Â
A final note from Carly…
MAKE SURE YOU TELL ME if you are looking for a particular sighting… there are seasons that are best for the manta rays and for the reef and whale sharks and also particular hotspots for them…. I can help 🙂Â
Written by Carly Watling
Top Travel Tip
“Both Sri Lanka and the Maldives are amazing standalone – but a combination of the two is an addictive pairing. 10 days exploring the highlights of Sri Lanka hits culture, wildlife, breathtaking scenery and incredible food at a good pace, and then you can wind down with a few nights of luxury on the most perfect beaches in the world” – Carly, Asia Specialist
