Maldives Hotels With The Best House Reef

Want to explore the amazing underwater world of the Maldives without leaving your villa? Find out which hotels have the most beautiful house reefs, where all the splendor of the Maldives is collected.

W Maldives

What is a house reef?

The Maldives are an ideal place to explore the underwater world right from the shore, because the islands are not made of rocks, but are created by nature from corals. And if you have chosen the right hotel with a house reef, then literally outside the threshold of your villa you can dive into the underwater wealth of the Maldives.

The house reef is the outer side of the reef, which is located in close proximity to the shore. The reef goes sharply into the depths - it is in this place that the so-called coral gardens with many colorful fish grow.

House reefs are located near the resort islands and are accessible from the beach. The best islands are those that do not have a large lagoon or coral thickets, where you can swim or dive from the pier or beach. It is on coral islands with crystal lagoons that all the richness and diversity of the Indian Ocean opens up: parrot fish, clown fish, moray eels, turtles, rays and even grey reef sharks.

There are several types of reef islands:

• Round or oval. In the center is an island surrounded by a coral reef. Such a reef is ideal for snorkeling, as it starts right at the shore. But it has no lagoons, which can be a disadvantage;
• Half Moon. The crescent-shaped interior of the island resembles a natural pool with clear and calm water. A reef protects the lagoon, while the outer side of the island is exposed to strong currents;

Depositphotos

What to Consider When Choosing a House Reef

• If there is a large lagoon between the shore and the reef, you will not be able to get to it on your own - you will need to rent a boat, which will require additional costs;
• The location of the reef can be assessed using maps or satellite images;
• Many resorts with reefs offshore offer overwater villas with private access to the sea;

Kuramathi Maldives

Resorts with a good house reef

The archipelago consists of 22 atolls, 1,200 coral islands and 2,500 coral reefs. Almost 900 of these are house reefs, easily accessible from your resort. Maldivian guests have particularly praised the house reefs of several of the hotels below.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, South Ari

This island looks like a still from an advertising video: white beaches, turquoise lagoons and untouched nature. The main feature is the house reef next to the villas. Start your morning with snorkeling right outside your room! The most vivid impressions await at the edge of the reef, where a huge number of colorful fish live. If you are lucky, you will see manta rays, blacktip reef sharks and nurse sharks.

Transfer: 30 minutes by seaplane from Male.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Kuramathi Maldives, Rasdhoo Atoll

A secluded 1.8 km long island with pristine white sand and breathtaking ocean views. This resort is ideal for snorkelers. You can borrow equipment for free from the on-site sports centre and listen to a lecture by a marine biologist. The Kuramathi house reef is one of the most picturesque in the Maldives. It is teeming with a variety of marine life. Here you can find parrot fish, butterfly fish, Portuguese man-of-war, tuna, Napoleon fish, schools of jacks, horse mackerel, leaf fish and barracuda. Lazy moray eels lurk in the depths of the reef, and turtles and reef sharks may swim past. If you visit the resort from November to April, you may encounter manta rays and even a whale shark.

Transfer: 90 minutes by speedboat from Male.

Kuramathi Maldives

Cinnamon Velifushi, Vaavu Atoll

Cinnamon Velifushi in Vaavu Atoll is one of the smallest islands in the Maldives, taking 20 minutes to walk around. But it boasts one of the best house reefs. The currents can be strong, but the visibility is excellent and the corals are simply stunning. The reef is home to the Rannamaari wreck, making the resort a popular destination for divers.

Here you can snorkel right from the shore, go on a tour of the Golden Wall reef or take a snorkeling safari on a boat. And how can you not snorkel at night and watch the bioluminescence of the underwater plankton! Around the hotel you can meet 140 species of marine life: colorful fish, reef sharks, rays and sea turtles. This is an ideal place for photographers and lovers of the underwater world.

Transfer: 30 minutes by seaplane from Male.

Cinnamon Velifushi

Vakkaru Maldives, South Ari

Vakkaru Maldives Resort on Vakkaru Island in South Ari Atoll is a great snorkeling spot with a house reef. It is just 15 meters from the beach. The island is surrounded by a pristine lagoon and the diversity of marine life makes it ideal for those who want to dive into a world of underwater adventures.

Here you can see about 10 species of sharks, swim in a school of batfish and snappers, soldier fish, blue surgeons, clown fish and puffer fish. Try to see a hidden moray eel and eagle rays from afar.

Transfer: 30 minutes by seaplane from Male.

Vakkaru Maldives

Kuredu Island, Lhaviyani Atoll

Miles of coral, two small wrecks and huge schools of tropical reef fish. Kuredu Island's house reef is impressive in size and calm waters. This is a place for independent diving. Divers can explore the reef at their own pace, without a guide. Free nitrox refills and unlimited tank packages are provided for your convenience.

Transfer: 40 minutes by seaplane from Male.

Kuredu Island

Anantara Kihavah, Baa Atoll

The resort's house reef is a true natural aquarium with crystal clear water, gentle currents and excellent visibility. Just a few steps from the shore you can meet red-toothed triggerfish, humpback snappers, sea turtles, reef sharks, and explore reef caves and overhangs. Diving right from the shore, you will find yourself among colorful coral gardens, schools of exotic fish, sea turtles and even young reef sharks.

A trip to Baa Atoll would not be complete without a visit to Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, during the season from May to November, you can see hundreds of manta rays! During the full moon, their number can be even greater. A breathtaking spectacle that will remain in your memory.

Transfer: by seaplane from Male 40 minutes.

Anantara Kihavah

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, North Male Atoll

The Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru house reef is a treasure trove of underwater treasures. It is home to a variety of marine life and the sunken dredger Rannamaari. This vessel, which was sunk in 1999 to create an artificial reef, has become a favourite spot for divers. It is large enough to be ideal if you want to get certified in wreck diving.

The place can be reached directly from the shore. Just a few minutes from the hotel is the Dhawa Ihuru Marine Center, where they work on ocean conservation and manta studies.

Transfer: 25 minutes by speedboat from Male.

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru

Machchafushi Island Resort, South Ari

Machchafushi Island Resort (formerly known as Centara Grand) boasts some of the most luxurious accommodations in the entire South Ari Atoll. The region attracts divers from all over the world, as majestic whale sharks and graceful manta rays can be spotted here all year round. But even without leaving the island, guests can embark on a thrilling underwater adventure. The Machchafushi wreck, which was sunk in 1998 to create an artificial reef, lies at a depth of 15-30 meters. The site is ideal for divers of all levels. It has become a favorite among underwater photographers due to its mystical appearance and the opportunity to swim inside the ship.

Transfer: 25 minutes by seaplane from Male.

Machchafushi Island Resort

Diamonds Thudufushi, South Ari

Diamonds Thudufushi is an all-inclusive oasis where you don't have to think about anything. The resort is ideal for those who value active recreation: Pilates, yoga, water gymnastics, and fitness classes. Competition enthusiasts will find entertainment for every taste. But the main pearl of the resort is the Thudufushi house reef, one of the best in the Maldives, where divers and snorkelers will encounter colorful corals and a variety of marine life. And if you're lucky, nearby, in the Thudufushi Thila area, you can see majestic mantas, which can swim very close to the reef during the season.

Transfer: 25 minutes by seaplane from Male.

Diamonds Thudufushi

Filitheyo Island Resort, Faafu Atoll

Filitheyo is also famous for its two stunning house reefs, considered to be among the best in the Maldives. Vast coral gardens are within walking distance, offering endless opportunities for underwater adventures. Faafu Atoll is not as popular with tourists as other parts of the Maldives, so you won’t be surrounded by crowds of tourists during your dives. Here, every dive turns into an exploration of the untouched underwater world!

Transfer: 35 minutes by seaplane from Male.

Filitheyo Island Resort

Kandolhu Maldives, North Ari

Kandolhu Maldives is located on a small but incredibly picturesque island in the North Ari Atoll. It measures only 200 x 150 meters, but this tiny piece of paradise hides one of the most impressive house reefs in the Maldives.

Snorkeling here starts right from the beach: at a depth of several meters you can encounter hawksbill turtles, clownfish, coral pipefish, as well as larger inhabitants - eagle rays and moray eels. Thanks to excellent visibility and a variety of marine life, this place is ideal for underwater photography. The resort has a marine biologist who will help you get to know the local inhabitants better and conduct a safe dive. A special experience is night snorkeling with fluorescent lights - a unique opportunity to see the ocean in a completely different light, when corals and sea creatures acquire a bright neon glow.

Transfer: 25 minutes by seaplane from Male.

Kandolhu Maldives

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, Huvadhoo Atoll

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa offers a tranquil retreat on a private island surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. It places a strong emphasis on wellness practices, including ancient Ayurveda and rejuvenation programs. The island's main feature is its unique house reef that surrounds the entire resort. Boulder, branch and table corals create complex underwater landscapes that impress even seasoned ocean explorers.

Transfer: 30 minutes by seaplane.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

W Maldives, North Ari

W Maldives offers a luxurious getaway on a tiny island surrounded by one of the best house reefs in the Maldives. This resort combines premium comfort with underwater adventures. The main feature is snorkeling and diving right from the beach. The house reef of W Maldives is rich in marine life. Here you can see hawk fish, parrotfish, angelfish, and at the edge of the reef - turtles, manta rays, reef sharks and even dolphins.

Beginners can take a course at the sports center and then go on a reef tour with a marine biologist. More experienced divers can enjoy magical adventures, such as night snorkeling - a dive into another world where tuna and other predators go hunting, and corals come alive in the light of lanterns. And what about meeting giant whale sharks? A 24-meter private yacht will take you to the south of Ari Atoll to meet these giants.

Transfer: 25 minutes by seaplane.

W Maldives