Soleni Dive Centre

★ 5 · Hanna Gore · 2010-02-08

I decided on this island in The Maldives after seeing it on a BBC Holiday program review, and it exceeded all expectations. I spent the most amazing 10 days there, wish it was longer! The island itself is pretty large and they give you bicycles to cycle round the idyllic surroundings. We never saw another person while we were there and always had a private corner of the beach to ourselves. The only time we saw people was at dinner. The beach bungalows are out of this world! We had a 2 storey bungalow with an outdoor sundeck and huge outdoor bath and shower, it was the most luxiourious place! The food was out of this world, as good as a 5 star resort and there was some amazing menus with fabulous food choices so you won't get bored (unlike some islands that just have buffet choices). There was even an ice cream bar, as well as buffet and all types of wonderful food, you would be spoilt for choice. Snorkelling - You can snorkel off the house reef and see an abundance of fish however, when we went the coral was quite damaged apparently it had taken some of the wrath from the Sunami that year. There were so many parrot fish and some Eagle Rays that would swim right by you at 4pm every evening! The drop off is a little bit of a distance but worth it to see all the marine life. Diving - It was my first time trying out diving and it was my trip here that led to my passion of diving as the instructors were so fantastic. I completed a couple of dives off the house reef and there was an amazing amount of marine life! I only wish I had chosen to do my PADI Open water here! I would definitely recommend the dive school (Soleni Dive Center) as they were so patient and good with me as I was a pretty nervous beginner at that time! I can't comment on the boats, equipment or dive trips as unfortunatley I was wasn't there particularly for the diving at that time. I just wanted to mention this resort as it was beyond 5 Star, the manager came to greet us on arrival and say goodbye to us when we left we were treated like royalty! - I've never stayed anywhere so beautiful. I stayed at the Coco Palm resort in The Maldives in 2008, and although that was lovely it was second rate compared to Soneva Fushi. I would defintely go back and take up some more diving there. Recommended especially for honeymooners as it was fabulous.