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GIRAVARU - Guest Comments

Giraavaru is close to the Male' International Airport and out on its own in the corner of the Atoll, Giraavaru combines good diving with a good beach and it's an attractive hotel. It was running down for a few years but now it is moving up market.

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At present, Giraavaru has 65 rooms, and all of them are described as deluxe. 12 rooms are in a two-storey block, the others are connected together in rows. Though not large they are good looking and the facilities are impressive (hot & cold fresh water, en suite bathrooms, shower/bath tub, piped in music, TV, in-house movies / CNN, air-conditioned, IDD telephone, hairdryer).

At Giraavaru there's little chance for you to get bored. with the range of activities they offer to entertain you, where will you find the time? These recreation activities include; Floodlit Tennis Court, Table Tennis, Volley Ball, Island Hopping, Excursions, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Trawling & Night Fishing, Windsurfing, Water Skiing, Live Band Music.

Whether you are the energetic type with a love for physical exertion or you prefer to sit and reflect on the wonders of nature while you wait for the fish to eat your bait, Giraavaru has the facilities to let you do it. If you would like to see other Maldivian islands - including traditional Maldivian fishing villages and tourist resorts, join them for a day of island hopping.

Once you get a great tan on the Giraavaru beach, you may relax or may have a drink at the swimming pool bar. Dine in the bar during the night, or choose a La Carte cuisine at the Coffee Shop. International and exotic sea food cuisine with a dash of authenticity, or simply a beach barbecue, the culinary delights are numerous. Giraavaru will make sure that all your appetites are satisfied.

With their high thatched roofs, good furniture and decorations, all the public buildings on the resort have the look of quality about them. Some people, however, might consider the place overbuilt as a considerable portion of this small island is under roof or concrete. Others, including many of the Italians who come here, prioritize the good looks and facilities. As for the general service, the reputation would indicate room for improvement.

There can, however, be no dispute about the beach. A few well-placed groynes have built up fine beaches on both sides of the island. The lagoon is lovely and clear for swimming and not too big for snorkeling at the reef edge. The wider reef also encloses a larger deeper pool, which is ideal for learning to windsurf.

The diving is great, as neither the boats nor the many dive sites are ever crowded. The dive school in Giraavaru   is operated by Euro divers (Internationally renowned Swiss company). The experienced diving instructors - all of them more than familiar with the Maldivian waters - are multilingual and can speak Italian, German and English. The dive school offers training and PADI certificates are issued once you complete your course. The diving school is fully equipped to facilitate all your dives. Beginner or expert, diving in the Maldivian waters can be an experience of a life time that will be difficult to forget.

As per our Diving MAP, Giraavaru is located in Male' Zone. To get a detailed explanation on the dive-sites available in Male' Zone, please CLICK.

Most people are on half board here, though both full board and bed and breakfast are available. The food is good but not particularly special. Snacks are available throughout the day in the new coffee shop, which is attached to the conference room-cum-disco on its own "peninsula" by the jetty.

This small, smart-looking resort still has a little way to go to reach the quantity it is aiming for, but it is on the way and will get surely there soon.