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MAAYAFUSHI - Guest Comments

Maayafushi was one of the original rough-it, salt water, German dive islands. After recent renovations it is now more comfortable and there is a spread of nationalities, but it remains cheaper than most and still focused on diving.

The island may not consider as an attractive. The service area, the general design of the buildings and the interior is not a pleasure to linger in. But there are big plus points, and these are its cheapness and the friendly, relaxed atmosphere. These and the well-organized, ambitious dive school.

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On top of the two dives a day and night dives there is an imaginative schedule of "specials". Apart from the full-day trips to the hammerhead shark site on Rasdhoo, other dives are combined with more general "excursions". For example, a desert island trip with a lobster dinner is combined with a night dive, and a two day, one night "Robinson Crusoe" trip includes sleeping in hammocks, eating grilled fish on the beach and viewing hammerhead sharks.

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Closer than Rasdhoo are tow other famous shark spotting sites: Fish Head, renowned for Grey Reef shark Capital. Then, even closer to home, there is Maayafushi's own house reef, a constant delight for diving and snorkeling.

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The beaches too are very good, with large sandy areas on both ends of this half-moon shaped island. this means not too much beach-side shade, but apart from that, it's a good place for children: popular and with a large, shallow lagoon area. The active water sports centre also helps keep them occupied. It offers lessons especially for them.

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The rooms, like the reception buildings, are not much to look at, inside or out, but the facilities have been improving steadily. All the rooms now have air conditioning and there is hot sweet water as well as cold. The fixtures and fittings are fairly basic and functional.

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Formerly all Fullboard, the new coffee shop means that Halfboard is now possible. the food is simple, but much better than many a similar resort. Every lunch is a hearty rice and curry meal and even evening meal is set (with plenty of fish), apart from two buffets, one Maldivian and one European.

Although the predominant language is German, there is a full mix of European and Japanese holidaymakers. The general atmosphere of the resort is relaxed and friendly. There are no strict rules, the staff mix freely and everyone walks around barefoot on the sandy paths and floor. The success of this formula is reflected in the high return rate of satisfied guests.