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MACHCHAFUSHI - Guest Comments

Essentially, this is a German-speaking dive island, and as such it is excellent. With upto 80% of guests diving, the rythm of the resort naturally reflects the rythm of the divers' day.

Maldives Islands Resorts

Within easy reach are all the famed channels of South-East Ari Atoll. A whole series of thilas here (irregular columns of coral rising from the sea bed) offer an inexhaustible array of rewarding dives. all the main pelagics are here, as well as rare groups of soft and and hard coral. and just inside the Atoll is the Protected Marine Area, Kudarah Thila, with its concentration of all these features. a site not to be missed.

The dive school (the German company SubAqua) is very efficient, yet flexibly, run (apart from the exact time the boats leave). Escorted and unescorted house reef dives are possible at any time of the day. These are tremendously popular because the house reef is among the best in the Atoll.

In considering to our choosen "25 Dive Zones", Machchafushi is in "Dhangethi zone". If you would like to get a detailed explanation on the dive sites availabel at "Dhangethi zone", please CLICK.

Maldives Islands Resorts

As divers often tire in the evening and want to be in shape for the morning dive, there isn't too much organized in the way of evening entertainments (one disco and one fire limbo with barbecue per week). The main bar, is, nonetheless, large and fully stocked. Under the same roof is a table tennis table, a dance floor and the restaurant. In the center of the island is a good tennis court and a sand volleyball court. the windsurf center is pretty well stocked but not greatly used, partly because the lagoon is small and the coral comes in close to shore most of the way around the island.

Maldives Islands Resorts

Although there aren't many coconut palms, there is a great deal of pleasant shade around the island, which has been left in a fairly natural state. Ironically, it is the areas that has been "landscaped" that look a bit shoddy. There is particularly good shade between the rooms and the beach, so, with their thatched roofs, they not even visible from the water.

Maldives Islands Resorts

Of the 58 rooms, 48 are called Deluxe and 10 are Water bungalows. The Deluxe rooms are large and well furnished, with a big double bed and solid, comfortable seating. There is a/c, h/c water, telephone and (unfilled) minibar. The sinagle painting, though, is ugly. And the shower fixture could certainly be better. The Water Bungalows are similar to the Deluxe rooms, but with the addition of Satellite Televisions.

Maldives Islands Resorts

The Water bungalows also have individual balconies with steps down to a wonderful coral garden. They are sensibly built off the south side of the island where there really isn't a beach to talk of. Here there is an uprising of Volcanic rock just off shore. For the rest of the island the beach varies from good to very good, with an excellent wide, clean beach of the northern curve (though that means the sun is not shining on it for many hours).

A well placed coffeee shop here serves snacks and drinks, though everyone is on Fullboard. Drinks are inexpensive. Breakfast and Lunches are buffet and good, dinners are set plates (apart from one Asian buffet) and OK.

Three Quarters of the guests are German or Austrian, with Japanese and Italians making up most of the rest, plus a few British and Australians. Snorkeling and tanning on the beach are fine, but you may feel a bit out of it if you don't actually dive, because that is really the preoccupation of the place.