Imagine, if you will, stepping out of your overwater bungalow and into a crystal clear sea teeming with colorful fish. Well, if you head to one of these Maldives resorts with the best house reefs, you won't have to use your imagination.
In the Maldives, resort guests are often just steps away from "house reefs" that are located close to the shore. These reefs are often swarming with colorful fish, turtles and other sea life and are perfect for snorkelers to explore. Of course not all house reefs are created equally. So, please read on to learn more about the resorts that are home to the best house reefs in the Maldives.
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Soneva Fushi
The Baa Atoll, which is where the 55-room Soneva Fushi Resort is situated, is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. So, it's probably not surprising that the resort's house reef -- which is said to be the longest in the Maldives -- is teeming with sea life, including manta rays and turtles. The hotel is kid-friendly and offers a number of unique snorkeling trips, including a night swim. The Soneva Fushi is just a 35-minute seaplane flight from Male International Air.
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Mirihi Island Resort
Although this resort is located on one of the smallest islands in the Maldives, its reef is large, approximately 6,000 meters in length, which is why it's easily one of Maldives best house reefs. And if you stay in one of the Mirihi Island Resort's overwater villas, you'll simply have to step out of your room and into the lagoon if you want to go snorkeling. Located on the South Ari Atoll, this intimate resort features 30 overwater villas, 6 beach villas, an overwater suite and a beach house. The recently renovated Mirihi Island Resort is just a 30-minute seaplane flight from Male International Airport.
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Constance Moofushi
If you've ever wanted to enjoy a close encounter with a whale shark or a manta ray, consider booking your Maldives adventure at the Constance Moofushi, which lies on the migration route for these sea creatures. The resort's house reef also boasts three lagoons and its calm, clear waters are touted as being perfect for beginner snorkelers. The 110-room Constance Moofushi is an all-inclusive resort in the South Ari Atoll that is just a 35-minute seaplane ride from Male.
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Baros - Maldives Best House Reefs
Baros is a boutique, 75-villa resort that is situated on a tiny island -- just 230 meters in diameter -- in the North Male Atoll. It boasts a very large reef that surrounds 75 percent of the island. Although, you'll feel like you're miles away from civilization when you stay at Baros, you will actually only be a 25-minute speedboat ride away from Male International Airport. According to Forbes, this resort's house reef is home to a healthy population of sea turtles, rays, colorful fish as well as a curious blacktip reef shark who has earned the nickname Finny.
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Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort
If you prefer all-inclusive resorts, then you'll want to check out the Outrigger Konotta Maldives. It is situated in the remote Gaafu Dhaalu atoll, which offers some of the best hard coral fields in the world. So, it's only natural that the 53-room Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort also boasts one of the best house reefs in Maldives. To reach this secluded island, you'll have to take a 55-minute flight from Male to Kaadedhdhoo Airport, followed by a 30-minute speedboat ride.
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Park Hyatt Hadahaa
If you want to get away from it all, consider the Park Hyatt Hadahaa. To reach this resort, which is located in the remote Huvadhoo Atoll, you will need to take an hour flight to Kooddoo and then a 30-minute speedboat ride. The resort's house reef is home to many different species of fish, and guests often spot eagle rays and dolphins while snorkeling. This small 50-room resort offers both beach villas and over-the-water bungalows.
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Lily Beach Resort
The all-inclusive Lily Beach Resort, which is located in Maldives' the South Ari Atoll, offers a 3-kilometer house reef that many consider to be one of the best house reefs in the Maldives. It's not uncommon for guests to spot turtles, moray eels and octopuses while out snorkeling. The reef is easily accessible and the resort also offers guided night snorkeling. And if you book one of the resort's 40 over-the-water bungalows, you can just step right down from your room to check out the reef. The 119-room Lily Beach Resort is just 25 minutes by seaplane from Male.
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Vilamendhoo Island Resort
With 184 rooms, the Vilamendhoo Island Resort is one of the bigger resorts on this list. It is also an all-inclusive resort that is relatively affordable. The Vilamendhoo, which is located in the South Ari Atoll, boasts a 4.5-kilometer house reef that is easily accessible from the beaches and the water villas. You can also choose to embark upon one of the resort's boat excursions. Some of the options include snorkeling with whale sharks or manta rays. To reach this resort, you will need to take a 25-minute seaplane flight from Male.
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W Maldives - Maldives Best House Reefs
The W Maldives is an excellent option for those who prefer staying at chain hotels that they're familiar with or who want to use their loyalty points. The resort is located on Fesdu Island in the North Ari Atoll and boasts an easily accessible house reef that is home to a wide variety of sea life. Each of the resort's 77 rooms also feature a plunge pool. The W is a 25-minute seaplane ride from Male.
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Angsana Ihuru
This resort, which is located on the island of Ihuru in the North Male Atoll has a lot to offer guests. It is an intimate, relatively affordable 45-room resort, with thatched-roof villas that is located just a quick 20-minute speedboat ride from the Male International Airport.
The Angsana Ihuru's best feature is its house reef, which forms an almost perfect circle around the island, providing guests with amazing snorkeling opportunities. Another plus? Guests staying at Angsana Ihuru also have access to its sister property, the Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru resort, which is located just two minutes away by speedboat. So, you'll basically be getting the amenities of two resorts for the price of one when you stay at the Angsana Ihuru.
