The Maldives, an archipelago composed of 1192 coral islands and sandbanks, sits atop an underwater mountain range. These coral islands are home to an incredible diversity of marine life. The coral reefs themselves are formed by small marine invertebrates known as coral polyps, which create hard, chalky structures that join together to form the intricate reef systems. There are two main types of corals in the Maldives: hard and soft corals.
When it comes to exploring the vibrant underwater world of the Maldives, house reefs offer an unrivalled window into the mesmerising realm of marine life. Here, we delve into some of our favourite house reefs in the Maldives, each unique in its own right, offering a glimpse into the stunning biodiversity thriving beneath the crystalline waters.
Oblu Helengeli
Located in the North Male Atoll, Oblu Helengeli boasts a 4-star, all-inclusive experience. What makes this house reef unique is its proximity to a primary entrance to Malé Atoll, making it a thriving hub of marine life. The channel on both sides of the island ensures an abundance of fish around the reef. Oblu Helengeli's house reef is a spectacle of marine life, featuring massive coral structures, branching corals, and flowerpot corals. Blue corals, wavy soft corals, and fan corals create a vibrant underwater tapestry. It's also home to schools of bannerfish. The house reef is also home to hawksbill turtles, which snorkelers may encounter gracefully gliding through the water, alongside unicorn fish and black triggerfish.
Reethi Faru
Located in Raa Atoll, Reethi Faru offers a 4-star plus, all-inclusive experience with an excellent house reef accessible from eight different entry points on the beach. Here, you can encounter schools of fish, coral reefs, scorpion fish, puffer fish, turtles, and even a shipwreck. Reethi Faru's house reef is a treasure trove of marine life, from coral seabass to grouper, and it features both hard and soft corals. The house reef is also home to intriguing creatures like octopuses and turtles, adding to the fascination of underwater exploration.
Dhawa Ihuru
Situated in North Male Atoll, Dhawa Ihuru is a boutique 5-star resort known for its house reef teeming with 140 species of bright and beautiful fish. Its good coral growth and steep drop-off make it an ideal spot for diving and snorkelling. Dhawa Ihuru's house reef hosts an array of marine life, including the striking blue sturgeon fish and tawny nursing sharks. Dive into the world of anemonefish and fan coral as you explore this underwater paradise. Discover the Rannamaari wreck, a sunken sand dredger intentionally sunk in 1999. Over time, it has become a hub for marine life, including plankton, barnacles, and ocean bacteria.
Dusit Thani
Nestled in Baa Atoll, Dusit Thani offers a 5-star, all-inclusive experience. The house reef here is formed on a coral hill and features coral caves. Snorkelers and divers can encounter hundreds of fish species and underwater marine life, including octopuses, turtles, and eagle rays. Dusit Thani's house reef boasts a stunning coral wall drop-off and offers encounters with majestic manta rays, making it a must-visit for underwater enthusiasts.
Baros
Baros in North Male Atoll is a 5-star resort known for its decades of research and care in preserving a fantastically colourful house reef. More than ten species of beautiful corals, coral structures, and even a coral nursery can be found here. Baros Island's house reef is a thriving ecosystem, hosting vibrant corals, colourful fish, sharks, rays, turtles, squids, and lobsters. It's a living testament to the success of reef preservation efforts.
Baglioni
This luxury 5-star resort in Dhaalu Atoll offers a perfect 360-degree house reef experience. Its remote location, away from central atolls, ensures pristine coral and marine life. It's a haven for divers and snorkelers. Baglioni's house reef is a testament to the health of coral reefs in this region. It's a paradise for snorkelers, with magnificent corals, colourful fish, and a vibrant underwater world.
Amilla
Amilla, a luxury 5-star resort in Baa Atoll, offers modern-style accommodations and access to a remarkable house reef. The crystal-clear lagoon surrounding the island is teeming with marine life, including clownfish, squirrelfish, and angelfish. Amilla's house reef is home to the famous Blue Hole, located just metres from the main beach. It's a magnet for marine enthusiasts, offering encounters with black fish with crescent moon tails, Bengal snapper, blacktip sharks, and more.
Raffles Maldives
Raffles Maldives, located in Gaafu Atoll, offers a luxury 5-star resort experience with two reefs to explore. The house reefs are home to an array of marine life, including sea turtles, sharks, eagle rays, and tropical fish.
Anantara Kihavah
Anantara Kihavah, a 5-star luxury resort in Baa Atoll, is renowned for its underwater restaurant, overwater observatory, and bar. The house reef here is a mix of branching and massive corals, featuring a stunning yellow wall of soft coral on the coral wall drop-off. Anantara Kihavah's house reef invites you to explore coral caves, overhangs, and an underwater restaurant where you can dine while surrounded by the vibrant marine life of the Maldives.
These house reefs are living testaments to the incredible biodiversity and beauty of the Maldives' underwater world. Each offers a unique opportunity to explore and appreciate the wonders of the ocean, making them a paradise for snorkelers and divers alike.