The channels give divers every chance to see the top predators: sharks, barracuda and tuna as well as mantas and whale sharks in season. One of the finest thilas anywhere, Helengeli Thila, is just 6 minutes from the island.
The housereef is much better for diving than for snorkeling. Black tip reef sharks, rays, groupers and octopuses are a few of the highlights during the day. At night, the lobster cave comes alive. Although the housereef is close to shore all around the island, the channel currents and the open ocean at one end mean the area for relaxing snorkeling is really just down and beyond one half of one side, where the beach and trailing sand bar is. The fish life is very good but the coral growth is a little disappointing.
The best all inclusives are lively, friendly and fun places that keep going long into the evening. Both the guests and the staff are more relaxed where there is no issue of tracking expenditures or signing for everything. Whether OBlu becomes one of the best Maldives all inclusives we’ll have to see but Atmosphere do have some experience in this popular and growing segment of the market. Atmosphere at Kanifushi is gaining a good reputation as a premium all inclusive.
Kanifushi is 2 kilometres long with 132 villas and suites. Here on little Helengeli the room count is going up from 51 to 114. One very clever way they have achieved this is by building Lagoon Villas in an area that has no beach and was formerly closed off to guests. Now the rooms are built into the lagoon with their entry from the land. Facing northwest the sunset should be visible from most decks and their plunge pools. Steps from the deck will put you right into the lagoon and close to the housereef.
On the same side of the island, mostly at the bottom end where the beach is, are the Deluxe Beach Villas. Like the Lagoon Villas, these are all semi-detached. On the other side of the island are the few Beach Villas. There isn’t much of a beach on this side but the lovely sand bar is just a very short walk away.
The rooms look to be pleasant, modern and light-filled. They should be a calm retreat from the action in the water and around the pool, bar and restaurants. This public area is set right in the narrow middle of the island. This is usually the heart of a resort and particularly of all inclusives. I’m looking forward to seeing how it is put together and just how good the communal buzz is. Maldives all inclusive holidaysare getting more and more popular so there are more such resorts being built. In the end the competition is all about value for money and OBlu looks like it could be a winner there.