At the moment there are just 59 rooms open, although the full complement of 160 rooms is planned in due course. The rooms are very popular and sold through the main tour operators for Russia (35%), Italy and UK. All-inclusive is not offered, everyone comes on full board basis.

The rooms are in rows or in pairs, their interiors are simple, white, clean and serviced twice a day. 1 bottle of water a day is complimentary. The ones to try to secure are those near to the main bar and restaurant in the centre of the island or those at the northern end of the island, where the only really good beach is (the last one is number 151).

The rooms are mostly on the west side of this long, thin island, the side that looks inside theatoll. The other side, the east side, looks out to the open sea and has not yet been reconstructed. The southern end is very, very close to the next island, Olhuveli resort.

The beaches down the flanks of the island are not great, rather hard and bitty and narrow and the vegetation is often sparse. But at the top (northern) end the beach is very good, a lovely arc of good sand. Most guests gravitate here at some point during the day.

The watersports centre has been placed on this beach and it is pretty active, since it is well-stocked and run by a friendly crew. Along with the usual stuff, there is also jet ski, wake-board and knee boards offered. The resort’s picnic island can be seen in the near distance, so it is tempting to grab some form of transport and get over there for a bit of Robinson Crusoe.

Snorkeling is very good off the long jetty, one of the best in South Male Atoll. Turtles are guaranteed and sharks are frequent visitors. The reef has re-grown surprisingly well. This atoll has not got a great reputation for diving and it has not generally recovered that well from thebleaching events but Fun Island has done well.

The public area is not beautiful to look at, with the old corrugated roofs, the rough ground and sparse vegetation but it is under the roofs that you see the value for money. There are 7 themed buffets a week and everyone is content with the quality. For variety, guests can book a private dinner in any location on the island, or off it on the picnic island.

The bar has sand on the floor and an easy-going atmosphere all day and long into the night (until the last guest leaves). Wifi is free in the bar area and here is where the entertainments are enjoyed - from Maldivian night and an ocean experience night to karaoke, live music and crab racing.

Most resorts are fancier than Fun Island but just about every resort charges more for a holiday in the Maldives. If you are content with the simple and unpretentious, you can’t go far wrong with old Fun Island.