Athuruga, Maldives Review

Overall Rating

Small under-crowded island with an excellent house reef, wonderful Italian cuisine, superb staff and plenty of watery things to do should you want them. As a dollar economy, any extra trips etc. are good value for Europeans.

None for us but xenophobes should note that Italian guests predominate, as does the Italian way of life. This means children may be around but invariably well-behaved.

We've visited a number of islands in the past but at last we've found the one we'll stick to. To an Anglo/Italian couple the prospect of a good Italian restaurant on a Maldivian island sounded like paradise and it was.

Bungalows, single or semi, are large, well air conditioned and equipped with a fridge and a safe. Outside shower and loo is shared with (non-biting) ants from time to time. Nothing extravagant but all very comfortable and we slept well. Good line in freebie sun creams supplied. We had a semi-attached bungalow but no adverse neighbourly noises were evident.

Dining room is very elegant for the Maldives with a tiled floor, it was beautifully light and airy. We defy you to find better food anywhere at this price but then Italians are really picky about their nosh. No fast food here. Nor does all-inclusive mean rubbish wine; on the contrary all drinks were excellent as was the service.

Simple beach bar, plus nice lounge area, with small stage for Italian style night entertainment which will either amuse or bemuse!

The house reef snorkeling is brilliant and additional trips to other sites are available. I am told that the diving facilities are also excellent but I have no personal experience of this.

A major difference on an Italian managed island is that the 'animation' team of young people are employed to make your life easy. For instance, they not only taught you how to snorkel but also provided a biologist to accompany you and point out what is what. There was a brilliant professional keyboard player/singer and of course a resident doctor. There's also a spa, of which we know nothing, and even someone to clean your sunglasses as you lay on the sunbed!

Compared to some all-inclusive islands we know, Aruthuga is very quiet. Italians prefer espresso to alcohol, so round the clock boozing and late night antics are non-existent. Maybe the savings on booze go on the food! Overall, there's a very warm, friendly, almost family atmosphere, there's plenty to do or nothing to do and you can either find a crowd or get lost on your own. Just perfect!

Please note that some re-shaping of the Island by wind and sea was ongoing and you might wish check the state of play regarding running repairs and shifting sands. This applies to many islands.