As expected from an island within a marine biosphere reserve, the initial impact of the Maldives Vakkaru Resort on me was this incredibly rare natural environment.
Right next to the water villa is the Blue Hole! Jumping directly from the water villa into the authentic marine ecosystem is truly incomparable to any artificial aquarium.
As a diving enthusiast, this deep immersion in nature made me genuinely understand the way humans coexist and live symbiotically with nature.
✨ Diving Guide
✅ The waters around Vakkaru Resort have multiple natural Blue Holes, with snorkeling mainly at the two on either side of the water villas.
✅ The Blue Hole is about 15 meters deep, with a diverse terrain from shallow sandy beaches to coral gardens and then to deep blue waters. Coral reefs abound, fish swim around, as if entering an underwater otherworld. The underwater visibility is excellent, allowing you to experience the magic of the underwater garden with the naked eye.
✅ If you bring your own snorkeling gear, you can enter the water directly from the water villa, but be sure to wear the life jacket provided in the room.
✅ If you don’t have equipment, no worries—you can rent from the dive center and have an instructor guide you around to the best spots, then explore on your own. Snorkeling gear can be kept until checkout.
✅ The Blue Hole to the south is larger; once in the water, you can see nurse sharks chasing small fish and various fish storms. There are also resident sea turtles outside the Blue Hole, but you need sharp eyes to spot them.
✅ The Blue Hole to the north is smaller, but you can climb onto the longtail beach on the outer side for great photos.
✅ Snorkeling is recommended in the morning when the sunlight is gentle, the water is highly transparent, and the light effects are dreamy.
✨ Special Reminder
Always wear a life jacket! Always wear a life jacket! Always wear a life jacket! Especially for those without diving experience!
Respect nature and prioritize safety.
✨ Other Must-Experience Activities
✅ At sunrise, sharks chase small fish near the beach. No need to get in the water; you can watch this documentary-like scene from the boardwalk.
✅ Stingrays patrol the shallow waters around the water villas and sometimes bury themselves in the sand.
✅ Vakkaru Resort is home to the Maldives’ “Big Three Island Birds” — the heron, the white-bellied sea eagle, and the crow, plus bats, which is quite interesting.
✅ A morning walk on the beach reveals countless hermit crabs, and I even saw two crabs fighting over a bigger shell.
✅ The island’s dive center is PADI certified. Certified divers can sign up for deep dive trips to many spots nearby to see stingrays, sharks, and sea turtles.
✨ Practical Tips
☀️ Sunscreen: Water washes away sunscreen, and it’s also harmful to marine life. Wearing a long-sleeve wetsuit for physical sun protection is more eco-friendly.
🚫 Do not feed or touch: This is a nature reserve, so let the marine life remain natural.