Athurugau Island

9 readers found this review helpful

This Island is Paradise, the epitome of what a luxury holiday should be. They say of the Maldives "No shoes, no blues" and here it is certainly true. All inclusive means exactly that, the only money you can spend is on diving, which we did lots of with the superb Crab Dive Centre who are friendly efficient and very safety conscious, or on souvenirs.
Everything else was included, from water sports (except diving) free sun lotion, cigarettes, mini-bar, cocktails and all other drinks even the laundry service came free - imagine that! There is a resident doctor on call 24 hours, and yes even her services are free!
The dive sites are spectacular, the coral colours amazing and they have a Manta point, and another site where Hammer Heads are frequently seen. The best diving we have done so far. (advanced open water 150 dives logged) The house reef is superb for diving and snorkeling with an abundance of rich corals and fantastic variety of fish and marine life.
The food was out of this world with a vast choice. There was a short entertainment programme each evening at 10pm for those who wanted it and the 'animation team' were excellent. They organised crab racing, quiz nights and other fun activities, but never so over the top that it intruded on guests wishing a quieter time. Throughout the day if you ran into staff they were cheerful and helpful and even managed to remember your name, (there are only 100 guests on this small island, that's when it is full and it always is).
You do need to book very early as the secret is out) Don't let the fact that it is Italian owned put you off. The Italians exact very high standards so why not take advantage and join them; they are a very friendly race. Each night the kitchen staff would come down to the beach with the trimmings from the fresh fish and the sting rays would be waiting to be fed some came right up onto the beach.
The dining room waiters were into origami, and kept leaving little gifts on the table of paper fish, birds or flowers it was such a charming touch.
Returning to our villa after each idyllic day we were delighted by the way our bed had been prepared for us with exquisite pleats and folds in the sheets and decorated with petals, not just once or twice but every night.
This Island is reasonably priced; we have paid more for a far far inferior product.
Can't praise Athuruga highly enough.