At some point in the future, then, it is likely to rise steeply in quality and price but at present it remains an excellent choice for an economical diving and snorkelling holiday.

The island has one of the best resort house reefs. It is close to shore almost all the way around, with lots of coral growth inside the lagoon as well as down the drop-off. There’s also good topographical variety to the reef. The diving in the region is famous for sites such as Kandooma Thila with dense schools of fish, Kandooma Caves with soft corals and the Protected Marine Area of Guraidhu Kandu (a broad channel).

The beach comes and goes around the island but there is plenty for everyone and good opportunities to find your own hideaway beach between the palms and bushes. There are few other resorts with coconut palms taller or more dense than they are here.

The decline of the resort in the last few years of the previous owners has been turned around with good maintenance and the upgrading and restyling of interiors. The infrastructure remains essentially the same, with accommodation in 6 two-storey blocks of 8 rooms above and 8 below. The corner rooms are slightly larger and will take 3 or 4 beds for a family. The blocks are all beach fronting with decent shade cover.

There is just the one restaurant serving buffets and set menus to the guests who all come on full-board basis. The main bar is close by and faces the sunset, while a second, more distant bar has been set up as an evening music venue.

Review updated 31 October 2011