The fact that it hasn’t changed in 30 years means that it has slipped to the bottom of the league of Maldives resorts. That is, in terms of its rooms and buildings, which are maintained at a minimum standard.

On the other hand, the natural environment remains exceptionally good. The snorkeling around the housereef is a permanent joy. The beaches come and go around the island unhindered by man-made attempts to keep it in place and increase it with sand-pumping. The diving in the region is famous for such sites as Kandooma Thila with its dense schools of fish, Kandooma Caves for its soft corals and the Protected Marine Area of Guraidhoo Kandu (a broad, fastchannel).

There is just one restaurant serving buffets and all guests come on full-board basis. The food is unsophisticated but plentiful. The bar is fun and full of people who appreciate just what they have come for - the swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing and relaxing. If you enjoy those aspects and set aside any desire for the designer luxuries that are part and parcel of Maldives resorts now, then you can have an excellent value-for-money holiday on Biyadhoo. Who knows, in the next edition of this guidebook the resort will feature as the latest, fancy, extravagantly expensive resort in the country and classic old Biyadhoo will have gone.