Resort Islands

Angaga Island Resort & Spa 

For the natural things Maldives has to offer, Angaga is lucky indeed. Palms, Beach, Lagoon, Snorkeling and Diving are all first class here.

Ass to this quiet, laid back atmosphere and you can see why it's a big hit with the Swiss and German clientele. The one downside is that the interior design and build is not nearly up to the standards of its natural setting.

In a time when more and more resort beaches are getting help from groynes and walls, Angaga's beach still goes all around unobstructed, pure and fine. There is some evidence that the added water bungalows might change things but it's not happening yet. With a soft, sandy lagoon on one side and good shade on the other, this is really a beach to savour.

 Beach Bungalows

The 50 Beach Bungalow make much use of bamboo and plywood for a differentiation, and the main lighting is from fluorescent tubes (we wish this tubes are changed. The shower is large, though, and the water pressure high. As you can see from the below picture, the best part is the cool, dim verandah outside, with its Maldivian swing.

 Water Villa

The 20 Water Villas also lack style and quality but they do at least have a lovely sandy-bottomed lagoon for swimming. Those facing northwards don't catch too much sun on their verandah but the reef is accessible. The other face south for the daytime sun.

It looks a bit odd, when the dive base is the only place with a painted tin roof (we wish that its temporary), completely out of keeping with the other buildings, which are all attractively thatched. On the other hand, diving is excellent at Angaga. And the dive base has English, Japanese, German speaking Dive-Instructors.

The reef drop-off runs close by for two thirds of the island - just check the direction of the current for a drift snorkel from the jetty. One direction will take you all the way around to the steps of the sunset bar, at the end of the water villas. The coral life is OK but the fish life is excellent. "There are loads of turtles, we've stopped photographing them", said one happy snorkeler. "we got buzzed by four white tip reef sharks last night, at the change of shift".

Another highlight is the dining, especially at night, with candlelit tables with sand underfoot below the arched, thatched roof. The plates are big and so is the buffet selection. Chefs line up to serve and cook at the live stations. The spread is fantastic.

If you're not put off by style issues or you don't intend to spend much time indoors anyway, Angaga is really a lovely island - very pretty, very quiet, with a great beach and fine snorkelling.