Kuredu holidays

Arriving by seaplane, you’ll get your first glimpse of Kuredu’s sugar-white powdery beaches and sparkling turquoise lagoon from above. Villas and bungalows line the coast amid the palm trees to make up Kuredu Island Resort and Spa. Once on land, you can stroll barefoot around the sun-soaked perimeter within about an hour – or you can simply flop in the nearest sandy spot.

Underwater activities are extremely popular here. A quick snorkel off the beach can find you passing graceful turtles, manta rays and colourful tropical fish. The surrounding reefs have made Kuredu a hotspot for diving as well, and the onsite PADI dive centre – Prodivers – caters for all abilities.

With sun, sea, sand and sports all on tap, a Kuredu holiday is perfect for a family getaway. Popular activities include beach volleyball, tennis and kitesurfing. There’s also a kids’ club with babysitters on hand so parents can enjoy some downtime, as well as a watersports centre with everything an active teen could hope for.

Then, of course, there’s the romance. The Maldives never fails to deliver for all sorts of romantic getaways, from anniversaries to honeymoons. Kuredu is perfect for couples: think private meals for two on the beach, snorkelling hand in hand around the lagoon, and watching gorgeous sunsets from the sandy shores.

When it comes to mealtimes, Kuredu has a decent bar crawl’s worth of places to eat and drink. All-you-can-eat buffets are the focus, but you’ll have the option to choose from Mediterranean, Asian or freshly caught seafood at the à la carte restaurants, too.

The best time to for a holiday to Kuredu is between November and mid-March when there are consistent blue skies and low humidity. Temperatures hover around 28C and January, in particular, has dry weather. Of course, this is peak season, so visits to the island are at their most expensive.

Unless you have your heart set on them, avoid Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Yes, there are special events and flamboyant decorations, but prices are steep. You can enjoy a cheaper holiday – and have just as much fun – by going once the festivities are over.

From May to early November, Kuredu sees its highest rainfall, while temperatures remain in the high 20s. Holidays at this time don’t have to be a wash-out – you can still snorkel, dive and eat to your heart’s content whatever the weather. But, if it's guaranteed sun you’re after – it’s best to wait until winter.

While doing a lot of nothing is often top of the list in Kuredu, the resort has plenty to keep more active folk entertained. Take boat trips to see the local culture, jump in the aquamarine sea, or stay on land to enjoy the island’s many sporting activities.

Diving and snorkelling

Surrounded by more than 60 dive sites and with an acclaimed PADI dive centre, Kuredu caters to all divers, from experts to complete beginners. And, what a place to learn! Reefs are teeming with marine life and the water is warm enough to make wetsuits optional.

Daily boat trips whisk you from site to site, with a good chance of seeing manta rays, turtles, and reef sharks. If strapping on a tank doesn’t appeal, there’s plenty to see from the surface level instead (and the centre will kit you out with snorkel gear).

Watersports

Underwater worlds aside, Kuredu has one of the largest watersports centres in the Maldives, so there’s plenty to do with your head above the surface. Sail a catamaran, kayak around the island, or hold on tight as your banana boat skips over the ocean.

On windy days, kiteboarding and windsurfing are also popular (again, there are instructors on hand for beginners). Alternatively, choose something more peaceful, such as paddle boarding or hiring a pedalo for two.

Island hopping

If one paradise island doesn’t seem enough, hop on a boat trip and discover even more. Komandoo is another top resort for snorkelling, and you can encounter modern Maldivian culture on one of the manu other islands.

Naifaru, Lhaviyani Atoll’s capital, is a popular choice to see daily life. Or, there’s Kurendhoo where you can meet locals and shop for traditional handicrafts.

Duniye Spa

Maldives holidays are all about being pampered, so at least one trip to Kuredu’s spa is a must. There are two idyllic settings to choose from – the land spa – surrounded by palm trees – or the O spa – set on stilts overlooking the ocean. Any worries or stresses will soon be forgotten with a Balinese or Maldivian massage.

To relax, try a signature treatment that uses fresh coconut picked in the Maldives, or a romantic ginger and lemongrass couples massage to revive tired bodies.

Golf

For those of you who like to take a swing or two, Kuredu is home to a small golf course, which includes six par-three holes, a driving range and a putting green.

If you’d like advice on technique, the resident golf pro is only too happy to assist. While its size might not satisfy avid golfers, the exotic backdrop nevertheless makes it a unique and beautiful place to get that hole in one.