Hotel Romantik di Dhigurah

I am a keen snorkeller, coming to the Maldives for some 30 years to 12 islands but 18 times to Vakarufalhi (rebranded 2 years ago as Nova) for the fantastic reef and beautiful island. The island has made many good changes, with improved food, villas and bathrooms. The friendliest staff ever. However, seaplane pontoons have been moved next to the island and dhoni boats replaced with speedboats driven at speed. There is more noise from 6.00am onwards and almost daily evening music means light sleepers will need earplugs. There are 2 boat channels at the side of the East and West jetties, historically giving snorkelling and diving access to the reef. If the weather is windy and choppy on one side it is usually calmer on the other so both sides are needed and it is perfectly possible to snorkel right round the island. The wake from the speedboats and the speed are a problem for snorkellers. Complaints from us and several guests resulted in us being forbidden to use the boat channels and being told to use the end of the East jetty and to access the west through the seawalls that protect the island. This latter instruction is dangerous especially at low tide when we have seen many snorkellers stranded on the shallow lagoon rocks. Historically instructions were never to try to access the reef through the walls. Access off the East jetty is difficult for beginners and cautious snorkellers and the reef around here is getting damaged by people standing on the coral. This island has one of the best house reefs, it is not dead but bleached. There are plenty of fish, sharks, rays and turtles but it is obvious to us that management does not value this or snorkellers-only what brings in Dollars. So, with great sadness, this was our last visit and we cannot recommend it to other snorkellers any more.