I enjoy Diving and Windsurfing. Please look at my reviews and rate them. Thanks to all who have help...
I enjoy Diving and Windsurfing. Please look at my reviews and rate them. Thanks to all who have helped me get my green dot now for the blue and look out for pictures now i can post them Ian
Member since:21.01.2006
Reviews:12
Members who trust:1
This review is based purely on our holiday to Komandoo in February 2007 There are many different islands offering many different holidays. For a impartial view on all holidays I suggest you buy RESORTS oF THE MALDIVES by Adrian Neville 3rd edition is now out After visiting Komandoo last year everyone was raving about Vakarufalhi or Vakaru as it is also known read on to see if its as good as we thought, the 2 islands are owned by the same people
Tour Operator Hayes and Jarvis Price £1730 Each 14 days Feb 2007 Board Basis Full Board Alternative Operator is Airtours slightly cheaper but more cramped airplane
Flight Operator First Choice Airlines Star Class (cattle class to you and me) Upgrade to Premium Star Class is about £295 Flight FCA040 Outbound FCA041 Inbound but these have since changed Flight time Outbound 9.5 to 10hours Inbound 11 to 11.5 hours Flight type Direct nonstop Airport UK London Gatwick LGW Airport Maldives Male MLE We travelled in Star class outbound and premium on the inbound i will talk about this later
Currency Maldivian Rufiyaa set at 12.75 to the $ but US Dollars and Major Credit Cards accepted. Our advise is take dollars for tips Roomboys, waiter bar staff and beach boys etc and use credit card to settle bill and at the airport as you get the international exchange rate which will be better than the £/$ exchange rate on the dayIsland Vakaru is a small island to the South-west of the capital Male on the South ari atoll about 95km Approximately 45 minutes seaplane and a 15 minute boat ride to the island from the airport There are 50 rooms on the island all the same called Superiour Beach Bungalows The inner path ways are lined
with vegetation bushes flowers and trees, they are execptionally well maintained and very attractive to look at. The beach for the majority is powder soft white sand and you can walk around the island without shoes although there are a few rough patches the no shoes rule goes here The staff are well trained and efficient
Accomodation: We stayed in room 130 which is near the south jetty and it is great if you want to watch the dhonis coming and going. The rooms are made out of concrete blocks and rendered there is a wooden roof thatched with local leaves, they are all the same and are spaced out equally around the island, There is a dressing table with Hugh mirror over and minibar under, a wooden wardrobe 2 doors for hanging and 1 with shelves, Large King size bed, 2 comfy chairs and a coffee table, a couple of bedside tables with a shelf below and draws and a large chair in one corner. The bathroom had only 1 sink so no his and hers on this island a large mirror toilet shaver point and bath with shower over it and an open air shower too with a tropical garden to break up the stone work. Being honest it needs an update and very soon as it is looking very tired I understand that there are ants lizards etc on the island are the norm but Cockroaches are rife and to me unacceptable every night we had atleast 2 in the bathroom or room
Food and Drink: The Island has many different board basis depending on the nationality of the guests. For the British guests anout 20% the board basis is Full Board or All Inclusive. There were guests from Switzerland 5% and Germany accounting for a 70% who were on full boad basis. This year we tried Full Board to see what it cost for drinks and i will list them later in this section. The upgrade to A/I from F/B is about $42.00p/p/p/d or £650 for 2 for 2 weeks or about $1200 The food was varied and of a high quality everyday although it was not as varied as some of the larger resorts and my main complaint was it was never piping hot. Each evening there wasa chef cooking a special dish which was hot There was enough variety to keep us happy for 2 weeks and on every Wednesday there is a Set Menu one is free the other costs $20.00 each where you can choose Tiger Prawns, King Prawns, Ribeye or T-Bone, Salmon or Tuna. There were set tables meaning you satat the same table all holiday. Every guest is able to have a meal on the beach outside your room complementry and again there is a free option for the set meals or an upgraded meal which is chargeable T-Bone and Lobster are 2 of the chargeable options.
The bar was quiet and there was little entertainment. Again all inclusive guests could drink local brands of drinks for free but watch out as international brands are not included also the Bloody Mary is not included but have a Vodka and tomato juice and it is on the all inclusive. Happy hour between 7 and 8 every evening and you get 20% of selected alcohol OK prices all in dollars 1.5ltr water $2.50 Coke Sprite or Fanta Tonic etc $2.50 Beer $3.50 House Wine $4.00 red is terrible Spirits $4.50 except Brandy which was $6.00 Cocktails $8.00 to $9.50 MInibar prices were slightly higher about $0.50 for some items
Activities: -Trips For such a small island there were many trips on offer. Visits to local island, Robinson cruso island, Meal on Island, Visit other resort Islands, Dolphin trip and sunset cruise, some trips had to wait until the minimum number of people had put their names down and reception contact you to let you know the trip is on but reception is the place to look as the trips are advertised there There are various activities to join in if you wish and you can even paly football with the staff in the afternoons. -Diving There is a very good dive centre on vakaru run by Petra. Check in at 6pm on day of arrival for the tour of the dive centre so when you go to the orientation dive the next day its kit up and in you go. There are 3 centres run by Prodivers in the Maldives they are Komandoo - Kuredu - Vakarufalhi visit www.prodivers.com for more information on prices The dive sites are very good and the South Ari Atoll is known for its diving Once again Nitrox is free so it is worth taking your nitrox course before you travel or when you get there. One con is the orientation dive which you must take before you dive anywhere else and you have to pay for it. The dive centre offers 2 or 3 dives a day and at least 2 boats go out every time. Special dives are advertised well in advance Manta point, 2 tank dives and full day diving too. The centre is very flexible and if you want to do a specific dive just ask You get discount after year one when you use prodivers!!! -Watersports The dive centre operates the watersports centre too and whatever pboard basis you are on all items are chargeable. there are Windsurfers from beginner to intermediate 3 boards Hifly Primo 240 litre Magnum 187 litre and Maxx 164 litre 4 sails a 3.5, 4.0 5.x and 6.3 again all Hifly WIndsurfing costs$15.00/Hr $35.00 for 3 hours $60.00 for full day or $140.00 for a weeks unlimited use. You can windsurf in the lagoon at high tide at low tide you can still stay in the lagoon but you need to go around the sothside where ther is less coral. Getting out to the ocean is a bit difficult as theres 2 exits one south one north. You will not be able to go out anywhere else as the coral is too tall There are also canoes and kayacks to use aswell
Beauty Spa The Duniye spa "Duniye means world in Dehivehi" is situated near to room 146 on the North-West side of the island. There are many lotions potions and treatments on offer. Makesure you dont miss an appointment as you will be charged if you dont turn up but you can cancell upto 6 hours before with no charge or 0 to 6 hours for a 50% charge
Sea Life: The fish are varied and the snorkelling is good on Vakaru The best areas are near the north jetty and by the sea wall There are gaps in the sea wall so you can get to the reef edge Please be aware there is a very strong current traveling length ways along the island and you should not attempt to snorkel alone or without flippers/fins.
Summary of Vakaru Did we like it no, compared to Komandoo it was not as good and being more expensive we meaning Jen, myself and two other couples were expectinng something a little bit special but it disappointed us
Weather: There are 2 distinct monsoons North-East December to April and South-West May to November the latter has the wetter windy weather Temperature typically is 26-30 'c but we saw 40's this year Suncream should always be worn even on a cloudy day The best months are January to March giving the least rainfall We had no rainy days in February 2007 and only half a day of cloud
Airport and Duty Free Male International airport is a small airport built in the sea just off the main island Male It has a few shops but it is undergoing major developement. Additional 3 boarding gates and new shops are appearing The prices for Feb 2007 200 Cigerettes were about $18.00 and 400 were $34.00 Malbro Lites are now available. Rolling Tabacco $19.00 for 5 x 50gm The Spirits are cheap and usually these is an offer on Gordons GinSmirnoff Vodka and Teachers Wiskey buy 2 get 1 free works out abour £6.50 per litre with the free bottle been the same for 5 years now a perfume shop but small and not always got what you want so try gatwick instead on outbound flight to save disappointment There is a watch shop where you can buy Rado, Gucci etc at good prices I got a watch worth £1400 in the UK for £850 you need to haggle hard and keep to your guns Siffani Jewelery Shop which has ties in Sri Lanka are good but the guys do a hard sell There is a snacky shop crisps drinks etc A book shop selling books amd posters on the maldives An electrical shop selling diving watches/computers, dvd players There is also a cafe if you feel peckish before your flight and a shop selling belts ties a bit like tierack
First Choice Upgrade On our return flight we had upgraded to premium class and for the extra money you get a 9" screen instead of a 7" screen a few extra games and films and drinks all flight The seats are the same size but the pitch is more meaning they tilt back more. Te only thing bad about this when you try to get out of your seat if the person infront is fully tilted back it is difficult
Website www.Vakaru.com is the islands website with contact email for questions
Look Out For Be sure to look out for my reviews of Paradise Island, Lily Beach, Meedhuparu and Komandoo
Note I have tried to keep the information impartial and as correct as possible
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Good review,will definately give that one a miss.Try Lohifushi ,when we were there it was due for a refurb having sustained some tsunami damage.Its a real surfers island & as they get up at the crack of dawn to catch the surf it gets very deserted and feels like your the only ones there.It is more basic but as our third trip to Maldives we were impressed with the value for money aspect.
Jamie73 28.03.2007 20:57
Very good review ,with lots of information to help too!
MALDIVEDIVER 22.02.2007 19:12
I have to give an E for this because all the info I need to know is in your review- very detailed- I am glad I have read this as this was on our list to visit, but maybe not now- for the price you paid I would expect a little more too.
I have done a review on Adrian's book ( 3rd edition) its very good I agree= from a fellow maldive Diver- Mary
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Feb 20th, 2007
exceptional by (10%):
very helpful by (90%):
