Safari Island

If you are wanting to experience a resort that is absolute paradise with amazing staff then come here. We stayed in a water bungalow which was beautiful and we had direct access to the reef which was stunning. We were fortunate enough to see dolphins and turtles swimming past our accommodation. Our room was kept spotlessly clean by Mussa who did a brilliant job everyday. The food and drink was again fantastic , the food was so tasty and fresh our waiter hassan lateef was very attentive and always made sure we had everything we needed. The pool bar was lovely and Sanjeet who worked there was so friendly and helpfull. The palm bar was a beautiful spot to relax where we often saw rays , sharks and an abundance of sea life. The trip that was also included was great and we would highly recommend, we choose the snorkelling trip and was taken to a beautiful reef. I cannot recommend this place enough absolutely stunning and feels like paradise

We stayed in a water bungalow for 14 nights and there are good points and some not so good as explained in this review. Let’s start with the good….. Check in at resort was good and we were given a cool towel and a welcome drink, documents checked and a brief description of the island and also given a leaflet explaining the resort’s itinerary. Our room wasn’t ready so we were shown to the pool bar to relax and then told to have diner and then our room would be ready. Lunch is served later on a Friday for religious reasons so we didn’t get into our room till 2pm we arrived at 10.00am. The restaurant was bright and very clean and we were welcomed by the head waiter Hassan Latiffe, our table was great we could see all the sea life while enjoying the food. We were shown around the area and drinks were brought to you. Hassan was very attentive and always making sure we were alright and had drinks. Food was varied, hot and labelled which has good for allergies. Sea life was amazing so many different species, sharks, mantra, turtle, too many fish to name. There were herons to watch as well. The BBQ on the beach was really nice and good value for money. The room size was good and the view was amazing we were on the reef side. Sand was soft and easy to walk on. The two main bars were comfortable to sit in and enjoy a drink looking at the scenery. Now for the not so good…. Disappointed at the lack of cleanliness in the room, still rubbish from previous guests under the bed, shower head full of lime scale, towels very worn and frayed. Definitely needs some upgrading on furniture and decking area, sun loungers were starting to come apart. Outside table and chairs would have been a welcome addition to sit outside at night, also a light above the bed for reading. The room gentleman wasn’t that bothered about anything. We found the restriction of only being able to take two cans each of soft drink to stock your fridge and also only two bottles of water in your room a bit strange especially when you are all inclusive. However you could get two cans each time you visited the bar. Always you were charged 7 dollars if you wanted a Latte or Cappuccino. The spa was not very welcoming and there was not the privacy when getting changed and during the treatment. Although we saw a lot of maintenance going on there was definitely a lot more work needed on the walkways. The pool had some work done to it however this was not appealing. We have been lucky enough to visit the Maldives before at an other resort which we feel gave excellent value in comparison to Safari. We would not return to this resort.

I am surprised about the positive reviews about this resort. Any guests that have been to another 4 or 5 star resort in the Maldives would not give this resort good reviews! Please choose another resort and you will have a much better experience! This resort has reasonably good food and many options. However, that is the only positive aspect of this resort. This resort is very old and probably used to be good but the facilities and services have deteriorated over time to a very bad state. Poor management and minimal renovations. Poor services from most staff, they seem tired and uninspired. When approaching the pool and wanting a sun chair and a towel then often no one will help you and you are required to ask for help! No one comes to take orders and you will have to approach the bar!  Almost all jettis are in a terrible shape and poorly repairs have been done. The same with the balconies on all Vilas. One plank on our balcony broke when I stepped on it and could have caused me an injury but luckily a beam under stopped my foot. It is just a matter of time until there will be a serious accident on one of the jetties (if not already happened).  The bathrooms have non luxury Maldives standard. Looks like a bathroom in a cheaper hotel. Same with the Vilas, outdated and worn out furnitures Poor internet. Long periods with no access. Poor lightning and no reading lights in the Vilas. Poor shading on the balcony with a static non flexible umbrella. Impossible to spend time on the balcony when the sun comes lower.  Plastic cheap sun chairs and furniture are used and have no place in a luxurious Maldivian resort!  I have been to many much better resorts in the Maldives and never experienced a resort that changes for drinking water! Resorts usually produce their own drinking water and avoids handling and transportation of water bottles (bad for the environment and bad for Maldives) The pool is also in a bad shape and needs renovation. The question is why hasn't the necessary repairs and renovations been done?

It was overall great and super relaxing experience, the staff was kind and cheerful, well most of them 😄, the pillows we're not good but we slept like babies. I'd go there again. Thanks to Githu, the reception hero, he really made feel welcomed and he was very helpful. Happy new year 🎊

I travelled to this idyllic island on 25th November for 2 weeks with my husband and we are genuinely gutted to be home. Total paradise. This was our second trip to the Maldives. Sea Plane We arrived by seaplane which was exhilarating! Smooth take off and landing, very noisy, but the most incredible views of the various islands of the Maldives and a real taste of what was to come. Arrival On arrival we were greeted by kind and welcoming staff who sat us down, provided us with a cool fruit drink and talked us through the set up of the resort and the meal times. I can’t place his name but he was absolutely lovely. He proceeded to walk us through the island, giving us information on the way to our Over Water Bungalow. Beautiful manicured pathways, with powdery white sand, gorgeous palm trees and other planted canopies towering above us. The sound of the birds following us as we walked. Truly dreamy. Room Our room was gorgeous and exactly how it was shown on the website/various social media sites. Large room, high ceilings, decent wardrobe space ( 2 wardrobes with lots of shelves), a safe, a fridge, fab rain shower. Just ideal. The deck and the view was the real showstopper. We were in room 168 which had a sunrise view ( Perfect for me as I love the early start and waking up with the sun and a cup of coffee). The water was like bath water – warm and crystal clear. A real joy to swim in. *Do take reef shoes or fins – although it wasn’t too sharp underfoot, there are certain areas of dead coral that would hurt to be trodden on. Location The island itself is small and idyllic. Every angle of the island is just stunning. No photo would do it justice. It is like watching Lost. The greenery, the floury white sand, the turquoise, teal and blues of the sea, the magnificent white stilted bar and restaurant, the cool and quirky pool bar. Just unbelievable. It’s also a beautiful walk around the island – there is no ugly side whatsoever. You will find it hard to put your phone/camera down as every angle is truly picturesque. Bars/drinks The Palm bar is lovely and spacious, clean and airy with full panoramic views of the reef and beach. Outside on the deck in the daytime is extremely hot – be warned, but inside you get a lovely breeze and can still see the sealife below if you sit on one of the tables around the edge. The Pool bar was a haven of relaxation under the canopies of palm trees and the beautiful blue pool with dragonflies hovering above it, bats flying overhead and tiny little Waterhens popping up on your sunbed to say hello. Of an evening this place changes into a cool rainforest vibe, with low subtle lighting and a really relaxing atmosphere. Perfect for a pre-dinner drink. The Sundown bar, located near the over water bungalows and Thai Spa was a beauty spot from 5pm-630 to watch the breathtaking sunsets on the island. The perfect way to end a day of snorkelling, lounging about or simply sunbathing. Food The food at Safari was, in our opinion, excelle

Pros: absolutely stunning, paradise, dinning over the water for all, great beach bungalow, wonderful staff, really good food, no children, overwater bar, sharks. Cons: house reef not as good as we’re used to, cappuccino/latte not included in AI. Sandflies We a couple in our late 50’s. We have been to 9 different Maldive islands, over a period of 14 years. Some more than once. They include Vilamendoo, Komandoo, Angaga, Vilareef, Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, Smart Line, Filthieyo. Also to Raaha but that had no house reef but there was an offer we couldn’t refuse. So my review is based on the comparable experiences from the above. The price of the holiday was average. The size of the island was very small. Just how we like it. The beauty of the island was the best so far. Simply stunning whatever direction you looked. Sand the texture of flour, corral raked up every day. No shoes no news (apart from the jetties which get extremely hot). The huge plus for us was the restaurant and bar right out over the water. Absolutely fantastic! Never had this luxury before. It’s only been available for a la carte or water villa guests. It’s so much cooler than the island, catching a nice breeze. Honestly don’t need to snorkel to see sharks and rays because you see so much in the water while dining. Just amazing experience. There is only one restaurant so this is for everyone no matter what room type as is the bar. The overwater bar is fabulous for shark and ray watching too and is never busy (don’t know why). The staff here are so lovely. The food at Safari was excellent. Unfortunately lattes and cappuccinos are not included in the AI. $7 inc tax and service charge (26%) for a latte. We had a beach bungalow which is our preference. Ours was on the lagoon side (opposite side to welcome jetty and boats) with very open views to the beach (another plus for us). I really don’t think there is a bad room on the island apart from one or two that were loosing their beach due to the time of year (November). Some are tucked into the greenery more than others particularly on the opposite side to ours. The bungalows are very big and although dated (forgotten after the first day) have very good facilities. The bathrooms are inside and although we loved the traditional outdoor bathrooms, in door is actually much more practical. Our room boy Ashraf, is excellent and goes out of his way to make sure you have everything you need. Best service we have had anywhere. We haven’t seen any children on the island (another plus for us). There is little or no night time entertainment but that also suits us. Now the house reef has always been our number one priority. But the house reef at Safari island isn’t the best by far. In fact I have to admit it was disappointing compared to other islands we’ve been to. It has obviously taken a real hit and the coral and fish are certainly not in abundance. The coral further down the drop off is beautiful but that’s more for diving not snor