Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guide for Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa - Maldives Purple Travel Guide
The Maldives have many great resorts and choosing the right one is difficult. Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa is one of the best and it has wonderful overwater bungalows. We provide detailed information and we show lots of photos so you know what you can expect.
The Maldives have no shortage of fantastic resorts which offer overwater bungalows, beach bungalows or cheaper rooms with garden views. Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa is a luxury resort that excels in its natural beauty and fantastic staff.
Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa only accepts visitor arrivals by seaplane from Trans Maldivian Airways. There is a small floating landing pad that is shared with two other resorts in the ocean near the resort. Visitors will disembark the seaplane onto the landing pad, which has handrails for safety and are then being picked up by boats from their respective resorts. Staff will load the checked luggage from the seaplane onto the boats.
0 = Seaplane Landing Pad
As seaplane transfers are different from flights with regular airplanes, please read up on our article on how seaplane transfers with Trans Maldivian Airways work.
Room Types at the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
The resort has various overwater bungalows (the resort calls them Villas), some with sunset views, and several types of beach bungalows. Some Beach Villas have views on a seawall that protects the island from erosion.
The available room types and their locations are shown here:
Have you ever wanted to stay in an overwater bungalow? Do you crave some privacy and prefer a stand-alone overwater bungalow over a duplex? Then you may want to consider one of the Reethi Muraka Overwater Villas. Details about each room type can be found on the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa website. In this Maldives Purple Travel Guide we review only the Reethi Muraka Overwater Villas.
Reethi Muraka Overwater Villas at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
The Reethi Muraka Overwater Villas are one of the best deals at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa. They are stand-alone overwater bungalows and they only have space for two adults. You enter the bungalow and go into the large bedroom with a king-sized bed in the center. The view from the bed is over the wooden deck and water either on some other bungalows for the northern bungalows or the water sports area (which limits the privacy) for the southern bungalows. The bed is equipped with a mosquito net, which is not really needed as the island and each room is treated against mosquitoes daily. The quality of the furnishings is high and you will barely notice any signs of wear. The room has a large flat-screen TV, coffee/tea maker, fridge with the mini-bar inside, and a quiet and efficient air conditioner. Behind the bedroom is a large bathroom, which is connected to the bedroom by two doors and a large central open which can be closed. The bathroom has a shower, bathtub, toilet room with natural ventilation, separate sinks hair dryer, bathrobes, slippers, beach towels, safety vests, ceiling fans, safe, iron and ironing board, and large wardrobes. Toiletries are provided.
The deck has two depressions with lounge cushions in them, a staircase to access the water and a wood-framed hammock at the end that hangs over the ocean and that you can relax in.
Aqua Bar is where you will be greeted upon arrival and where the front desk is. It is located across the boardwalk from the Azzuri Mare - Italian Restaurant. Here you can enjoy alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and cocktails. The bar has beautiful views of the ocean and the water sports area and the boardwalk with overwater bungalows. Aqua Bar is open from 10am – 10pm.
Coral Bar and Lounge at the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
The Coral Bar and Lounge is located next to the Reef restaurant and the swimming pool. In the same building, but next to the bar is the room where High Tea is served for all-inclusive customers and where the pool tables are (upstairs). Here you can enjoy alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and cocktails while listening to music. The bar has some views of the ocean and the pool. Coral Bar and Lounge is open from 10am – midnight.
High tea is served for all-inclusive guests in a room next to Coral Bar and Lounge from 3:30pm – 4:30pm.
Fish feeding takes place outside Coral Bar and Lounge at 6pm.
Restaurants at the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa has three restaurants and The Club, which is its own resort in a resort.
Reef Restaurant at the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
The Reef Restaurant is a buffet restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The cost of the food is included in your room rate, unless you choose half-board, which excludes lunch (see Meal Plans here). There is a different theme every day of the week for the food that is served, which repeats on a weekly basis. As most resort visitors come from China these days, you will always find some Chinese dishes on the menu. You have beautiful views of the ocean and pool from the restaurant.
Opening times are:
Breakfast: 7am – 10am
Lunch: noon – 2:30pm
Dinner: 7pm – 10pm with live music from 7:15pm – 9pm
Azzuri Mare - Italian Restaurant at the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
This Italian restaurant serves pizza, various pastas, and other Italian dishes. It is only open for lunch and dinner. Depending on the dining experience that you have booked (all-inclusive or full/half board), your meal and drinks (incl. some alcoholic beverages) will be free or you will need to pay for the food (see Meal Plans here). Appetizers, entrées, and appetizers, each typically cost US$20 and up. Your table in this restaurant needs to be booked in advance, ideally at least 24h prior, because available times can fill up quickly.
Opening times are:
Lunch: noon – 2:30pm
Dinner: 7pm – 10pm
Suan Bua - Thai Restaurant at the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
This Thai restaurant serves a variety of Thai dishes (including curry dishes and Pad Thai), and some Chinese dishes. It is only open for lunch and dinner. Depending on the dining experience that you have booked (all-inclusive or full/half board), your meal and drinks (incl. some alcoholic beverages) will be free or you will need to pay for the food (see Meal Plans here). Appetizers, entrées, and appetizers, each typically cost US$20 and up. Your table in this restaurant needs to be booked in advance, ideally at least 24h prior, because available times can fill up quickly.
Opening times are:
Lunch: noon – 2:30pm
Dinner: 7pm – 10pm
Snorkeling, Diving, other water sports at the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
Snorkeling equipment is available from the Water Sports Center and life vests are in each room, but the Water Sports Center supplies them too. Diving equipment and courses can be booked at the Dive Center.
1 = Water Sports Center
2 = Dive Center
The overwater bungalows encircle a lagoon that has good snorkeling for beginners. The water level is, however, too low for snorkeling and swimming at low tide. Especially at low tide, the water should only be entered with water shoes or fins to protect your feet. Excellent snorkeling at any tide level can be found at the east-facing reef just outside the Club Sunset Overwater Pool Villas. It can, however, be a little tricky to get there during low tide. This area is also frequented by harmless blacktip sharks and nurse sharks.
The best snorkeling is found at the reef starting at the Dive Center going south. The reef has a steep drop here and snorkeling and diving are fantastic. The variety and number of colorful fish are the highest of any on-beach location we have seen in the Maldives.
Divers can also explore a shipwreck north of the Dive Center, which unfortunately is not visible to snorkelers as it lies too deep. The Dive Center is open from 8:30am – 6pm.
At the Water Sports Center you can rent kayaks, pedal boats, boards for paddle boarding, and other activities. The Water Sports Center is open from 8:30am – 5pm.
Beaches at the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa has beaches almost around the entire island. At the time of writing, all no swimming was allowed after 6pm.
The following picture shows the location of the beaches:
Main Beach with Centara Swing in Water at the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
This beach has soft white sand and is cleared of most coral pieces and stones for the first 10 feet (3 m) into the water. After that, and before you reach the swing, you will notice increasing amounts of coral pieces and stones until you reach the normal amount in the rest of the lagoon. This north-facing beach is good for swimming and sunbathing. On its eastern side is a beach volleyball field.
Water Sports Beach with Swing on Beach at the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
This long beach has soft white sand and is cleared of most coral pieces and stones for the first 10 feet (3 m) into the water. After that, and before you reach the swing, you will notice increasing amounts of coral pieces and stones. The northern part of the beach near the boardwalk is reserved for water sport activities like paddle boarding, kayaking and pedal boating. The southern part of the beach near the Villas is good for sunbathing and swimming.
The Club Beach at the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
This small beach can be accessed through The Club, if you paid for it, and by walking north from the Water Sports Beach under the boardwalk. It has soft white sand and is cleared of most coral pieces and stones for the first 10 feet (3 m) into the water.
Beach by the Beach Villas at the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
These beaches have soft white sand and is cleared of most coral pieces and stones for the first 10 feet (3 m) into the water and are good for swimming and sunbathing. The beach on the east side of the island looks on the seawall that protects the island from erosion.
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Fitness Center at the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa has a free fitness center, which is located on the right-hand side of the same building in which the Dive Center is. Here you will find treadmills and other fitness equipment. The Fitness Center is open from 6am – 9pm.
Souvenir Store and Spa Cenvaree at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
Located next to each other are the Souvenir Store and the Spa. The Souvenir Store has lots of souvenirs like magnets and shirts, and decorative dishes, but you can also buy toiletry products, sun lotion, post cards and stamps and mail them.
The Spa Cenvaree offers different treatment packages and, depending on your service level, you may qualify for a discount on bookings.
The Spa Cenvaree is open from 9am – 9pm and appointments need to be booked in advance.
Infinity Edge Pool at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
Camp Safari Kids' Club at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
Camp Safari Kids' Club offers daily supervised activities and indoor and outdoor play areas for younger kids and two pool tables, a snooker table, table soccer, air hockey table, table tennis and PlayStation games for teenagers. For an extra charge, babysitting services are available, too. Camp Safari Kids' Club is open from 10am – noon and 2pm – 8pm.
The Club at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
The Club is a resort in a resort and requires a special booking. It starts with the Club Sunset Overwater Pool Villas and Club Two Bedroom Beach pool Villas, and extends to an enclosed area that is for The Club members only. Here, breakfast, afternoon tea and apéritif with canapés, premium spirits and refreshments are served throughout the day, a pool with loungers is located and there is also a private beach. The Club is open from 7am – 9pm.
Meal Plans at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa
The following meal plans are available at the time of writing:
Half Board
Full Board
All Inclusive
Grand All Inclusive
Reef Restaurant
B D
B L D
B L D
B L D
Azzuri Mare Italian Restaurant
D
L D
L D
L D
Suan Bua Thai Restaurant
D
L D
L D
L D
Free drinks at Aqua Bar
-
-
Yes
Yes
Free drinks at Coral Bar and Lounge
-
-
Yes
Yes
High Tea
-
-
Yes
Yes
Restocking of Mini Bar
-
-
Once per day
-
Premium Restocking of Mini Bar
-
-
-
Once per day
Premium Beverages
-
-
-
Yes
In-Villa Breakfast
-
-
-
Once per stay
Free Laundry
-
-
-
4 pieces per day
1 complimentary excursion on min. 3-night stay
-
-
-
Yes
B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner
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