Eriyadu Island Resort

Eriyadu (now Eri Maldives) was pure, unpolished diving when I visited in 2017. The standout is the house reef, sitting literally steps from the beach. Rolling out of bed, grabbing morning coffee, and immediately spotting nurse sharks and eagle rays within arm’s reach never got old. The quirk is that the island is distinctly rustic, with dated rooms and very basic dining. Best for pure dive enthusiasts and snorkelers who want incredible marine life at their doorstep without paying for luxury fluff.