Coral reefs are some of the world's most colourful and diverse ecosystems, and a hidden treasure to feast the eyes upon for any scuba diver and snorkeller. But why should you wait for a boat trip from your hotel when you can access these underwater Edens straight from the shores of your resort? So without further ado, here's our top five hotels with the best house reefs.
Six Senses Laamu, The Maldives
Six Senses Laamu is the place to be for budding marine biologists. Join guided snorkels led by the Maldives Underwater Initiative's team of marine biologists, picking their brains and keeping an eye out for the critically endangered resident hawksbill turtle. And, because access to the house reef is from the Chill Bar, you can even discuss the day's findings over an ice-cold sundowner. Beyond the water, dive deeper into marine conservation at the Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL), where you can make the most of interactive exhibits, a marine lab and even a kids' zone. The marine biology team here is also making waves in coral research - they recorded 11 species spawning on the house reef in their first year of research.
Amanwana, Indonesia
Largely uninhabited and unknown to most tourists, Moyo Island is a treasure waiting to be found. The marine park was established long before tourism reached the area, so divers are in for a real treat - think corals dating back more than 100 years and a whole spectrum of fish, from frogfish, lionfish and blue ribbon eels to white tip sharks and nudibranch the size of dinner plates (extremely rare compared to their tiny counterparts).
Amanwana is located on a protected cove in the west and is the only hideaway on Moyo Island. Here, you can stay in luxury tents surrounded by lush tropical rainforest. However, diving takes the top spot and one of Moyo's best dive sites, Panjang Reef, is just minutes from Amanwana. The reef is so enticing, you may not spot the bigger pelagics quietly gliding past behind you…
Magic Island, Philippines
At Magic Island in the Philippines, shore diving couldn't be easier - simply stroll from the dive centre, jump straight into the water and marvel at the vibrant house reef. Colourful hard and soft corals and swaying sea fans set the stage for encounters with frogfish, turtles, nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses. Time your dive right and you'll even witness the magical mating ritual of mandarin fish at sunset, while night dives promise cuttlefish, snake eels and decorator crabs.
Kalimaya, Indonesia
Kalimaya offers access to a thriving house reef that owes its remarkable health to the nearby shrimp farms. These enrich the surrounding waters, creating the perfect conditions for a whole host of marine life, including over 150 nudibranch species (hello macro diving paradise). Keen-eyed divers can also spot candy crabs, harlequin shrimp, starry night octopus and bumblebee shrimp, along with larger life like octopus, stingrays and frogfish. With no other resorts in the area, there's often no one else but you in the deep blue.
Wakatobi Dive Resort, Indonesia
About as remote as it gets, reaching Wakatobi Dive Resort is an adventure in itself. It starts with a two-and-a-half-hour charter flight from Bali, followed by a quick ten-minute bus ride and a 15-minute boat transfer. But it's more than worth the journey - Wakatobi is home to over 400 species of coral and 700 species of fish. Want to head out on the house reef solo? We can arrange for you to be dropped off at the perfect entry point then it's just a case of drifting with the current through the world's best aquarium. Along the way, you'll spot bucket-list species in abundance - pygmy seahorses, crocodile fish and more - before the current carries you to the shallows, where staff are waiting to whisk away your gear in time for sundowners.
Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh, Egypt
Craving winter warmth? Egypt's Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh is just the ticket. Sitting a speedy five-and-a-half hours from the UK, the flight time's not the only convenient thing - you can dive right into the house reef directly from the jetty. You'll be met with almost 800m of house reef boasting a kaleidoscope of healthy hard and soft corals, along with reef fish, eels, stingrays and eagle rays. The gentle currents and warm, clear waters make it a haven for beginners, and with it being the only dive centre in the area, chances are you'll have the whole place to yourself.
