Jumeirah Olhahali Island

The resort is luxurious, well located, and its staff are very friendly and attentive. For divers, though, Olhahali isn't a place I'd be eager to revisit. I'm on the island now, in April 2026, and Best Dives' center has left the diving experience feeling more like a business than a service built around divers. We paid $300 for two tank dives, each limited to 45 minutes. There were no other divers on the boat, and the three of us are very experienced, with MSDI, DM, and AOWD qualifications, yet we had to surface with 100 bar left. As a master scuba dive trainer, HSA instructor, and former dive center owner in the Philippines who moved from CMAS to PADI, I don't expect the 90-minute dives that were common in the Maldives 20 years ago. At this price, though, 60 minutes seems like the minimum if there's willingness to allow it. It doesn't seem possible to explain the limits by organizational needs: there were no other divers and enough staff. Maybe there are too few dive boats, or perhaps management has set pointless rules. The old saying that PADI is just "putting another dollar in" seems increasingly apt for outfits like this. Best Dives may be doing good business, but the divers' experience doesn't seem to be the priority.

Laith made our three nights at Jumeirah Olhahali Island especially memorable. He welcomed us warmly, explained the daily schedule and island activities, and took care of our restaurant bookings and arrangements. His professionalism, good manners, positive attitude, and care for the details really stood out. The island, villas, facilities, cleanliness, and privacy were all wonderful, and the service and hospitality exceeded my expectations. I was very happy with the comfort, luxury, and organization throughout our stay. I'd gladly recommend the resort and will definitely come back.

We've visited the island three times now, and each stay has been better. Mohammed leads a friendly, hardworking team who are attentive without getting in the way. The rooms are modern, beautifully equipped, and huge, over 320sqm, which matters when you're travelling with family. I've seen other Maldives resorts use “island style” to excuse places that feel worn and weathered. Jumeirah's standards are far ahead, and the resort continues to upgrade areas that are already in great condition. I've been fortunate to stay at some of the world's best hotels and resorts, and I can safely say this is one of them.

Our children are still talking about the water activities. Aheej, Mueen, and Firabbo from the water sports team made jet-skiing and the other adventures feel safe and exciting. The meals were easy and enjoyable too. We can't remember everyone's names, but the teams at Glow, Kayto, and especially Shimmers were kind and always smiling. We loved the over-water villa, which was spacious, beautifully designed, and great for a family. Stephanie, our villa host, arranged a family photoshoot and a rooftop movie night under the stars. Those moments brought us closer together. The in-villa dining team set up lovely lunches in the villa, with thoughtful presentation and little details that made a meal by the pool with ocean views feel special. Room service also kept everything spotless and well arranged, with quiet efficiency and thoughtful touches each day. From the start, the people made us feel at home. Captain Aheej and his friendly team made the speedboat transfer comfortable, and Misha, our boat host, greeted us with real warmth and professionalism. A welcoming team met us at the jetty when we arrived. General Manager Ashraf checked in during dinner and surprised us with a Maldivian-style lunch in our villa, a gesture we deeply appreciated. Our family stay at Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island was unforgettable. The resort brought together luxury and heartfelt hospitality, and we left with wonderful memories, already looking forward to returning.