My wife and I went to Kuredu to celebrate our 30th wedding Anniversary, our first holiday alone since we married. The flight was long but the approach into Male was something else, looking out of the windows as you come in over the atolls is fantastic.

When we landed the time at the airport seemed to pass quite quickly and we were handing over our luggage to the island staff not to be seen again until it was in our room on the island later that night. Then came a highlight of the holiday, a seaplane transfer, superb. I was watching the sea taxis take off and land and really could not wait to get on board and experience it for myself. The views from this small plane where even more spectacular than the view form the jet.

On arrival at Kuredu you are met off the plane by tow of the reception staff and then escorted along the quay to book in, on approach to the island the drums start up to welcome you, a very nice touch. The beach bungalow we stayed in was basic, but very clean and well maintained, although showering in the great outdoors did take all of one time to get used to. The room was made up everyday and you had clean towels for both the bathroom and the beach left in your room. The little gekkos which tend to share the room, were actually very cute, however the cockroaches outside were not.

It was very strange to see gangs of women sweeping the jungle everyday, and on you trip back to your room at night you could see the many bats that are on the island, during the day the lizards which inhabit the island made good photo subjects.

The island, apparently one of the largest has beautiful white talcum powder beaches, a football pitch, a small golf course, par three pitch and put holes all of them, but its a paradise. The large coconut palm trees, were shedding their fruit whilst we were there, a couple did fall well away from us though. The frigate birds flying above whist you sunbathed either by the pool or out in from of the bungalow. One of the highlights for me was the late night walk along quay, where there were not lights and you could look up and see the Milky Way, the first time I have ever seen it, no light pollution absolutely magnificent.

For the divers well its the Maldives and what more do I have to say, its everything you've read and then some, my wife was into spotting fish whilst swimming along by the side of the quay, even here in the relative shallows you could see a whole range of reef fish including moray eels, she was very keen to snorkel everyday.

Another highlight was the day trip on board the Britt with Captain Mohammed, the man can smell manta rays, we snorkelled with four different groups of rays, what superb creatures, when the come towards you and then fly right over the top its just so fantastic, on the day trip we also swam with dolphins in relative open water, and the food on board was like ambrosia.

The food on the island was, well I put on a fair few pounds over the fortnight, the mango pieces were sweet and melted in your mouth, everything was perfect, and the staff in restaurant and you get your own dedicated waitress or waiter for you stay, superb and polite.

There is not much to do in the evening, there is limited entertainment, although the slide show by Pro divers was very very good, the local room boys gave a night of local dancing, with cracking open one or two the coconuts which fell from the trees. The slow pace of the evenings gave my wife and I time to chat with each other quietly, also with other guests as there was no loud music, this was a fantastic holiday, and one we will be repeating very soon.

Wow what can you say, the place of dreams, i still constantly miss this place and would love to go back tomorrow if i could afford it. we went in november 2005 for our honeymoon. you must go. the beaches were to die for and we snorkelled every day was bliss.

Unfortunately the report says I went in 2005 but as 2004 is not mentioned, I thought I would mention it here, although I have to say that those 3 years have passed ever so quickly and the island is still fresh in my mind.

My husband and I had our first holiday without our daughter here in April 2004. We went with First Choice and although we flew ecomony, First Choice have since upgraded their planes and they are much better now. Also, they fly direct both there and back.

We upgraded to a water bungalow at the Sangu end of the island.

Upon arrival at the island those who have upgraded are whisked away in an a/c van to the other end of the island for a separate reception and given an iced flannel and iced drink as part of the checking in procedures. This island is a "no news no shoes" island, there is no t.v. in your room and the whole island is sand, even in the bar and restaurant.

Your luggage will arrive sometime after you if you have booked to go by seaplane transfer.

The food here was varied everyday with various cuisines. All food is buffet style and is not left standing at any point. Some of the dishes are prepared for you there and then (especially eggs in the morning or omelettes).

All 50 water bungalows have private balconies, but the verandas are open to view (we were in the middle of the group and never overlooked). Word of warning, when coming back to your room at lunchtime take some flip flops as the boards get very very hot in the midday sun.

My husband and I sat in the same place everyday underneath the palm trees near the end of the island at the spit. We were lucky to see half a dozen people or so at any one time during the day (except at meal times). Most were diving or out on excursions.

The house reef was ok (I have seen better since going back to a different island). And if you are lucky enough you will get to swim with turtles around lunchtime in the shallows on the jetty side of the island.

We had a couple of nice meals in the a'la carte restaurants (you have to pay for these but you do get 25% off for being in the Sangu end). It made a welcome change to have a pizza, or a lobster meal.

We did the free sunset cruise, and paid for one other. We took a day's excursion on the Britt yacht and it was well worth the money. You are taken to various snorkelling sites. All drinks (non-alcoholic) are provided and you have snacks and a full lunch on board. The yacht only takes 10 people. Best trip I ever done. Don't forget some small change for tipping.

Water was not included in the all-inclusive package - half price for those at Sangu end. If you drink red wine it is served at room temperature (which is very warm in UK standards). I drank mine with ice (odd I know but was much more nicer to drink that way). Local beers, spirits, wine and tea and coffee all included.

The water bungalows were lovely and very nicely decorated. Plain and simple - wooden throughout with black wrought-iron furniture. Have to say that the a/c was not quite powerful enough during the day but certainly sufficient by night.

Two sinks in bathroom with a walk-in shower. Towels were provided for both the room and the beach (although we did take our own).

You were able to access the water from your room which was very nice if you didn't fancy going to the beach.

Mosquitos not generally a problem, but they tend to like me as a rule. Didn't see anything creepy or untoward from the animal kingdom.

Hope you enjoyed reading this report. I know it's old but it will give you an insight into my holiday. You could always try the forums too at www.kuredu.com.