Centara Grand, Maldives

from$363 /night

per room, breakfast only

Overview

Best House Reef 2023

In recognition of your dedication to providing outstanding underwater experiences to ZuBlu’s valued guests. Learn more about all our 2023 winners

  • Incredible scuba diving with whale sharks, mantas, and more
  • Flexible options ranging from B&B and to all-inclusive experiences
  • Rustic and unfussy atmosphere with a focus on nature
  • One of the Maldives’ best house reefs, with its own shipwreck

Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa offers one of South Ari Atoll's most impressive private island experiences, with a laid back toes-in-the-sand atmosphere and five-star facilities for the whole family. Snorkel and scuba dive alongside whale sharks, discover one of the Maldives’ best shipwrecks, or earn your PADI certification on the island's house reef. You’ll feel perfectly relaxed with spacious colonial-style villas and suites, easy to explore paths and walkways, and a backdrop of sea and sand. Plus, with optional all-inclusive packages, you can feel free to enjoy spa and yoga sessions, inspired global cuisine, watersports offerings, and all day entertainment for kids and teens, without a second thought.

Rooms

Browse our villa options and either submit a reservation request for a personalised quote or chat with a travel expert today.

Duplex Beach Villa

Room details

Duplex Beach Villa

King size bed
2 people
87 sqm
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from $363 /night

Reethi Muraka Overwater Villa

Room details

Reethi Muraka Overwater Villa

King size bed
2 people
106 sqm
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from $503 /night

Family Overwater Villa with Kids Bedroom

Room details

Family Overwater Villa with Kids Bedroom

King size bed
2 people
86 sqm
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from $503 /night

Sunrise Overwater Villa

Room details

Sunrise Overwater Villa

King size bed and kid bunk beds
2 people
93 sqm
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from $573 /night

Sunset Overwater Villa

Room details

Sunset Overwater Villa

King size bed
2 people
114 sqm
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from $609 /night

Club Sunset Overwater Villa with Pool

Room details

Club Sunset Overwater Villa with Pool

King size bed and twin bed
2 people
159 sqm
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from $714 /night

Resort checklist

Number of rooms:112
Overwater bungalows:Yes
Restaurants and bars:6

Meal plans:

  • Breakfast
  • Half Board
  • Full Board
  • All Inclusive
Official dive center rating:PADI 5-Star Dive Resort
House reef:Yes
Nitrox:Yes

Your stay at Centara Grand Island Resort

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Why book with ZuBlu?

  • Best price guarantee
  • No immediate payment required
  • Flexible booking terms
  • Free expert travel advice and support

Reviews

4.673 reviews
Accommodation
Staff
Food
Eco-friendliness
Underwater experience
Dive guides & equipment
October 2023

Antony W

Overall a great trip, with some great diving. Achieved the main goal which was for my 12-year old daughter to complete her advanced open water....

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September 2023

Sabrina L

Thank you again ZuBlu for a fantastic holiday! It was no easy task for an enthusiastic diver and a beginner diver but this trip was...

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March 2023

Teresa T

Centara Grand was beautiful with excellent house reef snorkeling right outside our over-the-water villa! The staff were extremely kind and accommodating, and the...

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Diving in South Ari Atoll

  • Whale shark
    Whale shark
    Year round
  • Wrecks
    Wrecks
    Year round
  • Healthy corals
    Healthy corals
    Not frequently
  • Plentiful reef life
    Plentiful reef life
    Year round
  • Manta Rays
    Manta Rays
    From November to March
  • Stingrays
    Stingrays
    Not frequently
  • Turtles
    Turtles
    Year round
  • Giant frogfish
    Giant frogfish
    Not frequently

From the famous whale sharks of Maamigili reef, to current-driven drifts through reef channels, and one of the finest wrecks in the Maldives, you can’t go wrong with South Ari Atoll’s dive sites.

Whale sharks in South Ari

Whale sharks are the highlight in South Ari Atoll with year-round potential to view these gentle giants. The South Ari Marine Protected Area is renowned for almost daily sightings, and you’ve got a pretty good chance almost no matter what time of year you visit. During the Northeast monsoon from December to April, they tend to be seen more to the west, then the whale sharks move over to the east during the Southwest monsoon between May and November. Wherever they are spotted, you'll can swim alongside these wonderful creatures as they feed and cruise along the reef.

Manta rays are also seen in South Ari, particularly at Madivaru – also known as Manta point – a marine protected reef on the south of Rangali Kandu. The best chance to see them is during the northeast monsoon from December to May. And manta rays or not, you’ll still see plenty of fish at this well-known site. The Machchafushi Wreck – also known as Kudhimaa Wreck – is also a highlight of South Ari’s diving. The boat was purposefully sunk in 1998, and now sits upright and fully intact. With its large propeller, prominent wheelhouse, crane structure, and plenty of doorways, this wreck is a photographer’s dream. You’ll also find a host of life including batfish, frogfish, ghost pipefish, and moray eels. In the central region of Ari there are some classic thilas, and while the atoll is not small, most of the stunning sites are accessible from any of the resorts in South Ari.