Review: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island – on Hilton points (Part 4)

This is part four of our reader’s review of the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. It focuses on snorkeling and diving, something we wouldn’t normally cover on HfP.  However as the images are stunning we had to include them.

The full four part HfP version of the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island review can be found starting here.

Snorkeling / Diving

This is still my primary reason for visiting the Maldives, we snorkelled every day. Even on our first afternoon at the resort we spotted a stingray within 10 minutes of being in the water.

If you are interested in snorkelling, you can rent a free life vest from the Watersports centre. The Ocean Dive centre will provide free masks, snorkel and fins. They will also show you how to use them, including tips on how to prevent the mask fogging up and how to clear it.

Our Snorkel Route from our Retreat Water Villa, heading south along the entire reef dropoff, at a depth of 10m+. It’s only recommended for experienced snorkelers equipped with a buoyancy aid.

Life on the reef

The El Nino event in 2016 resulted in many reefs in the Maldives being exposed to coral bleaching. These next two photos are of the same coral structure at the edge of the reef drop off. If you compare them you’ll see it highlights the effect of the warmer sea temperatures, especially on table/plate corals.

February 2015.

February 2017.

Whilst the corals have been affected, there still appeared to be lots of interesting sea-life to enjoy. I’m fairly certain that some Rays and Turtles are the identical creatures we saw two years ago.

Here’s some examples of the diverse variety of life on the reef.

School of Blue Striped Snapper.

Black Spotted Eagle Ray.

Titan Triggerfish.

Stingray.

Turtle.

Hunting Octopus.

Here’s another Octopus.

The same Octopus in flight moments later.

Stonefish (Venomous – photo taken using camera zoom).

White Tip Reef Shark.

Black Tip Reef Shark.

Giant Moray Eel.

Yellow Pufferfish.

Another Turtle.

Baby Squid.

SCUBA diving 

I didn’t feel the need to dive on my last trip but as soon as I learnt that there had been recent sightings of Manta Rays I made sure I registered with the Ocean Dive centre to try and see them!

Dives are $90++, Equipment is also charged per dive. (BCD $8++, Regulator $8++).

Even though I’d dived recently and my qualifications and experience didn’t require it, they offered a complimentary “shake down” dive in the safety of the lagoon. I was more than happy to go along as it’s also useful to orientate yourself with any equipment you’re hiring.

All went well with a short dive to 6m. The purpose of the dive was basically so we could prove to the instructor that we could confidently control our buoyancy in the water, clear our masks and cope if our regulator got knocked out accidentally. All good sound diving practice.

Approximately 10 of us departed from the Pontoon Bridge on a Dhoni Dive Boat.

As I’m a reasonably experienced diver, I was paired up on my own with an understanding instructor which I really appreciated as she allowed me the freedom to do my own thing and stop to take photos.

First dive was a scenic drift dive at RehiThila which is about a 20 minutes boat ride to the south, where I saw a pretty cool Ghost Pipe Fish.

For the second dive we moved to Rangali Madivaru (Manta Point) which is just south of the Conrad Resort. Where at an approx depth of 15m, I was lucky enough to be treated to 30 minutes with the spaceships of the sea.

Acknowledgements

Conrad staff: Bobby,  Alex, Anees, Kurt, Ahmed and the attentive F&B team at Vilu.

The lifeguard Muhusin and the teams at the Watersports and Ocean Dive centres.

NB: Whilst I endeavoured to use my own photos, occasionally I felt some were lacking in sufficient quality,  in those instances I linked directly to the Conrad website (Seaplane Lounge, King Beach Villa and Special Dining Opportunities)

If you want to learn more about the resort, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island home page is here.

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How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)

There are various ways of earning Hilton Honors points from UK credit and debit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

There are two dedicated Hilton Honors debit cards. These are especially attractive when spending abroad due to the 0% or 0.5% FX fee, depending on card.

You also receive FREE Hilton Honors status for as long as you hold the debit cards – Gold status with the Plus card and Silver status with the basic card. This is a great reason to apply even if you rarely use it.

We reviewed the Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card here and the Hilton Honors Debit Card here.

You can apply for either card here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 30th April 2025, the annual fee on the basic Hilton Honors debit card is halved from £60 to £30. The sign-up bonus is also easier to earn – you need to spend £1,000 either in the UK or abroad within three months. The usual bonus rule requires you to spend the full £1,000 outside the UK.

NEW: Hilton Honors Plus Debit

10,000 bonus points, Hilton Gold status and NO FX fees Read our full review

NEW: Hilton Honors Debit

2,500 bonus points, Hilton Silver status and 0.5% FX fees Read our full review

There is another way of getting Hilton Honors status, and earning Hilton Honors points, from a payment card.

Holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as they hold the card.  It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Hilton Honors points indirectly with:

• American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Hilton Honors points is 1:2.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Hilton Honors points.