Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa

A house reef that rings the entire island means you can slip into the water from almost anywhere, with parrotfish, butterfly fish, and blacktip reef sharks on the regular rotation. This low-key, chic Maldives resort draws a crowd that skews heavily toward honeymooners, who actually seem to want to be seen together, which is its own thing. A swimable shipwreck sits just offshore, and the dive center runs a coral sponsorship program that emails you progress photos of your reef frame.

Two honors, in evidence: