Has most of what you want but a piss poor reputation.....

Crap.

Go to Vakarufahli. You can see Lily Beach from there so you'll dive
the same dive sites, and it's a nicer resort.

Pete S.

I know it's not on your shortlist, but I thought I'd say anyway that I
just got back from a great time in Kuramathi (after finding a reasonably
cheap last minute deal).

http://www.kuramathi.com.mv/

Every dive had plenty of sharks, mainly black / white tip reef sharks,
but there were also leopard sharks, a whale shark (that I missed), and,
of course, the hammerheads (I saw 10 on the dive, including a group of 6
together. They came to within a few metres of us - but I got lucky, some
trips to the site saw none).

http://www.sportextreme.com/phdidi1017/

The guys at the dive school were extremely friendly and they took all
the work out of it - including taking all your kit to the boat and
setting it up for you before you'd even got on board.

There were a few big rays in the channel, but I was told the best time
of year for rays is February.

I took some photos, but haven't edited any of them yet (and it was my
first attempt with a digital camera, so they need it).

One thin I would certainly recommend is an all inclusive deal, unless
you don't drink much. You really are a captive audience on an island in
the Maldives. You can upgrade to all inclusive on most islands when you
arrive, if you haven't booked the holiday as that already.

I've got trip reports for 6 different resorts on my website. Kuredu is one
of them. I wouldn't go back.

There is no such thing as an "urban" Maldives resort. They're all based on
small islands where there is just the resort on the island.

I'd also echo other people's comments about going all-inclusive. A bottle
of water will cost about US$3.50, and the water from the tap isn't
drinkable. Once in the resort, you're a captive market.

You're also not going to get weak currents. Obviously it depends on the
time of day and the tides, but at times the current screams along in most
places.

Jason

I'm going to Reethi Beach in the Baa Atoll for my honeymoon next August -
does anyone have any feedback?  i found the posts on this conversation very
helpful.

I ama total newbie, as yet unqualified but doing a 2 week "intensive" PADI
OWC this July.

Big D

Also considering Maldives for September/October.

Due to the cost on the islands going all inclusive seems to be the only
practical option. I know a couple why go to Lily Beach year after year (and
have tried other island - but go back to lilly beach). I have however seen
some good deals for Kuredu, but if you go here you will have to take the
seaplane transfer (think it is 5hrs by boat otherwise)