The Maldives consists of 1,192 islands. It also accounts for 3.14% of the world’s reef area, with over 200 different types of hard corals. Its north-central location in the Indian Ocean ensures tropical weather throughout the year, thus making the country an ideal tourism destination.
Moreover, as an archipelago far from any mainland, it’s an idyllic remote escape packed with extraordinary beauty and absolute serenity.
Typically, most people associate the Maldives with high-end luxury. Admittedly, one can experience unbelievable extravagance while staying at any of the country’s many private island resorts. However, that is not the only way to vacation in the Maldives anymore.
In 2009, the Maldivian government allowed the construction and operation of locally-owned hotels and guesthouses on public islands. As a result, travelers can now plan budget-friendly trips to the Maldives by booking a holiday on an inhabited island.
While there, they still get to relish the gorgeousness of the atolls, witness beautiful aquatic life, and take in the allure of the islands’ unmatched natural attractiveness. At the same time, tourists get to immerse themselves in authentic Maldivian culture and hospitality.
One such public island with white-sand beaches and an abundance of flora and fauna is Dhiffushi.
About Dhiffushi
Located 36.6 kilometers east of Malé, Dhiffushi is part of Kaafu atoll. The island’s residents primarily rely on fishing and tourism as their main source of income.
At the same time, Dhiffushi happens to be the easternmost inhabited island in the Maldives, thus experiencing the earliest sunrise in the country. With about 1200 residents, the island spans 900 x 200 meters in area. It is particularly a favorite among travelers desiring warm temperatures and crystal blue waters.
The island’s house reef and lagoon are truly marvelous. Over 10 kilometers long, they are brimming with vibrant marine life and colorful coral species, making them ideal for snorkeling adventures.
Dhiffushi island
Infrastructure on the island includes a mosque, school, health center, souvenir shops, watersports centers, and several cafes and hotels. The grocery stores here, like Whim, are some of the best you’ll find on inhabited islands.
More interestingly, a walk around the island promises insight into local living, like the presence of traditional Maldivian hammocks, known as joalis, along the streets.
Locals in Dhiffushi keep their surroundings clean; thus, the island is more or less garbage-free.
What’s more, Dhiffushi now has a Bank of Maldives ATM on the island. However, most establishments accept credit cards or cash in US Dollars along with Maldivian Rufiyaa. Still, it is good to withdraw money before leaving Malé as ATMs on public islands are not always re-filled regularly.
How to reach Dhiffushi
There are three ways of reaching Dhiffushi from the Velana International Airport. Depending on the budget and time of arrival, you can pick any of the following options:
Public Ferry
Traveling via the MTCC public ferry is the cheapest option, with tickets costing only $2 per passenger. The boat starts from the Villingili ferry terminal. A relatively slow mode of transport, it stops at three other islands in the South Malé atoll before reaching Dhiffushi.
The journey from the capital takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes, with the ferry departing from Malé at 02:30 PM five days a week. The return ferry leaves Dhiffushi at 06:30 AM. Monday and Friday are two days when the ferry does not operate on this route.
Scheduled Speedboat
Run by Mee Altec Express, scheduled speedboats don’t stop at different islands, thus reducing the one-way journey duration to 45 minutes. The boat leaves from Malé’s jetty number 7 at 11:30 AM, 4:30 PM, and 10:30 PM.
To return from Dhiffushi to Malé, the speedboat leaves at 07:30 AM, 01:30 PM, and 05:45 PM. On Fridays, timings change to 08:30 AM and 10:30 PM for Malé departure and 07:00 AM and 05:45 PM for Dhiffushi departure. The cost per passenger is $35.
Private Speedboat
For better time accommodation and privacy, tourists can hire a private speedboat. One-way journey amounts to $300, which includes the transfer of up to six passengers.
Transportation around Dhiffushi
The walk from one end of the island to the other is barely 1 km. Therefore, covering the entire coastline of Dhiffushi will take around 30 minutes or less. The island has one road around its perimeter, while smaller ones dissect the area into sections. Consequently, most tourists here prefer to walk and explore the island at leisure. However, you can also hire two-wheelers or travel via shared golf buggies.
Things to do in Dhiffushi
Dhiffushi is a hub for watersports but also offers a mix of relaxing and adventurous touristic activities. Among the best things to do in Dhiffushi includes the following;
Lounging on the beach
Unlike other islands in the South Malé atoll, Dhiffushi has three white-sand beaches. The beach on the north of the island has multiple lounge chairs and parasols and offers a clear view of the private Meeru Resort, one of the best party resorts in the Maldives. Even though it is a public beach and signs prohibit immodest clothing, rules are pretty lenient, and you can wear bikinis.
With minimum or no crowd, the southwest beach has tiny bamboo huts, overwater hammocks, and sunbeds. Additionally, there’s an open east beach with several palm trees around where locals come regularly. At this beach, remember to dress conservatively.
Night fishing & snorkeling
With many shallow reefs around, fishing in Dhiffushi is relatively easy. Multiple guesthouses offer fishing packages, where the instructor helps people understand the usage of different equipment like hook, bait, line, and sinker.
Furthermore, you can even request your host to arrange a barbecue and cook any fish you catch during the excursion. As the boat leaves during the evening hours, it also gives the tourists a chance to witness the golden hour of sunset.
Another unique activity in Dhiffushi is night snorkeling. Easy to organize through guesthouses in Dhiffushi, this is an excellent way to see nocturnal aquatic life without knowing scuba diving. It is vital that you do not undertake night snorkeling on your own and must go out into the sea with a local guide.
Sandbank picnics
Depending on the tide formation, you can head to a sandbank for a short day-trip and swim nearby. As the island has among Maldives’ largest lagoons, there are several sandbanks to pick from nearby. Guesthouses and hotels in Dhiffushi also offer necessities like beach towels and umbrellas and can arrange for a sandbank picnic.
Day Trip to Thulusdhoo Island
Thulusdhoo, the capital of Kaafu atoll, is a neighboring small island that tourists can visit using the public ferry. You can leave for Thulusdhoo at 06:30 AM and return by 05:30 PM on the same day. The island is famous for surfing, dolphin cruise, and the world’s only Coca-Cola plant that uses desalinated water to make the drink. In comparison to Dhiffushi, Thulusdhoo has a different vibe, and thus don’t miss out on the opportunity to spend a day there.
Scuba Diving
With three PADI centers on the island, beginners and amateurs have the opportunity to enroll in open-water scuba diving courses. Dhiffushi has multiple dive sites in its vicinity. Stairs is known for having coral reefs take the formation of a staircase. West Rock Wreck is a ship sunk deliberately to propagate the growth of flora and fauna. Here, divers can spot fish like white-tip reef sharks, manta rays, and clownfish.
Places to eat in Dhiffushi
Popular among tourists, Dhiffushi has plenty of eateries and restaurants serving pocket-friendly international dishes. While you can find classics like pizza and pasta here, do not miss out on trying fresh seafood and traditional Maldivian cuisine.
Aaroa Restaurant
Located near the east beach, Aaroa is the in-house restaurant at the Araamu Holidays & Spa resort. Its spacious dining hall is open to outside guests and serves local and international cuisine buffets. Furthermore, diners can choose starters from a live BBQ station. Open for breakfast, try their eggs benedict or the Maldivian roshi and fish curry for an energetic start to your day.
Sand Grill Restaurant
A part of Crown Hotel, Sand Grill Restaurant is a reliable destination for seafood, Sri Lankan, American, and Indian preparations. Here, guests can opt for beachside seating, nestled amongst the palm trees, with tiny lamps on the table. A few famous dishes to try are Maldivian-style hot tuna spaghetti, chicken sandwich, steamed rice with grilled reef fish, and cheese macaroni.
Cafe 420
Granting unobstructed views of North Beach, Cafe 420 is a small eatery that serves seafood, Mediterranean classics, and Asian recipes. The menu includes several items like grilled wahoo steak with garden salad and tuna fried rice with fresh vegetables and egg. On pleasant days you can sit on the beach or else take a seat at the non-alcoholic bar on the terrace. Cafe 420 is also a part of Dhiffushi Watersports Center, where tourists can sign-up for jet ski excursions or rent kayaks.
The Kettle
Popularly known for serving Indian and Italian meals, The Kettle is a small cafe by the waterside. Here, patrons can pick indoor seating or a private dining option on the beach. Some best-selling mains include alfredo chicken pasta, Goan fish curry, and chicken fried rice. Furthermore, they also have a makeshift Maldivian boat and bonfire space outdoors, allowing diners to gather for a musical night or click Instagram-worthy pictures.
Theveli View Cafe
Also a part of the Araamu Resort, Theveli View Cafe is a chic eatery in the eastern beachside area. The menu here is about comfort bites and has plenty of snacking options like paninis, wraps, sandwiches, and burgers. In addition, the cafe has a shisha lounge with a flat-screen LED and is thus a popular hangout spot during televised sporting events.
Best hotels and guesthouses in Dhiffushi
The availability of accommodations across public islands can vary dramatically. There are places where you’ll find several hotels, while others only have a few places to stay. Dhiffushi comes in the former category.
Additionally, guesthouses in Dhiffushi have a good range, from the more homely to the slightly luxurious. Still, you can get an excellent place to stay, often next to the beach, for anywhere from $30 to #75 per night, including breakfast.
Beach House Dhiffushi
Beach House Dhiffushi lies next to the beach and has 12 rooms, six facing the water and six facing inland. As one of the best guesthouses in Dhiffushi, it has an in-house restaurant, and is also near a watersports center. The guestrooms have parquet flooring, sturdy bedding, a desk, and en-suite bathrooms. Equally important is the fact that the staff is amicable and always happy to help with any of your requirements.
For more information on Beach House Dhiffushi, click here.
Ameera Maldives
Ameera Maldives is in the island’s southeast, near the bikini beaches. It offers large rooms with en-suite showers, wooden flooring, air-conditioning, a TV, and a kettle. Moreover, the décor has a natural feel and is very island-like. Using sustainable materials and cultural items adds a unique look to the space. Ameera’s in-house restaurant is known for serving great-tasting food from morning to night.
Crown Beach Villas
Crown Beach Villas take up a picturesque spot in the very north of the island, next to Dhiffushi Beach and Kite Beach. The property has a fitness center, private beach access, and a restaurant. Shared facilities include 24-hour reception, room service, and a common lounge and courtyard. The rooms are equally lovely and come with air-conditioning, a minibar, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom. Their double bedroom with balcony and sunset views is especially worth the price, as the Maldives promises some of the most spectacular sunsets you’ll ever see.
Infinity Dhiffushi
Infinity lies among a huge cuddle of guesthouses in Dhiffushi. The island’s northern section is especially popular with tourists, and you’ll find most accommodations here. Infinity is a slightly upscale abode having a garden, shared lounge, 24-hour reception, in-house restaurant, and bike rentals. The hotel staff can even help organize any excursions you want to participate in. Furthermore, they provide pick up and drop service to the harbor. Rooms at Infinity Dhiffushi have a contemporary look, are spacious, and include TVs, cupboards, en-suite showers, air-conditioners, and minibars.
Araamu Holidays & Spa
Travelers who prefer hotels in Dhiffushi over a guesthouse can go with booking a stay at Araamu. Located in the island’s central section, it is a three-star property with a spa center, gift shop, games room, activity area, and restaurant. Close to the beach, it’s a beautiful hotel that has all modern creature comforts. The bedrooms at Araamu deserve a special mention for being clean and roomy. Air-conditioning, TVs, large baths with jacuzzi and showers, and balconies are features that help make your stay memorable. Lastly, the staff is forever friendly and ready to help with all your requests.
N.B.: all information is correct as of the post’s publication date, and prices are subject to change.
