Arranged in various small island clusters or atolls, the Maldives is an archipelago of 1,192 islands. The nation’s tropical weather, coral reefs, and pristine beaches make it a popular tourism destination.
Categorized into two groups, public or private, the Maldives islands offer the best in luxury, culture, and total immersion into the local lifestyle. Furthermore, this concept grants visitors the option to book a stay in the Maldives based on their individual budgets and preferences.
During the starting decades of tourism in the archipelago, guests could only stay on private islands. However, things changed when the government allowed the construction of guesthouses in 2009.
Now, a public island vacation is optimal for travelers wanting to indulge in a budget-friendly vacation in the Maldives and explore authentic life. And one of the best, inhabited islands to holiday in the Maldives, is Gulhi.
About Gulhi
Located 21 kilometers south of Velana International Airport, Gulhi is a small fishing island with white sand beaches and rich marine life. It is one of the least populated isles of the Kaafu Atoll, with only about 900 permanent residents. Situated near the island of Maafushi, Gulhi is an ideal destination for tourists wanting to connect with locals and experience Maldivian culture.
The island spans an area of 670 x 230 meters and houses several souvenir shops, cafes, a couple of minimarts, a bashi playground, and a mosque. However, there are no ATMs; one must carry USD or Maldivian currency, Rufiyaa, for day-to-day expenses. The closest ATM is in Maafushi, although the transaction fee can pinch the pocket slightly. Luckily, some established restaurants and guesthouses in Gulhi accept credit cards.
Most people depend on boat building and fishing on the island for survival. Several fishing vessels go out into the sea for days at a time, while the others work on a daily basis. Northside of Gulhi has the oldest dockyard in the Maldives that is still active, given its proximity to Malé.
Gulhi in the 1980s and now
Interestingly, Gulhi was a popular tourist destination before the mid-1980s, before private islands were made off-limits for outsiders. The island is said to have had several bed and breakfast establishments that welcomed guests in the hundreds.
The last decade has seen a slow revival of Gulhi’s formal glory. With Maafushi becoming one of the top public islands in the Maldives, Gulhi plays the role of its quieter, secluded, and serene neighbor.
For travelers interested in onomatology, the word ‘Gulhi’ refers to a small earthen clay pot that Maldivian people use to carry water in a dhoni.
How to reach Gulhi
Tourists can travel from Malé to Gulhi by public or private transportation based on the cost or timing of arrival at the airport. The travel options are as follows:
Public ferry: MTCC public ferry is the most budget-friendly choice. The ferry on route 311 stops at Gulhi first and then at other islands in South Malé Atoll. It leaves from Villingili/MTCC terminal at 3:00 PM and reaches Gulhi by 4:15 PM. For the return trip, the ferry leaves the island at 08:00 AM. Public transportation costs $3 per person and services are unavailable on Fridays and Mondays.
Scheduled speedboat: Run by Tropic Xpress, speedboats depart for Gulhi at 12:30 and 4:45 PM. The journey takes 25-30 minutes and costs $25-30 per person. Speedboats to Malé leave from Gulhi at 07:45 AM and 1:30 PM.
Private speedboat: Private speedboats are available for tourists who want to travel at their leisure. A one-way trip on a personal boat costs around $170.
Transportation around Gulhi
Gulhi island is relatively small, and it takes approximately half a kilometer of walking to reach from one corner to the other. There are only dirt roads on the island, eliminating the usage of motorable vehicles. You can easily tour the entire place on foot within an hour and cover all the landmarks. Another possibility is to rent or borrow a cycle from your guesthouse in Gulhi to explore the island.
Things to do in Gulhi
First-time tourists are often surprised by the sheer abundance of activities and things to do in Gulhi. Not only do these excursions allow travelers to stay occupied, but they simultaneously provide unmatched insight into local life.
Spend a day at the beach
Like most Maldivian public islands, Gulhi has separate beaches for locals and tourists. Given the Islamic rules, people must dress modestly when at North Beach.
However, South Beach has multiple sunbeds, and guests can wear bikinis. You can also hire jet skis or snorkel equipment at the nearby shops or guesthouses to explore the house reef, which starts at about 200 meters from the shore.
Go surfing
Gulhi is ideal for avid surfers, professionals or beginners, as it provides quick access to some of the best Maldivian surfing spots. You can hit one swell off the reef as it is reachable on a surfboard from the beach.
Guru is another iconic left-hand break nearby, named after a guesthouse in Gulhi. Twin Peaks and Quarters are two more challenging favorites accessible via a quick boat ride.
Take a trip to Maafushi
Maafushi is arguably the most structured and, thus, a tourist-preferred public island in the archipelago. It is almost thrice the size of Gulhi and has multiple dining places, guesthouses, hotels, and watersports activities.
Travelers can plan a day trip to Maafushi or stay the night, catch the sunrise, and return via a public boat. You can also take a public ferry between the two islands that takes only 30 minutes to cover the distance.
Enjoy scuba diving
South Malé Atoll is famous for its pelagic (open sea) diving and kandus (overwater sea decks). The Adventure Diving center on the island offers several trips to different locations close by, like Kadooma Caves, Kuda Giri Wreck, Embudu Kandu, Losfushi Corner, and Guraidhoo Kandu.
During the eco-friendly dives, you will likely come across eagle and sting rays, barracudas, Hawksbill turtles, an array of fish, and reef sharks.
Try out night fishing
Most hotels or guest houses offer fishing trips that start a couple of hours before sunset. Tourists can hire a speedboat or a dhoni based on their preference. Once the boat finds a suitable spot near the reef, the crew helps people with hooks, lines, and sinkers. If you catch any fish, the kitchen staff cooks it for you during dinner upon your return.
Night fishing is quite a unique experience. Moreover, it is simple enough for anyone to partake. However, please book the trip through your guesthouse in Gulhi or an authorized center. This way, the boat takes you to a designated spot in the sea where fishing is legally allowed.
Places to eat in Gulhi
An island many tourists prefer, Gulhi has several restaurants serving snacks and full-course meals across cuisines. The setting is almost always idyllic, whereas the food is fresh and local.
Tropic Platter
Located close to Gulhi’s south end, Tropic Platter is the in-house restaurant of the Tropic Tree Maldives hotel. It offers both indoor and open-air courtyard seating.
Open from 8 AM – 10 PM, the establishment serves different cuisines like Indian, Chinese, and Continental. Here, guests can also request terrace dining services and enjoy their meal with a clear view of the island.
Fulhoi Restaurant & Dining
Situated in the island’s center, Hotel Fulhoi has an in-house restaurant serving European and Indian dishes and seafood. The restaurant has both indoor and rooftop seating, the latter always being a favorite considering Maldives’ tropical weather.
To eat, you’ll find classics on the menu like spaghetti, tuna curry, grilled reef fish, and fried rice. The restaurant also serves beverages like tea, coffee, flavored milkshakes, and soft drinks.
It’s pertinent to note that alcohol is not allowed on Maldivian public islands.
Premier Beach Restaurant and Guesthouse in Gulhi
Known for its north waterfront location, Premier Beach appears much like a rustic shack from the outside. However, the dining hall is quite welcoming, having several wooden tables placed indoors, outdoors, and by the windows.
The menu includes various Italian and seafood dishes, like tuna fried noodles, octopus fried rice, spaghetti aglio olio, and chicken pizza. For breakfast, guests can order a continental platter with bread and eggs.
Or else, they can select a combo of Maldivian regional eats such as roshi – flatbread, and mas huni – a dry preparation made with coconut, tuna, onions, and green chilies.
Dhilakani Cafe
Located near Gulhi Youth Center, Dhilakani Cafe is a popular eatery in a narrow street that serves snacks, rice dishes, beverages, and ice creams.
A few popular items on the menu are grilled fish, chicken kothuroshi, tuna soup, fish & chips, and tuna omelet. The cafe staff is friendly and helps tourists with any questions about food or the island.
The Hideout Coffee Shop
Hideout Coffee Shop is a lovely little eatery with a grey exterior, cute graffiti on the outside wall, and an unmissable dark-colored sign.
For coffee enthusiasts, it is undoubtedly the place to visit in Gulhi. You can try fresh brews, virgin mojitos, mango smoothies, and peanut milkshakes here.
If feeling peckish, the coffee shop also plates an array of comfort foods. There’s the Greek salad, lemon chicken burger, tandoori submarines, and tuna pizza, to name a few.
Best hotels and guesthouses in Gulhi
Ayala Ocean View Gulhi
Ayala Ocean View is one of the best guesthouses in Gulhi, located near Bikini Beach. As the name suggests, guests staying at the property enjoy gorgeous sea vistas while relaxing in well-appointed rooms.
There are 20 abodes inside the guesthouse, spread out over three floors. All have a contemporary look and promise a cozy atmosphere. In-room amenities include free WiFi, TVs, electric kettles, and en-suite bathrooms.
The hotel further has a rooftop terrace and a restaurant named Benha. Guests can dine from an all-day menu that consists of local and international dishes. Furthermore, residents looking to explore the many marvels of Maldives can ask the staff to organize excursions like boat trips, fishing, and scuba diving.
For more information on Ayala Ocean View Gulhi, click here.
Beach Stone Hotel Gulhi
Beach Stone is another of the most loved guesthouses in Gulhi, known for its friendly service and location close to Bikini Beach. Homely looking from the outside, the residence offers ocean-view rooms and is only 10 minutes away from Gulhi’s floating bar.
Furthermore, the rooms are spacious, bright, and colorful, having a tropical island theme. Conveniences inside the accommodations include air-conditioners, desks, chairs, WiFi, en-suite showers, and a safe deposit box.
The in-house restaurant at Beach Stone lays out a buffet breakfast and dinner. The staff can also arrange exclusive events, from beach diners and sandbank picnics to barbeques.
For more information on Beach Stone Hotel Gulhi, click here.
If you are looking for accommodations in Gulhi’s neighboring island, here is a list of all the best places to stay in Maafushi.
N.B.: all information is correct as of the post’s publication date, and prices are subject to change.
