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There is no denying that the Maldives has an appealing setting. It wouldn’t attract millions of tourists year-round if it did not. Most travelers fly thousands of miles from across the globe to enjoy the beach and underwater activities offered aplenty in the country’s exclusive resort islands. However, there happen to be a few who tread the offbeat path.
In search of an immersive local experience, they head to the vibrant inhabited islands scattered around the archipelago. Unlike the manicured setting of the luxury islands, these offer an authentic stay for visitors who come in search of a tropical paradise.
One such destination is Thulusdhoo, a beautiful island that offers more than the regular dose of sun, sand, and sea!
About Thulusdhoo
At face value, Thulusdhoo looks like a populated industrious town with warehouses and factories interspersing the landscape. Look deeper, and you’ll realize that it still maintains its traditional charm. Consequently, the island is inviting enough for tourists wishing to spend a budget-friendly holiday.
Possessing a bit of the Caribbean vibe, Thulusdhoo remains a hidden gem. It is yet to catch the attention of mainstream holidaymakers.
Capital of the Kaafu Atoll, Thulusdhoo’s proximity to Malé Airport and fishing harbor puts it among the most accessible islands in the Maldives. Home to approximately 1400 inhabitants, it is about 1.5km in length and a little over half a kilometer in width.
The highlight of a stay on the island, though, is surfing. Thulusdhoo is among the most famous surf spots, known for having some of the most challenging breaks found around the Maldives.
A few grocery and hardware stores on the island provide fruits, vegetables, basic groceries, and beach and surfing gear. Thulusdhoo does have one ATM. Still, it is best to carry cash in the local currency, Rufiyaa. A few places accept US Dollars and/or Euros. Most stores and guest houses accept credit cards but may charge a transaction fee.
How to reach Thulusdhoo
At a distance of roughly 30kms from Malé, Thulusdhoo is easily reachable by boat. There are regular local ferries as well as scheduled speed boats. As is the case across the Maldives, book your transfers in advance. Your guesthouse or hotel can help you with reservations. Tickets for ferries are available only at the terminal.
Among pocket-friendly options, the local ferries are convenient, costing only $3 one way per person. The slow ferry takes about 120min leaving Malé at 1430hrs. They run on all days except Tuesdays. On Friday, when very few boats operate, it departs at 2230hrs. The return ferries from Thulusdhoo leave in the morning at 0730hrs on all days except Tuesdays and 1430hrs on Fridays.
The 90min fast ferry also runs on all days (except Tuesdays) with departure from Malé at 1530hrs. On Friday, they sail at 2230hrs. The return is at 0730hrs from Thulusdhoo on all days except Friday, when it is at 1430hrs.
The other option is that of a speedboat transfer. Both private and shared boats ply between Malé Airport and Thulusdhoo, covering the distance in 30min. A personal speedboat allows you to travel at any time of the day. Costs for a private transfer start at $200 per way for up to 8 people.
Shared speedboats cost $30 per person one-way. From the airport, they run every day at multiple times, starting at 0900hrs until 2200hrs. The times may sometimes vary depending on holidays or sea conditions.
Transportation around Thulusdhoo
Located on North Malé Atoll’s eastern rim, the island covers only 0.38 square km. It is thus easy to navigate on foot.
Furthermore, most hotels and guesthouses in Thulusdhoo provide bicycles or mopeds for hire, an excellent way to explore the tiny island.
Keeping oneself hydrated during the day in Thulusdhoo is essential. Thus, always carry water bottles along with a cap and sunscreen. Indulging in the local drinks of Maldives, like coconut water, while sauntering around is another good and natural option to stay refreshed.
Things to do in Thulusdhoo
The island’s main attraction is surfing. There are, nevertheless, plenty of activities to do in Thulusdhoo for everyone to enjoy.
Surfing
In the 1970s, a few adventurous Australian surfers landed on Maldivian shores searching for newer surfing spots. It was in Thulusdhoo that their search ended.
Home to a couple of the most popular surf breaks in the Maldives – Chickens and Cokes – Thulusdhoo is a must for surfing enthusiasts. Apart from these two, there are several equally thrilling surf breaks close to the island: Ninjas, Sultans, and Honkys, being the three that surfers love to experience.
Beginners and experienced surfers both make their way to the island to ride these fantastic swells and breaks. Surfing has, as a result, become a strong foundation for tourism on the island, having taken off tremendously over the past three to four years.
Beach time and snorkeling
From any point on Thulusdhoo, the beach is never too far. And its warm turquoise waters, always inviting. Like other public islands in the Maldives, Thulusdhoo has a Bikini Beach (reserved only for tourists) on its western coastline. This is the solitary place on the island where you can strip down to your bikinis and get a good tan. Lined with hammocks, swings, and day beds, the beach offers a few extra amenities owned by the guesthouses that kiss the shores.
Adding a hint of vibrancy to a beach day is Thingri Point house reef. Close to the shore, it is home to colorful corals and a variety of fish. Mornings are the best times for snorkeling in the reef, where one can sometimes spot dolphins. There are also calmer snorkeling spots surrounding the island where you may encounter larger fish like the manta rays and sharks.
Scuba diving
The island offers numerous opportunities to undertake paddle boarding, night fishing, and dolphin cruise with experienced guides.
However, like elsewhere in the Maldives, scuba diving is a prevalent activity here. Near the island are numerous diving spots that will undoubtedly give you an adrenalin rush.
Colosseum – Suitable for beginners and advanced open water divers, it is the closest dive site to Thulusdhoo. It gets its name from the 40m C-shaped formation located to the west of the island. The top reef at 7m gently slopes down to 25m and hosts colorful fish like small barracudas, rainbow runners, bluefin jacks, turtles, and sometimes even eagle rays.
Prisca Corner – Dotted with sea fans, the reef slope has whitetip reef sharks darting back and forth throughout the day. The depth here ranges from 10m – 30m, making the reef suitable for intermediate to advanced level divers.
Meru Corner – Located at the northern end of the Dhiffushi Falhu, Meru Corner is a popular diving site in the area. In its nooks, you’ll find turtles and whitetip reef sharks. One can also spot stingrays, species of grouper, and giant morays occupying different levels of the vertical slope that drops dramatically from 5m to almost 30m.
Coca-Cola plant visit
Thulusdhoo gained much fame after the Coca-Cola company set up a plant here back in the 1980s. Apart from being the only one in the Maldives, the plant’s uniqueness lies in the fact that it is the only place where Coca-Cola uses desalinated water. The surf break Cokes gets its name from the factory.
Although the factory typically allows tours twice a day at 0900hrs and 1400hrs, these timings do change occasionally. Therefore, ask your guesthouse host to call the factory and confirm before heading there.
Resort day
A resort day in the Maldives is a perfect way to indulge in the nation’s luxurious accommodations. Thulusdhoo has many resorts nearby that you can visit with a day-pass that lasts from 0900hrs to 1700hrs. Some of the much-liked retreats closest to the island are Club Med Kani and Cinnamon Dhonveli.
Places to eat in Thulusdhoo
Local food adds an element of authenticity to any holiday as it encompasses the very essence of a destination. The cuisine on Thulusdhoo is a heady mix of regional and international flavors, allowing tourists to try something new at every meal. Like other public islands, there is no alcohol on Thulusdhoo.
Among the best places to eat in Thulusdhoo are;
Short Break Café
Serving traditional comfort food, this hole-in-the-wall eatery is a favorite, especially with surfers. Owned by a local family, they serve delectable homely dishes, including the famous Maldivian breakfast item mashuni. The café’s menu further includes refreshing juices, shakes, and hot drinks.
Byyoni
Byyoni is the go-to option to tickle your taste buds with Maldivian cuisine. You’ll find kottu roshi, mas riha, as well as traditional tea-time snacks, hedhikaa, on the menu. Not surprisingly, many locals choose to hang out here.
Contagious Pizza Café
As the name suggests, this place offers mouth-watering pizzas. Many would argue that Contagious has the best pizzas in the Maldives! Started by an American, this popular restaurant in Thulusdhoo is now under the ownership of locals. The quality, however, is the same. It still serves delectable pizzas with a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian toppings.
Talousa by the Sea
A fancy restaurant in Thulusdhoo, ideal for a romantic dinner in the Maldives, Talousa by the Sea is part of a restaurant chain. The venue is picturesque, food affordable, and service quick. They serve various dishes ranging from Maldivian food to Indian and international favorites.
Fusion Restaurant
Located in Canopus Retreat, Fusion plates a diverse selection of dishes from Asia and Europe. Their seafood dishes are among the best, much-loved by visitors. The menu is populated with shakes and juices, while their Sunday barbecue is worth every penny you pay for it!
Best hotels and guesthouses in Thulusdhoo
Due to the island’s increasing popularity among surfers and budget-conscious tourists, there are now many hotels and guesthouses in Thulusdhoo. Never short of options, travelers have the opportunity to pick an accommodation as per their preference, each one providing a safe and clean stay.
Samura Maldives Guest House
With a cozy island charm, Samura Maldives guesthouse offers beachfront accommodation. Entirely made with wood and glass, the guesthouse has an alluring Balinese vibe. Each room of this warm guesthouse in Thulusdhoo has an attached bathroom and modern luxuries except a television. Wi-Fi, though, is available for guests to use.
Moreover, the on-site restaurant serves delicious food while the front desk is forever ready to organize water sports activities for their guests. Moreover, the staff is eager to go above and beyond and make your stay as comfortable as possible.
Canopus Retreat Thulusdhoo
For a more hotel-like experience, Canopus Retreat is the best place to stay in Thulusdhoo. It has an on-site restaurant, concierge service, a shared lounge, and Wi-Fi. You can also arrange for airport transfers through the staff.
This 12-room hotel, located next to the beach, offers its guests undisturbed access to the Ocean. The air-conditioned rooms of Canopus have a wardrobe, en-suite bathrooms, and flat-screen televisions. The higher category rooms at the hotel have a seating area.
Season’s Paradise
Season’s Paradise is a 48-room four-star beachfront property with a rooftop infinity pool. The interiors of the bedrooms are stylish and come fitted with contemporary facilities, including televisions, tea coffee makers, and AC. The hotel most certainly ticks all the essential boxes for a wonderfully tranquil island holiday.
Moreover, their in-house restaurant acts as the perfect dining option on the beach with BBQ and live music on weekends. Furthermore, the hotel has a 24-hour reception, a spa, laundry service, and an indoor entertainment center.
Dream Inn Maldives
A budget-friendly three-star hotel, Dream Inn offers five private abodes and an 8-bed hostel-like room. Also known as Sun Beach Hotel, the private rooms here are comfortable, having all basic amenities. Some bedrooms have tea-coffee makers and televisions, while all rooms have an AC, a safe, and a wardrobe.
A stay at Dream Inn includes the chance to lounge on a swing in a large garden. After a long day exploring and swimming, they also have an excellent in-house restaurant if you prefer to dine in.
Kahanbu Ocean View
With wide French windows affording breath-taking sea-views of the deep blue Indian Ocean, this four-room boutique guesthouse in Thulusdhoo is only a few steps from the Bikini Beach. The accommodation has a small yet beautiful garden and features a 24hrs reception. Kahanbu has free Wi-Fi throughout the property as well.
All the rooms in Kahanbu come with an attached bathroom and air-conditioning. The hosts are friendly and happy to arrange diving safaris, surfing lessons, and fishing excursions around Thulusdhoo.
N.B.:all information is correct as of the post publication date, and prices are subjected to change.
