Summary
Dhigurah island is arguably one of the most stunning islands you may not have encountered in the Maldives. It offers a local experience without the luxurious overwater resorts that are typically emblematic of the Maldives, but instead boasts an extensive and pristine white sand beach.
If you aim to explore the Maldives on a budget, this is one of the prime locations to accomplish that objective. Dhigurah features all the breathtaking tropical vistas one would anticipate from the Maldives, along with family-run accommodations starting at approximately $70 USD per night.
Our recent exploration of two local islands in the Maldives—Dhigurah and Fulidhoo—yielded great satisfaction with our selection. Each island presented its own unique charm.
This travel guide provides insights on how to reach Dhigurah island, activities to engage in while there, accommodation options, and all pertinent information required prior to your visit!
Table of Contents show
Where To Stay In Dhigurah
How To Get To Dhigurah Island
There is no airport on Dhigurah; thus, you must first arrive at the capital of the Maldives, Male International Airport (MLE), located approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) away from Dhigurah.
From Male, you have the option to take a speedboat or ferry directly to Dhigurah, or you may opt for a seaplane or domestic flight to a nearby island and then continue by boat to your destination.
• By Public Speedboat
The primary means of transportation to Dhigurah is via public speedboat, which is how we traveled. Daily departures are available in the morning and afternoon from both Male airport and the city.
The speedboat journey to Dhigurah typically lasts 2 hours and costs around $50 USD per person one way. Children above 3 years of age are charged full fare.
Generally, the boat ride is not overly bumpy (dependent on weather conditions), and the vessels are equipped with restrooms and ample storage for luggage. The boats are new, with comfortable seating arrangements, and complimentary bottled water is provided.
From Male to Dhigurah, boats generally depart at 11 AM and 4:30 PM (Fridays at 10 AM). The return journey from Dhigurah to Male occurs at 6:30 AM and 1:30 PM (Fridays at 1:45 PM), with a brief stop at Dhangethi island en route to Dhigurah.
However, be aware that numerous speedboat companies operate this route, and the timetable may fluctuate, so it is advisable to confirm the schedule with your accommodation in Dhigurah prior to your departure.
You can request your hotel in Dhigurah to arrange the speedboat for you, allowing payment to be settled with your room bill upon arrival. This method, which we utilized, permitted us to avoid carrying excessive cash throughout our travels.
• By Private Speedboat
A private speedboat charter, while considerably more expensive than the public option, can offer added convenience, particularly if you wish to save time or require direct transport to Dhigurah from another nearby island.
This arrangement can typically be made through your hotel in Dhigurah.
• By Domestic Plane
A direct and efficient method of reaching Dhigurah is via a 20-minute domestic flight with Villa Air / FlyMe from Male to the airport in the adjacent Maamigili island (VAM), followed by a brief 5-minute taxi ride to the harbor and a subsequent 20-minute speedboat journey to Dhigurah.
This route usually offers 3 or 4 flights daily, with one-way ticket prices beginning at $170 USD for adults and $85 for children under 12 years old. Children under 2 can travel free of charge, and typically, the speedboat transfer is included in the fare.
In rare situations, should wave conditions prohibit a standard boat crossing, this option may become your viable means of reaching Dhigurah.
• By Seaplane
A seaplane journey provides one of the most picturesque and exhilarating methods to access Dhigurah; however, it is also among the more costly options.
Pricing for tickets commences at $250 USD per individual, comprising a 30-minute flight to the Lux Resort located in the South Ari Atoll, followed by a 10-minute speedboat transfer to Dhigurah.
Since there is no fixed schedule for seaplane flights, it is essential to arrange this with your hotel beforehand, ideally coordinating to share the flight with other parties headed in the same direction.
• By Public Ferry
Finally, you may also opt for the public ferry from Male to Dhigurah. While this is the slowest transportation method, it is also the most economical. The ferry ride typically requires approximately 6 to 7 hours and costs $8 USD for a one-way ticket.
This service is operated by MTCC several days a week, featuring both morning and evening departures. You can verify the current timetable with MTCC or your accommodation in Dhigurah, where assistance in purchasing tickets is typically available.
How To Get Around The Island
Upon your arrival in Dhigurah, the next step involves navigating the island.
Fortunately, the island is compact enough to be traversable on foot. You can access any location this way! Spanning 4 kilometers (3 miles) in length and merely about 100 to 200 meters in width, Dhigurah follows a long, slender shape.
This aspect is among the many qualities we appreciated about Dhigurah, as it offers a level of convenience that eliminates transportation costs. However, hotels do provide bicycles for rent for short or full-day excursions, should you desire.
Best Things To Do In Dhigurah Island
• North West Beach / Bikini Beach
The primary beach located in Dhigurah is referred to as North West Beach, extending across the entire western side of the island. This area is designated as the island’s ‘bikini beach,’ where visitors are permitted to don swimwear and sunbathe.
Characterized by its stunning scenery, adorned with palm trees and an abundance of small hermit crabs, the beach remains relatively uncrowded. The calm waters are suitable for children’s swimming. Furthermore, if the skies are clear, you may also enjoy sunset views from the beach.
For snorkeling enthusiasts, a prime location can be found near the midpoint, known as Turtle Reef, where it is possible to swim alongside baby sharks and sea turtles, just a short distance offshore!
The beach in Dhigurah is noted to be one of the longest beaches in the Maldives, which is reflective of how the island received its name—Dhigurah translates to ‘long island’ in the local dialect.
• Long Beach Sandbar
A key highlight of Dhigurah is the sandbar situated at the southern tip of the island, referred to as Long Beach. This spot is remarkably beautiful, featuring powdery white sand and shallow turquoise waters, ideal for swimming or leisurely strolls.
From any northern Dhigurah hotels, you can access the sandbank by walking for about one hour along the beach or through the jungle. We favored the jungle route for its shade and the opportunity to observe lizards and various wildlife.
The most advantageous time to reach the sandbar is between 9 and 10 in the morning, as there are fewer visitors and the sun is not overly intense. If walking seems unappealing, bicycles or rickshaws from your hotel can also be utilized.
If you continue along the sandbar during low tide, you can even walk all the way to the adjacent LUX Resort, although access is generally restricted to registered guests.
Remember to carry sufficient water, as midday temperatures can be quite high, and refreshments are unavailable at the sandbar. Some complimentary sun loungers and umbrellas can be found near the end of the beach for use while swimming.
More Things To Do In Dhigurah
- Whale Shark Safari: Engaging in a whale shark swimming excursion is among the most sought-after activities in Dhigurah. While sightings are not guaranteed, the likelihood of encountering whale sharks remains relatively high year-round. Many tours frequent this area for the same attraction, so aiming to be among the earliest to spot a shark is advisable to avoid the crowds. This activity typically lasts 2 to 3 hours.
- Dolphin Cruise: It is customary to observe dolphins in the vicinity of Dhigurah. Although they tend to be too swift to snorkel alongside, watching a pod from the boat remains an enjoyable experience.
- Manta & Reef Shark Cruise: The Maldives is home to both reef sharks and manta rays; excursions lasting 2 to 3 hours are organized to witness them. There exists a manta ‘cleaning station’ near Dhigurah where mantas frequently visit to be cleaned by smaller fish, enhancing the chance of sighting them.
- Resort Excursions: Local hotels in Dhigurah can facilitate half-day excursions to nearby five-star resorts, including Amaya Kuda Rah, Centara Grand Island, Vakarufalhi, or Vilamendhoo. This presents an opportunity to experience the luxury of one of the Maldives’ premier resorts without incurring the full expense. Packages typically encompass round-trip transportation, access to resort facilities such as pools and spas, along with a food and drink allowance while on the property.
- Fishing Excursions: The southeastern region of the Ari Atoll is known to be an excellent location for big-game fishing. With some luck, anglers can catch sailfish, kingfish, yellowfin tuna, and various other species suitable for consumption.
- Scuba Diving: Recognized as one of the premier scuba diving destinations in the Maldives, Dhigurah boasts numerous excellent dive sites teeming with vibrant marine life and beautiful coral formations.
- Watersports: Dhigurah offers an array of watersports, including kayaking, kiteboarding, parasailing, windsurfing, tube rides, and jet skiing.
How Long To Stay
This island is compact; therefore, you can explore most of it and experience the prominent highlights within 2 to 3 days, although extending your stay is entirely feasible. Our visit lasted 3 days, during which we would have happily remained for an additional week or two!
If you share our affinity for beach time and swimming in the ocean, you might find yourself wishing for a couple of extra days to encounter whale sharks and partake in other excursions near the island.
Other Tips For Visiting Dhigurah
- Permits: No travel permits are required to visit non-resort islands in the Maldives, including Dhigurah.
- ATM: One ATM is located on the north end of Dhigurah, conveniently situated near the ferry terminal. It functioned properly during our visit; however, it is advisable to withdraw cash at the airport first, if possible. We used the ATM in Dhigurah without complications using a U.S. debit card, which dispensed Maldivian Rufiyaa.
- Currency: US Dollars are widely accepted on the island, although slightly better rates can be obtained using Maldivian Rufiyaa. Be mindful that Rufiyaa cannot be utilized outside of the Maldives, so it is best not to have leftover currency at the conclusion of your trip. Currency exchange services are not available in Dhigurah, so this can be arranged at Male airport.
- Credit Cards: It is advisable to verify policies, but many hotels in Dhigurah permit payment by credit card for the entire stay, including speedboat transfers. Our hotel allowed this option. There may be a nominal fee associated with card transactions (3 to 5 percent), but many find this small charge justified for the convenience. However, please note that local restaurants and minimarkets in Dhigurah usually do not accept cards; hence, it is necessary to carry some cash.
- Dress Code: The Maldives is a Muslim nation, and local islands such as Dhigurah adhere to a conservative dress code due to the predominance of local residents. Swimsuits and revealing attire are only permitted at designated ‘bikini beach’ areas. Although we observed many disregarding this guideline, it is generally prudent to follow local customs and dress modestly when not at the beach.
- Alcohol: The consumption of alcohol is prohibited on Dhigurah island; however, it is available at nearby resorts. Notably, we did not encounter any excessively loud mosque calls during our stay.
- Mosque: While there is a mosque on the island, it maintains a peaceful atmosphere, and we did not experience any disturbances from it.
- Electricity: During our stay in a budget hotel in Dhigurah, we experienced consistent 24/7 electricity, alleviating concerns regarding power outages.
- Cell Service: Our mobile phones maintained decent 4G connectivity via Ooredoo (through T-Mobile) within the town area and at the Long Beach sandbar as well.
- WiFi: Fast and reliable WiFi service is available in Dhigurah, even at budget accommodations.
- Drones: Many upscale resorts in the Maldives prohibit drone usage; however, as Dhigurah is a local island, I was able to bring and operate a drone without any issues. I confirmed this with my accommodation ahead of time, and the sandbar at Long Beach served as an excellent locale for capturing aerial photographs.
- Wildlife: Throughout Dhigurah, one can observe giant fruit bats (flying foxes) residing in the trees, along with various species of birds, lizards, and crabs.
- Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes were predominantly an issue when we ventured too near the jungle. When relaxing in shaded areas close to the beach, it is advisable to seek breezy spots to mitigate mosquito encounters. Some shaded locations near the beach offer sufficient wind to remain mosquito-free.
- Malaria: Since 1984, the Maldives has been malaria-free, so no worries arise on that front, though instances of dengue fever exist. We applied mosquito repellent when dining at open-air restaurants.
- Safety: The Maldives generally presents a safe environment, characterized by one of the world’s lowest murder rates. We consistently felt secure during our visit, and there have been no reports of adverse incidents on the island.
- Hospital: A small health center is accessible in Dhigurah, but for severe emergencies, transport to the hospital in Malé would be necessary. This applies generally to resort islands across the Maldives as well.
- Food: The local Maldivian cuisine resembles Indian food and may not satisfy all palates, though popular western selections such as pizza, burgers, and steaks are also available.
- Where To Eat: Dhigurah features several commendable restaurants with local, western, and Asian dishes offered at reasonable prices. Consider exploring Cafe Dune, Beach View Cafe, Malaveli, or Shell Restaurant.
Dhigurah Hotels
Best Time To Visit The Maldives
Similar to the rest of the Maldives, Dhigurah experiences a dry season from January to April. This period represents the optimal time to visit the island, as the weather tends to be sunnier with less rainfall.
While tourist numbers peak during this season, we found the island to remain uncrowded during our visit in January.
The wettest months in the Maldives occur from September to December. Although it’s still feasible to visit Dhigurah during these months, increased rainfall is likely.
More Maldives Travel Guides
Thank you for reading! I hope this travel guide proves helpful for your journey to Dhigurah island in the Maldives. It truly serves as a budget-friendly paradise.
