Located at the heart of the Maldives archipelago (in the Malé North Atoll, to be precise), Dhiffushi is the country’s most easterly island, and has a very special charm of its own. A remarkable feature of the island is the greenness of so much of its landscape, and it is home to a small fishing community — a population of no more than one thousand. Dhiffushi is one kilometre long, and 200 metres wide.
For administrative purposes, it is part of Kaafu, a group of four naturally-formed atolls. Close to Dhiffushi lies one of the country’s best fishing grounds, and over 40 tourist resorts are scattered over the Malé atolls. In fact, this is one of the best-known and most visited areas in the Maldives.
This is one of the places that you won’t want to miss on any holiday to the Maldives, as it has a host of attractions. What is there to see in Dhiffushi? Apart from its idyllic beaches, the island has several mosques, a pleasant market and vibrant street life.
How to get there
The island of Dhiffushi (Maldives) lies around 35 kilometres to the north of Malé and is reached, as you would expect, by boat. However, there are three ways of getting to Dhiffushi from Malé. Most travellers use the public ferry (or “dhoni”) number 308, which sails the Malé-Dhiffushi route in about three hours. The crossing stops off on other islands en route, including Hinmafushi, Huraa and Thulusdhoo. The ferry sails every day apart from Mondays and Fridays, and ticket prices are very cheap. The second option is to hire a shared vessel, either in Malé or at the airport. In this case, the journey takes around an hour, and there are various timetables. Finally, you could always book a private vessel and sail whenever you wish.
Best beaches in Dhiffushi
Dhiffushi has three magnificent beaches, all of which will entice you to enjoy their fine, golden sands and to plunge into their turquoise waters. In fact these beaches, all “bikini beaches”, are Dhiffushi’s outstanding attraction. Moreover, each has its own unique character:
North Beach. As its name suggests, this is the island of Dhiffushi’s most northerly beach, with its eastern side being the most beautiful. Here the water is deeper, so it’s perfect for a dip and enjoying the rocks and coral that lie very close to the beach. But don’t forget to bring your goggles and snorkel, because not far from the beach you will find a huge variety of colourful fish. On the beach, there are sunshades and loungers that are free to use.
South Beach. Obviously, this beach is located at the opposite end of the island from the North Beach. This is a quiet beach with calm, shallow waters and it is surrounded by plant life, giving it an unspoilt appearance. In addition, it has rustic-style loungers and sunshades that are free to use. The beach is barely 50 metres long.
Sunrise beach (Ameera). Sunrise beach is next to the port, and has attractive palm trees as well as swings to provide fun. Its white sands and clear waters attract large numbers of bathers who descend on Dhiffushi for their holidays.
Excursions on the island
As this is a popular holiday destination, the island of Dhiffushi offers lots of possibilities if you’re looking to enjoy sightseeing in the area. The following are the most popular excursions:
Snorkelling among the coral reefs. There are several places where you can go snorkelling near Dhiffushi. If you’re interested, you can book an excursion to one or more of these to enjoy the fabulous seabed.
Snorkelling with turtles. The first thing you will be told is that there is no guarantee you will find turtles, but it is very likely that you will see them, and be able to swim among them.
Snorkelling and lunch on a sand bank. This excursion includes several stops for snorkelling as well as time on a sand bank.
Dolphin spotting. This excursion takes place in the evening, and it’s very likely that you will see dolphins leaping and playing.
More water-based activities
On Dhiffushi, there are four diving centres providing water-based activities at quite reasonable prices: Scuba Divine, Dhiffushi Dive&Recreation, Other Divers, and the Maldivers Diving Centre. The dives are undertaken amid stunning scenery, such as undersea caves, shipwrecks and vertical reefs teeming with life. Other water sports are also available, including banana boating, jet skiing and more, or you could go out fishing at nightfall.
More water-based activities
There is not a great choice of restaurants on Dhiffushi, but it is certainly possible to eat well on the island. We can recommend a few places, such as Café 420, which has a terrace with sea views, and which offers freshly caught, grilled fish in addition to pizzas; Cozy Café, located opposite the port, where you can enjoy typical Maldives snacks, fried rice or noodles; Dream Corner, which serves a good range of local dishes; Rashu Hiyaa, by the beach, and the Sand Grill Restaurant, with its terrace on the sandy beach itself.
Best hotels in the Maldives
The Maldives are also an exotic paradise in terms of tourist accommodation. There are many options designed for all sorts of travellers. We would like to recommend one of the most tempting establishments that will not only make your experience on the archipelago unforgettable, but will also make you feel quite at home. And as if that wasn’t enough, it offers excellent value for money too.
This is the Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives, located on the private island of Bodufinolhu, in one of the Maldives’ largest atolls (Ari Atoll) in the west of the archipelago. This establishment offers 100 villas, each with an outside terrace, on an all-inclusive basis. Guests can access a wide range of water sports (including spotting whale sharks and manta rays), while enjoying the comfort of the villas (63 beach villas, 30 water villas and 7 beach suites).
The resort offers three restaurants, a snack bar and three bars, bringing you exceptional gastronomic experiences. There are also two generous, brimming swimming pools, one of which enjoys panoramic views of the Ari Atoll. Guests can enjoy activities such as yoga and pilates at dawn, and for those keen to take good care of themselves, the Mandara spa offers a wide range of personal treatments and a comprehensive fitness facility. In addition, the hotel is just a stone’s throw away from the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), an emblematic spot thanks to its thriving population of whale sharks.
This is a five-star option for those looking to enjoy unique experiences on the holiday of their dreams.
