Gulhi is a tiny fishing island in the Maldives, and heaven on Earth for travellers who take off their watches so that they’re not aware of the passage of time, and who just want to enjoy the silence and the tranquility. With its incomparable scenery, the island is a delight for the senses. It has a magnificent beach with golden sands and tempting, turquoise waters. It’s as if visitors are being invited to appear on a beautiful holiday postcard.
The island of Gulhi (in the Maldives) belongs to the Kaafu atoll, and lies very close to the islands of Maafushi (the backpackers’ island) and Guraidhoo, both of which are also highly popular with tourists. Due to its small size, and the fact that what little accommodation there is, is also on a small scale, the island is not overcrowded with tourists. It is, rather, a destination designed for relaxation and the enjoyment of nature, which can be seen here in all its glory. A unique place to switch off from the hustle and bustle.
Gulhi’s economy is based on fishing and boat building. In fact, it is home to the Maldives’ oldest shipyard, and lots of vessels use its services, thanks to its closeness to Malé and to the international airport.
Caution: do not confuse Gulhi with Gulhi Falhu, a much less attractive island attached to Malé.
How to get there
Gulhi has 900 inhabitants, and lies just over 20 kilometres from Malé. A ferry, or slow boat, sails from Villingili on the Malé-Gulhi-Maafushi-Guraidhoo route. This vessel sails every day of the week apart from Fridays and Mondays, and the trip takes just over an hour. Moreover, ticket prices are very cheap. If you would prefer not to take the public ferry, you can always hire a speed boat, which can be either private or shared. Of course, that will be much more expensive. You can also travel to Gulhi on a fast boat from the nearby island of Maafushi.
Bikini Beach in Gulhi
Gulhi’s beach (Bikini Beach) is, without a doubt, the loveliest spot on the island. It can compete with any other beach on the Maldives archipelago, and is highly recommended to travellers who enjoy clear, turquoise waters and sunshine. This is a very quiet beach, with shallow waters; sun loungers and sunshades are available free of charge. It should be noted that the Maldives is a Muslim country, and that the “bikini beaches” are intended purely for tourists.
Snorkelling and diving
Many visitors come to the island of Gulhi for the snorkelling and diving. There are two PADI diving centres and a water sports centre. Sporting activities constitute one of the main attractions of this island, which is barely 400 metres long and just over 200 metres wide. In other words, an area that can be covered in a few minutes.
Gulhi’s coral reefs are very near the coast, so you can enjoy this wonder of nature without needing to book a specific excursion, and you can go snorkelling independently as long as you have the necessary equipment (flippers, goggles, tube, and so on). Diving on Gulhi is targeted at both amateurs and advanced divers. There are several diving points nearby, but the best plan is to ask Anees or Tikri in the new Gulhi Adventure Diving Centre. There they can tell you about the best options for spotting sharks, turtles and manta rays.
Although the island of Gulhi is very small, there are a few local shops where you can buy the basics. However, you need to be aware that there is no bank or cash dispenser.
Surfing and other water sports
Surfing is very popular in the waters around Gulhi, and from here you have access to two of the most famous surfing sites in the South Malé Atoll. We are talking about the island’s breaks (Gulhi reef), that can be accessed from the beach, and also about the Twin Peaks and Quarters, which can be reached by boat within a few minutes. It is worth remembering that the rainy season, from May to October, is the best time of year for surfing. Other water sports popular on Gulhi are those related to jet skiing, kayaking, SUP, paddle boarding, and so on.
There are no official agencies organising activities on the island, but you can find individuals who organise tours and excursions. An increasingly popular activity is going out sea fishing in a local boat in late evening and trying your luck with line fishing. The catch often ends up on a barbecue on returning to land, but if the fish are not going to be eaten, they are returned to the sea as quickly as possible.
Where to eat
As this is only a small island, there is not a great deal of choice in terms of places to eat. There are several local restaurants, and one of these is on the “bikini beach” itself where lunch is available at a very reasonable price. The best places to eat on Gulhi are Salt Harbour, opposite the port with an attractive terrace; then there’s Noovilla Coffeeshop, Dhilakani Café and Tropic Platter.
