Dhangethi Island in Maldives - Things to do and places to stay

Situated in the waters of the Alif Dhaalu Atoll (also known as South Ari), Dhangethi Island offers visitors a timeless experience that will make you forget about time. From traditional Maldivian crafts to exciting underwater adventures, there is something for everyone. Immerse yourself in the local atmosphere, explore coral reefs, enjoy the privacy of pristine beaches and discover the interesting stories of this island.

General information about Dhangethi Island :

• Square : 252 square kilometers.
• Population : about 1 thousand.
• Religion : Islam.

The island has medical and educational institutions, a football stadium, a bank branch, and a police station.

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How to get there

Dhangethi Island is located about 90 kilometers from Male, the capital of the Maldives. There are several ways to get there:

• By Speedboat: The most common way to get to Dhangethi is by speedboat from Male. It runs on a daily schedule and takes about 1.5-2 hours.
• Domestic Flight + Speedboat: You can also take a domestic flight from Velana International Airport to Maamigili Airport and then take a speedboat for about 20 minutes to Dhangethi.
• Private Speedboat or Yacht: For a more exclusive and flexible trip, you can charter a private speedboat or yacht.
• Budget travellers can take public ferries, but keep in mind that they run less frequently and the journey takes longer (about 5-6 hours).

The main means of transport on the island itself are scooters and mopeds.

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Things to do and see

Today's Dhangethi offers a combination of traditional Maldivian lifestyle with a dash of modern tourism. Fishing and shipbuilding are integral parts of the island's life. The local shipyard produces and services vessels used for fishing and passenger transport.

The village showcases traditional Maldivian architecture, including coral stone walls and wooden structures. Visitors can explore several island mosques, interact with fishermen, see traditional crafts such as boat building, and watch bodu beru, a traditional drumming performance.

The main attraction and symbol of the island is a small sculpture in the form of a jug, associated with an ancient legend, which has a number of interpretations. According to one of them, local fishermen used the moon in the jug to get an audience with the local ruler. And according to another, the inhabitants of the island once "caught" the reflection of the moon in the jug, and today the moonlight, enclosed in a clay vessel, brings prosperity to the island.

Visitors often hear this story from locals, which gives Dhangethi a special charm, making it not just a place to relax, but a place of legends and wonders.

In addition to walking around the island, tourists are offered water activities, romantic candlelit dinners on the beach, dolphin cruises, night fishing, snorkeling with turtles, trips to sandbanks and, of course, diving!

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Diving

South Ari Atoll offers some of the best diving in the Maldives. Here, divers can encounter turtles and rays, an impressive variety of coral reefs and tropical fish, and a variety of other marine life. However, the main attraction here is the opportunity to dive with a variety of shark species, including reef sharks, tiger sharks, whale sharks, nurse sharks, and hammerheads.

There are dozens of excellent dive sites in the area around Dhangethi Island, including:

• Kudarah Thila is a protected site with rich coral gardens and inhabitants such as striped snappers , napoleons and turtles.
• Dhigurah arches - located on the island's house reef, which descends from 5 to 25 meters and is abundantly populated by marine life. In addition to numerous schooling fish, moray eels and stingrays are often found here.
• Brocken Rock - Known for its unique rock formations in the form of a canyon dividing the reef in two, as well as the abundance of fan corals, this site is a must-see for underwater photographers. It is home to moray eels, napoleons, groupers, barracudas and many other representatives of the underwater kingdom.
• Kudhimaa wreck is the wreck of a 50-meter cargo ship that was intentionally sunk to a depth of 30 meters in 1998. Moray eels, lionfish, stonefish and nurse sharks are among the regular inhabitants of the dive site.

Dhangethi's dive centres offer equipment rentals, courses for beginners and guided dives for experienced divers so that everyone can explore the island's underwater wonders.

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Beaches

The island has several beaches including Sunset beach, which offers beautiful views of the colorful Maldivian sunsets, and Bikini Beach, which is covered in white sand and is designed for tourists who want to enjoy the beach life in swimsuits.

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Where to stay

On the island's territory, guests can find cozy guesthouses, including:

• Arianna Dhgangetti is a budget guest house near the beach. There is a cafe. The friendly team will be happy to help with organizing excursions and boat trips. The cost of a room from 40 dollars.
• Banyan Villa is a 5-room guest house located within walking distance of Bikini Beach. It features a restaurant and a well-kept garden. Tours and activities are available. From $75.
• Antares Dhangethi & Spa is a guest house on the first line. Travelers can expect clean, cozy rooms and friendly service. From $95.

There are several high-end resorts located near Dhangethi Island, including Lily Beach Resort & Spa on Huvahendhoo Island and Vilamendhoo Island Resort . Some of them offer a so-called Day Pass , which allows you to enjoy the luxury resort's facilities for a day for a reasonable fee. For more information on how to arrange such a trip, please visit the website of the relevant resort or contact your hotelier.

Antares Dhangethi & Spa