Dhiffushi Island in the Maldives: where to stay, eat, relax

Dhiffushi is an inhabited island in North Male Atoll with white sand beaches and blue lagoons. This is a small fishing village where you can wonderfully relax among the magnificent Maldivian sunsets. The island is quite quiet: only a thousand people live on it. A great stay if you are looking for a budget holiday in the Maldives. And the road by speedboat from the airport will take only 40 minutes.

General information

This is the easternmost point of the atoll. The tropical island stretches over 22 hectares. From a height, the island looks like an elongated snow-white strip in the middle of the turquoise ocean: its length is 1 km, and its width is only 200 m. Guests are greeted by tropical gardens of coconut trees that have chosen the coastline.

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Dhiffushi infrastructure

This is a small village where you can relax on a budget away from the hustle and bustle. The island has a hospital, mosques and a school. Football lovers will find a football field and a local football club where they can kick the ball with the Maldivian teenagers.

Unfortunately, there is no ATM on the small island, so you should take care of your finances in advance while still in Male . It is there that you will find ATMs to withdraw Maldivian rufiyaa . But if you have cash dollars, you can not worry and exchange them right on the island in a hotel or in any shop. Also, residents of the Maldives are happy to accept the currency. However, on local islands it is more profitable to pay with rufiyaa .
There is no pharmacy, but there is a guy on the island who keeps stocks of medicines. Or you will have to urgently go to Male. Therefore, immediately take everything you need for first aid with you.
On the island you will find two dive centers.
Guests receive 10 guest houses, new hotels appear.

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The beaches of Dhiffushi Island

Bikini beaches have been arranged for tourists, where you can relax in swimsuits familiar to a European person. One is in the northern part. He is quite small. The other one is on the opposite side.

The sand on the north beach is very pleasant and perfect for entering the water. The beach is always clean, because it is carefully cleaned from debris every day. Of the minuses - there is a canal nearby, along which boats moor to the pier, so you should be careful. You need to prepare for the fact that near the beach you can meet quite a lot of algae. But it is not deep there, so the beach is perfect for families with children.
There are a lot of sunbeds on the beaches, awnings are made so that you can hide in the shade. Many hotels and guest houses give their customers free towels. However, it is worth remembering that you will not find a shower or toilet on the beach: this is not customary on the local islands of the Maldives. But all the guest houses are quite close, so there will be no special problems.
Snorkeling equipment can be rented for $5 per day. For snorkelers, the beach is of little interest, as the corals have already turned gray and have become lifeless.
And at sunset, a spotlight turns on on the beach, which beckons stingrays, small sharks and fish. This is one of the evening entertainment on the island. By the way, the beach has a view of Meeru Resort Island located next door.
And you will also find small white crabs everywhere, which are very difficult to catch. But don't worry, they don't bite.

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What to do on Dhiffushi

The island is not the most interesting place for divers. But Dhiffushi is in close proximity to snorkeling and diving locations. Diving prices start at $75 per person per dive. Two dive centers help explore the vibrant reefs. Diving is suitable for lovers of underwater photography: thanks to good visibility. You can sign up for diving courses .
The island has a water sports center. You can rent a board or a catamaran for $10, go kayaking, try water skiing. A ride on a jet ski costs $40 for half an hour, but it is forbidden to ride around the island: you can only try your hand at the fairway.
On Dhiffushi you can try your luck at windsurfing and surfing when the wave comes. And the neighboring island of Thulusdhoo is one of the most popular places for surfing. But remember that big waves come here in the summer: the ideal time is from April to September. There is a government ferry that departs at 6:30 am every day except Mondays and Fridays. Returns back at 16:30.
For $30 you can go fishing. Fishing enthusiasts can go Big Fishing to take their trophy home with them.
Guests are offered to go to the shallows for a romantic setting. Near the island there are 6 sandbanks, as well as a great place for snorkeling and diving. This is an interesting experience to enjoy the romance for a few hours or go there at sunset. The cost of such a trip is about $30 per person.
One of the main attractions of the island are the overwater hammocks and wooden beach huts that are located on the southern bikini beach. This is where you get great shots for social networks! And there are incredible sunset views.
Immerse yourself in the life of other Maldives with high service. Head to the located nearby Meeru Resort. The island is just across the lagoon from the island. And you can use this opportunity to relax in a luxury hotel.
Not far from the island you can meet turtles!
Sunset cruise with dolphins - $20, island tours, feeding sharks and rays - all this awaits educational tourists on the island.

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Food on the island

A modest fishing island cannot boast of a large selection of cafes and restaurants. As a rule, tourists choose full board or half board right at the guest house. It's convenient and quite affordable . There are also restaurants serving local and continental cuisine. Local and international flavors can be found on the menu. For example, fresh seafood including reef fish, lobster and king prawns.

There are cafes on the island with fairly reasonable price tags. But only one cafe is open until one in the morning, where you can sip drinks and hookah until late. Alcohol is prohibited on the island.

The guesthouses offer a buffet dinner for $15 per person. But advance booking is required.
Shops are open from 9:00 to 22:00. Do not forget that they still break for prayer, so they can be closed in the middle of the day. There are also small mini markets and souvenir shops where you can buy souvenirs. The cost of water is $0.5.
Local cafes are open from 6:00 to 23:00.

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How to get to Dhiffushi

The island is located 37 km from Male. The speedboat takes only 40 minutes. But since this is a local island, a state ferry runs here. They can be found every day, with the exception of Friday, which is a national holiday in the Maldives. Upon arrival, you will be immediately greeted by the guest house staff.

The cost of transfer from the airport to the island is $230 per boat. The same is the cost of the boat in the opposite direction. Such a high-speed transfer is convenient if you are traveling with a group to share the costs.
The state ferry departs from the ferry terminal in Male. It runs on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It makes four stops along the way. Travel time is over 3 hours. The cost is about $2. To get to the ferry terminal, you need to get from the airport.
Ferry tickets are sold at the terminal. Cost - 22 Maldivian rufiyaa per person. The ferry leaves at 14:30. From Dhiffushi, departure time is at 6:30.
Regular boats also run to Dhiffushi Island. They depart from Pier 6. The cost is $25 per person.
Speed boats depart at 16:30 daily, on Friday they operate from 8 am to 19:00. From Dhiffushi , the speedboat leaves on schedule at 6:30.
As a rule, the cost of the transfer is already included in the price of your tour package.

Beach House Dhiffushi

Where to stay: hotels and guesthouses on Dhiffushi Island

The choice is small, but the prices are quite budgetary. As a rule, the cost of staying on the island starts at $40 per night.

In the rooms you will find all the necessary equipment, including air conditioning, hot and cold water, Wi-fi, TV, furniture and cleanliness. Many hotels have beautiful balconies overlooking the sea and cozy courtyards with tropical gardens.

Meeru Island Resort & Spa. Resort spa hotel Meeru Island is located next door on Mirufenfushi Island. It offers free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, 2 freshwater pools on the beach, a children's playground and a bar.
Crown Beach Hotel Maldives. Crown Hotel Beach is located on a private beach where you can sunbathe and swim in a bikini. The lobby has direct access to the beach.
Sky Beach Maldives - Dhiffushi. The hotel is located on Dhiffushi Island, 400 meters from the beach of Meeru Island. It offers air-conditioned rooms and an outdoor pool.
Araamu Holidays & Spa. The hotel is located on Dhiffushi Island, 45 minutes by speedboat from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Male.
Rashu Hiyaa. Rashu Hiyaa Guest House is located on Dhiffushi Island. It features a restaurant, a private beach area and free Wi-Fi.
Portia Hotel & Spa. It offers a garden, a bar and a private beach, a 24-hour front desk, a restaurant and a sun terrace.
Dhiffushi Inn. The inn is located 10 km from Villingili Ferry Terminal. Free WiFi is available.
Infinity Dhiffushi. The guesthouse is located on Dhiffushi Beach. It features a garden, a shared lounge and water sports facilities.
Club Kaafu Maldives. The guest house is located on the coast of North Male Atoll, on Dhiffushi Island.
Crystal Dhiffushi. The guest house is located on Dhiffushi Island (Kaafu Atoll). This property offers barbecue facilities, a restaurant, a private beach area and water sports facilities.
Ameera Maldives. Ameera Guest House Maldives is located on Dhiffushi Island, North Male Atoll, surrounded by a beautiful large natural lagoon. It features a restaurant.
Bibee Maldives. The guest house is located on Dhiffushi Island. It offers a private beach area and modern air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi. It features an à la carte restaurant.
Nirili Villa. Villa Nirili is a beachfront property located in Dhiffushi Island, 50 meters from Dhiffushi Beach. It offers various facilities, including a garden and a private beach.
Beach House Dhiffushi. Located in Dhiffushi Island, 600 meters from Dhiffushi Beach and a few steps from Congress Center Bogota - Conferias.

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Magnificent landscapes and budget, beautiful sunsets have made Dhiffushi Island one of the favorite vacation spots for tourists who do not pursue luxury holidays, but want to sunbathe and enjoy the beauties of the ocean.