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

Tropical paradise half an hour drive from Male: what awaits tourists on the budget island of the Maldives - Gulhi (also Guli, Galhi).

General information

Gulhi Island - a popular place for a budget holiday. This is a local island where locals live and individual tourists like to enjoy the vastness of the Indian Ocean. The popularity of the island of Gulhi is explained simply: it is located near the capital of the Maldivian Republic. Only 20 km - and you are relaxing on a paradise beach. Thanks to this, it is possible to get to the island of Gulhi inexpensively with a breeze by speedboat. And even for a penny ride a ferry.

Gulhi Island is an exotic paradise with tropical fruits, a coral reef, colorful fish and powdery beaches. It is quite small: three times smaller than its popular counterpart, Maafushi Island. But also much cleaner than the more famous resort.

In fact, this is a small fishing village, where about 700 people remained. Therefore, a modest island, immersed in palm trees, gives heavenly peace and solitude. A great option for those who are not looking for a luxury holiday, but want a complete immersion in another reality. An ideal place to find out how the locals live and meet the incredible sunsets of the Maldives to the sound of the surf.

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History of Gulhi Island

It was this island that was the “pioneer” of a budget holiday in the Maldives. Back in the early eighties, tourist islands were allowed to receive tourists. At a time when no one thought about luxury island hotels, the concept of "bed and breakfast" appeared in the Maldives. Local residents rented out their houses and rooms, offering guests breakfast and their hospitality. The small island received hundreds of tourists who stayed in guest houses for a small fee. Or even put up tents right on the shore of the Indian Ocean.

However, then the authorities of the Maldives banned local tourism, allowing tourists to rest only on fashionable islands. And for some time the island did not develop tourism. Residents had to return to the main source of fishing - fishing. As well as the repair of ships: the island has preserved the oldest ship docks, which are the main attraction of Gulhi. They can be found on the north side of the island. But now tourism on the local islands is open again, which fans of budget holidays in the Maldives hastened to take advantage of .

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What weather to expect on the island of Gulhi: climate

Gulhi Island belongs to the subequatorial monsoon climate zone. Therefore, the temperature here is almost the same throughout the year. On average, it fluctuates during the day from +24 to + 30 degrees. Sometimes the thermometer shows above +32. It rarely rains in winter in a tropical paradise. But they still come and fall on the island of Gulhi from the end of May. Leave this place only in mid-September. Sometimes rains come along with strong gusts of wind and rough seas. That is why the island is interesting for surfers.

From the end of December to April comes the northeast monsoon, which brings with it pleasant dry weather. The sky remains mostly clear.

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Infrastructure

At its core, the island is a small fishing village. You can get around it in just half an hour. Of the main attractions - the turquoise ocean and white sands. Still worth a look at the docks. This is the most curious place on the island: the old repair center is still working. It is here that they bring the court to fix it. After all, the island is located very close to the capital, which made it a convenient repair base.

For a complete immersion in the local reality, go around the island. You will see the power plant, schools (elementary and secondary), playground. Look into several small supermarkets and cafes, look for gifts for loved ones in small souvenir shops. You will also find a small stadium and, of course, a mosque: after all, this is a local island of the Maldives Republic.

Of the minuses - the locals have a peculiar waste management, so sometimes they just throw garbage into the water. If a glass or a bag floats past you on the beach, do not be surprised: these are the local islands of the Maldives.

There is no ATM on the island, so you immediately withdraw cash in Male. But you can exchange dollars in exchange offices at guesthouses. The issue of mobile communications and the purchase of a SIM card is best resolved in Male.

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Hotels and guesthouses on the island of Gulhi

Gulhi Island is quite small. It has several guest houses and hotels. But in the neighborhood with him are luxury resorts.

On average, the cost of a hotel or guest house on the island of Gulhi is $40-60 per day. And if you're lucky, you can find it for $30 in the summer.

Almost all guest houses have pretty good traveler reviews. The apartments are clean, comfortable and quite affordable. In the room you will find everything you need. Guests are provided with a beach towel and snorkeling equipment .

Many guest houses are right on the ocean, and barbecue facilities are available for picnic lovers. For families with children, you can order a nanny to fully enjoy your vacation.

• Gulhi Beach Villa - guest villa right on the beach. Guests will find a restaurant, and you can order meals not only indoors, but also on the beach.
• Tropical Tree Hotel Maldives. It features a restaurant and free Wi-Fi. Rooms are air-conditioned and decorated in a traditional Maldivian style with local coconut wood furnishings. All rooms have a desk, minibar and seating area.
• Beach Stone. It features a restaurant, a private beach area and a terrace, room service, free WiFi throughout the property. The rooms have air conditioning, wardrobe, kettle, refrigerator, mini-bar, safe, flat-screen TV.
• String Wave Maldives. The guest house offers a restaurant, a shared lounge and a garden as well as a tour desk, luggage storage and free WiFi throughout the property. The reception is open 24/7. There is a dry-cleaner and a currency exchange office.
• Gurus Guest House Maldives is right on the ocean. All rooms are air-conditioned and have a private bathroom with hot water, free toiletries and a hairdryer. It features a diving center and a water sports center. The front desk is open 24/7.
• Sandy Heaven Maldives. It offers a 24-hour front desk and a restaurant, a private beach. The hotel rooms are decorated in a Maldivian style and equipped with every comfort.
• Ilaa Beach Maldives has a restaurant, a garden and a private beach. Each guest house has a terrace. Food and drinks can be ordered directly to your room. The front desk is open 24/7. Entertainment programs are organized in the evenings. All rooms have a seating area.
• Ocean Pearl Maldives. Guests have access to a shared lounge, free WiFi and a garden. Of the additional goodies - a shared kitchen and a currency exchange office. All rooms have air conditioning and modern equipment.
• Pearlshine Retreat Maldives. The property has a restaurant, free private parking, a bar and a shared lounge, a garden and a private beach area. You can order a transfer from the airport, ask for food and drinks to be delivered to your room, there is free Wi-Fi on site. Amenities include air conditioning and modern furnishings.

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Resorts near Gulhi

• Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort. The luxury resort is located near Gulhi Island. You can get there by boat. This is a five-star hotel on Dhigufinolhu Island in South Male Atoll. It offers villas and suites, overwater and beach bungalows, equipped with a private pool. All villas are located just a few steps from a peaceful lagoon.
• Anantara Veli Maldives Resort. A chic adult-only resort. It is surrounded by a sapphire bay and tropical gardens. Ideal for a romantic getaway and exploring the diverse marine life of the lagoon with crystal clear waters. Hotel residents can use Anantara facilities Dhigu Maldives Resort and enjoy gourmet cuisine.
• Naladhu Private Island Maldives. Perfect for a leisurely and secluded holiday. Relaxation is facilitated by classic cottages, elegantly decorated in a colonial style.

Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort

Cafes and restaurants in Gulhi

Cafes and restaurants are located at guesthouses and hotels. You can easily eat at fairly low prices. Or order food directly to your room.

The cafe serves national cuisine, which is based on Indian and Arabic dishes and traditions. You can taste Maldivian dishes, fresh seafood and exotic cocktails. More often guests prefer to eat in hotels. For example, at the Tropic Hotel tree Hotel Maldives has two restaurants serving a continental breakfast with hints of Maldivian cuisine. Breakfast is included in the room rate.

And if the guesthouse or apartment has a kitchen, then you can cook for yourself: on the island you will find small shops and grocery supermarkets. There are small shops in the village where they buy food: there will be no problems with food. Although, of course, these are not large supermarkets with a large selection. For diversity, go to Male. At a cost of $ 2 per trip, you can go to the capital on an excursion and at the same time replenish food supplies. The staple foods on the island are coconut, fish and rice. But there is no alcohol on the island: get out on Maafushi, where there are floating bars.

How to get to Gulhi Island

The island is located at a distance of 21 km from Velana International Airport. Both ferries and speed boats run to it.

If you are going to the hotel, the representative of the guest house will meet you immediately at the airport. He will help you deal with the transfer to the island.

• The public ferry to Gulhi Island can be found at the Villingili ferry pier. It follows the road to the famous island of Maafushi , and the end point is Guraidhoo Island. The road to Gulhi Island will take about an hour and a half, and the cost of the ferry crossing is from $2.

You can leave by ferry every day, except for Monday and Friday, which is a national holiday in the Maldives.

Route: Male - Gulhi - Maafushi - Guraidhoo. Departure: at 15:00

Route: Guraidhoo - Maafushi - Gulhi - Male. Return from Gulhi Island: at 07:50

Road: 1 hour 20 minutes, cost - from $2.

• You can get to the island by boat in just half an hour. But the cost will be higher than on the state ferry.

Hire a boat for a company: $170 per boat rental one way. The boat can take on board up to 4 people. Therefore, on average, one trip costs about $40-50.

General transfer by regular speedboat costs $50 per person. But you have to wait for the departure time.

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Island beaches

Tourists were lucky: two bikini beaches were equipped on the island. They are located both in the south and in the north of Gulhi Island. After all, in this way, the island becomes a tourist place: on the other beaches you can’t swim in swimsuits familiar to Europeans. After all, the Maldives is a Muslim country and open attire is not welcome here.

All the beaches of the island are equipped, with white clean sand, and umbrellas and sun loungers are provided free of charge.

Water activities

The main thing for which they go to this island of freedom is a beach holiday, snorkeling and diving .

• Snorkeling. Admire the variety of fish that inhabit the coral reef! In some guest houses you can borrow a mask, fins and snorkels for free . There is a water sports center on the beach.
• Surfing. This place is great for surfing: there are excellent waves near the island. In addition, there are other islands nearby, which can be reached by boat and have a great ride on the board. Excellent waves can be found from February to mid-November. But the best wave for surfing comes to South Male from March to May and then returns from September to November. Try to catch a wave off Gulhi reef, Twin Peaks and Quaters: The surf spots are easily accessible by boat.
• Diving. Diving centers operate exclusively at hotels. They offer dives and PADI courses. There are no independent instructors on the island: it is too small. Diving in South Male Atoll is known for its large number of channels that are home to pelagic species. On the East Reef Wall, divers can find six channels where huge fish hide, soft corals and mysterious caves. To the delight of many divers, reef sharks live here, and you can also meet big tuna. There are many interesting diving sites around the island. But the most famous of them are the great five: Embudu Kandu, Guraidhoo Kandu, Losfushi Corner, Kadooma Caves and Kuda Giri Wreck.
• Water activities. You will find water leisure centers in the hotels that offer kayaks, water skiing, hoverboards and other water activities.

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Things to do on the island

The local island gives excellent prices for a budget tourist and a large selection of excursions.

• Boat trips. The island organizes boat trips, trips to neighboring islands. Go dolphin watching, go night fishing and try to catch fish from a traditional dhoni boat. Of course, check out the house reef, it's pretty good. Sometimes you can even meet dolphins near it.
• Party. In the evenings, guest houses arrange a boduberu dance show, introduce you to the traditions of the Maldives. You can even book performances by traditional musicians. And on holidays, traditional festivals are held: a unique opportunity to touch the traditions of the islanders!
• Day at the hotel. There are several good resort hotels near the island of Gulhi where you can take advantage of the day use . And spend time at the hotel, enjoying relaxation on a fashionable island.
• Excursions to the mainland. Yes, Male is very close. Be sure to get acquainted with the life of the capital, see the coral mosque and other attractions. Don't miss Maafushi Island.
• How about a trip to a desert island? Arrange a romantic dinner on the island, where only you and your significant other.
• Shopping. On the island you will find several souvenir shops if you want to take a gift from the tropical island with you. The choice, of course, is not great, but you can go shopping in Male!

The main charm of the island of Gulhi is solitude in the heart of the ocean, combined with proximity to civilization. Just half an hour - and you are already at the airport. And the rest is not only heavenly, but also budgetary: every tourist can afford it.

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