Hanimaadhoo Island in the Maldives: where to stay, what to do, where to eat

Hanimaadhoo Island is another Maldives, not at all like fashionable pretentious resort islands. A corner of the tropics where you can immerse yourself in the local culture and customs. This is a local island where locals have been living for a long time. This is its "zest": authenticity and color, when you can completely immerse yourself in the life of the indigenous people.

Island characteristics:

• Atoll: Haa Dhaalu
• Length: 6.8 km
• Width: 730 m
• Other names: Hanimadhu, Hanimadhoo
• Distance: almost 300 km north of Male
• Population: 1600 people

Hanimaadhoo Island is lost in the arms of the Indian Ocean. 300 km separate it from the capital of the Maldives. Even time does not flow here like in the rest of the Maldives: plus one hour compared to the capital of the Republic of Maldives, the city of Male .

This is a charming village, immersed in tropical greenery and a sapphire ring of the ocean. With lots of cute swings inviting you to swing right over the ocean. The main source of food for the locals is fishing and agriculture. This way of life is typical for any local island of the Maldives.

Hanimaadhoo Islands - one of the most elongated islands of the Maldives, stretching for almost 7 kilometers! But its width is small: up to a kilometer.

You can easily get around the island by bike or on foot.

The island, part of which is occupied by the airport, is becoming more and more popular: residents of neighboring islands choose it as their home. Over time, it is Hanimaadhoo who will become the main one in the Northern Province of the Maldives.

The Barefoot Eco Hotel

Climate

The average temperatures in Hanimaadhoo do not change much. Given the humidity, temperatures seem to be hot throughout the year. Rains happen, but not heavy.

• The hottest months are April, May and then June. The warmest, as a rule, is in early May: up to + 32 ° C during the day and + 27 ° C at night.
• If you're looking for dry weather, the months with the least chance of significant rainfall in Hanimaadhoo are April, January, and February.
• The lowest chance of rain occurs in mid-January. But in mid-July, rain is most likely.
• Hanimaadhoo has quite high humidity. The driest month is January (relative humidity 72%) and the wettest June (78.5%).
• The wind on Hanimaadhoo is usually light. The windiest month is July, followed by June and August.

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa

The best beaches of Hanimaadhoo

One side of the island is miles of white sandy beaches perfect for snorkeling, diving and water activities. The sapphire lagoon with a rich house reef attracts tourists from all over the world. The opposite side of the island is less comfortable for swimming. It is littered with corals and shells. It is there that the sharp edges of the reef are located, along which it is worth walking very carefully so as not to get hurt. The sand here is interspersed with corals and shells.

Get ready for what the resort Maldives and local Maldives are a big difference. On the fashionable islands, you will never see a pile of garbage. And for local islands, this, unfortunately, is the norm. Plastic bottles floating across the Indian Ocean are quite an ordinary landscape. Waste is not particularly dealt with. But divers-enthusiasts and volunteers clean up the ocean with their own efforts, making it crystal clear.

Guest houses try to keep the tourist beach clean by also providing sun loungers and beach towels.

On the island you will find a public beach where locals come to relax: forget about the swimsuits familiar to Europeans. But you can have a great rest on the bikini beach. It is surrounded by palm and tropical trees and is a mere 5 minute walk from the humble village. Here you will find sunbeds and umbrellas, small tables set up by locals. The beaches are adapted for foreigners. A comfortable lagoon is perfect for a beach holiday. The place is quite safe for swimming, but it is still better to enter in coral slippers.

The house reef is 500 meters away. A bit far away and it is better to rent a boat to enjoy the coral diversity. From the east side it is dangerous to swim because of the tides: when the tide begins, it can simply be carried into the ocean.

Hondaafushi Island Resort

How to get to the island Hanimaadhoo

Lost Island is located on the Haa Dhaalu Atoll. Due to its remoteness - almost 300 km from Male, you can only get there by local airlines.

• The island has its own airport with domestic flights. It is one of the many airports in the Maldives.
• The flight will take about an hour from Male airport. Departures take place several times a day.
• Upon arrival at Male airport, hotel representatives will meet you and take you to the local airlines terminal, where you will be met and transferred to the hotel, which is located on the other side, surrounded by the tropics.
• You can also use taxi services on the island. It will take about 15 minutes to drive to the hotel or guest house.
• The cost of air travel for tourists is quite high. It is cheaper to book a ticket through a hotel than to book it on the airline's website.

Asad Photo Maldives

Infrastructure

The island consists of an international airport and a small fishing village covering about a third of the territory. About 2,000 people live in a small village, including non-locals.

The island has everything you need for life: a school, a mosque, a hospital, police, cafes, restaurants, guest houses. You can use the spa and wellness center at the hotels.

In the northern part of the island there is an observatory that studies climate change in the region. After all, the level of the World Ocean is rising, and the Maldives may simply be under water.

There is a taxi: it is quite inexpensive, because the distances are small.

Excursions and entertainment

People go to this island for solitude and serenity that the ocean gives. What to do in a remote corner of the Maldives, which is an hour's flight from the capital by plane? Of course, water activities!

• Snorkeling. Explore a colorful reef rich in vibrant life! Equipment can be borrowed from the hotel.
• Diving. Local spots are considered among the best for scuba diving in the Maldives. Here you can meet gray reef sharks, manta rays, eagles. Around the island there are about 20 interesting dive sites. Coral caves and ledges, boat diving and wreck diving make this part of the Maldives especially interesting for divers. A population of manta rays is often found near the island. There is a dive center on the island. After all, Haa Atoll Dhaalu is a favorite place for diving enthusiasts. There are 20 dive sites nearby .
• Water activities. You can go kayaking on the turquoise ocean, go to dolphin cruise or deep sea fishing, take a boat trip at sunset.
• Fishing. By the way, fishing tours are very popular on the island: tourists are taken to the open ocean for the whole day, giving them the opportunity to catch really big fish.
• Bicycle trips. Rent a bike and explore the island!
• Spa. Do you want real relaxation? Head to the Spa of The Barefoot Eco Hotel. Here you can find yoga, massages, wellness treatments to relax and soothe your mind and body.
• Excursions to local islands. By the way, there are other local islands not far from Hanimaadhoo. You can get to them by local ferry, thus making a tour of different local islands. You can visit other islands or spend the day in an uninhabited corner.
• Day trip to Utheemu Island. Utheemu Island, located just 20 minutes by speedboat from Hanimaadhoo, is the birthplace and home of sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu, one of the most revered sultans of the Maldives. It is one of the most monumental islands in terms of culture and historical significance in the Maldives . It houses various important landmarks and relics scattered throughout the island.
• The northern islands are known for their lush mangroves. Tour the mangroves of Baarah, Kelaa, Neykurendhoo, or Kulhudhuffushi.
• Rest at the resort. If desired, you can spend the day at a nearby resort by paying for a day use. So you can take a break from a budget holiday, plunging into the world of luxury.

Hondaafushi Island Resort

Cafes and shops on the island: where to find food

On the island, you can easily find cafe-restaurants serving international and Maldivian cuisine. They usually serve fish and seafood. At the restaurant at the Barefoot Hotel Eco Hotel offer a buffet, continental breakfasts, including fresh juice, curry, fruit, fish. The cafe overlooking the ocean is the highlight of the hotel. They serve delicious homemade ice cream! It is worth considering the time difference with the mainland. For example, dinner starts at the hotel at 20:00.

The sale of alcohol is prohibited on the local island, but The Barefoot Eco Hotel you can find a special boat that will take you to the bar on the water. It is there, using a free transfer by speedboat, that you can taste alcoholic cocktails, beer and other spirits. The cost of alcohol is quite high: one cocktail averages $11, beer - $4.

Please note that all prices in restaurants are without tax: it is 12% of income and about 10% for service.

The Barefoot Eco Hotel

Guesthouses and hotels at Hanimaadhoo

The island has a fairly large selection of accommodation. There are both budget hotels and guest houses.

• The Barefoot Eco Hotel. One of the best hotels on the island. Ideal for families with spacious rooms close to the beach. It is this hotel that boasts the most famous spa and yoga classes on the island. The Barefoot is located among the virgin palm groves of the northern Maldivian island of Hanimaadhoo. The 4-star resort offers a velvety white sandy beach, a dazzling lagoon and excellent service.

The Barefoot Eco Hotel

• Viluveli Holiday Retreat. An excellent hotel offering a wealth of leisure activities. Excursions to a desert island, canoes, jet skis, dolphin cruises, relaxing massages and yoga, and even an equipped corner for those who work remotely: the hotel has provided everything. There is a business center, internet, safe, snack bar, shared kitchen.
• Cerulean view Residence. Two-story guesthouse with a gorgeous view of the ocean. It boasts a nice well kept little garden with swings, spacious rooms, furnished in a traditional style. The hotel has a restaurant, non- smoking rooms, safe, free Wi-Fi .
• Fanhaa Island Maldives. Fanhaa Guest House with cozy rooms, surrounded by a magnificent turquoise panorama. The rooms have all the amenities: TV, refrigerator, air conditioning, kettle, tea and coffee, hair dryer, private balcony. Near the rooms - barbecue facilities. On site - free WiFi.
• Raakani Home. Cozy a guesthouse with free Wi-Fi will pick you up from the airport for free. Comfortable rooms close to the beach.
• Tropical Lodge. The guesthouse has its own restaurant, fitness center, business center, barbecue and Wi-Fi.
• Sea esta lodge, Maldives. It has non - smoking rooms, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning in the rooms.
• Hany tropical Maldives. The guesthouse offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi.
• Asuruma View. Mini-hotel with a restaurant, free parking, internet. It features a private pool. Airport transfer is provided free of charge.
• Hondaafushi Island Resort. The hotel has its own restaurant and spa, free Wi-Fi and a bar serving refreshing drinks.
• DhidhdhooINN BeachVIEW. Located on the island next door. You can check into this hotel if you are traveling with a pet: allowed by the rules. The territory has its own swimming pool, a restaurant, they offer barbecue evenings, free Wi-Fi, a swimming pool.
• Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. A luxury resort near Hanimaadhoo Island. Private swimming pool, restaurants, bars, water park. Lots of activities and free Wi-Fi.

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa

Tips before visiting the island

• In hotels you can find boutiques where you can buy souvenirs. But they are also easy to get in Duty Free airport, because the hotel choice is small.
• Withdraw money in Male if you use a card. There may be problems with the ATM on the island. But you can always exchange money with locals.
• Ideally, immediately buy a SIM card in Male. However, all guest houses and hotels provide internet.
• Do not take heels with you to Hanimaadhoo: throw the shoes out of the suitcase. On the island, everyone goes barefoot, because this is such a thrill for legs tired of civilization.

Do you want to plunge into the world of serene rest, touch the real life of the islanders, passing far from civilization? Then do not hesitate and plan your vacation on the paradise island of Hanimaadhoo.