Hulhumale Island in the Maldives: everything about the island, hotels and guesthouses

The urban island of Hulhumale is one of the largest islands in the Maldives.

Characteristics of Hulhumale Island

• Population - more than 50,000 people
• Length - 2.4 km
• Width - 1 km
• Atoll - North Male
• Other names - Hulumale
• Distance from Male - about 5 km in a straight line and about 8 km by road

The main distinguishing feature of Hulhumale is its artificial origin. The island was created by moving sand from the seabed to a coral platform in order to solve the problem of overpopulation in the capital of the Maldives, as well as to protect local residents from the threat of rising sea levels. Indeed, unlike most of the Maldives, located at an altitude of about 1 meter above sea level, Hulhumale is located at a height of 2 meters above the surface of the water, which will allow its inhabitants to avoid the possible threat of flooding caused by global warming.

The construction of the island began in 1997, and in 2004 the first thousand inhabitants from Male moved to Hulhumale. Today, the population of this unique city is over 50,000, but the local authorities are actively supporting the development of this ambitious project and plan to increase the number of residents to 240,000.

Since the island is located in the Hulhule lagoon and developed as an extension of the city of Male, it was given a combined name - Hulhumale.

Hulhumale is positioned as the first "smart" city in the Maldives, because its infrastructure includes such elements as intelligent traffic management systems, automatic surveillance, ERP systems. And the water supply, power supply, fire extinguishing and sewerage systems are being revised in order to modernize existing networks to smart city networks.

Today, the island has hotels and guest houses, schools and banks, several medical institutions and pharmacies, police and fire services, a mosque, a market, dive centers, cafes and shops, as well as beautiful modern parks.

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How to get to Hulhumale

Previously, it was possible to get from Male to Hulhumale only by ferry or boat. However, with the opening in 2018 of the Sinamalé Bridge, connecting Male, Hulhule Island and Hulhumale (via Hulhule), this route can be quickly and easily covered by taxi or bus.

Traveling from Male by public ferry will be the cheapest and will take no more than 20 minutes.

Buses from Velana Airport to Hulhumale run seven days a week at intervals of 30 minutes. The duration of the trip is no more than 20 minutes, the price is about 1.5 US dollars.

A taxi ride from the airport will cost $ 7-10 and take no more than 15 minutes.

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Hotels and guesthouses in Hulhumale

Due to its convenient location and good transport links to the capital, Hulhumale is popular with travelers on a budget, as well as tourists who want to relax in comfort while awaiting onward transfer to the more distant islands of the archipelago.

Most of the hotels are located on the east coast of the island. At the same time, travelers are offered both luxurious and more modest accommodation options:

• Hotel Ocean Grand is a modern 4-star boutique hotel close to the beach with beautiful ocean views. There is a good restaurant on site serving local, Thai, Chinese, Asian, Indian, Italian and Mexican cuisine. There are opportunities for water sports, sightseeing activities ($ 220 with breakfast).
• Samann Host is a good 4 star hotel close to the beach. There is an excellent restaurant with a beautiful ocean view from the top floor, a conference room for business travelers. Tours and entertainment are organized for guests (about $ 190 with breakfast).
• Murex Beach is an affordable 14-room guest house located within walking distance of the beach. There is a restaurant for guests, the menu of which includes Western, Asian, Indian and Maldivian cuisines. Excursions are organized. There is a shop nearby (from $ 70 with continental breakfast).
• Dreams Grand is a good guesthouse offering decent accommodation at reasonable prices. The hotel offers catering, car rental and currency exchange. There is a city beach nearby (from $ 60).
• The h78 is an award-winning and popular beachfront hotel with its own restaurant, good Wi-Fi, spa and sightseeing options (from $ 115 with breakfast).
• Seasalter Maldives is an oceanfrontboutique hotel with 12 elegant rooms, an a la carte restaurant and a café. Snorkeling and diving tours can be organized upon request ($ 185 with breakfast).
• Paralian Hulhumale is another welcoming boutique hotel with clean and spacious family rooms and friendly staff. There is a cafe of its own, as well as several restaurants and cafes nearby (from $ 140 with breakfast).
• Airport Beach Hotel is a beachfront hotel 4 kilometers from Male. Free services include shuttle, Wi-Fi and scooter rentals. There is also a restaurant, spa, rooftop hot tub, gift shop, table tennis, diving, snorkeling and windsurfing opportunities.
• Relax Beach Inn is a pleasant guest house next to the public beach. There is a restaurant. Nearby there is a shop and a bus stop.
• Meri Maldives is a clean and comfortable guest house with helpful staff. Close to beach, market, restaurants and shops ($ 140 with breakfast).

Taxes and fees are not included and are paid additionally.

Samann Host

Nutrition

The island has a pretty good selection of cafes and restaurants offering a variety of food to suit every taste and budget.

For example, the popular Tandoori Flames Hulhumale restaurant serves Indian and Pakistani cuisine, as well as barbecues, complemented by good service.

O 'View Restaurant surprises guests with international and Asian cuisine and seafood combined with beautiful ocean views.

The cozy Bombay Darbar restaurant, located on the ground floor of the Newtown Inn, invites everyone to experience Indian and Asian cuisine.

The restaurant The Catch 78, h78-owned hotel offers pizza, salads, sandwiches, fish, a number of Indian and Maldivian specialties as well as a variety of snacks. In addition, the restaurant has a food delivery service.

Estimated prices are:

• pizza - $ 9-12;
• salads - $ 7-12;
• sandwiches - $ 7-10;
• fish and seafood dishes - $ 12-30;
• Indian dishes - $ 6-12;
• Maldivian dishes - $ 9;
• complex breakfast - $ 6-9;
• refreshing drinks - $ 3 on average;
• desserts - $ 2-6.

Samann Host

What to do in Hulhumale

Despite the fact that Hulhumale, as a rule, is not used by travelers for a full-fledged vacation, and often plays the role of a transit point for continuing travel through the archipelago, you can also spend time here.

So, while staying on Hulhumale, you can:

• walk along the well-groomed paths of the central park - a favorite location for recreation of local residents, admire the pond and relax in the shade of palm trees;
• rent a bike and explore the island;
• watch the training of extreme lovers in the local skate park (located not far from the Murex Beach hotel);
• visit the Redwave Mega Mall, where a wide selection of goods is presented: from basic necessities, groceries and children's toys to electronic gadgets;
• dive in the world's largest passenger submarine, the Whale Submarine Maldives;
• spend a day on the beach and get a boost of vivacity and adrenaline while doing water sports;
• learn different traditional ways of Maldivian fishing accompanied by experienced local fishermen;
• explore the depths of the Indian Ocean while snorkeling or scuba diving;
• relax in the spa;
• go on a day trip to a fashionable resort or inhabited island;
• explore white sandbanks, snorkel in tranquil lagoons, and end the tour with a traditional Maldivian-style picnic lunch.

In addition, in local travel agencies you can buy an exciting excursion, including a visit to the Maldivian market and buying food accompanied by a guide, a trip to visit a Maldivian family, where you can not only chat with the locals, but also take an active part in the preparation of dinner and enjoy a freshly prepared eating with new friends. The approximate price is $ 75.

Hikers can take a guided or self-guided tour of Male, or purchase a 4-hour eco-tour of Villingili, a miniature inhabited island that was formerly a resort and later a prison. During the excursion, you will stroll along the quiet streets, visit island beaches, meet the locals, taste Maldivian tea and traditional snacks at a local cafe or on the beach, and also learn about the environmental problems of the Maldives and what measures are being taken by the state to preserve the environment. ... The estimated cost of such a tour is $ 70-80 per person. Discounts are provided for children.

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Beaches on Hulhumale

Unfortunately, Hulhumale cannot boast of chic tourist beaches. The public beach is located in the eastern part of the island. There are a number of cafes and eateries near the beach. It is suitable for swimming, but does not belong to those beaches for which they travel to the Maldives. In addition, as a sign of respect for the Muslim community, bikinis are strongly discouraged here, as in any other public place in the Maldives. Therefore, for a beach holiday it is worth paying attention to island resorts or on other local islands, for example Dhigurah or Thoddoo.

Ishan

Water sports

Many tourists to the Maldives are attracted by water sports. For those seeking a thrill, Hulhumale can offer entertainment such as:

• wakeboarding;
• fly boarding;
• kitesurfing and windsurfing;
• water skiing;
• kayaking;
• riding a banana.
  
  

Diving and snorkeling

There are several diving schools on the island, including Dune Maldives Diving Center and Ocean Junkies Dive Center, located next to the beach on the eastern part of the island.

Depending on the level of training and preferences, clients can be offered PADI courses, visits to more than 30 diving locations located around the Kaafu Atoll, as well as snorkeling safaris.

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Local island trips

From Hulhumale, trips are organized to the inhabited island of Huraa, located about 20 kilometers from the capital of the country. During this trip, you can meet dolphins, visit the mangrove swamps, which have been declared a protected nature reserve, and a freshwater lake. Also, tourists will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the life of local residents, learn about the methods of fish processing and taste local delicacies ($ 90 per person).

A visit to Huraa Island can be combined with a visit to Himmafushi Island, located next to the famous surf spots. You can visit the beach, shipyard, fish processing plant, and, of course, buy souvenirs. The estimated cost of an excursion with a visit to the two islands will be $ 175 per adult. For children 6-11 years old there is a 50% discount. And children under 6 years old can travel for free.

Also from Hulhumale you can go to such famous local islands as Gulhi and Maafushi. It is possible to combine a visit to the two islands in one trip by purchasing a ready-made tour from a local travel agency (approximately USD 225 per adult). The tour price includes not only acquaintance with the islands, but also snorkeling.

Alternatively, you can start organizing a trip to the islands yourself or ask the administration of your guest house.

Since ferries in the Maldives are not a reliable mode of transport and may be canceled due to weather or other reasons, be sure to check if the timetable is up to date before traveling.

Amd Creation

Trip to island resorts

In addition to travel to local islands, day trips are carried out from Hulhumale to such fashionable resorts as:

• Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa (Adults Only)
• Paradise Island Resort
• Cinnamon Dhonveli
• Malahini Kuda Bandos

In addition, it is possible to visit the resorts Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Club Med Kani, but trips to these resorts are usually organized from Male.

The estimated cost of the package ranges from $ 100 to $ 200 per person, depending on what services it provides.

It is worth noting that alcohol is strictly prohibited in Hulhumale (as in other inhabited islands), however, during day trips to some resorts, travelers can access their restaurants and bars.

Malahini Kuda Bandos