Dhiffushi Island Guide
Dhiffushi Island Guide
Dhiffushi Island Guide : With over 200 different types of hard corals, the Maldives Archipelago consists of 1,192 islands and accounts for 3.14% of the world’s reef area. The archipelago is located in north-central location of Indian Ocean which attributes to the tropical weather throughout the year, thus making this beautiful country an ideal tourism destination.
The Maldives Archipelago is situated far from any mainland thus being an ideal remote escape packed with extraordinary beauty and absolute serenity.
Most travelers associate the Maldives with high-end luxury and yes, one can experience unbelievable extravagance while staying at any of the many private island resorts. However, there are many ways to enjoy vacation in the Maldives.
The Maldivian government allowed the construction and operation of locally-owned hotels and guesthouses on public islands in 2009, this has allowed travelers to plan and have budget friendly trips to the Maldives and the best way is booking a holiday on an inhabited island.
While on these inhabited islands, you still get to relish the gorgeousness of the atolls, witness beautiful aquatic life and immerse yourself in the allure of the unmatched allure of the islands’ natural attractiveness and the authentic Maldivian culture and hospitality.
Dhiffushi Island is one of the public islands in the Maldives with white – sand beaches and an abundance of flora and fauna.
About Dhiffushi Island
This beautiful island is located approximately 36.6 kilometers east of Malé and is part of the Kaafu Atoll, the island’s residents primarily rely on fishing and tourism as their main source of income.
Dhiffushi Island is the easternmost inhabited island in the Maldives thus experience the earliest sunrise on the archipelago, there are about 1200 residents on the island spanning 900 x 200 meters in area. The island is among the favorite islands on the archipelago for travelers desiring warm temperatures and crystal blue waters.
The Dhiffushi Island hosts reef and lagoon which are truly marvelous. Over 10 kilometers, the reefs and lagoons are brimming with vibrant marine life and colorful coral species making them ideal for snorkeling adventures.
Infrastructures on the island include mosque, school, health center, souvenir shops, watersports centers, and several cafes and hotels. There are also grocery stores like Whim which one of the best you will find on the inhabited islands of the archipelago.
Taking a walk around the island is an exciting excursion providing travelers with an insight into local living such as the presence of traditional Maldivian hammocks known as Joalis long the streets. The island now has a Bank of Maldives ATM, however most of the establishments accept credit cards or cash in US Dollars along with Maldivian Rufiyaa. Still, it is better to withdraw money before leaving the Malé as ATMs on public Islands are not always re – filled regularly.
How To Get To Dhiffushi
From Velana International Airport, there are three main ways of reaching Dhiffushi and the best option to choose depends on the budget and time of arrival of the travelers.
Public Ferry
Traveling with the MTCC public ferry is the cheapest option to get to Dhiffushi Island, the tickets cost only $ 2 per passenger. The baoat strats from the Villingili ferry terminal a relatively slow mode of transport, it stops at three other islands in the Sout Malé Atoll before reaching Dhiffushi.
From the capital, the journey takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes with a ferry departing from Malé at 02:30 Pm five days a week, the return ferry leaves Dhiffushi at 06:30 AM. Monday and Friday are the only days when the ferry does not operate on this route.
Scheduled Speedboat
The Scheduled Speedboats are run by Mee Altec Express, these boats do not stop at different island thus reducing the one-way journey duration to 45 minutes. The boat leaves from Malé Jetty number 7 at 11:30 Am, 4:30 PM and 10:30 PM.
To return from Dhiffushi to Malé, the speedboat leaves at 07:30 AM, 01:30 PM, and 05:45 PM. On Fridays, timing change to 08:30 AM and 10:30 PM for Malé departure and 07:00 AM and 05:45 PM for Dhiffushi departure.
The cost is $ 35 per person.
Private Speedboat
For better experience and privacy, the best option is to hire a private speedboat, one -way journey costs $ 300 which includes the transfer of up to six passengers.
Transportation around Dhiffushi Island
Walking from one end of the island to the other is barely 1 kilometer, therefore covering the entire coastline of Dhiffushi takes around 30 minutes or less. The Island has one road around its perimeter while smaller ones dissect the area into sections.
Consequently, most tourists on the island prefer walking to explore the island at leisure. However, you can also hire two-wheelers or travel via shared golf buggies.
Things to do in Dhiffushi Island
Dhiffushi Island is a hub for watersports in the Maldives Archipelago, the island offers a mix of relaxing and adventurous tourist activities to indulge in during your vacation.
Lounging on the beach
Dhiffushi Island has three- white sand beaches where you can lounge and relax, the beach on the North of the island has multiple lounge chairs and parasols boasting a clear view of the private Meeru Resort which is one of the best party resorts in the Maldives Archipelago.
Even though this beach is a private beach, immodest clothing is prohibited. However, rules are pretty lenient and you can wear bikinis.
The Southwest beach has little to no crowd, tiny bamboo huts, overwater hammocks and sunbeds. There is also an open east beach with several palm trees around where local come regularly.
Note: remember to dress conservatively
Night fishing & snorkeling
Dhiffushi Island has many shallow reefs around and fishing around the island is relatively easy, several guesthouses on the island offer fishing packages where the instructor helps people understand the usage of different equipment like hook, bait, line and sinker.
On request, your host can arrange a barbecue and cook any fish you catch during the excursion. A boat usually leaves during the evening hours offering a chance to witness the golden hour of sunset.
Night snorkeling is another unique activity to do in Dhiffushi Island, this activity is easy to organize through guesthouses around island. Night snorkeling is an excellent way to see nocturnal aquatic life without knowing scuba diving.
Note: It is not wise to undertake night snorkeling on your own, you must go out into the sea with a local guide.
Sandbank picnics
Depending on the tide formation, you can head to sandbank for a short day – trip and swim nearby. Dhiffushi Island has one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives with several sandbanks to pick from nearby, guest houses and hotels on the island also offer necessities like beach towels and umbrellas which you can use to arrange for a sandbank picnic.
Day Trip to Thulusdhoo Island
Thulusdhoo Island – the capital of Kaafu Atoll is a neighboring small island that tourists can visit using the public ferry, ou can leave for Thulusdhoo at 06:30 am and return by 05:30 PM on the same day. This island is famous for surfing, dolphin cruise and the world’s only Coca Cola plant that uses desalinated water to make the drink.
Thulusdhoo Island has a different vibe which you shouldn’t miss.
Scuba Diving
Dhiffushi Island has three PADI Centers where beginners and amateurs have the opportunity to enroll in open – water scuba diving courses, the island has multiple dive sites in its vicinity. Stairs is known for having coral reefs take the formation of a staircase, West Rock Wreck is a ship sunk deliberately to propagate the growth of flora and fauna. Here divers can spot fish like white – tip reef sharks, Manta rays and clownfish.
Where to Eat in Dhiffushi Island
Dhiffushi Island has a plenty of eateries and restaurants serving budget-friendly international dishes, some of the classics you will find include Pizza and pasta. Do not miss out on trying fresh sea food and traditional Maldivian Cuisine
Some of the famous spots to eat at in Dhiffushi Island include
- Aaroa Restaurant at the Araamu Holidays & Spa resort serving eggs benedict or the Maldivian roshi and fish curry
- Sand Grill Restaurant – serving seafood, Sri Lankan, American, and Indian preparations
- Cafe 420 – serving seafood, Mediterranean classics, and Asian recipes
- The Kettle serving some of the best – selling mains including
- alfredo chicken pasta, Goan fish curry, and chicken fried rice
- Theveli View Café, part of the Araamu Resort serving plenty of snacking options like paninis, wraps, sandwiches, and burgers
