Gulhi Island guide
Gulhi Island guide
Gulhi Island guide : The Maldives Archipelago consists of 1,192 small island clusters also known as Atolls, the archipelago is ranked among the most popular tourism destinations in the world thanks to its tropical weather, coral reefs and pristine beaches.
Islands making up the Maldives Archipelago are categorized such as public and private islands offering the best in luxury, culture and total immersion into the local lifestyle. This grants travelers the option to book your Maldives holiday based on their individual budgets and preferences.
Gulhi Island is one of the best inhabited islands to visit on the Maldives Island offering visitors an opportunity to have a budget-friendly Maldives holiday.
ABOUT GULHI ISLAND
The Gulhi Island is a small fishing island with white sand beaches and rich marine life located 21 kilometers South of Valena International Airport, the island is one of the least populated isles of the Kaafu Atoll with only about 900 permanent residents.
The island is situated near the Maafushi Island which makes it an ideal destination for tourists wanting to connect with locals and experience the fascinating Maldivian Culture.
Gulhi Island spans an area of 670 X 230 meters housing several souvenir shops, cafes, a couple of minimarts, a bashi playground and a mosque. There are no ATMs on this island a reason to why one must carry USD or Rufiyaa – Maldivian Currency for day-to-day expenses. The closest ATM is in Maafushi although the transaction fee can pinch the pocket slightly, also, some of the established restaurants and guesthouses in Gulhi accept credit cards.
Most people on Gulhi Island depend on boat building and fishing on the island for survival, several fishing vessels go out into the sea for days at a time while others work on a daily basis. Northside of Gulhi has the oldest dockyard in the Maldives that is active due to its proximity to Malé.
GULHI IN THE 1980S AND NOW
Before the mid-1980s, Gulhi was a popular tourist destination even before private islands were made-off limits to outsiders. The Island is said to have had several bed and breakfast establishment that welcomed hundreds of guests.
The last decade, the island has seen a slow revival, with Maafushi becoming one of the top public islands in the Maldives, Gulhi Island plays the role of its quitter, secluded and serene neighbor.
For travelers interested in onomatology, the word “Gulhi” refers to a small earthen clay pot that Maldivian people use to carry water in a dhoni.
HOW TO REACH GULHI ISLAND
Travelers can travel from Malé to Gulhi by public or private transportation based on the cost or timing of arrival at the airport, the following are the travel options
Public Ferry
The MTCC Public ferry is the most budget-friendly choice, the ferry on route 311 stops at Gulhi first then at other islands in South Malé Atoll. The ferry leaves from Villingili/MTCC terminal at 3:00 PM and reaches Gulhi by 4:15 PM. For the return trip, the ferry leaves the island at 08:00 Am.
Public Transportation costs $ 3 per person and services are unavailable on Fridays and Mondays.
Scheduled Speedboat
The Scheduled Speedboat is run by Tropic Xpress departing for Gulhi at 12:30 and 4:45 PM, the journey takes 25-30 minutes and costs $ 25 – 30 per person. Speedboats to Malé leave from Gulji at 07:45 AM and 1:30 PM.
Private Speedboat
Private Speedboats are available for travelers who want to travel at their leisure, a one-way trip on a personal boat costs around $ 170.
TRANSPORTATION AROUND GULHI ISLAND
Gulhi Island is relatively small and it takes approximately half a kilometer of walking to reach from one corner to the other, on the island there are only dirt roads on the island thus eliminating the usage of motorable vehicles.
You can easily tour the entire island on foot within an hour and over all the landmarks, also you can rent or borrow a cycle from your guesthouse in Gulhi to explore the Island.
THINGS TO DO IN GULHI ISLAND
For first timers visiting Gulhi Island on a Maldives holiday, there abundance of activities to do, these excursions allow travelers to stay occupied while proving visitors unmatched insight into local life.
Spend a day at the Beach
Just like most Maldivian public islands, Gulhi island has immaculate beaches which are separate for locals and tourists, given the Islamic rules, people must dress modestly when at North Beach.
However, South Beach has multiple sunbeds and guests can wear bikinis. Also, you can hire jet skis or snorkel equipment at the nearby shops or guesthouses to explore the house reef which starts at about 200 meters from the shore.
Go Surfing
Gulhi Island is an ideal destination for avid surfers, professionals or beginners as it provides quick access to some of the best Maldivian surfing sports, while on your holiday you can hit one swell off the reef as it is reachable on a surfboard from the beach.
Take a trip to Maafushi Island
Maafushi Island is arguably the most structured island and a tourist-preferred public island on the Maldives archipelago, the island is almost thrice the size of Gulhi Island and has multiple dining places, guesthouses, hotels and several watersport activities.
It is possible to plan a day trip to Maafushi Island or stay the night, catch the sunrise and return via a public boat. Also, you can take a public ferry between the two islands that takes only 30 minutes to cover the distance.
Enjoy Scuba Diving
South Malé Atoll is a famous spot on the Maldives Archipelago for its pelagic (open sea) diving and kandus (overwater sea decks).
The Adventure Diving Center on the island offers several trips to different locations close by like Kadooma Caves, Kuda Giri Wreck, Embudu Kandu, Losfushi Corner, and Guraidhoo Kandu.
During the eco-friendly dives, you will come across eagle and sting rays, barracudas, Hawksbull turtles, an array of fish and reef sharks.
Night Fishing
Most hotels or guest houses on the Gulhi Island offer fishing trips that start a couple of hours before sunset, tourists can hire a speedboat or a dhoni based on their presence. Once a boat finds a suitable spot near the reef, the crew helps the visitors with hooks, lines and sinkers.
If you catch any fish, the kitchen staff cooks it for you during dinner upon your return.
Night fishing is quite a unique experience in the Maldives and it is simple to do, you can book this experience through your hotel or guest house in Gulhi or an authorized center. The boat takes you to a designated spot in the sea where fishing is legally allowed.
Where to eat in Gulhi Island
Gulhi Island has several restaurants serving snacks and full – course meals across cuisines, these restaurants always have an idyllic setting and the food is local as well as fresh.
Tropic Platter
Tropic Platter is the in-house restaurant of the Tropic Tree Maldives Hotel located close to the South end of Gulhi Island, the restaurant offers both indoor and open – air courtyard seating.
The restaurant is open from 8 AM – 10 PM serving different cuisines like Indian, Chinese and Continental. Here, guests can also request terrace dining services and enjoy their meal with a clear view of the Island.
Fulhoi Restaurant & Dining
Hotel Fulhoi has an in-house restaurant serving European and Indian dishes and seafood, the hotel is situated in the island’s center and its restaurant has both indoor and rooftop seating which is a favorite to travelers considering Maldives’ tropical weather.
The restaurant’s menu includes classics like spaghetti, tuna curry, grilled reef fish, and fried rice. Drinks served by the restaurant include tea, coffee, flavored milkshakes, and soft drinks.
Note: Alcohol is not allowed on Maldivian Public islands
Premier Beach Restaurant and Guesthouse in Gulhi
Premier Beach Restaurant and Guesthouse appears like a rustic shark from the outside and is known for its north waterfront location, the dinning halls is very welcoming with several wooden tables placed indoors, outdoors and by the windows.
The menu at the restaurant includes various Italian and seafood dishes like tuna fried noodles, octopus fried rice, spaghetti aglio olio, and chicken pizza. For breakfast, guests can order a continental platter with bread and eggs.
Also, they can select a combo of Maldivian regional eats such as roshi – flatread and mas huni – a dry preparation made with coconut, tuna, onions and green chilies.
Dhilakani Café
Dhilakani Café is a popular eatery in a narrow street located near Gulhi Youth Center, the restaurant serves snacks, rice dishes, beverages and ice creams.
Popular items on the menu are grilled fish, chicken kothuroshi, tuna soup, fish & chips, and tuna omelet.
The Hideout Coffee Shop
The Hideout Coffee Shop is a lovely little eatery with a grey exterior, cute graffiti on the outside wall and an unmissable dark-colored sign.
For coffee enthusiasts, The Hideout Coffee Shop is the perfect place to visit and you can try fresh brews, virgin mojitos, mango smoothies and peanut milkshakes.
Best hotels and guesthouses in Gulhi
There are various hotels and guest houses in Gulhi Island and the best options are
- Ayala Ocean View Gulhi
- Tropical Tree Maldives
- ilaa Beach Maldives
- Pearlshine Retreat Maldives among others
