I can say Dhiffushi Island is one of the best destinations to date. From white sandy beaches and fresh fish to underwater beauty and a slow island life, it’s truly a paradise. Dhiffushi is connected directly from the airport by speedboat, taking only 45 minutes to reach the island. You can also take a slower ferry, which takes 3 hours with a few stops on the way.
You don’t need to make any plans in advance. Dhiffushi is a small island (you can walk around it in just 20 minutes!), and everything is within walking distance, including a few cafes and restaurants. You can simply relax with a book on the beach or enjoy the many excursions the Maldives offers. In this Dhiffushi travel guide, you will find everything you need to know before you travel, from someone who has lived on the island for four years. Yes, I live and work here. What can I say? It’s a paradise!
7 + DAYS
Best time to visit | November to April (less wind and rain) |
Weather | Sunny tropical, monsoons in summer |
Getting here | Speedboat from Malé or the airport takes 45 minutes |
Currency | Maldivian Rufiyaa or USD; some places accept credit cards |
Languages | Maldivian (Dhivehi) and English |
Nearby airport | Velana International Airport in Malé |
HOW TO GET TO DHIFFUSHI
Dhiffushi is a local island in the Maldives, located just 45 minutes from the airport by speedboat. Most airlines operate flights to the Maldives, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, American Airlines, and even Wizz Air (if you want to travel low cost).
If you are on a budget, you can take a slow ferry from Malé (the capital city), which costs just 22 MVR ($1.45) but takes 3 hours to reach the island. The ferry terminal is Viligilli Ferry Terminal. It runs daily except Mondays and Fridays, leaving at 2:30 pm. It stops at three other local islands on the way: Hinmafushi, Huraa, and Thulusdhoo. To get back to Malé, the ferry leaves Dhiffushi at 6:30 am (every day except Mondays and Fridays).
A faster option is to take a speedboat directly from the airport for the cost of $40, reaching Dhiffushi in 45 minutes. The speedboats Alec Race and Mee Express Altec operate with the following schedule:
Male' -> Dhiffushi
Monday: 11:30, 16:30, 22:15
Tuesday: 11:30, 16:30, 22:15
Wednesday: 11:30, 16:30, 22:15
Thursday: 11:30, 16:30, 20:00, 22:15
Friday: 8:30, 9:30, 16:30, 22:15
Saturday: 11:30, 16:30, 22:15
Sunday: 11:30, 16:30, 22:15
Dhiffushi -> Male’
Monday: 7:30, 13:30, 17:45
Tuesday: 7:30, 13:30, 17:45
Wednesday: 7:30, 13:30, 17:45
Thursday: 7:30, 13:30, 17:45, 20:30
Friday: 6:00, 7:00, 15:00, 17:45
Saturday: 7:30, 13:30, 17:45
Sunday: 7:30, 13:30, 17:45
WHERE TO STAY
I always recommend staying at a local guesthouse, such as Dhiffushi Inn. It is located on the most beautiful beach on the island (which happens to be the sunset beach, making it perfect). It’s a family-run guesthouse with around 30 rooms. All rooms are fully equipped with a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, balcony, double bed, kettle, and hairdryer. Dhiffushi Inn offers breakfast buffet, half board, or full board, and their meals are delicious. Note that there is high demand for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, so this place may be sold out.
Dhiffushi Inn has its own beach bar, sun lounges on the beach, a watersport center, and offers the best excursions on the island.
WHERE TO EAT
Dhiffushi Inn Beach Bar - Easily the best meals on the island. Try their freshest catch of the day, butter chicken, or tuna steak. If you are feeling hot, fresh coconut or juices are the perfect refreshment. Sometimes they offer a BBQ lunch buffet, which is definitely worth checking out!
Dhiffushi Inn Beach Bar offers always fresh fish, coconuts and fruits in the best atmosphere.
Kettle - Located on the second beach on the other side of the island. Without a doubt, the best pizza in Dhiffushi. A perfect spot for a beach lunch.
Aaroa Restaurant - Located in the middle of the island in Araamu Hotel. A hidden restaurant with great sandwiches.
Downtown Dhiffushi - A local cafe. Try to go in the afternoon for Maldivian famous hedhikaa (short eats - fish balls) with some tea or coffee.
WHAT TO DO
Go Snorkeling - Definitely a must. The Maldives offers some of the best snorkeling in the world. Nearby the island, there is a turtle point, nurse shark point, coral garden, and other beautiful coral reefs. You have to book a boat trip to see all these places. I recommend the guys from Dhiffushi Inn. They will make you amazing GoPro videos for free!
Visit a Sandbank or Asdhoo Island - Have you seen the famous photos of a little sandy island in the middle of the ocean? Beautiful, right? Around Dhiffushi, there are a few sandbanks to check out. Or if you are looking for something bigger, book a trip to Asdhoo Island. It’s an abandoned resort with an amazing beach.
Kayak Around the Island - This island is so tiny that you can kayak around it. I recommend going before sunset. The views are incredible.
Watch the Sunset - As mentioned before, the best place to watch the sunset is at the beach near Dhiffushi Inn. Have a drink from their beach bar and enjoy the best atmosphere.
Go Fishing with Locals - Have you ever tried fishing with just a string and bait? Or fishing in general? Now is the time. It’s such a great experience and fun with the locals!
Feed the Stingrays - On the north beach, there is a spot where locals feed stingrays almost every day around 7 pm. You can feed them by hand.
BEACHES IN DHIFFUSHI
There are three beaches in Dhiffushi. On a local island, you can swim in a bikini only at designated bikini beaches, and all three beaches allow this.
DHIFFUSHI INN BEACH (sunset beach)
Here you can find a beach bar serving food and drinks. It’s a great spot for a beach lunch or dinner with fairy lights. There is plenty of natural shade under the palm trees, so you can hide from the sun. You can use their sun beds for free! They also have table tennis free of charge. It’s my favorite spot on the island!
RASHUHIYAA BEACH
This beach is smaller but great for swimming. Just watch out for the boats because it’s right in the channel to the harbor. You can rent sun beds with an umbrella for an extra charge.
ARAAMU BEACH
Located on the east side of the island. At this beach, you will not find sand but broken corals and rocks. However, it’s a great snorkeling spot!
WHEN TO VISIT DHIFFUSHI
The best time to visit Dhiffushi, in my opinion, is from November to April. The temperature is the same all year long, but in the summer months, there can be more rain and wind. The most crowded months are December and January, so if you are looking for a chill, slow-paced vibe, I would recommend going in March or April.
Around August and September, there is a famous manta season, so if seeing manta rays is your dream, I definitely wouldn’t hesitate.
FAQ
What currency do I need for Dhiffushi?
The official Maldivian currency is Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), but you can pay everywhere in USD. Some hotels accept Euros too. The exchange rate is $1 = 15.42 MVR.
Is there an ATM in Dhiffushi?
Yes, there is a Bank of Maldives ATM in the center of the island. The ATM gives you local currency (MVR).
Can you drink alcohol in Dhiffushi?
No, alcohol is prohibited on local islands, but there is a floating bar nearby where your hotel can take you by boat. They have beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails.
Is there a hospital?
Yes, there is a local clinic with one doctor and a few nurses. For more serious health issues, you need to take a speedboat back to Malé.
Is Dhiffushi safe?
Yes, Dhiffushi is 100% safe for anyone. Solo travelers, families, you name it. Crime is so rare that there is not even a police station.
Can you drink tap water in Dhiffushi?
Dhiffushi has a water desalination plant, and most water from taps is sea water with the salt removed. It is safe, but not recommended for drinking. You can definitely brush your teeth with it, but you should drink bottled water or drinking water provided by your hotel.
Are there grocery stores?
Yes, there are several grocery stores around the island. They have basically everything you need: drinks, food, snacks, toiletries, and basic supplies.
What should I wear in Dhiffushi?
While swimwear is acceptable on the beaches, it is important to dress modestly when walking in public areas.
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