Ukulhas Island Maldives – Travel Guide & 9 Best Things
Ukulhas, a small island with a white-sand bikini beach and a beautiful house reef, is the perfect Maldivian destination for anyone seeking well-developed infrastructure in the heart of the Maldives. The island offers numerous restaurants, hotels, and tour providers, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
While Ukulhas may no longer be the quiet retreat it once was, it has evolved into a fantastic alternative to Maafushi, the Maldives’ entertainment hub, providing a superior beach and reef experience. It’s also an excellent destination for solo travelers looking to connect with like-minded individuals.
From Ukulhas, you can easily explore some of the Maldives’ best islands, such as Mathiveri (featuring free access to a picnic island), Feridhoo (renowned for its minimal tourism), Thoddoo (famous for its fruit plantations and turtle snorkeling), and Rasdhoo (home to top-rated diving schools and sites).
This comprehensive Ukulhas travel guide covers everything you need to know, from how to get there to the best accommodations and the 9 best things to do.
Where is Ukulhas located?
Ukulhas Island in the Maldives is located 70 km from Malé and 15 km from Rasdhoo, the capital of North Ari Atoll, also known as Alif Alif Atoll.
Map of Ukulhas Island
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Best Time to Visit Ukulhas Island
The Maldives has a tropical climate, meaning it’s always warm. You can visit Ukulhas year-round, which is one of the great things about the Maldives. The dry season runs from November to April, and the rainy season from May to October. While rain is more likely during the rainy season, you can still enjoy plenty of sunny days. We visited in both March and August and had great weather each time.
Our tip: If visiting during the rainy season, consider allowing one extra day on each island in case of rain. It’s a great option since accommodations are much cheaper.
Here’s a summary:
- Dry season (Nov-Apr): Sunny weather, calm seas, but more tourists and higher prices.
- Rainy season (May-Oct): Cheaper stays, fewer crowds, but a higher chance of rain and rougher seas.
How Long to stay in Ukulhas?
Ukulhas Island is smaller than the nearby islands, so we recommend staying for 2 or 3 days, which is plenty of time to explore and take part in activities like manta ray snorkeling.
Top 3 Hotels in Ukulhas
- Budget ($): SeaLaVie Inn
- Mid-Range ($$): Beach Veli
- Luxury ($$$): Ranthari Hotel and Spa
How to Get to Ukulhas?
First, fly to Malé International Airport (MLE), the starting point of your journey to the island. We found very affordable direct flights to Malé from Kuala Lumpur (50 USD), Colombo (80 USD), and Abu Dhabi (80 USD).
From Malé, you can transfer to Ukulhas Island via a speedboat or the public ferry (with a stop at Rasdhoo).
Male - Ukulhas Speedboat
Tourist speedboats to Ukulhas depart from the Malé Airport Jetty once or twice a day. The journey takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
Make sure to reserve a seat in advance. You can book the speedboat online through 12Go or directly through your accommodation.
Male - Ukulhas Public Ferry
There is also a public ferry service operated by MTCC (Maldives Transport and Contracting Company), which takes 4 hours to travel from Male to Ukulhas and costs around 5 USD.
The ferry from Male to Ukulhas makes a quick stop at Rasdhoo. Once you arrive in Rasdhoo, ask if you can remain seated or if you need to change ferries quickly. Be sure to check the updated schedule on the MTCC website.
Maldivian local ferries are frequently delayed and can even be canceled at the last minute due to weather conditions. If your ferry is canceled in the morning (as they usually all depart in the morning), you can still try to take a morning or afternoon speedboat to your desired location.
How to Get Around in Ukulhas?
Ukulhas Island, being the smallest one we visited, had the best walkability. The length was a 10-minute walk, and the width was 5 minutes.
Where to Stay in Ukulhas?
We love the local islands of the Maldives, especially for their amazing accommodations. Nearly every stay, even budget options, scores 9+ in reviews, with most others above 8.5. Check Booking and Agoda for the best deals!
In Ukulhas most places are locally owned, offering warm hospitality and an authentic experience.
Best Accommodations in Ukulhas
- Budget ($): SeaLaVie Inn
- Mid-Range ($$): Beach Veli
- Luxury ($$$): Ranthari Hotel and Spa
BUDGET TIP: Guesthouses and hotels in the Maldives typically offer breakfast included in the room price, providing a great opportunity to save money.
Where to Eat in Ukulhas?
These were our favorite places to eat in Ukulhas Island:
- Chef The Indian Restaurant: Delicious Indian food, don’t miss the butter chicken.
- Basilico Restaurant: Located at the beach, be sure to try their grilled dishes.
- Sapore: An amazing Italian restaurant; the tiramisu is a must-try.
9 Best Things to Do in Ukulhas
1. House Reef Snorkeling
The highlight for us in Ukulhas was snorkeling at the house reef, just a few meters from the shore on the bikini beach. Many local islands in the Maldives have house reefs, making snorkeling the perfect independent activity, but in this island, the reef stood out compared to other islands we visited, as you would see regularly sharks and rays.
Bring your snorkel gear or rent it from your guesthouse, some provide it for free, while others charge a small fee.
Hopefully, the reef will be just as beautiful when you visit. Alternatively, Feridhoo Island, located near Ukulhas, is a hidden gem with little tourism and the best house reef we’ve ever seen in the Maldives, a fantastic spot for snorkeling.
2. Bikini Beach
The bikini beach on Ukulhas is stunning, with white sand and crystal-clear water. The water is so clear that you can spot wild ocean animals right from the shore. In just five minutes, we saw 20 baby sharks and 3 stingrays. One part of the bikini beach is particularly unique, resembling a sandbank extension.
There is one part of the bikini beach particularly cool, looking like a sandbank extension.
3. Manta Ray Snorkeling
Manta ray snorkeling is an experience you don’t want to miss when visiting the Maldives. Watching these majestic creatures gracefully glide through the ocean is truly magical.
Ukulhas Island, being more developed than many other islands, offers a wider range of providers for tours. This allows you to compare options and find the best deal. A snorkeling trip with manta rays typically costs between $40 and $50.
Another reason it’s more affordable here than on other islands is that the Manta Ray Lagoon is located near Ukulhas. The manta ray snorkeling trip is a great opportunity to combine with other activities, such as visiting a sandbank or snorkeling with reef sharks.
4. Dolphin Safari
Take a boat trip to spot and swim with dolphins playing in the surrounding waters. Sunset dolphin cruises are particularly popular in Ukulhas.
5. Sandbank & Picnic Island
Don’t leave the Maldives without visiting a sandbank or picnic island. Arriving by boat at one of these tiny sand islands, jumping ashore, and having it all to yourself is an unforgettable and exclusive experience. Just be sure to check the tides beforehand to make the most of your visit.
Top 3 Hotels in Ukulhas
- Budget ($): SeaLaVie Inn
- Mid-Range ($$): Beach Veli
- Luxury ($$$): Ranthari Hotel and Spa
6. Water Activities
For the adrenaline junkies out there, check out the water activities on Ukulhas Island. Hop on a jet ski, rent a kayak or a SUP, and enjoy so much more.
7. Go Diving
If you’re a certified diver or looking to get your Open Water Certification, consider exploring the deeper waters around Ukulhas. The island has several diving centers that offer trips to nearby dive sites. One highly recommended option is Dive Ukulhas.
However, Rasdhoo is the more famous place for diving because it has its own small atoll with beautiful dive sites.
8. Fishing Boats at the Pier
Head to the pier in the late afternoon to watch fishermen returning with their catches. We saw many large tuna being sold directly to locals from the boats.
Later, you can observe locals cutting and cleaning the fish at the pier and tossing the remains into the water. This is when sharks and manta rays appear, emerging at the surface.
9. Island Hopping
Visit other local islands via the public ferry or speedboat for a day trip or longer stay after Ukulhas. Explore some of the Maldives’ most beautiful islands, such as Mathiveri (with free access to a picnic island), Feridhoo (known for its minimal tourism), Thoddoo (famous for its fruit plantations and turtle snorkeling) and Rasdhoo (home to top-rated diving schools and sites).
Where to Go After Ukulhas?
Here are a few easy recommendations for your next destination after Ukulhas Island. All of these islands are in the North Ari Atoll and can be reached by public boat nearly every day, except Fridays. Be sure to check the MCCT website for the latest schedule.
All three islands are connected via an atoll public ferry (1-2 USD), with Rasdhoo in the middle and the direct getaway from Male with the ferry (4-5 USD).
- Mathiveri: The perfect balance between a peaceful retreat and a vibrant island experience, best known for its stunning picnic island, an incredible shipwreck, and plenty of activities.
- Rasdhoo: Ideal for a short stop when arriving by ferry from Malé, offering excellent diving opportunities with top-notch dive centers and impressive dive sites.
- Feridhoo: A small, less touristy island almost entirely covered in nature, with an amazing bikini beach.
- Thoddoo: A lush, green island famous for its fresh fruits, plantations, white sandy beaches, and turtle snorkeling right from the shore.
Top 3 Hotels in Ukulhas
- Budget ($): SeaLaVie Inn
- Mid-Range ($$): Beach Veli
- Luxury ($$$): Ranthari Hotel and Spa
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Thank you for the good post! How far was the dolphin spotting point and how much was the trip? Was there a lot of tourists on Ukulhas or was it trainquil place?
Hi Tanja,
If I remember correctly, the dolphin spot was 20 minutes away and cost $50 per person.
If you’re looking for a tranquil place, check out Feridhoo or Omadhoo Island: https://travelnania.com/omadhoo/. Ukulhas is a more touristy place.
Sorry for the late reply! We respond faster on Instagram if you need anything else.