Dhigurah Maldives Travel Guide 2025 – 8 Best Things to Do
From the moment we started planning our Maldives adventure, Dhigurah Island has captured our hearts. Why? Because, despite being a local island with a village, it offers everything you’d expect from a private resort island in the Maldives… if not more!
Let me explain: Dhigurah boasts some of the most beautiful, powdery white sand beaches we’ve seen in the Maldives, along with the possibility of walking to nearby sandbanks.
The name Dhigurah means “long island” and the island indeed stretches over 3 kilometers, making it one of the longest in the Maldives.
What’s great about this is that you can enjoy the paradise as if you were alone, with tourists spread out along the extensive bikini beach. In fact, 80% of the island remains untouched, covered in pristine nature.
Now, we’re here to guide you through everything you need to know to make the most of your visit to this stunning island and ensure you don’t miss any of the 8 best things to do in Dhigurah.
Why choose Dhigurah Island?
There are 3 reasons why you should visit Dhigurah Island:
- Nature & Seclusion: Unlike some Maldives islands that are fully developed with little natural landscape remaining, Dhigurah Island offers a different experience. Here, you can enjoy the long bikini beach with plenty of untouched nature surrounding you.
- Authentic Charm: Unlike many touristy Maldivian islands, Dhigurah has managed to preserve its authentic local charm. This may be due to its slightly more remote location and higher cost compared to other islands.
- Marine Life: If you’re into snorkeling or diving with large marine creatures like whale sharks and manta rays, Dhigurah is known as one of the best places to spot both. However, please be cautious with these activities. More details to follow.
Where is Dhigurah located?
Dhigurah Island is located in the Maldives, in the South Ari Atoll, also called the Alif Dhaal Atoll.
Map of Dhigurah Island
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Best Time to Visit Dhigurah Island
The Maldives has a tropical climate, meaning it’s always warm. You can visit Dhigurah 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. If visiting during the rainy season, consider allowing one extra day on each island in case of rain, but it’s a great option since accommodations are much cheaper.
- Dry season (Nov-Apr): Higher chances of sunny weather and calm waters, more people, and more expensive accommodations.
- Rainy season (May-Oct): Cheaper accommodations, fewer people, higher chances of rain, and rougher seas.
How Long to Stay in Dhigurah?
Personally, we think a stay of 4 to 7 days is perfect for Dhigurah Island. This duration allows you to explore the island, go on long walks or bicycle rides, enjoy snorkeling and other activities, and still have time to relax.
Top 3 Hotels in Dhigurah
- Budget ($): TME Retreats
- Mid-range ($$): Athiri Beach
- Luxury ($$$): Boutique Beach
How to Get to Dhigurah Island?
How do you reach Dhigurah from Malé? It’s simple! 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).
By Speedboat
The most common way to reach Dhigurah Island is by taking a direct speedboat, departing twice daily, from Malé, which takes about 2–3 hours depending on the weather and sea conditions. It’s recommended to book this in advance through your accommodation or on 12go.
By Ferry
The most authentic and budget-friendly, yet time-consuming, way to reach Dhigurah Island is by public ferry, the typical mode of travel for locals in the Maldives.
First, take a ferry from Malé to Mahibadhoo, then another from Mahibadhoo to Dhigurah. The entire journey takes 6–8 hours, including a 2-hour lunch stop in Mahibadhoo, and is available only a few times a week. Be sure to check the updated schedule on the MCTT website.
While waiting for your ferry in Mahibadhoo, you can enjoy lunch at one of two recommended restaurants, Delish (Delicious Food) or Lemon Sea View (Free Wifi). The island also has a quiet bikini beach where you can relax and explore.
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.
By Domestic Flight
The fastest and most expensive way to reach Dhigurah is by taking a 20-minute domestic flight from Malé (Velana International Airport) to Maamigili Airport. From Maamigili, it’s a 15-minute speedboat ride to Dhigurah Island. Ask your accommodation to arrange this.
How to Get Around in Dhigurah Island?
Maldivian islands are usually small and easily walkable, but Dhigurah is a bit different, as it is almost 4 kilometers long. However, you can still walk everywhere; just expect longer walks to reach the more remote parts of the island from the village.
For example, reaching the tip of the island, where the sandbanks are located, takes about an hour on foot. Some people walk, some rent bikes, and others use hotel buggies.
The long road stretching the entire length of the island is incredibly beautiful, with many palm trees, making the longer distances enjoyable. Additionally, Dhigurah’s streets have soft sand everywhere, including in the village, so we didn’t wear flip-flops at all while going out. It’s the best feeling in the world.
Where to Stay in Dhigurah
There are a couple of reasons why we love the Maldivian local islands, and one of them is the accommodation. Nowhere else in the world have we found a place with accommodations receiving only excellent reviews (9+), including the most affordable options. Even those with the lowest ratings are still very good (8.5+). Check it out yourself on Booking.com! And don’t forget to compare prices on Agoda.com for the best deals.
Dhigurah is home to numerous guesthouses and boutique hotels. These accommodations are typically run by locals, so you can expect warm hospitality and an authentic experience.
The best accommodations in Dhigurah, across various price ranges, are:
- Budget ($): TME Retreats
- Mid-range ($$): Athiri Beach
- Luxury ($$$): Boutique Beach
BUDGET TIP: Accommodations in the Maldives typically offer breakfast included in the room price, providing a great opportunity to save money.
Best Food in Dhigurah
Most accommodations in the Maldives include breakfast in the room rate. If you have the option to choose between continental and Maldivian breakfast, be sure to try the Maldivian one at least once; it typically includes mas huni (a mix of tuna, coconut, onions, and lime, served with flatbread). We loved it!
For lunch and dinner, we highly recommend trying local food. Our favorites are Maldivian kotthu and curries. Our top spot was the Shell Restaurant and Café, which served Maldivian snacks (samosas and croquettes) for lunch and delicious kotthu for dinner.
Here are our top restaurant recommendations in Dhigurah:
Best Things to Do in Dhigurah
1. Whale Shark Watching & Snorkeling
Dhigurah is one of the best places in the world for whale shark encounters. You can join local snorkeling or diving tours to see them up close. Whale sharks here can be spotted throughout the year.
The advantage of doing a whale shark tour in Dhigurah is that the locals don’t feed the whale sharks. However, the waters around Dhigurah have become famous as whale shark hotspots, attracting many boats from the area and from farther islands.
Remember to respect these creatures, keep your distance, and never touch them. Ask your accommodation about this experience, whether shared or private.
2. Explore Bikini Beach
Spend plenty of time on Dhigurah’s long sandy beach, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, taking long walks, or simply relaxing under the shade of a palm tree. The Bikini Beach of Dhigurah, stretching for kilometers, is the longest we’ve ever heard of in the Maldives, making it almost impossible to be crowded.
The farther you walk from the village, the fewer people you’ll encounter. We once spent an entire afternoon in the shallow waters, watching the palm tree-covered island turn golden as the sun set. No one else was around. It was magical.
Bikini Beach starts here and continues along that side of the island to the tip. If you decide to go to the tip of the island, make sure to be one of the first there, as a few spots with deck chairs and umbrellas make it much more enjoyable when the sun and heat are intense.
REMEMBER: Swimwear can only be worn inside the designated bikini beach area.
3. Free Sandbank Trip
The island’s southern tip transforms at the right time into a picturesque sandbank. Be sure to check the tides for the best experience, as it takes almost an hour to walk there. The sandbank allows you to walk close to the next island, which is a private resort. However, you shouldn’t enter the other island, but you can still walk quite far until you’re near it.
To reach the southern tip of the island, you can choose between two routes. One option is to walk through the jungle path, located in the middle of the island, which is shaded and cooler, but you’ll definitely need mosquito repellent. The other option is to walk along the beach during low tide, but be sure to use sunscreen. Also, bring enough water for your long walk.
TIP: Bring enough food, drinks, and sun protection for a pleasant time.
4. Jungle Path through the Island
As mentioned, there’s a long road that runs the length of the island from one end to the other. The jungle path is particularly beautiful and worth exploring. It’s a fantastic spot for photos, with palm trees lined up on both sides of the road. The path is sandy throughout, so you can walk barefoot. Another reason to explore this jungle road is the wildlife you’ll encounter, especially the colorful lizards.
5. Snorkeling and Diving
Embark on a snorkeling or diving trip to nearby sites. Not only can you encounter the “big two”, whale sharks and manta rays, but you can also explore vibrant coral gardens. We recommend the Oceanholic Dive Centre on the island.
Many guesthouses provide snorkeling gear for free or at a minimal charge. While you can snorkel right off the beach, for the best experience in Dhigurah, we suggest booking a snorkeling trip to nearby reefs.
Top 3 Hotels in Dhigurah
- Budget ($): TME Retreats
- Mid-range ($$): Athiri Beach
- Luxury ($$$): Boutique Beach
6. Island Hopping
Take a boat trip to explore nearby islands, such as Omadhoo. Choose between staying in Omadhoo for a couple of days or just doing a day trip. Here, you can snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks directly at the pier. Both the bikini beach and the public beach are beautiful, and you can also visit Manta Point to snorkel with manta rays.
7. Fishing Trips
Fishing is a central activity in the Maldives, and most local dishes feature fish. Join a local fishing expedition to catch various species and experience traditional Maldivian fishing practices.
8. Watersports
For those seeking more adventure, Dhigurah offers a range of water sports, including kayaking, paddleboarding, and jet skiing. Most guesthouses can arrange equipment rentals.
Where to Go After Dhigurah?
Another island worth visiting is Omadhoo Island, located in the same part of the Maldives as Dhigurah. To get there, you can take a private speedboat or the public ferry, which operates every day except Friday via Mahibadhoo.
Conclusion
Dhigurah Island is a must-see on any Maldives itinerary, with its stunning beaches and postcard-perfect views. It offers a peaceful escape, perfect for beach lovers and whale shark snorkelers. Escape the crowds and high prices of resort islands and discover your own slice of paradise on Dhigurah.
If you have any questions, be sure to follow us on Instagram and DM us for some extra free tips.
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