Rasdhoo Island Maldives – Travel Guide & 8 Best Things
Rasdhoo, nestled within its own small atoll, the Rasdhoo Atoll, is a diver’s paradise, renowned for its incredible dive sites.
Rasdhoo also serves as the local ferry hub for accessing all the islands in the North Ari Atoll. For travelers arriving from Malé by public ferry, Rasdhoo is an excellent first stop. Affordable public ferries run directly from Malé twice a week, with a journey time of 3 hours and a fare of just $4. From Rasdhoo, you can catch daily ferries (except Fridays) for only $1 to nearby islands like Thoddoo, Ukulhas, Mathiveri and Feridhoo. Check out the ferry schedules.
This Rasdhoo travel guide has everything you need to plan your stay, including the best accommodations and the 8 best things to do if you decide to spend a few nights before exploring the quieter, more natural islands of the North Ari Atoll.
Update: We visited Rasdhoo a second time and noticed significant changes. The island has become much more developed and touristy compared to our previous visit. Keep this in mind when planning your trip. Don’t expect a tranquil and peaceful island experience like you’d find on Feridhoo or Omadhoo. However, the dive sites are still some of the best in North Ari Atoll.
Where is Rasdhoo located
Rasdhoo Island is located 60 km from Malé, accessible via a 3-hour journey by public ferry or a 1-hour trip by speedboat. Situated in the North Ari Atoll, also known as Alif Alif Atoll, it serves as the atoll’s capital and administrative center.
Rasdhoo Island on Map
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Best Time to visit Rasdhoo
Visit Rasdhoo Island during the dry season, from December to April, for clear skies and minimal rain. You’ll have a higher chance of enjoying perfect weather to make the most of the island’s beaches and water activities.
However, if you don’t mind a bit of rain, consider visiting during the rainy season, between May and November. During this time, you’ll experience the islands with fewer tourists and benefit from cheaper accommodation prices.
We visited in both March and August and had great weather each time. Our conclusion: If visiting during the rainy season, consider allowing an extra day on each island in case of rain.
How Long to Stay in Rasdhoo
If you’re visiting Rasdhoo for diving, we recommend staying for 3 days, as there are many beautiful dive sites to explore and excellent dive schools to try.
However, if diving isn’t your thing, to be honest, we wouldn’t recommend spending most of your time in the Maldives on Rasdhoo. Other islands offer a better experience, they’re more peaceful, less developed and closer to nature, with fewer tourists.
Rasdhoo is a great option for a 1- or 2-night stop if you’re arriving in the morning from Malé on the public ferry and prefer not to continue the journey to more distant islands right away. This is especially convenient if you’re heading to Thoddoo, as the ferry to Thoddoo departs only in the afternoon. However, you could also choose to spend just the ferry stopover having lunch in Rasdhoo before continuing to Thoddoo.
Top 3 Hotels in Rasdhoo
- Budget ($): Dhaankolh
- Mid-Range ($$): Beach Cottage
- Luxury ($$$): Summer Vibes Beach Front
- Private Resort Island ($$$$): Kuramathi Maldives
How to Get to Rasdhoo
First, fly to Malé International Airport (MLE), the starting point of your journey to Rasdhoo 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 Rasdhoo Island via a speedboat or the public ferry.
Male to Rasdhoo by Speedboat
Tourist speedboats to Rasdhoo depart from the Malé Airport Jetty once or twice a day and take approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
Make sure to reserve a seat in advance. You can book the speedboat online through 12Go or directly with your accommodation.
Male to Rasdhoo by Public Ferry
There is also a public ferry service operated by MTCC (Maldives Transport and Contracting Company), which takes 3 hours to travel from Male to Rasdhoo and costs around 4 USD. Be sure to check the updated schedule on the MTCC website.
Tip: 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.
Male to Thoddoo via Rasdhoo by Public Ferry
We absolutely love Thoddoo Island for so many reasons! The island is lush and green, offers incredible snorkeling right from the beach where you can spot dozens of turtles and features a stunning, long bikini beach with no infrastructure, just how we like local islands to be: untouched nature and less developed. This is why we highly recommend visiting Thoddoo Island, located a direct local ferry ride away from Rasdhoo if you’re in this area of the Maldives.
If you’re planning to visit both Rasdhoo and Thoddoo by local ferry from Malé during your trip, we suggest starting with Rasdhoo and visiting Thoddoo afterward. Here’s why:
- Rasdhoo is the ideal first stop in the North Ari Atoll when traveling by public ferry. It is the only island in the area with a direct ferry from Malé, which takes about 3 hours.
- If you want to continue to Thoddoo, you’ll have to stop at Rasdhoo for a few hours anyway before proceeding. The journey from Malé to Thoddoo will take up an entire day.
- A better option is to spend a few nights in Rasdhoo first, then take the ferry directly from Rasdhoo to Thoddoo, which takes only 1.5 hours.
Alternatively, you could use the lunch break during your local ferry stopover in Rasdhoo to check out the island and decide whether it’s worth a longer visit after your time in Thoddoo. Keep in mind that Rasdhoo isn’t a peaceful, nature-filled island like Thoddoo: it’s more developed and touristy.
How to Get Around in Rasdhoo
One of the reasons we loved the Maldivian islands so much is their walkability. In our opinion, Rasdhoo Island is the perfect size to explore on foot. It’s slightly larger than Ukulhas, meaning you can enjoy a bit of a walk, but not as large as Thoddoo, which is still walkable but where most people prefer getting around by bicycle.
Where to Stay in Rasdhoo?
In Rasdhoo most places are locally owned, offering warm hospitality and an authentic experience.
Best Accommodations in Rasdhoo
- Budget ($): Dhaankolh
- Mid-Range ($$): Beach Cottage
- Luxury ($$$): Summer Vibes Beach Front
- Private Resort Island ($$$$): Kuramathi Maldives
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 Rasdhoo?
When in Rasdhoo, we recommend eating here:
- Café Mangiare: authentic food, best prices
- Mahalo Restaurant: beach bar, tasty mocktails
- Lemon Drop: delicious food, amazing service
8 Best Things to Do in Rasdhoo
1. Dive, Dive & Dive
The number one best thing to do on Rasdhoo Island is diving, with shark encounters almost guaranteed.
Did you know? Rasdhoo has amazing dive sites because it is located within its own small atoll, the Rasdhoo Atoll. This unique geographic location supports rich marine biodiversity, featuring vibrant coral reefs and clear waters that attract a variety of marine life.
One impressive dive site is Hammerhead Shark Point, where you might see hammerhead sharks, reef sharks and even manta rays.
Rasdhoo has several highly-rated dive schools for all levels, from beginners to experienced divers, or even those trying the sport for the first time. In 2024, the price for four dives was around $240.
Here are the top three diving schools on Rasdhoo Island:
2. Sandbanks
Visit Rasdhoo’s breathtaking sandbanks for the ultimate beach day. Crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches surround you.
We visited Madivaru Finolhu and loved it. We recommend checking the tides and asking the locals for advice on when the sandbank will emerge at low tide. Bring enough food, drinks and sun protection for a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
3. Kayaking
Another best thing to do on Rasdhoo is kayaking. This one is for the independent adventurer. As mentioned above, Rasdhoo Island is located within its own small atoll, making it perfect not only for diving but also for kayaking.
You can paddle along the atoll line to sandbanks, picnic islands or to observe the private resort islands (just make sure to keep enough distance so you don’t disturb anyone).
Additionally it’s a fantastic way to go reef snorkeling without booking a boat tour. We usually tie the kayak to our feet to avoid losing it while snorkeling.
Whenever we hear about sandbanks, we always check how far away they are, as we love reaching them on our own. For the Rasdhoo sandbanks, kayaking is definitely an option. With some luck, you might even encounter sea turtles on the way!
Ask your accommodation to help arrange a kayak rental and negotiate the price, especially if you plan to use it for several hours. Don’t underestimate the sun! When you’re out on the water, there’s no shade to retreat to, so bring sun protection and consider starting very early or late in the day to avoid the most intense sunlight.
4. Bikini Beach
The Bikini Beach in Rasdhoo has everything you need: sun loungers, trees providing shade, a house reef (unfortunately, there were many dead corals when we visited, but we still saw plenty of colorful fish and sharks), and spectacular sunsets. Remember that swimwear can only be worn within the designated bikini beach area.
Top 3 Hotels in Rasdhoo
- Budget ($): Dhaankolh
- Mid-Range ($$): Beach Cottage
- Luxury ($$$): Summer Vibes Beach Front
- Private Resort Island ($$$$): Kuramathi Maldives
5. Snorkeling Trip
Accommodations on Rasdhoo offer various boat excursions, such as the manta snorkeling tour, where you can spot and swim with manta rays. Prices range from 40 to 60 USD per person for a 2-3 hour trip.
6. Shark Feeding
Head to the pier in Rasdhoo in the late afternoon to watch fishermen cutting and cleaning their catch, then throwing the fish remains into the water. This is when the magic happens, as sharks and mantas emerge at the surface.
While this activity may not appeal to everyone, if you’re interested, you can ask the fishermen if they’ll allow you to feed the sharks yourself using the remains.
7. Private Resort Islands & Overwater Villas
If your budget permits, enjoy the luxuries of a resort with a day pass or spend the night in an overwater villa. Wake up to breathtaking views, sunbathe on your private deck, and plunge into crystal-clear turquoise waters for snorkeling and swimming directly from your room. Check out Kuramathi Resort.
8. Island Hopping
Visit other local islands via the public ferry or speedboat for a day trip or longer stay after Rasdhoo. Explore some of the Maldives’ most beautiful islands, such as Mathiveri (with free access to a picnic island), Feridhoo (known for its minimal tourism) and Thoddoo (famous for its fruit plantations and turtle snorkeling).
Where to Go After Rasdhoo?
Here are a few recommendations for your next destination after Rasdhoo Island. All these islands are in the North Ari Atoll and can be reached by public boat almost every day from Rasdhoo, except on Fridays. Be sure to check the MTCC website for the latest schedule.
- 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.
- Feridhoo: A small, calm, 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.
- Ukulhas: A bustling island with a wide range of accommodations, restaurants, tours, and activities to choose from.
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Hi, We plan to stay 9 days in rasdhoo , we want to do snorkelling from the beach , and do some day trip to sandbanks and other snorkelling points. By reading your experience in Ukulhas, it seems that Ukulhas is much more better for snorkelling, can you please confim? Do you know if is easy to go to Ukulhas from Rasdhoo for 1 day trip with a speed boat with acceptable price?
The return speed boat to Male seems to be at 7.30am, and we need to be at the airport before 9am to catch our flight 10.45am, do you think it is risky?
Thanks
Michel
Hi Michel,
Thanks for your message!
Ukulhas is better for snorkeling, but you can, of course, do speedboat trips from Rasdhoo to different snorkeling spots for around 60 USD per person. If you’re looking for a less crowded place than Rasdhoo and Ukulhas (which unfortunately have changed a lot in the last year), with an even better house reef, consider going to Feridhoo. Our Feridhoo post will go live in a couple of days. It has an amazing house reef and is perfect for snorkeling. You could combine your visit to Feridhoo with a trip to Mathiveri – it’s a great combo.
https://travelnania.com/mathiveri/
As for the return boat to Male, the 7:30am boat should give you enough time, but I don’t think it’s risky. They do this every day and are used to tourists needing to catch flights, so they make sure not to leave late. The only thing that could cause a delay is if the weather doesn’t allow boats to depart. If you’re worried, you could consider spending a night in Male and taking the speedboat the afternoon before to avoid any stress.
Enjoy your trip
Hi, Thank you for all these informations. Do you know if there are other ways to find boat trips instead of using excursions from hotels which are very expensive. I was thinking for exemple about small boats from fisher mens or whatever..
Thanks
Michel
Hi Michel,
Thanks for your question! Finding affordable boat trips can be tricky, especially if you’re avoiding the pricey options offered by hotels. Fishermen are often reluctant to take guests independently, as they might face issues with the hotels. When we asked, they usually checked with the hotel and quoted the same high prices.
Here are some tips to get cheaper options:
1. Compare Prices from Different Accommodations
Walk around or message various accommodations on WhatsApp to find out what they charge. Once you know the typical price, you can ask your own accommodation to match it.
2. Share the Trip with Others
Team up with other guests from your or nearby accommodations. Sharing the cost of the boat (especially the fuel) makes it much cheaper per person.
3. Visit Busy Islands
Head to islands like Rasdhoo, Ukulhas, or Maafushi. These touristy islands have many independent tour operators offering group trips at reasonable prices, sometimes as low as $40 per person for a larger boat tour.
4. Explore Free Activities Instead
Instead of excursions, try island hopping (take the local ferry for 1-4 usd) and enjoy the free activities each island offers. For example:
Feridhoo: Free picnic island.
Omadhoo: Free nurse shark and ray snorkeling near the pier.
Dhigurah: Free sandbank trips.
Thoddoo: Free turtle snorkeling.
Mathiveri: Affordable shipwreck snorkeling nearby.
We only did one paid trip—a manta ray tour for $40, which you can do from Ukulhas or Mathiveri.
Hope these tips help you enjoy affordable adventures! 😊