During our trip to the Maldives, after visiting Himandhoo we visited a new island called Dhigurah, which is located hours away from Malé. The hotel where we stayed was not far from the jetty. Dhigurah Island is quite long with a strip of beach at its end. The length of the island varies between 4-5 km because this strip is sometimes submerged underwater and sometimes emerges. Our hotel was small, with only six rooms, but it had two floors. At the entrance in the reception area, you can rent all necessary equipment for diving such as masks and snorkels directly from the hotel. If you join an excursion these items are already included. However, if you just want to swim, you can rent them for a daily fee of 5 dollars. And, there's a sign at the reception explaining how to behave on the island: wearing swimsuits around the village is prohibited, but shorts and t-shirts are acceptable. So shoulders and knees should be covered.
We stayed in room 103 on the first floor. There were three rooms on the first floor and three more on the second floor. As a unique feature not found in many hotels, there’s a special tap to wash your feet after returning from the beach. The restaurant was quite small, with just a few tables. Since there were only six rooms, they didn’t expect too many guests. The food was delicious. The rooms were clean, the hotel relatively new and everything modern. There was a comfortable bed, a good workspace, a mini-fridge and a wardrobe. The bathroom was very functional, equipped with a shower cabin, toilet and sink, all updated with modern fixtures. Security wasn’t an issue, but you might still prefer to store your valuables in the safe.
The only downside was that the bikini beach was far from the hotel. Actually the hotel is located in the middle of the island. One side of the island offers sunsets, while the other provides sunrises. The side with the sunset has the bikini beach, but it requires some walking. On the other side there are coral reefs, but swimming there is forbidden due to dangerous currents.
When coming to the Maldives it’s best to bring dollars, as they’re accepted almost everywhere. You can pay in Rufiyaa, the local currency in some places, but generally cash dollars are preferred. Also there are places where you can pay by card, but cash is more convenient, especially for restaurants and tours.
Dhigurah Island is located in a region inhabited by whale sharks year-round. Local tour operators offer a 50% chance of seeing them, but nature is always unpredictable. We joined one of these tours and tried our luck.
We visited all the local islands through a company called Wild Maldives. This company organizes tours to different islands in the Maldives. Depending on what you're looking for, they offer options like beaches, diving or resort stays. You buy your international flight tickets yourself, but everything after Malé is organized by them. Prices are reasonable and everything is pre-planned. For example, you’re picked up from your hotel and taken to the island and transfers between islands are also arranged.
Our meal plan was full board, offering either breakfast and dinner or breakfast and lunch. We opted for breakfast and dinner. Our chef, who was from Sri Lanka prepared really delicious meals. Dinners were incredible, both main courses and desserts were perfectly prepared. However, for lunch, we also tried nearby restaurants.
It takes about an hour to walk from one end of the island to the other. The walk to the bikini beach takes approximately 15 minutes. The weather during our trip was quite variable. Sunny one day, cloudy or rainy the next. The bikini beach, unlike the local beaches, is an area where tourists can comfortably walk around in their swimsuits. However, it’s quite far about a 15 minute walk. The beach is wide, with plenty of space for everyone. But there are no loungers, so those who want to relax in the shade should bring their own gear. It’s advisable to keep an eye on your belongings, as the island is large and carelessness could result in lost items.
The island offers a variety of dining options. There are both local, affordable restaurants and more expensive ones that meet European standards. For instance, we were recommended a place called Hermit, but the prices were a bit high. A tuna burger costs 15 dollars and steaks go for 19 dollars. And there’s usually an 18% tax added in the Maldives, which increases the total cost. While the taste was satisfying, the value for money is debatable.
You can rent bicycles to move around the island faster. We rented bikes for the experience, but the road is long and tiring. Especially towards the end, there’s a sandy area that takes about 20 minutes to reach by bike. Once you get there, though a beautiful view and peaceful atmosphere await. Unfortunately, the weather can be rainy, which might spoil the experience a bit.
In terms of tourist activities the island offers several options. Whale shark tours, for example are popular, but sightings aren’t guaranteed. After searching for four hours, we saw a whale shark, but it was far away, making it difficult to take photos.While exciting as an experience it’s not necessarily an activity that exceeds expectations.
Touristically Dhigurah Island has a developed infrastructure with various hotels, restaurants and activities. Its biggest advantage, in my opinion is the whale shark tours and beautiful beaches. Among the disadvantages, I would mention the long distances and poor coral reefs in some areas. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative in the Maldives, Dhigurah Island could be a good option for you.
