Fulidhoo Island
Fulidhoo Island is a small, budget-friendly island in the Maldives, known for its charming local atmosphere. We recently visited Fulidhoo Island along with Dhigurah Island, both of which captivated us with their stunning beaches and sandbars.
In addition to its excellent scuba diving opportunities, Fulidhoo Island main highlight is the shark and stingray beach. Here, you can observe nurse sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays in the shallow waters and even capture memorable photos of these fascinating marine creatures.
Fulidhoo Island boasts the iconic white sand and crystal-clear blue waters characteristic of the Maldives. The island offers budget-friendly accommodation, with family-owned hotels starting at just USD 60 per nigh. It ist an excellent choice for those seeking a tropical getaway without breaking the bank.
This travel guide will cover everything you need about visiting Fulidhoo, including how to get there, what activities to enjoy, where to stay, and other essential tips!
Where To Stay In Fulidhoo Island
Getting to Felidhoo Island
Since Fulidhoo Island does not have an airport, you will need to fly into Male International Airport (MLE), the capital of the Maldives, situated approximately 55 kilometres (35 miles) from Fulidhoo Island.
From Male, you can reach Felidhoo by taking a speedboat or a ferry directly to the island.
By Public Speedboat
The primary method to reach Fulidhoo Island is by public speedboat, which is the option we chose. Speedboats depart daily in the morning and afternoon from the Male airport and the city.
The trip to Fulidhoo Island takes just under 1.5 hours and costs around USD 40 per person one way. Our journey was quite bumpy, likely because of the weather, but this can vary.
Speedboat Journey Details
On the bright side, the speedboats are modern and comfortable, equipped with ample seating, a toilet, and plenty of storage space for luggage. They also provide free bottled water during the trip.
Speedboats from Male to Fulidhoo Island depart at 10 AM and 4 PM (9:30 AM only on Fridays). Return trips from Fulidhoo Island to Male leave at 7:30 AM and 1:30 PM (7 AM only on Fridays).
Multiple speedboat companies operate on this route, and schedules can change occasionally, so it’s a good idea to confirm the timetable with your hotel before travelling.
Your hotel in Fulidhoo Island can arrange the speedboat booking for you, allowing you to pay for it along with your room bill upon arrival. This method, which we used, allows you to avoid carrying large amounts of cash and pay by credit card instead.
By Private Speedboat
Opting for a private speedboat charter is considerably pricier than using the public speedboats, but it can offer added convenience, especially if you’re travelling with a group of four or more and prefer a direct transfer to Felidhoo Island.
You can usually arrange a private speedboat through your hotel in Felidhoo.
By Public Ferry
Another option for reaching Felidhoo is the public ferry, which, while slower than the speedboats, is much more affordable. The ferry ride takes approximately 4 hours and costs around USD 5 for a one-way ticket.
Schedules may occasionally change, so it’s wise to check the latest timetable with your hotel in Felidhoo. Tickets cannot be booked in advance, so arriving a bit early is advisable to secure a seat.
The ferry departs from the Hulhumale ferry terminal in Mile City, not to be confused with the terminal in Hulhumale. It’s a 10-minute taxi ride from Male International Airport.
As an alternative, if you’re travelling from Maafushi Island, you can catch a direct ferry to Felidhoo, bypassing Male altogether.
Getting Around Fulidhoo
Fulidhoo is a compact island, making it easy to explore on foot. With no cars on the island, the primary mode of transport consists of small electric buggies used for transporting luggage between the pier and the hotels.
The island spans approximately 700 meters in length and 250 meters in width. This means you can reach the beach or pier from any hotel within 5 minutes, and a full walk around the island takes less than 30 minutes. This compact size is quite convenient for getting around.
Shark & Stingray Beach
The highlight of Felidhoo is Shark and Stingray Beach, along the island’s southwestern coast. On Google Maps, it is labelled as the ‘stingray observation point.‘
Each day and night, stingrays visit this beach to feed on scraps left by fishers, and it’s not uncommon to also spot a nurse shark or a sea turtle.
While there’s no guarantee of sightings, during our two-day stay on the island, we frequently observed stingrays at the beach, and others have reported similar encounters.
We saw more than a dozen rays at once! It was a memorable experience. You can enjoy watching them from the shore or take photos with them in the shallow water. While touching them is discouraged, it’s fine if they brush against you.
Is It Safe?
This is a common concern for many visitors: Is it safe to be around sharks and stingrays? To put your mind at ease, the sharks near Felidhoo are nurse sharks, which are harmless to humans.
Regarding stingrays, while the unfortunate incident involving Steve Irwin is often remembered, it’s important to note that it was an unusual case. Irwin’s encounter occurred because he was closely following the ray, which may have perceived him as a threat.
Stingrays are typically gentle creatures. If you avoid stepping on them, chasing them, or making them feel threatened, they are unlikely to harm you. The water in this area is quite shallow, which adds to the safety.
Although no activity can be guaranteed to be completely risk free, many tourists visit Felidhoo daily to see and photograph the stingrays with no reported issues.
Things to Do in Felidhoo
East Beach / Bikini Beach:
 The primary beach on Felidhoo is on the eastern side, known for its pristine white sand and clear turquoise water. This area is designated as the ‘bikini beach,’ where tourists can comfortably wear swimsuits and sunbathe. The gentle waves make it suitable for children, though shade is limited.
Sunset View Point:
For a scenic stroll, head to the western end of the island, which offers a beautiful view of the sunset.
Banyan Tree:Â
At the heart of the island stands a magnificent banyan tree with sprawling roots. It provides shade over a volleyball court, and if you stay at Hüven Inn, you’ll find this impressive tree just outside the hotel.
Scuba Diving:Â
Fulidhoo is renowned for its scuba diving opportunities. Dive sites offer encounters with reef sharks, manta rays, octopuses, and more. Consider visiting Fulidhoo Dive or Divers Lodge for dive trips.
Resort Excursions:Â
Local hotels can arrange half-day trips to nearby luxury resorts, allowing you to enjoy high-end amenities without the full price. These excursions typically include transportation, access to resort facilities like pools and spas, and allowances for food and drinks.
Other Activities:
Felidhoo also offers snorkelling tours to explore a shipwreck, picnics on sandbars, and excursions to see whale sharks and dolphins.
How Long to Stay
Fulidhoo is a small island, so a stay of 2 to 3 days is generally sufficient for most visitors. While it’s possible to enjoy the island in a shorter time, spending less than a day might feel too rushed.
Many tourists visit Fulidhoo on excursions from other islands to see the sharks and stingrays. However, we noticed that these tour groups seemed hurried, often staying for only 30 minutes, which doesn’t allow enough time to explore or take quality photos.
We were glad we opted to stay for 2 days, as it provided a more relaxed experience. For a more enjoyable visit, staying at least 1 or 2 days is recommended.
Best Time to Visit the Maldives
The optimal time to visit the Maldives, including Felidhoo, is during the dry season from January to April. During these months, you can expect more sunshine and less rain, making it ideal for beach activities and exploring the island.
While this period sees a higher influx of tourists, Felidhoo still maintains a relatively tranquil atmosphere, even in January.
The wettest months are from September to December. Although you can still visit Felidhoo during this time, be prepared for a higher chance of rain.