How To Travel Dhigurah Island
Dhigurah Island might just be the most stunning destination in the Maldives that you haven’t yet discovered. Unlike the renowned Maldivian resorts with their luxurious overeater villas, Dhigurah Island is a charming local island known for its expansive, pristine white sand beach.
If you want to experience the Maldives without breaking the bank, Dhigurah Island is an excellent choice. It offers the same breathtaking tropical landscapes you’d expect from the Maldives, along with affordable family-run accommodations starting at just USD 70 per night.
We recently explored two local islands in the Maldives, Dhigurah Island and Fulidhoo, and we were thrilled with our decision. Each island offered its unique charm and experiences.
In this travel guide, we’ll cover how to reach Dhigurah Island, the activities available, accommodation options, and all the essential information you need to plan your visit.
Where To Stay In Dhigurah Island
Getting to Dhigurah Island
Dhigurah Island doesn’t have an airport, so the first step is to fly into Male International Airport (MLE) in the Maldives, located approximately 100 kilometres (60 miles) away.
From Male, you can travel to Dhigurah Island by speedboat or ferry. Alternatively, you could opt for a seaplane or domestic flight to a nearby island and then complete your journey by boat.
Public Speedboat
The primary way to reach Dhigurah Island is via a public speedboat, which is how we travelled. Daily departures are available in the morning and afternoon from Maple Airport and the city.
The speedboat ride to Dhigurah Island takes about 2 hours and costs approximately USD 50 per person one way. Children over 3 years old are charged the full fare.
The ride is smooth, though it can vary with the weather. The boats are well-equipped with a toilet and ample luggage storage, and the newer, comfortable seats come with free bottled water.
Readmore Fulidhoo Island: Shark & Stingray Beach in the Maldives August 2024
DhigurahÂ
Boats from Male to Dhigurah depart at 11 AM and 4:30 PM, with an additional 10 AM departure on Fridays. For the return journey, boats leave Dhigurah Island at 6:30 AM and 1:30 PM, with a 1:45 PM option on Fridays. Note that there is a brief stop at Chengteh Island en route with Dhigurah Island.
Since several companies operate this route and schedules may occasionally change, it’s a good idea to confirm the timetable with your Dhigurah hotel before you travel.
You can arrange your speedboat transfer to Dhigurah through your hotel, which allows you to settle the payment with your room bill upon arrival. We used this service, and paying by credit card saved us the hassle of carrying large amounts of cash.
Private Speedboat
Opting for a private speedboat charter is significantly pricier than public speedboats, but it offers the convenience of a direct route to Dhigurah from other islands in the Maldives, potentially saving you time.
You can typically organize a private speedboat with your hotel on Dhigurah Island.
By Domestic Plane
A convenient way to reach Dhigurah is by taking a 20-minute domestic flight with Villa Air / Flyme from Male to Maamigili Island’s airport (VAM). From there, you’ll take a 5-minute taxi to the harbour, followed by a 20-minute speedboat ride to Dhigurah.
This route typically offers 3 to 4 flights daily. Ticket prices start at USD 170 for adults and $85 for children under 12, with infants under 2 flying free. The cost includes the speedboat transfer.
Where sea conditions are too rough for a standard boat, this might be the only viable option to reach Dhigurah.
Seaplane
Travelling to Dhigurah by seaplane offers a spectacular and enjoyable experience, though it comes at a higher cost.
Prices for a seaplane ride start at around USD 250 per person. The journey includes a 30-minute flight to the Lux Resort in the South Ari Atoll, followed by a 10-minute speedboat transfer to Dhigurah.
Seaplane flights do not follow a fixed schedule, so it’s necessary to arrange this with your hotel beforehand. It’s also possible to share the flight with other travellers heading to the same destination.
By Public Ferry
Another option for reaching Dhigurah is the public ferry from Male. While this is the slowest method, it is also the most budget-friendly. The ferry ride takes approximately 6 to 7 hours and costs USD 8 for a one-way ticket.
Operated by MTCC, the ferry runs several days a week with departures in the morning and evening. To check the latest schedule and purchase tickets, you can contact MTCC directly or seek help from your hotel in Dhigurah.
Getting Around Dhigurah Island
Once you reach Dhigurah, navigating the island is straightforward.
Dhigurah is compact enough to explore on foot, stretching 4 kilometres (3 miles) from end to end and only about 100 to 200 meters wide. Its elongated shape makes it easy to get around.
We appreciated this aspect of Dhigurah, as it eliminates the need for transportation costs. However, if you prefer, many hotels offer bicycles for rent for the half-day or full-day.
Best Things To Do In Dhigurah Island
North West Beach / Bikini Beach
The primary beach on Dhigurah is North West Beach, which stretches along the entire western side of the island. This is the designated ‘bikini beach,’ where visitors can freely wear swimsuits and sunbathe.
The beach is picturesque, lined with palm trees and inhabited by many small hermit crabs, and it is relatively uncrowded. The calm waters are suitable for children to swim, and on clear days, you can also enjoy beautiful sunsets from the beach.
For snorkelling enthusiasts, there’s a spot halfway along the beach called Turtle Reef, where you can swim among baby sharks and sea turtles just a short distance from shore.
Dhigurah’s beach is one of the longest in the Maldives, and the island’s name, which means ‘long island’ in the local language, reflects this feature.
Long Beach Sandbar
A highlight of Dhigurah is the Long Beach sandbar at the southern end of the island. This scenic spot features pristine white sand and shallow turquoise waters, ideal for swimming or strolling.
You can reach the sandbar from hotels in northern Dhigurah by walking either along the beach or through the jungle. We found the jungle route preferable because of its shade and the chance to spot lizards and other wildlife.
The best time to visit is around 9 or 10 AM when it’s less crowded and the sun isn’t too intense. Alternatively, you can use a bicycle or rickshaw to travel from your hotel.
During low tide, you can walk along the sandbar to the LUX Resort. However, keep in mind that access to the resort is restricted to guests.
How Long to Stay
Given its size, you can explore most of Dhigurah and experience its main attractions in 2 to 3 days, though you could easily extend your stay if desired. We spent 3 days on the island and would have been content to stay for a week or two!
If you enjoy spending time at the beach and swimming in the ocean, you might find a few extra days worthwhile. You could use the additional time to go whale shark watching and partake of other excursions around the island.
Best Time To Visit The Maldives
Best Time to Visit
Similar to other parts of the Maldives, Dhigurah experiences a dry season from January to April. This period is ideal for visiting as the weather is sunnier and less rainy.
Although this is peak tourist season in the Maldives, Dhigurah felt pleasantly uncrowded during our visit in January.
While you can still travel to Dhigurah during this time, expect a higher chance of rainfall.
