Dhiffushi is a part of Kaafu Atoll. It is located 36,6 km northeast of Male, the capital of Maldives. Another inhabited Island of Thulusdhoo is situated just 8 km south of Dhiffushi. The island itself is small (just like the majority of inhabited islands); its size is 950 m x 200 m. Approximately 1200 people live in this little paradise. More and more locals are getting engaged in travel industry, but fishing still remains one of their major activities.

Beach and tourists in Dhiffushi

There are several guest houses on the island (6, to be exact), so not a lot of tourists out there. The first guest house was opened more than two years ago, that’s why travel industry is not very developed there. In the near future the situation is going to change.

Speaking about the Beach, it is rather small, even tiny. But taking into account the size of the island, the beach is not that small. There’s enough space for anyone, there are sun loungers and sunshades. The beach is maintained by Rashu Hiyaa hotel staff, but it is not an isolated area. The locals can also go and take a rest there. Wearing bikinis on the beach is allowed as well. The locals spending their time on the beach don’t mind that. It’s probably because the majority of the locals are young people, who are not very conservative and who don’t hold strictly to the traditions.

The favorite activities on the beach are swimming and playing ball. The beach itself is very clean. It’s evidently well-maintained; the sand is snow-white, water is like fresh milk – the temperature is 28-30°C day and night (at the end of July), and the distance to the bottom is rather long.

On the beach you can find lots of small white crabs that won’t bite you, but they are very difficult to catch! The only disappointment over the beach is that the sunset was on the other side of the island, where there is plenty of litter. The area outside the beach is not well-maintained, its pretty dusty (generally there are plastic bottles). In most cases all the garbage came from the ocean.

The people just don’t manage to carry it away, mainly because there are no special people, who are responsible for doing it. You’ll find no litter on the streets. There is an unspoken rule, according to which every Maldivian must take away rubbish near their own houses. Despite that, on the southern end of the beach you can find a wonderful sandbar that is ideal for snorkeling. The sandbar is surrounded by several reefs.

The locals 

Some words about the locals and the Maldivians in general: despite some pushiness, which a Russian is not accustomed to, they are very kind and friendly. They are rather talkative, they are fond of talking about their island, they like discussing every detail and fact; they take interest in you, and they also want to present themselves and their country well.

One evening I was on the beach alone, when a local guy approached me and suggested going to watch sharks, swimming near the coast (or ‘baby sharks’, as they call them). He took me to the other side of the island, showed me sharks, then took me back, said ‘good night’ and left. To tell the truth, you can meet such people on any Maldivian island. Lovely people.

When in Russia, I would hardly accept such a suggestion. Onil (the guy) talked to me a lot, showed me how to hold a crab, told me that the island is on the way to improvement, that a surf station, shops, etc. are about to be built. But time, money, and materials are needed. The latter are very difficult to obtain, and they’re rather expensive, as they are imported from India.

The drawback is that sometimes it’s difficult to get rid of such an interlocutor. Probably this feature is typical of all the people of that region (Maldives, India, Sri Lanka).

The positive side is concerned with the service. Even in budget hotels the service is top-level. The staff are ready to do everything for a client, they always smile, they’re always attentive, they are always ready to show and tell you everything you need. Any rudeness is out of the question.

Infrastructure 

There are few shops on the island (several groceries and gift shops), there is no ATM, and even no chemist’s. There is “a guy” on the island, who has some pharmaceutical drugs, and if you need something, you should call him and ask for it. In case of emergency you’ll have to go to Male. That’s why make sure that you have taken everything you need with you in advance. Unlike hotels, in local shops only ЬМК are accepted, and only in cash. Similar restrictions are common not to all the islands.

But on the plus side, a bottle of water (1,5 liters) cost there 7 rufiyaas, and in the hotel the same bottle cost $2. It’s important to come when a shop is open. They usually from 11 to 15.00, but it’s not necessarily the case. They may close earlier, and may work till 18.00. In this case they usually leave their telephone numbers, and you may call them if you have no time to wait. There you can buy water and some foodstuffs (sweets, potato chips, etc). There are also 2 cafes: Dream Corner and Cozy Café, where you can try local cuisine at affordable prices.

Things to do in Dhiffushi

All in all, the island can’t boast of the abundance of activities. The island is an ideal variant for the amateurs of beach holidays with minimum of activities (lazy holidays). Nevertheless, not far from Dhiffushi there is Meeru Island Resort&Spa resort. It’s even bigger in size than Dhiffushi itself. The cost of a guided tour there is $50 per person. Although the island is located 200 meters away from the beach, you won’t be able to reach it, because securities won’t let you do that.

There are no diving schools on the island, that’s why if you’re eager to try diving, you’ll have to pay $50 for transfer to the neighboring Asdhoo resort and to pay extra money for diving itself.

Other activities and prices from Local Adventure Dhiffushi guest house.

Unfortunately there are no price lists available on other guest houses’ websites.

Snorkeling (half a day) – $50;

Picnic on a sandbank (half a day) – $80;

Swimming with dolphins (there is no 100% guarantee that you’ll see them) – 100$;

Sunset fishing – $40;

Romantic evening on a sandbank – $150 (fish) and $200 (lobster);

Romantic evening on the beach – $100 (fish) and $150 (lobster).

The prices are by far not the lowest, but so it goes.

Transfer to Dhiffushi

Ferry

Male-Dhiffushi.

Daily except Fridays at 14:30 from Vilingili terminal. Duration about 2 hrs 45 mins.

Dhiffushi – Male

Daily except Fridays at 6:30. Duration about 2 hrs 45 mins.

Many thanks to Olga Smirnova for the review and photos provided.

Scheduled speedboat

Daily, except Friday at 16:30 from Male

At 7:00 am from Dhiffushi

Price is 45$ per way per person

Post Dhiffushi first appeared Budget Maldives.