Full guide to Fulidhoo Island Maldives

Fulidhoo Island Maldives, might just be my favourite place in Asia, if only for the serene, idyllic cyan blue beaches. Think again if you ever thought the Maldives was too expensive! Fulidhoo Island Maldives is the island you need to visit. It’s definitely serene, laid back, and has the best beaches of all the islands I visited.

It’s so picturesque and reminds me of the luxury resort islands, but of course, there are both budget and luxury hotels on Fulidhoo Island Maldives. Fulidhoo Island has some of the best beaches in the world, no matter that it is a local island in the Maldives and as soon as we arrived, we spotted giant sting rays swimming lazily in the bluest waters, it’s very easy to be wowed as soon as you step off the ferry.

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Quick Mini Guide To fulidhoo

Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to Fulidhoo.

Which islands?

• Fulidhoo is paradise, idyllic and quiet
• Accessible by the local ferry from the airport (around $2pp but it only runs a few times a week) or a private transfer

Where to stay

• Luau Beach Inn, Maldives,
• The Pearl Seaview
• Rushkokaa Beach Villa

Don’t miss…

• Parasailing
• A luxury resort day trip
• Shipwreck and snorkelling excursion

Best time to go

November-April. This season has the best weather. May-October might see rainy season, but it’s quieter & better for surfing.

Stay connected

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Quick links

Fulidhoo Island, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives

I was pleasantly surprised by Fulidhoo Island; its most stand out characteristic is its pristine, white sandy beaches and azure blue waters. It’s got a laid back, relaxed vibe, but also super friendly. It’s got a very similar vibe to the luxury resort islands in the Maldives and was the perfect place to relax, especially after we had been island hopping back and forth.

Just like the luxury resort islands, Fulidhoo Island Maldives is pristine, quiet, secluded, peaceful.

As soon as I stepped off the ferry, I spotted a tonne of huge sting rays lazily swimming in the shallows and the most beautiful blue waters that look straight out of a postcard.

It’s also super laid back, a different vibe to the other local islands I explored! Fulidhoo is a small island in the Maldives not far from Male Airport. 2 main families live on Fulidhoo Island Maldives and make up the community of locals and everyone knows each other; they run a number of hotels and guest houses.

As you wander down the main street, you’ll see plenty of souvenir shops and clothing shops where you’ll be able to buy cute crocheted tops and pick up unique souvenirs to take home. Along the beach you’ll come across rustic painted signs, old surfboards, hammocks, driftwood chairs, fishing net swinging chairs, all of which will make you smile. And frankly, it’s at a fraction of the cost of the resort islands and just as beautiful.

Despite the fact that the island is fairly small, it never feels cramped or crowded; most tourists are hidden away, relaxing in between palm trees, reading books or listening to music. It reminds me of the laid back islands like the ones you find in Thailand, like Koh Lanta or Koh Lipe. You can stop by one of the corner shops to pick up an ice cream or for a refreshing treat, pick up a fresh coconut. Our hotels had fresh coconuts and we made the most of them.

What is Fulidhoo Island Maldives famous for?

Fulidhoo Island Maldives is famous because of their pristine beaches and vibrant blue waters and it is budget friendly. It has incredible beaches, but accommodation is a much more budget friendly local island version of the luxury resort islands, and the charming cafes are lovely too!

It’s also famous for the incredible marine life, their scuba diving, swimming with dolphins, black tip reef sharks and more. It’s super impressive! Check your your hotel’s dive centre for more info, there are many PADI dives you can do here too.

Travelling to Fulidhoo Island from Male Airport

Fulidhoo Island is about 58km from Male International Airport. The ferry from Male to Fulidhoo is fairly quick; around 1-3.5 hours depending on your method of transport. There are two ways to get to Fulidhoo Island Maldives: by public ferry or private speedboat transfer.

Fulidhoo Ferry – public transport

You can reach the island by getting a Maldives public ferry for £1.25 (1.60USD), and it’s 3 hours from Male, the capital city. The ferry to Fulidhoo passes by Maafushi on its way.

Maafushi to Fulidhoo / Fulidhoo to Maafushi

Alternatively, you can get the Maafushi ferry, spend a few days on Maafushi, then make your way on to Fulidhoo. It takes around an hour and a half on the local ferry from Maafushi.

Read my blog post on Maafushi island

Getting to Fulidhoo island By Private transfer

You can organise a private speed boat to take you to Fulidhoo which takes around 1h 10 from Male Airport, Maldives. This usually costs £35 (45USD) per person and a tour or your hotel can organise your transport for you.

Best Hotels on Fulidhoo Island, Maldives

We stayed in The Pearl Seaview on Fulidhoo Island and it was excellent – highly recommended!

Take a look at the listed Fulidhoo Island Maldives hotels and Fulidhoo resorts, starting from £35 per night during peak season. All of the hotels will gladly collect you and your luggage from the ferry pier when arrive or if if you arrive by chartered speedboat; just let the hotel know what time you will arrive. Fulidhoo Island Maldives hotels, in general, are fantastic; we experienced the lovely The Pearl Seaview, and we had a great time! It had perfect sea views, tall ceilings and a very friendly island vibe.

It’s also super popular with honeymoons too! Have a look at the budget, mid range and luxury price matrix below.

Luxury hotels, budget stays and Fulidhoo Guest houses

Thundi Guest House is meant to be a good one. Whether it’s a guesthouse or a luxury resort hotel, you’ll be sure to have an incredible time.

Best Beaches in Fulidhoo Island, Maldives

The beaches in Fulidhoo Island Maldives are something else; incredibly stunning, idyllic, it looks just like the pictures. The boats floating in the waters seem like they’re floating on air, that’s how blue the water is! Amazing by all counts!

The most popular beaches are:

• Bikini Beach West
• Fulidhoo Northern Beach
• Fulidhoo Thundi Beach
• Aagali Beach
• Bikiny Beach

The beaches with the most crystal clear blue waters is probably Fulidhoo Thundi beach, it’s probably the most beautiful beach I’ve been to from all the Maldivian islands I’ve been in!

Is there bioluminescent plankton on Fulidhoo Island?

Yes, absolutely and it has some of the best, most impressive bio luminesce with an impressive glow! This does, however come with a caveat; it relies on this particular plankton species being in the area at the time. It fluctuates with varying tides – should you be lucky enough, there is a chance to see them them. The best thing to do would be to go for walks every night on the beach after dinner and see if any crash up onto the shoreline.

Best restaurants on Fulidhoo Island

There aren’t many restaurants on Fulidhoo Island Maldives, it is a super small island, so you might find it easy to book in half board at your hotel and pop out for lunches to the different restaurants and cafes They are super quaint with driftwood signs tucked away in nifty corners. Expect to pay £5-15 / $6-19USD. Tasty food which is super quick to be served.

1. Dream Hut Fulidhoo, Asian, Fast Food
2. Cafe de Orzo
3. Faru Café
4. Fish, Seafood restaurant
5. Bougainvillea restaurant
6. Aya Café and restaurant
7. Shells

How Big is Fulidhoo Island?

Fulidhoo is fairly small by usual standards, measuring about 700 meters in length and 200 meters in width. It takes around 20 minutes to walk a full circuit around the island, but to be honest, it doesn’t feel too small when you’re walking around. You’ll be kept busy by walking up and down each beach, visiting the high street with the souvenir shops, spotting sting rays by the ferry pier and watching sunset on the west side of the island whilst fish shoals jump out of the water.

How long do I need in Fulidhoo Island?

I would say you need a minimum of 3-4 days on Fulidhoo Island Maldives, but you could easily spend a week here if you’re after a relaxing, peaceful retreat. There are so many different tours to do and water sports to try out! On that note, take a look at the below tours.

Tours in Fulidhoo Island Maldives

There are plenty of island tours you can do in Fulidhoo Island Maldives, most which centre around the incredible marine life, and it is no surprise, given the incredible things to see. If you’re looking for turtles, whale sharks, nurse sharks, dolphins, sting rays or manta rays, they seem to have it all!

Every day, there are snorkelling and scuba diving trips available to some incredible dive sites, including Alimatha House reef with plenty of nurse sharks. Miyaru Kandu which is essentially a ‘shark channel’, Kunaavashi Kandu, the Fulidhoo Island Maldives caves which is great for night diving. The Fulidhoo dive sites are uneal!

Whale Sharks in the Maldives

Migration season for whale sharks is between May and December in the Maldives, and if you’re lucky enough you might be able to see them around the Dhigurah area. All the local islands will be able to book tours to see them. They are huge – gentle giants, cows of the sea. There’s around a 50:50 chance of seeing them in the wild. Make sure you don’t do any unethical tours that lure whale sharks away from their natural habitats by feeding them. It’s a once in a lifetime experience for most people so you should definitely check it out if you get the chance. Read more about ethical swimming with whale sharks.

Nurse shark tours – Are nurse sharks dangerous to humans?

The nurse sharks on the tours near Fulidhoo are generally pretty friendly to humans and not dangerous to humans; their mouths are tiny! They are bottom feeders, eating small fish, small lobsters, crabs, shrimp, squid and sea urchins; their teeth are very small. Whilst on the whole they are not dangerous to humans, don’t kick or step on a nurse shark, because they can bite in self defence and you don’t want those serrated teeth on you.

Are sting rays dangerous?

No, not really – only unless you kick them or step on them, which you will be very unlikely to do. Most of the time, you can evade getting stung by a stingray. Stingrays typically aren’t dangerous, it’s quite the opposite actually, they have a reputation for being very mild and very gentle.

Even if you get stung by a sting ray, it’s not generally fatal unless the sting goes through your neck/chest as it did with Australian wildlife hero, Steve Irwin who had a sad encounter with one.

Are Manta rays dangerous?

No – not at all! Manta rays pose no threat to human life and have been shown to exhibit curious behaviour and occasionally swim near humans, but other than this, they are peaceful, gentle giants, that swim serenely through the sea. Apparently some people used to think manta rays were ‘devilish’ because of their shape, which is not reflective of their nature at all. Still, it’s important to bear in mind that manta rays are wild animals and you should not touch them as you might disturb their mucus coating that protects their

Resort Island Tours

If you’re interested in spending a day on a resort island, the resort island tours are an excellent choice. Prices typically start from £80 / $100 USD and will usually include lunch, alcoholic drinks, and access to all the facilities on the private island, such as snorkelling gear, pool access, gym, tennis courts, and spa access!

I did a number of different tours, all through the Pearl Seaview and they were exceptional. We actually got to swim with wild dolphins for a good 45 minutes – 1 hour.

• Turtle snorkelling tour
• Dolphin watching tour
• Shark watching tour
• Lunch on a sandbank
• Private Resort island tour

If you’re lucky enough you’ll see sharks, turtles, sting rays, eagle rays, manta rays and dolphins. All wild, of course just thee way it should be; in their natural habitat.

Scuba Diving in Fulidhoo Island

I got my diving licence in the Maldives and I can’t tell you how impressive the marine life is here. To date, I’ve never seen bigger sting rays – it was bigger than me, by a long way too! You can get your diving licence with PADI or SSI – both are internationally known diving courses. Check in with your hotel and local tour guides to find some qualified diving instructors. You’ll find the biggest sting rays and manta rays, turtles, dolphins… it’s a literal dream! It’s really well known for the sharks and night time shark diving, there’s a whole post on it on the PADI website.

Visiting a local island: Things to know

Living with the locals

By rubbing shoulders with the locals, I got to see a bit more of the Maldivian culture when I was on a local island and you should too! I was able to pick fruits off a tree; the islanders let me try some sort of water apple (that’s the only way I can think of describing it – an unusual hybrid of a watermelon and an apple, which was delicious). They also have some very unique (and resourceful!) fishnet hammocks and swings by the beach, seemingly under every tree. The locals hang out here all the time and it is wonderful to see their community in tight knit groups. If you’re lucky, some of the older women come over and chat to you; one elderly lady from the Maldives was visiting the island on holiday from Male city!

You might be interested in my other Maldives blog posts:

On Fulidhoo Island when we stayed with The Pearl Seaview, we were treated to a traditional Maldivian dance by the local men in time to the beat to a drum. I wish more people could witness this cultural side of The Maldives, and you certainly get that when you’re on a local island like Fulidhoo Maldives.

Seasonal food & local resources

It’s crucial to bear in mind that 90% of the Maldives’ territory consists of water, with only 10% being land, resulting in highly limited farmland The islands re tiny; remember that Fulidhoo is only 700m by 200m. Consequently, resources are not utilized extravagantly; there are not ample supplies of out-of-season fruits and vegetables, for instance. There are additional expenses for foreign chocolate bars or imported foods, as imports incur extra supplementary taxes, thereby resulting in increased costs. You will be constrained to the brands available in the shops. However, truthfully, I didn’t find this to be bothersome at all, and you will manage with the local stores; local brands on the island are a fraction of the cost.

Can I drink Alcohol on Fulidhoo Island?

You cannot drink alcohol on Fulidhoo Island but often there are floating bars just off the coast with free ferry rides. At Fulidhoo, there apparently are floating bars around December for Christmas and New Year. They also might be around at other times of the year but it is not certain. You can drink alcohol on the floating bars and boats which serve alcohol, which are technically not on the island.

You can reach the floating bar by a free ferry. While entry to the floating bar is free, it’s important to note that alcoholic drinks are on the pricier side. A can of beer, for instance, is priced at approximately £4 / $5 USD.

Can I wear a bikini on local inhabited islands? Bikini beaches vs no bikini beaches

Certainly, yes you can! Everyone was sauntering along the beach in bikinis. However you must do so at the designated bikini beaches.nThe Maldives being a Muslim country means that locals dress modestly, and it is imperative to respect their customs. There are specific beaches where some of the locals congregate. It is deemed inappropriate to roam around the island in a bikini or speedos. Just bring a loose-fitting t-shirt or dress to don over your swimwear; it’s a nominal price to pay in demonstrating respect to the locals.

nFulidhoo Island boasts several beaches where you can swim in a bikini: Bikini Beach West and Fulidhoo Thundi (on the right, and in my opinion, the most incredible beach you’ll ever come across). Other areas are recognized as ‘no bikini beach’, or just public beaches where everyone is required to wear swim tops and shorts. You will often encounter locals swimming in these areas as well. I find this to be a comfortable manner of coexisting with the locals while revelling in the culture. Frankly, the sun is very intense here, and I frequently found myself having to wear rashie tops (swim tops) and shorts to shield myself from sunburn!

Fulidhoo Island Safety

Is Fulidhoo safe at night?

Yes! The’re not that many people on the island, it has a population of around 1000 people and is fairly laid back, relaxed and enjoyable. Many areas of the island have street lamps, but even when they don’t, it’s a very quiet, peaceful place.

Is Fulidhoo Island safe for solo female travellers?

Yes, definitely! I never felt remotely uncomfortable or unsafe. You will get to know the locals too who are kind and welcoming.

Ocean safety

The ocean is generally very safe; you just need to be careful when swimming far out and getting caught in a current. In my experience, swimming closer to the shore was fine and you’ll have no problems, but if you go further out, the currents can be stronger. It’s something to keep in mind! Stay in the shallows and you shouldn’t have any problems!

Skin Safety

The sun is very strong here. I didn’t apply enough sunscreen after being in the water and quickly got sunburned on my back – something you should avoid! I didn’t think I spent much time in the sun, but apparently even a short time in the sun will get you nice and burnt. The burn appeared later in the evening, after I had already left the sun, so you might not realize how quickly it can happen at the time. I’m really cautious about sunburn because it’s so bad for your skin.

Make sure you use REEF FRIENDLY SUN CREAM.

What is the currency in the Maldives?

The currency in the Maldives is the Maldivian rufiyaa, often abbreviated as MVR or Rf. On Fulidhoo Island, I noticed that some local shops also show prices in United States Dollars. Some shops might accept American currency, but you can’t count on it. Most places take card payments, but it’s a good idea to have some cash since not everywhere accepts cards. There are ATMs on the island. Also, remember to spend all your remaining MVR before leaving the Maldives because you can’t convert it to other currencies.

When to go to Fulidhoo & the Weather

I have visited the Maldives during both the wet and dry seasons, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. The wet season is from May to October, while the dry season is from November to April.

Rainy Season (Wet Season) in Fulidhoo:

• The rainy season in the Maldives is from May to October.
• The rain showers are usually fairly short, last only only 2-3h, followed by periods of sunshine and fairly good weather.
• Flights and hotels tend to be cheaper during this time.

Sunny Season (Dry Season) in Fulidhoo:

• The dry season in the Maldives generally spans from November to April.
• The sea is typically calm during the dry season, creating excellent conditions for diving and snorkelling.
• The dry season is the peak tourist season in the Maldives.
• Even when it rains in the dry season, it’s usually quick and you’re still likely to get 7-8+ hours of good weather each day.
• The weather is pretty good but the prices might increase for flights and hotels.

Fulidhoo Weather

The Weather in Fulidhoo in January:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 29°C
• Average Temperature (Fahrenheit): 84°F
• Number of Rainy Days: 5
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 11 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM

The Weather in Fulidhoo in February:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 29°C
• Average Temperature (Fahrenheit): 84°F
• Number of Rainy Days: 4
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 11 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM

The Weather in Fulidhoo in March:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 30°C
• Average Temperature (Fahrenheit): 86°F
• Number of Rainy Days: 5
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM

The Weather in Fulidhoo in April:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 31°C
• Average Temperature (Fahrenheit): 88°F
• Number of Rainy Days: 10
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:00 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM

The Weather in Fulidhoo in May:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 31°C
• Average Temperature (Fahrenheit): 88°F
• Number of Rainy Days: 12
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 5:45 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM

The Weather in Fulidhoo in June:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 30°C
• Average Temperature (Fahrenheit): 86°F
• Number of Rainy Days: 11
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 5:45 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM

The Weather in Fulidhoo in July:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 30°C
• Average Temperature (Fahrenheit): 86°F
• Number of Rainy Days: 11
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 5:45 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM

The Weather in Fulidhoo in August:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 30°C
• Average Temperature (Fahrenheit): 86°F
• Number of Rainy Days: 10
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:00 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM

The Weather in Fulidhoo in September:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 30°C
• Average Temperature (Fahrenheit): 86°F
• Number of Rainy Days: 11
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM

The Weather in Fulidhoo in October:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): Typically ranges from 28°C to 30°C (82°F to 86°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: Varies, but it can range from 7 to 10 rainy days on average.
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 11 to 12 hours of daylight per day.
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:00 AM to 6:15 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 5:45 PM to 6:00 PM

The Weather in Fulidhoo in November:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): Generally ranges from 27°C to 29°C (81°F to 84°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: Varies, but it can range from 6 to 9 rainy days on average.
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 11 hours of daylight per day.
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 5:45 PM

The Weather in Fulidhoo in December:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): Typically ranges from 26°C to 28°C (79°F to 82°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: Varies, but it can range from 5 to 8 rainy days on average.
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 10 to 11 hours of daylight per day.
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 5:45 PM

nTravel resources for your trip that are actually really handy!

Here’s everything I use when I travel abroad, I strongly advise you to have travel insurance, and the other recommendations are also super handy

• Travel insurance – don’t ever go on vacation without travel insurance, you never know when you might need it!
• Tours – Compare tour prices on Viator and Get Your Guide
• Hotels – I always use Booking as the more hotels I book, I get a higher Genius discount. I also compare prices on Expedia.
• Airport transfers – I use Kiwi Taxis which are super reliable, or I search on Viator.
• E-Sims – purchase an e-sim with Airalo on your phone so you can make calls and have mobile data abroad! There’s no need to remove your current sim card!
• Car rental – if you’re booking a car, I compare prices on Discover Cars.
• Travel essentials – have a look at a full list of travel essentials that I use, including the best powerbank!

That’s it! I hope you love Fulidhoo Island Maldives as much as I did. I hope you will be blown away by the incredible waters as much as I was!

You might be interested in my other Maldives blog posts:

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