Complete guide to Gulhi island Maldives

The infamous beautiful local village on Gulhi island Maldives is an exceptionally beautiful island known for its pristine white beaches, azure blue waters and laid back, boho vibe. I asked the locals, ‘Which island has the best beaches?‘ and they said you should definitely make a pit stop and visit Gulhi Island Maldives beach. And it certainly did live up to expectations!

Gulhi, however, is nowhere near as built up as Maafushi. It’s certainly quieter, and it reminded me of more of a relaxed, honeymoon style island if you’re after peace and quiet. Most people relax on the beach all day reading books or listening to music, and when it gets a bit too hot, they’d bask in the shallow cerulean blue waters of the atoll that surrounds Gulhi Island Maldives.

Things to be aware of: Gulhi island is still developing, and there are plenty of building sites as new hotels and homestays are being built. Whilst this shouldn’t impact your stay, it’s good to be aware so you’re not surprised when you arrive. There are some construction sites on the island. In the next few years, Gulhi Island Maldives is going to be buzzing. Expect to see new hotels with incredible sea views of the seaside. Here is your full Maldives local island guide!

This blog post may contain affiliate links.

Gulhi Island, South Malé Atoll, Maldives

Gulhi island is a pristine paradise island known for Gulhi beach, which is equal to any of the famous resort islands you’ll find in the Maldives and the famous instagrammable water swings and signs. It’s a fairly small island, but it’s still packed with personality! Its main economic activity is fishing, however this is likely to change soon, as there are multiple construction sites on the island, with plenty of hotels being built. Soon, this is going to be an incredible retreat island!

What is Gulhi Island famous for?

Gulhi Island is famous for their incredible beaches and azure blue waters; it is an incredible honeymoon island, the cerulean blue waters of Gulhi beach and the white sandy coastline are certainly a sight to see. It has incredible beaches very similar to the resort islands, but the hotels and home stays have a much more budget friendly. And the charming cafes and beachy restaurants are lovely too!

Gulhi or Maafushi: which is better?

Gulhi island and Maafushi island are 10 minutes apart from each other, each with its own distinct vibe, and it might be hard to decide which is the right one for you. We couldn’t decide, so we did both!

Why not do both islands? We did Maafushi for 6 days and Gulhi for 3. Both are different, so it mostly depends on what type of holiday you are after.

Gulhi

Quieter, more laid back, and it has clear, shallow lagoons and an absolutely incredible beach. The exact same type of beach you’ll find on the super exclusive resort islands. If you’re after a quieter holiday of beach lounging, this might be your best bet; it might also be good for honeymooning couples or romantic getaways but on a budget! It’s the ultimate sandy heaven. It also has some very picturesque Instagrammable signs and beach swings, which of course you’ll need a photo on.

Maafushi

If you’re after tonnes of restaurants, beach bars and rustic painted tour providers, then Maafushi is your best shout, but the bikini beaches tend to be more busy with lots of tourists visiting. Someone described Maafushi as a ‘party island’, which I don’t necessarily agree with. There are more beach bars and restaurants, but for the most part its very relaxed and has a strong boho vibe. It also has an excellent house reef, meaning you’re more likely to spot some tropical fish, and if you’re lucky, some turtles!

Read my blog post on Maafushi island

Where is Gulhi Island located?

Gulhi Island Maldives is about 20km from Male International Airport and sits in Kaafu Atoll, in the South Malé atoll region. Depending on your method of transport, it can take 45 minutes – 1 hour 30 to get there. There are two ways to get to Gulhi island Maldives: by local ferry or private speed boat transfer.

How to get to Gulhi Island

Male Airport to Gulhi: Private transfer

You can get to Gulhi Island Maldives fairly easily, and private transfer isn’t too expensive as it’s a fairly short boat ride away from Male international airport. This usually costs £25 (32USD) per person and a tour or your hotel can organise your transport for you.

Male to Gulhi: Getting the Gulhi Ferry

Getting from Male to Gulhi can be via the local ferry. The public ferry takes around 1h 30 and costs £1.25 (1.60USD). The local ferry from Male airport will take you to Maafushi island (which is 15 minutes from Gulhi), and, depending on the ferry, you might need to change at Maafushi and hop on another boat to Gulhi. Sometimes, the ferry will pass by Gulhi Island Maldives direct so you wont need to change.

If you need to change ferries at Maafushi island

Gulhi is only 10-15 minutes away from Maafushi island, and you can either hop on a connecting ferry or you can simply ask one of the hundreds of boats on Maafushi harbour to ferry you across. There’s plenty of boats, so don’t worry about getting stranded.

Daily public ferries to Gulhi from Maafushi

There are a few public ferries to Gulhi, and every day there’s a ferry that leaves at 8am from Maafushi and returns from Gulhi to Maafushi at 4pm. This means you can do Gulhi Island Maldives on a day trip

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

Read my blog post on Maafushi island

Gulhi on a day trip

If you prefer to do Gulhi island Maldives on a day trip, you can leave Maafushi in the morning and return back before the sun sets by using the daily public ferries.

Alternatively, you can book a transfer in advance, so you can explore Gulhi at your leisure from Maafushi Island.

Gulhi Island Maldives hotels: Best hotels and Gulhi guest houses

Gulhi has a great selection of hotels, and no matter where you book, you’ll be close to the beach. The island is fairly small, taking around 15 minutes to walk around (if not less). Most hotels are a 2-3 minute walk to the beach, so you’ll be there in no time!

We stayed in The Pearlshine Retreat on Gulhi Island and it was excellent – highly recommended!

Take a look at the listed hotels on Gulhi Island, starting from £41 (52USD) per night during peak season. All of the hotels will collect you and your luggage from the ferry pier when arrive with a cart or a small motorised vehicle. If you arrive by chartered speedboat; just let the hotel know what time you will arrive. Gulhi island hotels, in general, are fantastic; we experienced the lovely The Pearlshine Retreat, and we had a great time! It was only a 2 minute walk to the beach; perfect!

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

Gulhi guest houses & hotels

Gulhi Beach, Maldives

There is one super famous beach in Gulhi; Gulhi Beach, which is a bikini beach. The beaches in Gulhi island are something else; incredibly stunning, idyllic, it is one of those places that actually looks just like the pictures.

Gulhi Beach

The main beach on Gulhi Island Maldives is Gulhi beach, there really isn’t a comparison. It’s stunningly beautiful with its cerulean blue waters. At the end of every day, locals were paid to ‘sweep up’ any debris, leaves, rubbish or anything that would tar the pristine sands of this beautiful beach.

I can also recommend watching the sunset from Gulhi Beach South End. The sunsets here are incredible, they are really something else.

Have a look at the best beaches on Gulhi Island Maldives below.

Is there bioluminescent plankton on Gulhi Island?

Yes! And it was incredible, we could see it every night! It has some of the best, most impressive bio luminesce with an impressive glow! This does, nevertheless come with a caveat; it depends on this specific plankton species being in the area at the time. It fluctuates with different tides – should you be fortunate enough, there is a possibility to witness them. The most recommended thing to do would be to go for walks every night on the beach after dinner and observe if any wash up onto the shoreline. And there’s a good chance you might actually see it!

Best restaurants on Gulhi Island

There are a number of restaurants to eat at on Gulhi island and you’ll find that it’s still fairly cheap. Meals tend to cost between £4-6, so a dinner out for 2 people with drinks might cost around £10-15, which is not bad by any standards. There are also nearby shops on the island where you can purchase snacks or some lunch. Instant noodles are virtually everywhere, as is the delicious ice cream, so you won’t go hungry! Take a look at the following restaurants:

1. Benha restaurant – comes highest rated on the island, at 4.9 stars
2. Salt Harbour
3. La Vista Cafe and Bistro
4. The Hideout Coffee shop and dinner
5. Hotel Fulhoi
6. Tropic platter
7. Premier beach hotel and restaurant
8. Dhilakani Cafe

How Big is Gulhi Island?

Gulhi island is one of the smaller local islands measuring in at 400m in length by 225m width, but packed full of personality. It takes around 15 minutes to walk a full circuit around the island, but to be honest, it doesn’t feel too small when you’re walking around. I was very comfortable wandering around, visiting the high street with the souvenir shops, and chatting with the locals.

How long do I need in Gulhi Island?

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

Tours in Gulhi Island Maldives

nIn Gulhi (and everywhere in the Maldives), there are numerous island tours you can do, most of which revolve around the mesmerizing, incredible marine life, and it is no surprise, given the astonishing 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 exhilarating snorkelling and scuba diving trips available to some remarkable dive sites, including Dighu Thila. Located in between Gulhi and the Anantara resort, Dhigu Thila is a relatively long thila, with some incredible sea fans, soft and hard corals, and plenty of schools of fish. Here you might spot: marble stingrays, eagle rays, grey reef sharks and if you’re lucky, the occasional manta ray. There’s so much to choose from; make sure you do some famous Gulhi snorkeling!

You might be able to spot bump head parrotfish, white-tip sharks, green and hawksbill turtles, napoleon wrasse, schools of red snappers and blue-lined snappers, as well as oriental and giant sweetlips, gorgonians, and nurse sharks.

Whale Sharks in Gulhi Maldives

If you’re fortunate enough, you might be able to witness whale sharks around the Dhigurah area during their migration season between May and December near Gulhi Maldives. All the local islands will be able to book tours to see them. They are massive – gentle giants, the most placid golden retreivers of the sea. There’s around a 50:50 chance of encountering 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 on the nearby atolls are generally quite placid and not harmful to humans; their mouths are tiny, so it’s obvious they only eat small fish! They are bottom feeders, consuming 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-defense, and you don’t want those sharp little teeth on you.

Are sting rays dangerous?

You are very, very unlikely to get stung by a sting ray. 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 placid and gentle. Even if you get stung by a stingray, it’s not generally fatal unless the sting goes through a vital organ, which, again, is extremely rare and unlikely. Most of the time, they are friendly, and swim around in the shallows near people without any disturbances.

The best thing to do is stand still and remain calm when they’re near you, so you don’t accidentally step on them or hurt them.

Are Manta rays dangerous?

No, manta rays are gentle giants! Manta rays pose no danger to human life and have been observed to display curious behavior and occasionally swim near humans, but other than this, they are calm, docile giants that swim serenely through the sea and it is utterly beautiful to watch. Apparently, some people used to believe manta rays were ‘devilish’ because of their shape, which is not indicative of their true nature at all. Still, it’s crucial to remember that manta rays are wild creatures, and you should not touch them as you might disrupt their mucus coating that safeguards their skin.

Resort Island Tours

nIf 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!

• 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.

“If you want to swim with wild dolphins, jump off the boat now!”

Scuba Diving in Gulhi Island

I actually trained and received my diving license here, and I can’t express enough how awe-inspiring the marine life is here. To date, I’ve never encountered larger stingrays – it was significantly larger than me! You can acquire your diving license with PADI or SSI – both are internationally recognized diving courses. To locate qualified diving instructors, consult your hotel and local tour guides. You’ll come across massive stingrays and manta rays, turtles, dolphins… it’s the most remarkable experience!

Visiting a local island: Things to know

Living with the locals

By mingling with the locals, I got to witness a bit more of the Maldivian culture when I was on a local island and you should too! I was able to pick wild fruits off a tree; the islanders let me try some unique water apples which I later found out was a Java apple. They also have some particularly resourceful fishnet hammocks and swings by the beach, where I managed to chat some local Maldivian women.

The locals hang out here all the time, and it is lovely to see their community in close-knit groups. If you’re fortunate, some of the older women come over and chat with you; one elderly lady from the Maldives was visiting Gulhi Island on holiday from Male city!

Seasonal food & local resources

It’s important to bear in mind that 90% of the Maldives’ territory consists of water, resulting in significantly limited farmland, with only 10% being land. The islands are small; remember that Gulhi is only 400m by 225m. Consequently, resources are not used excessively; there are not abundant 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 restricted to the brands available in the shops. However, truthfully, I didn’t find this bothered me 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 Gulhi Island?

You cannot drink alcohol on Gulhi Island but you can drink alcohol on the floating bars just off the coast Maafushi which is short boat trip (which costs £8 / 10USD – the transfer is free from Maafushi island). You can drink alcohol on the floating bars and boats which serve alcohol, which are technically not on the island.

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, in Gulhi’s case, this is Gulhi Beach.nnThe Maldives is a Muslim country meaning it’s polite for tourists to dress appropriately. Certain beaches serve as congregation points for some locals. Wearing a bikini or speedos while wandering around the island is considered inappropriate. Instead, opt for a loose-fitting t-shirt or dress to put on over your swimwear; it’s a small gesture to show respect to the locals.

nGulhi Island features one main bikini beach: Gulhi Beach. Other areas are designated as ‘no bikini beach’ or simply public beaches where swim tops and shorts are required for everyone. Locals often swim in these areas too. I find this to be a comfortable way of coexisting with the locals while embracing the culture. Frankly, the sun is incredibly intense here, and I frequently found myself having to wear rashie tops (swim tops) and shorts to protect myself from sunburn!nn

Gulhi Island Safety

Is Gulhi safe at night?

Yes! The’re not that many people on the island, it has a population of around 831 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 Gulhi 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. Swimming closer to the shore was fine as it’s very shallow all around the island 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 shallow areas that surround the island 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! Yes, many people with lighter skin were walking around like red lobsters. I didn’t spend much time in the sun unprotected, 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 too, to be eco friendly to the delicate marine life and ecosystem out there. It’s beautiful, and it’s best to protect it!

What is the currency in the Maldives?

The currency in the Maldives is the Maldivian rufiyaa, often abbreviated as MVR or Rf. On Gulhi 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 no ATMs on Gulhi Island. Also, remember to spend all your remaining MVR before leaving the Maldives because you can’t convert it to other currencies.

You might be interested in my other Maldives blog posts:

When to go to Gulhi & 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 Gulhi:

• 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 Gulhi:

• 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.

Average temperature and rainy days in Gulhi Island

Gulhi Weather in January:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 28-30°C (82-86°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 5-6
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 11 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM

Gulhi Weather in February:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 28-30°C (82-86°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 4-5
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 11 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM

Gulhi Weather in March:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 29-31°C (84-88°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 6-7
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM

Gulhi Weather in April:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 30-32°C (86-90°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 8-9
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:00 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM

Gulhi Weather in May:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 30-32°C (86-90°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 12-13
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 5:45 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM

Gulhi Weather in June:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 30-31°C (86-88°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 13-14
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 5:45 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM

Gulhi Weather in July:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 29-31°C (84-88°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 13-14
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 5:45 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM

Gulhi Weather in August:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 29-31°C (84-88°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 12-13
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:00 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM

Gulhi Weather in September:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 29-31°C (84-88°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 11-12
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM

Gulhi Weather in October:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 28-30°C (82-86°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 9-10
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 11 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:15 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM

Gulhi Weather in November:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 28-30°C (82-86°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 7-8
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 11 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:00 PM

Gulhi Weather in December:

• Average Temperature (Celsius): 28-30°C (82-86°F)
• Number of Rainy Days: 6-7
• Number of Daylight Hours: Approximately 11 hours
• Sunrise Time: Around 6:30 AM
• Sunset Time: Around 6:00 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 Gulhi Island in the Maldives as much as I did. Bask on the white sandy beaches and let me know how you get on!

You might be interested in my other Maldives blog posts:

Full disclosure! Some of the links here are affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission from every booking made. This is at no extra cost to you. It helps keep me writing and sharing my travel guides free of charge to you 🙂 Thank you for your support!