Hey there bestie, have you ever thought of visiting the Maldives? Or maybe you are in the process of already planning your trip? Well then let me tell you about my recent trip to Dharavandhoo Island. It was an absolute dream! As always, I’m sharing my checklists first 😉
WE FELL IN LOVE WITH:
- The resort life! Now we get why people fall in love with Maldives – there is nothing better than a feeling of staying on a private island with absolutely gorgeous beaches and palm tree forests. It feels as if a wild life has mixed with civilization and a little heaven on earth was born.
- Mantas! These amazing creatures are so peaceful and friendly and they make you feel totally welcomed in the underwater world. Did you know that mantas never sleep although they live for 40 years?? If you want to have the ultimate experience swimming among them, come to Dharavandhoo between May and November when hundreds of them travel to Hanifaru Bay.
- Weather! Of course the weather here is a complete holiday weather. Lots of sun, warmth, clear skies and no pollution. Note: we would say Male was an exception. We found the air super polluted and even hard to breath due to the capital being overcrowded (253 000 people living in 8.3 sq. km.!). Besides it seemed that everyone had their own motorbikes, so the traffic was quite heavy (with no traffic signs! 🙂 ).
- Fauna! Before we came to Maldives we read a lot about scorpions, sharks, medusas and other dangerous species here. So we were feeling a bit uncomfortable stepping in. All of that changed whn we arrived. We didn’t see any scorpions (even the locals said that it is super rare to see them). We felt much more at ease seeing how normal it is to see a shark here and that people are actually looking forward to it and living in peace with the nature! Tourists going to snorkel and seeing a shark is an everyday thing in Maldives! But besides those popular animals, we found a lot of cute tiny crabs dragging their shells accross the beach, bats flying around even during daylight (they seemed friendly!), communities of small fishes jumping out of the water and beautiful birds flying around.
BEST PLACES TO VISIT:
- Hanifaru Bay which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is home to a large population of manta rays and whale sharks.
- Your chosen Resort island! We chose Kihaa Maldives resort and were super happy about it. From our experience staying in both local (Male and Dharavandhoo) and resort islands, the resort island gave us much more of the relaxation and joy that we were dreaming of. The big plus was that here we were able to be ourselves while in local islands we felt a bit restricted with local rules (dress code, no holding hands in public ex.). Although, we saw plenty of people not following the rules, but we always stayed cautious and tried to limit ourselves and to respect the locals.
- Underwater restaurant! If you have a chance you should visit this amazing place to observe the underwater world in your comfort zone. Beware to choose your stay at a resort or a local island close enough to the resort island having this restaurant. The travel expenses are quite high. A speed boat could cost USD 400 per person one way to travel as far as 30 km. If you come to Atoll which is further away from the capital city Male (like in our case it was Baa Atoll) you might not have the possibility to use local ferries as they operate here very rare (also local ferries does not take you to private resorts where these restaurants are). So staying in a distance of just a couple kilometers is the best way to visit these restaurants at a decent cost.
- Underwater world! Maldives doesn’t have spectacular architectures, they do not produce anything besides small crafts (even bananas in the local shop in Male were imported from India!). So the best thing you can see here is nature which is totally amazing and spectacular! You will fall in love with it the moment your feet will touch the sand.
WHEN IN MALDIVES..
Maldives is a tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean, known for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and luxurious resorts. Made up of over 1,000 islands, the Maldives is a popular destination for honeymooners, beach lovers, and water sports enthusiasts.
Our trip consisted of 3 parts: 2 days in the capital Male, 2 days in the private island of the Kihaa Maldives resort very close to Dharavandhoo and the rest 6 days were spent exploring Dharavandhoo itself. This tiny island is located in the Baa Atoll and is famous for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and amazing marine life.
Dharavandhoo island is home to a local community that is known for its hospitality and friendly nature. They made us feel right at home. We even got to try some of their local fruits (one of them was called water apple which I have never seen in my life before) straight from their gardens.
But let’s get to the real reason why Dharavandhoo Island is so special. It’s one of the best places in the Maldives to go snorkeling and diving. The island is located near the Hanifaru Bay, which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is home to a large population of manta rays and whale sharks. We were lucky enough to go on a snorkeling trip and swim with these amazing creatures. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will never forget. If you are very much into seeing them I highly recommend coming here in summer when hundreds of mantas swim to Hanifaru bay and you can experience their presence while snorkeling among them. As we came to Maldives in March, we still got the chance to see them but it was probably 5 mantas instead of 200. Check out Dharavandhoo Divers or Aveyla Manta Village as they arrange trips to see Mantas even when it is not a season.
Another highlight of our trip to Dharavandhoo Island was the stunning beach. The sand was so soft and white, and the water was so clear and blue. We spent hours lounging on the beach, reading a book and soaking up the sun.
If you’re looking for some adventure, the island also offers kayaking and paddleboarding. I tried my hand at paddleboarding and had so much fun trying to balance on it! Note that Aveyla Manta Village guesthouse offers free paddleboarding to their guests, otherwise it might come a bit pricey.
If you are looking for a comfortable hotel like stay, I would definitely recommend staying at Kiha Beach Boutique Hotel. They will make you feel welcomed and taken care of from airport transfers to free head massage upon arrival. From the facilities to the service this place really deserves the name of a hotel and, we believe, offers the best accommodation on the island!
Another thing that you can take advantage of is booking a day trip from Dharavandhoo island to Kihaa Maldives resort. We fell in love with this private island and next time would definitely spend all our stay there! To be in this island felt like a paradise! Clean, white sandy beaches, infinity pools, gorgeous palm tree forests, cozy bungalows and nice food as well as entertainment – we played beach volleyball, had a cocktail party on the beach, photo session with horses, shark feeding, local drums night, movie night – all of that in just a couple of days! Entertainment was something we missed while staying on Dharavandhoo – it was more quiet and peaceful there. Food was also much better in the resort than on the local islands (Dharavandhoo and Male). We came expecting to try a lot of fresh fish but local islands didn’t seem to offer that (we’ve tried quite a few local restaurants but found only fresh tuna there at best).
The best part of Dharavandhoo Island is still the people. The locals are so kind and welcoming, and they truly make you feel like a part of their community. It was such a wonderful experience to learn about their culture and way of life.
We would say Dharavandhoo Island is a must-visit destination in Maldives. It offers a perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and local culture. If you want to experience the beauty of Maldives in a unique and authentic way, then Dharavandhoo Island is the perfect place for you. Trust me, your Instagram feed will thank you!
Maldives is a stunning destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or a romantic getaway, Maldives has it all. With its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and luxurious resorts, it is truly a tropical paradise that will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime!
