Fulidhoo Island
Dive with Nurse Sharks, soft corals, and the stars of Finding Nemo on one of the Maldives most accessible islands.
About the Fulidhoo Island…
Fulidhoo is a fantastic option for the budget traveler wishing to dive the Maldives. Past the typical white sand beaches and endless palm trees there is a welcoming sweetness to the island that epitome of ~IsLaNd vIbEs~ After getting off the ferry, I did not put my shoes back on until it was time to head home as the sandy streets were too inviting for bare feet.
450 people are registered as living on Fulidhoo, however it only hosts about 150 at a time as many of the inhabitants go to Male for education or nearby Resort Islands for work. Motorized vehicles are mainly prohibited on the island, though you will see rechargeable bikes. There is an ambulance; however at time of writing they hadn’t used it yet.
“We just carried them to the hospital,” Ateif, our tour guide from Kinan Guest House told us when we asked about coconuts falling on people (it’s happened twice). “The island is quite small you see.”
In fact, the island is only 675 x 200 meters.
The Dives
The Dives
Kunaavashi Kandu
Hunting grey reef sharks, a school of barracuda, the occasional cruising whitetip and even a shy but beautiful devil ray. This channel was full of curious animals that weren’t too shy to get close and explore. Near the end of the dive, pastel, cotton candy colored soft corals line a underwater cave.
Alimatha House Reef
A Nurse Shark Heaven
& the reason why divers flock to Fulidhoo - Alimatha House Reef. Historically, the local nurse sharks were fed leftover fish and now Alimatha House Reef is absolutely teaming with them. Ali, our guide, was wise enough to suggest we enter the water before sunset so there was light for pictures. This was a wonderful suggestion as we didn’t have to share the site with other divers until about 5 minutes before our dive was over as it get dark. This dive was unlike anything I’ve ever done and an amazing experience for shark lovers.
How to get to Fulidhoo Island
Ferry Transfer to Fulidhoo:
For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, the public ferry is an excellent choice. The ferry departs from the Villingili Ferry Terminal in Malé and takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to reach Fulidhoo. While it may be slower than the speedboat, the traditional dhoni offers a more relaxed, authentic experience of local island life. The ferry ride is very affordable, costing between $3–$5 USD per person one-way. This is what I would do if you have the time!
Speedboat Transfer to Fulidhoo:
The speedboat transfer to Fulidhoo is the fastest and most comfortable way to reach the island. This private transfer, typically arranged through your accommodation, departs from Malé or nearby docks and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to reach Fulidhoo. While the speedboat offers a premium, direct experience, it can be more expensive, with costs ranging from $200–$350 USD one-way, depending on the number of passengers and the operator.