Experience the Maldives (Sun, Sand & Sea), giving you a chance to interact with locals, sample local cuisine, and gain insight into the Maldivian culture and way of life.
Guraidhoo, located 32 km from Male in South Male Atoll and near Maafushi, and hosts approximately 2,000 residents. Renowned for offering a local experience, it now features more than 13 boutique hotels, including Hiraeth island Home and Madagali Coral. Guraidhoo is favored for its scenic beauty and pleasant atmosphere. Public ferry services facilitate excursions, including to Maafushi and Gulhi.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives lies just 100 meters away, and there are many other nearby resorts (Adaaran Vadhoo, Biyadhoo, Fund Island, Taj Exotica) where you can make a day trip, enabling visitors to experience luxury resorts and local island culture, without breaking your wallet.
Why Guraidhoo?
Guesthouse Accommodation
The charming boutique hotel (locally called a guesthouse), is a nod to simplicity and authenticity. These hotels offers a unique immersion into the local culture and lifestyle. These establishments offer an affordable way to experience the Maldives, enabling you to stay longer or allocate your budget towards experiences like diving, local tours, or special meals.
Hiraeth Island Home
Just a short distance from the harbour, this boutique hotel provides a peaceful stay with its modern rooms that boast expansive ocean views. The inviting outdoor seating creates an atmosphere of homely elegance, offering an island getaway.
Situated on the beachfront, the hotel combines relaxation with authenticity, allowing guests to delight in the island’s allure within an ambiance that is both hospitable and exclusive. Click to reserve
Madagali Coral
Madagali Coral guesthouse, a charming boutique hotel (Guesthouse) has a serene patio with stylish outdoor seating under the shelter of a chic umbrella, surrounded by flora. Red-trimmed windows add a vibrant touch to the whitewashed façade, while a Joali (hammock) corner invites Maldivian leisurely repose amidst local flora blooms, crafting an idyllic retreat for relaxation and intimate gatherings.
Activities
Beach
Guraidhoo Beach offers a retreat for visitors seeking relaxation. The calm, clear waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities. Amenities such as sun loungers, umbrellas, and changing rooms are available nearby, along with equipment rentals for snorkeling, diving, and surfing. Here you can spot baby sharks in the shallow waters near the shore. The beach is well-maintained, ensuring a clean and pleasant environment for visitors.
Resort day visit
Book a day pass to enjoy the luxury of Maldives resorts without staying overnight. These passes offer access to pools, beaches, and snorkeling, allowing you to sunbathe and enjoy cocktails just like a guest. Available through guesthouse hosts, day passes are an affordable way to experience resort amenities and the island's beauty. They are ideal for those seeking a touch of indulgence and experience or even for few Instagram pictures during their visit.
Snorkeling & Diving
Snorkelling and Diving safari offer an immersive experience of the Maldives' vibrant marine life, with tours lasting a few hours to a full day. Participants explore diverse coral reefs, encountering sea turtles, colourful fish, reef sharks, and manta rays. The adventure also includes relaxing stops at sandbars and uninhabited islands. Led by knowledgeable guides and equipped with snorkelling & diving gear, visitors experience the underwater beauty safely.
Surfing
Guraidhoo is a surfer's paradise, offering direct access to the iconic Kandooma Right, alongside renowned spots like Tiger Stripes for the experienced and Ninjas for beginners. Surfing season is from April to October; surfers of all levels can find perfect waves. Guesthouses provide comprehensive packages that include comfortable accommodations, transportation to various surf spots, and surfboard rentals, making it an ideal surfing destination.
Picnic island
A footbridge links Guraidhoo Island to Lhosfushi, an island specifically for tourists. Due to the strong current and dead coral in this channel, swimming here is not advisable, and for crossing, use the bridge only. When you cross, look out for eagle rays and other marine life. You will also see many surfers, with the season typically running from May to November. The house reef is distant, but guesthouses offer budget snorkelling trips to access it.
Fishing
Experience the thrill of night fishing in the Maldives aboard a traditional dhoni, where you can catch reef fish, snapper, and grouper using hand lines and hooks. For those seeking bigger thrills, big game fishing offers a chance to troll for tuna, wahoo, and marlin with specialized gear. Alternatively, traditional line fishing provides a serene opportunity to fish near coral reefs. Excursions allow you to cook your catch at your hotel, adding a personal touch to the adventure.
Getting arround & where to eat?
Guraidhoo, equipped with essential infrastructure, offers restaurants for tourists, alongside local shops and markets for necessities. The island features a hospital and pharmacies for medical emergencies.
Isalnd Cafe’ at Hiraeth island Home is celebrated for its food and open space, offering grilled fish, curries, and pasta. Coral Garden Cafe features Maldivian and international cuisine with vegetarian options. Mymen Hotel restaurant specializes in local dishes like fish curry and roshi. Sizzlerz Cafe and Lemon Tree Cafe offer fast food and coffee selections, respectively.
How to get to Guraidhoo?
The ferry from Male to Guraidhoo departs daily at 14:30 (direct) and 15:00 (via Gulhi and Maafushi), except Fridays, returning at 07:00 the next morning.
Speedboat transfers from Male jetty #6 to Guraidhoo are available at 12:30, 15:30, and 22:30, with returns at 7:00, 14:30, and 21:30, costing $35 per person one way.
Charter speedboats, requiring booking at least three days in advance, offer a 35-minute trip at $350, with costs shareable among passengers.
Book with Us
Experience the Maldives (Sun, Sand & Sea), giving you a chance to interact with locals, sample local cuisine, and gain insight into the Maldivian culture and way of life.
Phone
+960 796 1167
hiraeth.islandhome@gmail.com
Social
