Island of Guraidhoo in the Maldives (Kaafu Atoll)

By: Mohamed Sanih

Island of Guraidhoo, Maldives

About the Island

One of a few inhabited islands of Kaafu Atoll, Maldives, Guraidhoo can be found in South Male Atoll. It is about 32km away from the airport in Male, Maldives’ capital city, and can be accessed in about 40 minutes by speedboat; but this has to be arranged from the off with your hotel or guest house. A public ferryboat will take upwards of 100 to 120 minutes to arrive Guraidhoo Island from Male.

This rather compact island is home to about 1800 persons. Guraidhoo is generally recognized for its famous surfing regions, snorkeling alongside dolphins and turtles, and its great diving spots.

Island Facilities

Compared to Maafushi and some of the other less traveled islands of Maldives, Guraidhoo is quite well developed. With this development, though, comes a reduction in the size of your ‘playground’. The island boasts a police station, hospital, local stadium, a school, and a children’s playground.

The only mental hospital in all of Maldives can be found in Guraidhoo. There is also a center for people with special needs. This can take the total island population to over 2500.

A famous Maldivian tourist destination, the island of Guraidhoo is currently occupied by 10 guest houses, with more still to come. There is a semi-legal bikini beach located on the island for those seeking to strip down and cool off.

There are three restaurants located on the island for those wishing to dine out and try out the local cuisine in neat environments. Prices are generally fair with meals starting from as low as $3, services smooth, and atmosphere pleasant, in typical Maldivian fashion. You can get everyday necessities and groceries from one of the many small shops around the island. While there are a few big souvenir shops around as well.

Construction is currently underway for the establishment of a Water Sport Center which is expected to be completed this year (2018). To that end, a diving safari boat is also being constructed in a dry dock close to the Jetty.

Island Activities

Guraidhoo is generally considered a picnic island for budget travelers. Only inhabited since the 1970s, it is known for its clear white sandy streets. You can take full advantage of these glorious white sands by visiting the one beach on the island – which can be found in front of the Kandooma Resort.

The beach is very well maintained and seems to sparkle at all times, making for a good relaxation spot. You can also find several places to watch the evening sunset right on the opposite side of the beach.

Guraidhoo’s major appeal, though, remains its many snorkeling spots. A fairly cheap snorkeling trip will take you to the magnificent house reef which is some distance away from the island. You can always ask around for snorkeling spots where you are likely to come in contact with dolphins and sea turtles to make your experience all the better.

Diving is yet another major attraction of Guraidhoo. With two dive centers located on the island, you are fully covered, whether you are a beginner diver or a long time professional. In fact, some visit this Maldivian island strictly for its splendid diving spots.

Beginner divers would appreciate the not too strong currents of the waters around Guraidhoo. 

Exploring the underwater world will bring you in close personal contact with rare frogfishes, sharks, sting ray fish, stunning soft corals and amazing shoals of fish. You can also expect to see an octopus, a stone fish, and a lion fish.

Want to enjoy the water without necessarily going under? Plan to spend some time at one of the many surf houses and camps on the island. These camps usually go out with small groups of surfers, allowing you experience the waves in areas that are mostly uncrowded with not so powerful, but very elegant, surf breaks that particularly appeals to intermediate as well as advanced surfers.

With the island of Maafushi only about 10 minutes away, a trip to that island can fit into your itinerary. Indeed, there are endless possibilities for those who choose to visit this island.

Invest in Guraidhoo Today!

Guraidhoo is a rather colorful island with colorful concrete, houses, houses made of coral chunks, and very much modern infrastructure. It is a fairly new island, in terms of human habitation, and cannot particularly boast of any concrete industries.

For the most part, residents join either the boat construction industry, the health care sector (to service the psychiatric hospital located there), or join the tourism industry. In fact, local and nearby resorts and guesthouses are the biggest employers of labor on the island. You can tap into this massive potential by building a guesthouse in Guraidhoo today.

Like the rest of Maldives, Guraidhoo is dependent on tourism. As a result, legislations have been put in place to improve and encourage tourism in the region. The region is also blessed with certain infrastructural developments that make it a more attractive option for tourists looking to spend some time, not just those planning quick one-day trips.

With a friendly local people willing to welcome tourists and visitors, you can be sure that your guests will be coming into warm, welcoming arms. Great diving spots, fascinating underwater world, and stunning coral reefs all pull together to make Guraidhoo a great investment destination.