Hello Dhigurah

Island Guide

Dhigurah

Long Island · South Ari Atoll

Island Overview
Location96 km southeast of Malé, South Ari Atoll
Length~4 km — longest beach in the atoll
Name"Long Island" in Dhivehi
Known ForWhale sharks, manta rays, long beach
AlcoholNot on island. LUX*, 10 min
Time ZoneUTC+5 (no DST)
N

✈Domestic Flight

  • ~20 min · USD 295 return · 5–6 daily flights
  • Fly.Me airline from Velana International to Maamigili

🚤Speedboat

  • ~2 hours · USD 60 one way
  • Daily from Malé: 10:00 and 16:00 (Fri: 10:30 / 16:30)
  • Return: 07:00 and 13:00 (Fri: 07:30 / 13:30)

⛴Public Ferry

  • ~7 hours · USD 8 one way — Budget option
  • Malé → Dhigurah: Sat, Mon, Wed at 08:30
  • Dhigurah → Malé: Sun, Tue, Thu at 08:30

Western Beach

4 km of palm-lined sand. Sandy bottom, safe for swimming and children. Best walking at low tide.

Bikini Beach

Designated swimwear zone on the western beach. Location marked on island map. Modest clothing required outside this area.

House Reef

East side of the island. Swim along the reef edge for whale shark and manta encounters. Use fins. Protected area — follow eco guidelines. Not recommended alone.

The Sandbank

Narrows to a long sandbank at the southern tip. Walk at low tide (~45 min from southern beach). Leads toward LUX* resort. A sign marks the property boundary.

Marine Life
🐋

Whale Sharks

Year-round

Outer reef

🦈

Manta Rays

Dec–Apr

Manta Point

🦈

Reef Sharks

Year-round

Kuda Rah Thila

🐢

Turtles

Year-round

House reef

🦅

Eagle Rays

Year-round

Maamigili Beru

🐬

Dolphins

Year-round

Open atoll

🐟

Napoleon Wrasse

Year-round

Broken Rock

Local Life & Culture
ReligionMuslim. Modest dress in the village. 5 daily prayers.
Dress CodeShoulders and knees covered outside beach zones.
FridayHoly day. Many businesses close midday.
PhotographyAlways ask before photographing residents.
LanguageDhivehi locally. English widely spoken in tourism.
TippingNot obligatory. USD 1–2 per guide is appreciated.
Practical Information
CurrencyMVR and USD accepted. ATM in village.
Power230V · Type G (UK plug)
MedicalIsland health center. Emergencies: evacuation to hospital.
EmergencyPolice 119 · Ambulance 102 · Coast Guard 191
InternetWi-Fi at most guesthouses. Quality varies.
AlcoholNot on island. LUX* resort — 10 min by boat.
Where to Eat

Hello Dhigurah Food Cart

On the app

Fresh, fast island food.

Hello Dhigurah Simple Foods

On the app

Healthy bowls and breakfast.

Shell Restaurant & Café

Main street. Pizza, burgers, sandwiches.

Café Dune

Most accessible non-hotel dining. Affordable.

Absolute Thai

Tom Yam and Thai cuisine. Well-reviewed.

Dhigurah Beach Café

Beach-side. Fresh local seafood.