Kaafu Atoll
Gulhi
Gulhi is a small island just north of Maafushi that has stayed calm while its neighbour boomed. It's short to walk end to end, has a pleasant bikini beach and only a modest number of guesthouses. People often pick it as a quieter base that still has the excursions of the area within easy reach.
What it's like to stay here
Life here is slow: a few cafés, a couple of shops, a mosque and the beach. The bikini beach is small but usually uncrowded. Outside it, the usual local dress rules apply. There is very little nightlife — evenings are for dinner and the harbour. If you want variety, Maafushi is a short boat ride away.
Pros
- Much quieter than Maafushi, but just as close to the airport
- Small and walkable — you get to know the island quickly
- Easy access to the same excursions and reefs as Maafushi
Cons
- Fewer restaurants and shops to choose from
- Not much to do in the evening
Getting there
Gulhi is in South Malé Atoll, roughly 30–45 minutes from the airport by speedboat. Shared speedboats serving Maafushi usually stop here too. The public ferry from Malé is cheaper but slower and doesn't run every day.
The reef & the water
Snorkelling from the beach is limited, so most people join boat trips to nearby reefs, sandbanks and turtle spots. Diving is usually arranged through operators in Gulhi or neighbouring Maafushi.
Weather right now
What's the sky doing over Malé
The five-day forecasts cover Malé and Kooddoo, the forecast point used for Gemanafushi. Weather varies between atolls: the forecast for Malé is not a reliable guide to conditions across the Maldives. Check the forecast for your destination before travelling.
When to go: seasons and monsoons →Seasons and monsoons in Malé
The Maldives swings between two monsoons rather than four seasons — one year at a glance:
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Live from the islands
- Kuredu Island beachLhaviyani Atoll
- Veligandu sunset beachNorth Ari Atoll
- Kandooma FushiSouth Malé Atoll
- Velaa island 24/7Noonu Atoll
Resort-run cameras, opened on the provider's site. Views change with weather and daylight.