Plizio Visual Lab

Guraidhoo

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
—°5
Guraidhoo (Maldives)
ℹ️

Practical info — Guraidhoo

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Visit the Bikini Beach, which is located on a tiny neighboring islet connected by a pleasant bridge.
  • Book a snorkeling trip to the house reef; sea turtles are very frequently spotted here.
  • Guraidhoo is known for woodcarving, watch the local craftsmen at work in their open-air workshops.
  • Watch the sunset at the harbor as the traditional fishing boats (dhonis) return with their catch.
  • Carry enough local currency (MVR), as ATMs on the island can be unreliable at times.

🍽 Food

🍽
Grilled reef fish

Freshly caught fish marinated with local spices and grilled over coconut husks at the beach.

🍽
Rihaakuru

A thick fish paste eaten with roshi, chili, and onions for a truly authentic Maldivian taste.

🍽
Local black tea

Enjoy a traditional tea with mint in the late afternoon at one of the small main street cafes.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Feyli

Traditional Maldivian black and white sarongs, often woven by locals on the island.

🛍
Miniature Dhonis

Intricately crafted wooden models of the iconic Maldivian fishing boats.

🧘
Eastern tip of the island

A quiet spot to watch the ocean waves and relax away from the guesthouse areas.

🧘
The islet bridge

Early in the morning, the small island across the bridge is nearly empty and well-suited for meditation.

Guraidhoo is a densely populated island in southern Kaafu Atoll, around 30 kilometers south of Malé. With about 2000 residents, the island has a strong maritime tradition: boat building, fishing and a well sheltered natural anchorage used as a safe port by yachts and dive safari vessels from around the world. Guraidhoo has several shipyards where traditional dhonis are built and repaired from tropical hardwood, as well as a national center for people with special needs run by the Ministry of Social Affairs. The island also has a secondary school, a clinic, several restaurants, a local market and a bikini beach for the growing number of guesthouse tourists. Nearby surf spots include Foxeys and Natives, plus the Kandooma Thila dive site that attracts eagle rays, reef sharks and turtles. A public ferry connects the island daily with Malé.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan–Mar.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C272828292928282828282727
Rain mm53375098191148165193185186233184

Geography

Population
1,800 (2017)
Coordinates
3.90030, 73.46780

Facts

  • Popular hub for surfing and diving activities
  • Located approx. 31 km south of Malé
  • Population of around 1,800 residents
  • Famous for the Kandooma Right surf break
  • Home to a national center for people with special needs
  • Traditional center for intricate wood carving

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Guraidhoo (5)

Chow Beach🎡 recreation

Located on Guraidhoo, the tranquil Chow Beach sits right by the turquoise waters. This quieter corner of the island exudes a characterful, local flair. Here you can listen to the gentle lapping of the waves or enjoy the clear water with a refreshing swim. It is well worth bringing some snacks and plenty of drinking water for your day at the beach.

Naanu Beach🎡 recreation

Tucked away on the coast of Guraidhoo is Naanu Beach, a tranquil little spot of earth. The beach is characterized by its peaceful environment, convenient for anyone looking to escape the everyday. It gives a wonderful opportunity to swim in silence or simply let the Maldivian nature wash over you. In the evening hours, the beach becomes a well-suited place to wind down the day in a relaxed manner.

Guradoo South📍 landmark

Guradoo South is a dive site south of Guraidhoo with colourful coral gardens.

Biyadoo Kuda Giri📍 landmark

Biyadoo Kuda Giri is a small rocky pinnacle in the sea, popular with underwater photographers.

Emmadi Giri (Manta Point)📍 landmark

Emmadi Giri (Manta Point) is a dive site off Guraidhoo, famous for its manta rays.

Frequently asked questions

How long to stay in Guraidhoo?
2-3 days are enough.
When is it ideal?
Dry season (Dec-Apr).
How to get there?
By speedboat from Malé.
Is Guraidhoo kid-friendly?
Yes, very safe.
What is special?
Local souvenirs.
Guraidhoo: where is it located?
Guraidhoo is located in Maldives.
Guraidhoo: what is there to see?
Highlights include Chow Beach, Naanu Beach, Guradoo South.
Guraidhoo: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Mar.
Guraidhoo: why is it worth visiting?
Guraidhoo is a densely populated island in southern Kaafu Atoll, around 30 kilometers south of Malé.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Asia
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Asia
More places in Maldives →

Nearby cities

Nature