Gulhi Island on a budget: Memorable Excursions and Watersports Experiences await!

Friday, 25th August 2023 (Updated August 2024)

Welcome to the Sunny Side of Life : Gulhi Island, Maldives! It’s a true paradise surrounded by the beautiful blue Indian Ocean. Just a 25 minutes Speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, here you can have a lot of fun doing water activities and going on trips on a Budget. Whether you like exciting things or just relaxing under the sun, you’ll enjoy it here. In this Post we’ll talk about all the cool excursions you can do, like exploring the colorful coral, dolphin watching, snorkeling with nurse sharks, doing sandbank picnic, and etc etc….

How to get to Gulhi from MLE Airport ?

By Speedboat : the most convenient Way !

Want to get to Gulhi Island from the airport, or go back? The easiest way is on a fast speedboat – only 20 to 25 minutes maximum ! Look at the schedule on our Speedboat transfers page here for more details. This route is always busy, so it’s better to book your seats before.

* For coming back from Gulhi, in case you want to stop in Male’ and not in MLE Airport we can drop you off also in Male’ for the same Price. A memorable experience in the Maldives can be complete only by spending half a day in Male’ City, in the end of the trip, to explore the historical sites like the Hukuru Miskiy, discover local life, and savor Maldivian food. You can take a guided walking tour with a Local for the best experience here.

By Public Ferry : cheap but not convenient !

The cheapest way to reach Gulhi is by using the MTCC Public Ferry, which costs 22 MVR (around 1.4 USD) for each person per trip. The journey lasts approximately 75 to 90 minutes, but there are many things to consider like you can’t catch the public ferry from the airport (only from Male’ City) + many inconvenient points (read more here). You can always check the Ferry Schedule to Gulhi (Line 309) here. We really suggest choosing a speedboat instead, especially if you don’t have a lot of time to spend in Maldives.

Transfer between Maafushi and Gulhi Island

At this moment, you can travel between Maafushi Island and Gulhi only by using public ferry (Every Day except Friday) : at this moment the scheduled speedboat between Maafushi and Gulhi is suspended. The third alternative, is to hire a private speedboat which usually begins at around 80 to 90 USD.

Gulhi vs. Maafushi: Why Gulhi Island is better for Your Maldives Getaway!

Compared to Maafushi Island, which is always crowded with lots of tourist groups and not very clean, Gulhi Island stands out as a much better choice. The water around Gulhi Island is even clearer and more beautiful. It’s the perfect Island for a peaceful and relaxing vacation. On the other hand, Maafushi is really quite noisy and busy, almost it becomes like the bustling Patong Beach in Phuket Thailand or the crowded Kuta in Bali Indonesia. So, if you’re looking for a quiet and peaceful vacation and more Privacy, Gulhi Island is the ideal destination for you and it’s the best choice for Honeymooners and for Families with Kids too.

As someone who knows a lot about Maldives, visited more than 50 Local Islands, and has lived here for a long time, until this moment, I want to be honest with you : Maafushi Island has changed a lot in the past 10 years. It’s not the same beautiful place it used to be decade agao. There are now lot of tall buildings like New York Skyscrapers that ruined the Nature beauty and has taken away its sense of being an Island. There is no Sustainability sides at all in Maafushi. And there’s a lot of construction happening nowadays until today. It’s not the peaceful and enjoyable spot it once was.

I always say that Maafushi is not the real Maldives, even many Maldivians say the same and they agree with me on this. So, don’t follow the crowd like a herd of sheep. Plan your vacation smartly and avoid the commercial places that are overcrowded. If you want a truly peaceful vacation in the Maldives, choose any other local island where you can experience the local culture 100%.

That’s why I strongly recommend choosing Gulhi Island (or any other Island) over Maafushi. Some tourists they struggle even to take nice memorable pictures in the sea at Maafushi with nice and empty background because there are so many people around.

Plus, it’s important to know that you won’t find alcohol on any local islands in the Maldives, including Maafushi, as the Maldives is a Muslim country. If someone tells you the opposite, they’re lying at you definitely. However, there are ”Offshore boats” parked near both Maafushi and Gulhi islands where you can enjoy drinks like beer or wine or any other alcoholic beverages. Additionally, as part of our excursions, we offer the opportunity for a ‘Resort Day Visit’ (Day Pass) from Gulhi to a 5-star luxury resort island. This package includes unlimited alcoholic drinks, buffet lunch, and round-trip transfer, all at an affordable price.

I need to mention also that some tourists end up picking Maafushi because they were really misled by commercial travel agents who only promote Maafushi as a group tour destination. Many of these agents have never even visited the Maldives themselves and they don’t know anything about what’s happening here. So, don’t just follow the crowd blindly. Make your own choice wisely.

Gulhi Island takes the lead with its crystal-clear turquoise waters and an even more impressive house reef. Gulhi it’s the perfect Island for snorkeling and diving : in some spots you can snorkel with the Whale Sharks, Nurse Sharks and Stingrays. You can see also the Angle Fish, Moray Eels, Dolphins, Turtles, and Unicorns Nemos. What’s more, all the exciting excursions and water sports you can find in Maafushi are also available here in Gulhi, often at the same or even lower prices. So, not only do you get to enjoy the stunning water, but you can also have all the fun activities without spending much. You will have a fantastic experience without the crowd and noise, and far from the Jail of Madives (that is located in Maafushi).

Look here, most of the reviews on TripAdvisor show that people compare the turquoise water of Gulhi to Maafushi, and almost everyone agrees that Gulhi’s water is better and the best :

Water Sports & Activities in Gulhi

Gulhi Water Sports are located in the Bikini Beach, it is open everyday from 09:00 to 17:00. Everything is available from Jet Ski, Banana, Surf, Kayak, Paddle Board, Wakeboard, Fun Tube,… Here only Cash is accepted, either local currency Maldivian Rufiyaa or USD. So don’t forget to bring some cash with you for your personal expenses. They offer also package includes combination of different activities. You can see the list of full prices in the table below.

Gulhi is much better than Maafushi island and you can really enjoy the Sunny Side of Life in Gulhi doing this Water Sports in a better Sea that is not crowded, and at affordable rates.

List of Prices

#	15 min	20 min	30 min	40 min	1 hour
Jet Ski	–	60 USD	–	80 USD	100 USD
Banana	–	–	80 USD	–	120 USD
Wakeboard	25 USD	–	50 USD	–	90 USD
Fun Tube	–	–	60 USD	–	100 USD
Paddle Board	–	–	–	–	15 USD
Kayak	–	–	–	–	15 USD
Package (Banana – Fun Tube – Jet Ski – Paddle- Kayak)	–	–	–	–	140 USD

Surf

15 USD per Head (Gurus Point)

20 USD per Head (Quarters Point)

Daily Excursions from Gulhi

Here are the daily excursions from Gulhi Island with full details. Please note that for shared trips, there must be a minimum of 6 people on the boat to qualify for the stated price. The price may vary if there are fewer than 6 people, but rest assured, there are daily Guests departing from our Guesthouse Partner or neighboring Guesthouses in Gulhi. We can arrange shared trips a few days in advance or up to 1 day before the chosen date. For private trips, we can accommodate your request at any time in advance.

To book, simply reach out to us via email at contact@halamaldif.com or through WhatsApp.

1 – Full-Day Trip (Vaavu Atoll)

• Dolphin
• Shipwreck
• Fulidoo Island (Stingray)
• Sandbank

Combined: USD 95 per person (minimum 6 persons) (Including all taxes)

Private: USD 480 (Including all taxes) (2 persons)

What’s Included: Lunch, Snorkeling gear, Go Pro Videos

Trip Time: 08:30 – 15:00

2 – Half-Day Trip

• Dolphin
• Turtle
• Sandbank (Lunch at Sandbank)
• Coral Garden

Combined: USD 65 per person (minimum 6 persons) (Including all taxes)

Private: USD 220 (2 persons) (Including all taxes)

Trip Duration: 09:00-13:00

3 – Resort Trip : Day Pass (Adaaran Prestige Vaadoo)

• Entrance fee
• Lunch
• Alcohol & Soft Drinks
• Roundtrip Speedboat Transfer
• All Taxes

Private: $160 per person

Combined: $150 (more than 6 per persons)

What’s Included: Lunch, Snorkeling gear, Go Pro Videos

4 – Sandbank Island

• Snorkeling
• Sun time on sandbank

Combined: USD 50 per person (minimum 6 persons) (Including all taxes)

Private: USD 220 (2 persons) (Including all taxes)

What’s Included: Snorkeling gear & Sun umbrella, Go Pro Videos

Trip Duration: 2 hours

5 – Whale Shark

• Whale Shark
• Manta Ray
• Dhigurah Island Tour

Combined: USD 140 per person (minimum 6 persons) (Including all taxes)

What’s Included: Lunch, Go Pro Videos

Trip Duration: 07:30-14:30

6 – Sunset Fishing

Combined: USD 40 per person (minimum 6 person)(Including all taxes)

Private: USD 100 (2-4 persons) (Including all taxes)

Trip Duration: 17:30 – 19:30

7 – SNORKELING

Combined: USD 45 per person (minimum 6 persons) (Including all taxes)

Private: USD 170 (2 persons) (Including all taxes)

What’s Included: Go Pro Videos

Trip Duration: 1-2 hours

8 – Sharktastic Tour

• Sharks
• Sting Rays
• Other different colorful fish

Combined: USD 50 per person (minimum 6 persons) (Including all taxes)

Private: USD 170 (Including all taxes) (2-4 persons)

What’s Included: Snorkeling gear, Go Pro Videos

Trip Time: 13:00 – 15:00

9 – Maafushi Island Trip

Combined: USD 20 per person (minimum 5 persons) (Including all taxes)

Private: USD 70 (2 persons) (Including all taxes)

Trip Duration: 1 hour

10 – Guraidhoo Island Trip

Combined: USD 40 per person (minimum 5 persons) (Including all taxes)

Private: USD 100 (2 persons) (Including all taxes)

Trip Duration: 1 hour

11 – Island Hopping

• Fulidoo (1hour)
• Maafushi (1hour)

Combined: USD 70 per person (minimum 6 person) (Including all taxes)

Private: USD 320 (2 persons) (Including all taxes)

Where to Stay in Gulhi : Discover the Perfect Guesthouse !

Welcome to our Guesthouse Partner in Gulhi, situated near the south end beach and the harbor, and just a short walk from the Bikini Beach too. Experience the warmth of Maldivian hospitality with excellent service throughout your stay. If you want an amazing Maldivian vacation without spending too much money, you’re in the right place.

Our Guesthouse has really nice rooms with balconies that look out over the ocean. The view is fantastic, and the rooms are comfy and relaxing. Opposite of Gulhi Island, you can even see the fancy Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort, where a single night costs more than 1000$ ! You can enjoy the same stunning sea views as the fancy resorts, but here, a night for two in high season doesn’t go above 90$, taxes included. In this local island, you get the same clear blue water, and fun water activities and trips, all without breaking the bank.

What makes the place special is that you can also get to know the local people and experience the friendly culture of Gulhi Island. It’s a chance to learn about Maldivian life and make new local friends.

In the mornings, you will be served a complimentary delicious breakfast, and you can enjoy tasty Maldivian, Western, and Indian food during your stay.

Recent Guest Reviews :

Book Your Affordable Maldives Getaway Now!

So, if you want an amazing vacation in the Maldives and on a Budget, we’ve got you covered. You’ll have a fantastic time here, and it won’t cost you a fortune. Plus, when you book with our Partner, your money goes directly to local Maldivian people, supporting the local economy (unlike most of Resorts owned by international companies). Book now through the Airbnb listing here. Thank you.

Perfect Itinerary in Gulhi Island 6 Nights / 7 Days

If you’d like to enjoy Gulhi, you have two options with us. You can either book nights in our Airbnb listing, or we can set up a great package for you that includes your stay, transfers, taxes, and various excursions. Just contact us anytime, and we will provide all the info, a quote, and a personalized package.

Here’s a recommendation:

• Day 1: Airport Transfer to Gulhi
• Day 2: Full Day Excursion
• Day 3: Visit 5-Star Island Resort
• Day 4: Free Day to Enjoy Gulhi Beach
• Day 5: Vaavu Atoll Full Day Tour
• Day 6: Half Day Excursion with Sandbank Visit and Romantic Candlelight Dinner
• Day 7: Airport Transfer from Gulhi

** Photo credit for most of the images on this page goes to our friend Ihsan (See from the Sky), the photographer who captured stunning Pictures in the Maldives.