Gulhi Island: Memorable Excursions and Watersports Experiences!

Friday, 25th August 2023 (Updated March 2026)

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.

Speedboat at the Arrival Jetty of Velana International Airport (MLE)

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

Prices are current as of the date of this article and are subject to change.

#	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 some details.

1 – Full-Day Trip (Vaavu Atoll)

Dolphin
Shipwreck
Fulidoo Island (Stingray)
Sandbank

2 – Half-Day Trip

Dolphin
Turtle
Sandbank (Lunch at Sandbank)
Coral Garden

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

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

4 – Sandbank Island

Snorkeling
Sun time on sandbank

5 – Whale Shark

Whale Shark
Manta Ray
Dhigurah Island Tour

6 – Sunset Fishing

7 – SNORKELING

8 – Sharktastic Tour

Sharks
Sting Rays
Other different colorful fish

9 – Maafushi Island Trip

10 – Guraidhoo Island Trip

11 – Island Hopping

Fulidoo (1hour)
Maafushi (1hour)

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 :

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 10 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Airbnb  
   
   Marek 
 
 
 
 Verified It was good. I enjoy my view from apartment. Very nice place.
  
 
      Posted on Airbnb  
   
   Dustin 
 
 
 
 Verified Ghuli is a 30 minute boat ride from the airport. Mustapha was always available to answer questions and help with understanding what was going to happen. You land in Male, and I encourage you to ask for Mustapha's help getting a speedboat arranged. I landed at the airport at 9:15am in the morning. I walked out of the airport (it's small) to a landing where someone took my bags helped me onto a super fast boat. In 30 minutes I arrived and because it was available I was able to check in at 10am. That is amazing. The boat ride only cost 25 dollars. The room I had was facing the ocean and really wonderful. There is a beautiful beach 30 feet from the hotel where you can also order food. The bikini beach is only a 5 minute walk and it's great too. I will be returning to this place. The people, food and ambiance are all amazing. Oney at the front desk is the best guy in the world who literally helped me with every single thing I needed. 10 out of 10 awesome. Go there. And have fun!
  
 
      Posted on Airbnb  
   
   Jessica 
 
 
 
 Verified We had an amazing stay at Ilaa Beach, amazing accommodation on a beautiful island and great excursions available! All the staff were so friendly and helpful to us and Mustapha was amazing! Always available to help if we had any questions - would really recommend 😊
  
 
      Posted on Airbnb  
   
   Fabienne 
 
 
 
 Verified Ich habe Mustapha zwar nicht persönlich angetroffen, die Kommunikation mit ihm war jedoch sehr gut und er hat immer schnell auf sämtliche Fragen und Anliegen reagiert, Mustapha war stets an meinem Wohlbefinden interessiert. Ich musste mich um nichts kümmern (Transport, Ausflüge, etc.), das alles hat Mustapha mit seiner Crew für mich organisiert. Das Zimmer war für den Preis in Ordnung, der Ausblick einfach wunderschön. Das Essen in der Unterkunft war gut und sehr günstig. Die Insel an sich ist klein, recht ruhig und wenig touristisch, der Strand ist sehr schön. Leider gibt es auf der Insel Ecken, die nicht so gepflegt und sehr vermüllt sind, was schade ist.
  
 
      Posted on Airbnb  
   
   Valentina 
 
 
 
 Verified We had an amazing time at ilaa beach house. Mustapha was super helpful and kind. The staff was really kind and helpful as well. We felt most welcomed and at home. Mustapha was always reachable and helped us book tours and trips. The hotel restaurant is good, the view from the room was stunning. Gulhi is a beautiful small island with amazing nature and really great activities and friendly people.
  
 
      Posted on Airbnb  
   
   Lena 
 
 
 
 Verified Wir würden die Unterkunft von Mustapha und seinem Team jederzeit weiter empfehlen! Das Hotel ist nur wenige Gehminuten vom Strand entfernt, bietet Blick auf das Meer und gutes Essen. Auf der Insel gibt es ein paar nette Restaurants, wenn man nicht im Hotel abendessen möchte (was aber im Hotelrestaurant möglich ist), einen netten Markt und kleinere Supermärkte. Mustapha hat sich wirklich außergewöhnlich um uns gekümmert, alles im Voraus organisiert (insbesondere die Fähre auch am Freitag) und uns immer sofort geholfen, wenn wir Hilfe benötigten!
  
 
      Posted on Airbnb  
   
   Waheed 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing place nothing to say
  
 
      Posted on Airbnb  
   
   Isabel 
 
 
 
 Verified Loved the place… close to the bikini island which has the most beautiful clear turquoise water. Host was very proactive and helped me with all my questions promptly. Will definitely recommend this place, I am traveling alone and felt very safe, at home.
  
 
      Posted on Airbnb  
   
   Marcin 
 
 
 
 Verified Bardzo kameralny hotelik . Kucharz z b . Dobrym i tanim jedzeniem prawie jak nasz osobisty . Gotował tylko dla kilku osób . Obsługa i komunikatywność to plus . Okolica pełna „tubylców” . Blisko do portu . Tu wszędzie jest blisko . Nasz pokój był z pięknym widokiem . Jedyny minus LO drugiej stronie „inne pokoje” jest budowa która za moment zasłoni widok i pracujący 24h agregat - chyba stacja odsalania wody . Ale nas to nie dotyczyło . Pozdrawiamy
  
 
      Posted on Airbnb  
   
   Sampath 
 
 
 
 Verified thanks mustapha for hosting us n helping us during our stay in gulhi, a small n beautiful island. would recommend gulhi and stay with mustapha to have a nice n pleasant stay in a small n peaceful island.

Perfect Itinerary in Gulhi Island 6 Nights / 7 Days

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

Important note: Please note that we do not sell excursions or tours. We provide speedboat transfers only, from Male’ Airport to local islands. The purpose of this article is to give you an idea of excursions available in Gulhi. Your guesthouse in Gulhi can easily arrange any excursion for you, and we are happy to recommend reliable excursion centers if needed.

** 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.

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