Hulhumale

Just south of the North Male Atoll and connected to the airport lays a gem of an island called the Hulhumale. The island sprawls across 188 hectares of palm trees and spectacular beaches and is a perfect fusion of urban life with the delights of island life. Hulhumale Island is also a big supporter of green architecture and maintaining the scenic beauty with a strict no littering policy. It is a great place to visit a day before leaving from Maldives or after arriving. In fact, Hulhumale is most famous amongst tourists who arrive at Maldives in the late evenings or have a day to spare before their flight departs, as it is connected to the airport island by road, which also makes it extremely convenient. Individuals stopping at this island are sure to get a cultural experience with several activities that will leave you wanting for more.

What makes this Hulhumale so different from the many islands in Maldives is the fact that it was not created by forces of nature but artificially by ingenious minds. The purpose of the island was to reduce the amount of congestion in Male, Maldives' capital city. The result was a beautiful green island which despite its artificiality, looks more natural and mystical than most islands in the Maldives, especially that of the concrete jungle of Male.

Hulhumale Beach

One of the things that Maldives is most famous for is its beautiful beaches that attract millions of people. Nestled on the east side of the island, the Hulhumale Beach is the type of beach you would think of when someone mentions Maldives. The beach's white sand and shallow crystal waters make it a perfect place to stroll around, be enthralled by the sunrise or sunset or indulge in several other activities. The stunning beach is also protected by a reef around 100 metres in the sea, which makes it an extremely safe place to brave the waters. Hulhumale Beach also offers snorkelling opportunities during which you can witness harmless baby sharks, turtles, rays and several colourful coral fishes. Water sports are also fairly common here. If adventure sports are not up your alley, you can always indulge yourself by having food by the beach on the various stalls and cafes near the white sands.

Hulhumale Central Park

The Hulhumale Island Central Park is located right in the middle of the island and is the place to be for some serenity and peace amongst the lush greens of the garden. The park is a famous spot for locals to catch up and spend their afternoons at, so it is also the perfect spot to get a first-hand experience of the island life and the culture which is vastly different from others. The garden also has jogging, cycling and walking tracks available for visitors and has a huge pond in the middle which adds to its serene and tranquil beauty.

Things to Do in Hulhumale

Besides the beach activities, cafes and parks, Hulhumale Island have several hidden treasures to see and thrilling activities to do. The island has a total of four dive shops that promise an adventure like no other by taking you diving in the deep sea waters with properly skilled guides that will make sure that you get a truly magical experience.

Individuals can also visit the golden-domed mosque which has an exceptional design, unique to itself. It is unclear whether visitors can enter the mosque, but the architectural masterpiece in itself is a sight to behold. The Hulhumale Island market, while not as authentic as the market in Male, has great deals and an array of fresh exotic fruits as well as coconuts to choose from.

Secret Paradise Tour

The Secret Paradise Tour is an extremely famous tour which aims to give you the best and most unforgettable island experience. The tour includes two snorkelling locations along with all provisions, which are sure to leave you amazed, and a visit to an isolated sandbank that seems to be a highlight for many. The tour ends with a Sunset Cruise where the guide will take you a little off the coast of Hulhumale to witness the sunset and spot dolphins which are often found in hoards around that specific area.

Timings: 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM (Daily)

Tips

• Dress appropriately as Hulhumale Island is a local island and strictly follows the Muslim culture.
  
  
• Drinking is strictly prohibited on this island, but individuals can always take a boat to one of the nearby resorts for the day and come back later.