In this article, I’ll share both the advantages and drawbacks of Feridhoo Island, so you can decide if it’s the right destination for you. Feridhoo is a small yet lush green island, with over 50% of its area covered by jungle. It sees significantly fewer tourists compared to popular islands like Thoddoo or Maafushi.
It will be difficult for you to plan your dream trip to Maldives without these websites
Table of Contents
Pros and Cons of Feridhoo Island
Cons:
- Limited Tourist Infrastructure: Due to the low number of visitors, the island’s infrastructure is less developed than on neighboring islands in the atoll. This includes fewer guesthouses and restaurants.
- No Palm Trees on the Bikini Beach: The main tourist beach is lined with bushes rather than iconic palm trees. Photos of this are included later in the article.
- Higher Accommodation Costs: Prices for guesthouses on Feridhoo are above average compared to other local islands.
- Quiet Evenings: After 9 PM, life on the island comes to a near standstill.
- Travel Challenges: Reaching the island from Malé can be tricky, especially if you’re trying to save money.
Pros:
- Lush Vegetation: Feridhoo is exceptionally green, with more jungle coverage than islands like Thoddoo.
- Long Bikini Beach: The beach has soft, fine sand and plenty of space for everyone. There are also many loungers and umbrellas, enough for almost all visitors.
- Decent House Reef: Snorkeling opportunities are available right off the shore, with frequent sightings of turtles and reef sharks.
- Nearby Islands to Explore: Feridhoo is surrounded by several amazing local islands in the same atoll. With a short 2-3 hour ferry ride, you can easily switch to places like Rasdhoo or Ukulhas.
Important to Know:
Vacationing in the Maldives can feel monotonous. The islands are small, and entertainment options are minimal. You won’t find shopping malls, nightclubs, or tourist attractions. Staying on one island for a full two-week vacation may not be ideal—you’ll likely explore the entire island in just a day or two. A great travel plan is to visit 2-3 islands over two weeks. Here, Feridhoo has a big advantage, being close to Rasdhoo, Ukulhas, and Mathiveri, which feature beautiful beaches and vibrant reefs.
- Rasdhoo Overview: A convenient local island with excellent logistics.
- Ukulhas Overview: Stunning bikini beach, plus sharks, rays, and turtles on the house reef.
Feridhoo: General Information
Key Points:
- Coordinates on Google Maps: 4.05116535277961, 72.72572641746427
- Island Size: 1000 x 700 meters—typical for a local Maldivian island.
- Population: About 500 residents, excluding tourists. Visitor numbers are still low, around 100-150 people based on my observations.
- Distance from Malé Airport: Around 90 km, relatively close for the Maldives.
Some sources may list it as AA.Feridhoo, indicating it’s part of the Alif-Alif (AA) Atoll, also called North Ari Atoll. This is simply to distinguish it from other islands with similar names.
Getting to Feridhoo from Malé
For a reasonable price, there are only two real options. Seaplanes and private transfers are excluded here, as they’re better suited for resort travelers.
- Public Ferry: Slow but cheap.
- Speedboat: Fast but expensive.
Here’s an overview of both options:
- Speedboat:
- A commercial speedboat travels to Feridhoo once a day (except Fridays). If your flight lands in Malé in the morning, you might be able to make it to the island the same day.
- Cost: $60-70 one way per person, depending on the season and demand.
- Travel Time: Approximately 2 hours.
- How to Book: Contact your guesthouse for reservations.
- Public Ferry:
- There’s no direct ferry from Malé to Feridhoo, requiring one short transfer.
- Cost: About $4 for the entire route.
- Travel Time: 7-8 hours.
- Frequency: Twice a week.
- Schedule and details: Ferries in Maldives.
Ferry #303 departs Malé on Mondays and Thursdays at 9 AM. It reaches Rasdhoo by 12:15 PM.
Ferry #301 (daily except Fridays) leaves Rasdhoo at 1 PM and arrives at Feridhoo by 4:05 PM.
Total Time: 7 hours and 5 minutes.
For trips from nearby islands like Rasdhoo or Ukulhas, ferry #301 runs daily except Fridays. The ride takes 2-3 hours to reach Feridhoo.
Where to Stay and Eat on Feridhoo
As mentioned earlier, Feridhoo is not a major tourist destination, so its infrastructure is quite limited. There are two dive centers, about ten guesthouses, and three quality restaurants offering Maldivian and European cuisine.
- To find accommodation, check or Booking.com.
- The best restaurant on Feridhoo is located here: 4.052375977281115, 72.72661372024089 and is called AMBAA Cafe’ & Bistro.
- Price: Around $25 for dinner for two.
- Menu: Maldivian dishes, pizza, burgers, and a kids’ menu.
- For more details about Maldivian cuisine, taxes, tips, and must-try dishes, refer to the linked guide.
Useful Tips
The central village, where all the shops and restaurants are located, is only about 300×300 meters with just ten streets. You can easily explore the entire area in 30 minutes, so maps aren’t necessary
Before booking your trip, especially during the high season, plan your transportation first (especially if you’re using the public ferry). Then check accommodation availability and prices for your desired dates before purchasing your flight tickets.
Beaches and Excursions on Feridhoo
Feridhoo boasts a clean, long bikini beach with free loungers. The path to the beach takes you through picturesque jungles, a pleasant sight every day.
One Drawback: The palm trees are set back in a “second line,” while the foreground is dominated by typical Maldivian bushes. These bushes provide no shade and don’t create the iconic Instagrammable view you’d get with palms near the water.
The beach is long, about 600 meters, and spacious enough to avoid tourist crowds. While there might not be enough loungers for everyone, you won’t feel cramped.
- Bikini Beach Coordinates: 4.052646614005287, 72.72219913016707. For more on Maldivian beaches, bikini beach rules, and local customs, refer to the linked guide.
Snorkeling and Reef: Bring a mask and fins! The house reef at the bikini beach is quite good, with plenty of fish to see.
Excursions: The island has two dive centers offering standard atoll excursions:
- Shark, turtle, and manta ray trips.
- Day trips to Dhigurah for whale shark encounters.
- Diving options: Trips to spots near Feridhoo and beyond.
About excursions and tours read here.
Final Thoughts: Is Feridhoo Right for You?
Feridhoo is perfect for those seeking a quiet, peaceful vacation with uncrowded beaches and fewer tourists. While the island lacks extensive infrastructure, it has everything necessary for a relaxing stay. However, it’s not the place for a two-week vacation—3-5 days here are plenty.
To make the most of your trip, combine your stay on Feridhoo with time on Rasdhoo or Ukulhas. The islands are easily connected by daily ferries, making logistics simple and efficient.
If you enjoyed the article and the content in this guide, you can buy me a coffee ^_^
Resources to help you plan your dream trip to the Maldives
- Flight tickets and the best deals
- Tour packages (from budget to luxury): Expedia
- Hotels and guesthouses on any island:
- 12go is the largest Asian transfer service. It gathers all Maldivian carriers, even the small ones that operate between local islands.
- Tours and excursions: Viator – a limited selection of excursions, but convenient and reliable.
- Comprehensive insurance: EKTA
- eSIM at the same price as in telecom office in Male.