Ukulhas is an excellent local island in the Maldives, offering countless advantages. I can confidently recommend it for your vacation. Here, you’ll find a fantastic beach, an incredible and vibrant house reef teeming with life, including turtles, rays, and reef sharks. Keep reading for a detailed and highly useful guide to Ukulhas Island.
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Pros and Cons of Ukulhas Island
Let’s be honest—Ukulhas has very few downsides. But first, let’s talk about the pros:
- Easy, affordable, and quick access from Malé.
- A long and beautiful bikini beach, approximately 1 km in length. Few local islands offer such an extensive beach area designated for tourists.
- A lively house reef located close to the shore. You can easily swim to it directly from the beach. There’s no need to travel to a neighboring atoll 50 km away to spot sharks, rays, or turtles—they’re all within 100 meters of the island.
- Well-developed infrastructure. The island has everything you need: shops, souvenir stalls, diving centers, a hospital, cafés, restaurants, and even a gym. For locals, there’s a school, several sports fields, and a police station. By local standards, Ukulhas is a well-developed village.
- Convenient accommodations. Most lodging options are either beachfront or within 100 meters of the beach. However, sea-view rooms are mainly available in newer high-rise hotels (more on those later). Currently, the most attractive hotel with sea views is Ranthari Hotel & Spa.
Since spring 2024, construction has ramped up significantly on the island. Numerous hotels are under development, including the prominent Kaani Haven Beach, a 10-story, 144-room hotel right on the beach, set to open in 2025. Over the next five years, the number of tourists is expected to increase dramatically.
Interesting to know:
In my personal experience, most tourists on Ukulhas come from Europe, including a significant number of Italians and Germans, along with visitors from Eastern Europe, such as Poles, Serbians, and Bulgarians. There are also Russian-speaking tourists, though fewer compared to Thoddoo, where about 80% of visitors speak Russian.
Prices on Ukulhas are comparable to those on other local islands—perhaps slightly higher, given that most tourists are from Europe. However, this doesn’t significantly impact your budget.
When I say Ukulhas is “more expensive,” that doesn’t mean it’s expensive. There are other local islands where prices are noticeably higher. For example, on the idyllic island of Thinadhoo —nearly a private resort—prices are steeper.
Important Update for Tourists in 2025:
Since spring 2024, Ukulhas has been transformed into a bustling construction zone. Although this doesn’t heavily interfere with relaxation, some might find the constant daytime noise from drills and construction equipment bothersome (nights remain quiet). Beaches and reefs remain unaffected. However, by the beginning of 2025, active construction is ongoing throughout the island, especially in the southwestern part.
General Information About Ukulhas Island
Here are some key points about the island:
- Location and Coordinates: Ukulhas Island is located at 4.215130, 72.864413, approximately 69 km from Malé and the airport.
- Size: 1800 meters by 250 meters, a standard size for local islands in the Maldives.
- Population: Officially around 900 residents. However, it feels livelier than most islands, and I estimate the actual number to be closer to 1,500 locals, not counting tourists.
Ukulhas is located in North Ari Atoll (also called Alif Alif). This atoll includes other popular tourist destinations, such as Rasdhoo and Thoddoo. All government ferries from Malé to this area pass through Rasdhoo.
Interesting to know:
Ukulhas is often written as Ukulhas in official sources and ferry schedules. Don’t be alarmed if you see it listed as AA.Ukulhas. This simply indicates the island’s full designation: Alif Alif Ukulhas. With 24 atolls and nearly 1,200 islands in the Maldives, this naming system helps avoid confusion.
How to Get There: Ferry and Speedboat
There are currently two ways to reach Ukulhas Island: the slow and inexpensive public ferry, or the fast but pricier speedboat, a private high-speed vessel. Let’s break down each option:
Public Ferry: Key Information
- Departure Point in Malé: The ferry departs from here: 4.1778933454409435, 73.51715264607135
- Ticket Cost: $4. No need to book in advance; you can buy tickets directly on the ferry or at the pier.
- Travel Time: Around 4-5 hours.
- Ferry Schedule: Check the latest schedule for ferry #303 (Malé-Thoddoo route) on the MTCC website: https://mtcc.mv/. Look for the schedule under “CTN Ferry – All Atolls.” This document includes the schedules for all ferries in the Maldives. To find ferry #303, use the Ctrl+F function.
- 2025 Schedule for Ferry #303:
- Malé to Ukulhas: Mondays and Thursdays. Departs at 9:00 AM and arrives at 1:05 PM. Delays of up to an hour are possible during bad weather.
- Ukulhas to Malé: Wednesdays and Sundays. Departs at 9:45 AM and arrives in Malé at 2:10 PM.
- 2025 Schedule for Ferry #303:
- For detailed information about public ferries in the Maldives (including cancellations, weather impact, and online schedules), refer to a comprehensive guide linked in the original article.
Speedboat Transfers: The Popular Option.
Speedboats are the fastest and most convenient way to travel between Malé and Ukulhas. Here’s what you need to know:
- Frequency: Two daily trips each way. On Fridays (a public holiday in the Maldives), there might only be one trip.
- Ticket price: $50-60 one way. Always book your tickets in advance to secure a spot and notify the operator of your plans.
- Travel Time: 90 minutes.
- Booking and Information: Find detailed information and booking links for speedboat transfers between islands in the linked article.
Accommodation and Dining: What to Expect
Accommodation on Ukulhas follows a simple rule: most places are guesthouses. There are about 40 guesthouses on the island today. Here’s what you can generally expect:
- Typical Guesthouse Room: Standard rooms feature a large bed, air conditioning, a refrigerator, and a private bathroom. Some properties may offer a shared kitchen and dining area with breakfast included, but personal kitchens are nonexistent across the Maldives.
One standout feature of Ukulhas accommodations is their proximity to the beach. Since the island is long and narrow, with a bikini beach stretching over a kilometer, nearly all tourist lodging is concentrated in this area. No matter where you stay, the beach is at most 50-100 meters away. In some cases, the beach begins right across the street from the guesthouse.
- The largest selection of guesthouses and hotels on Ukulhas can be found on Trip.com, a convenient service for tourists.
- Cost: Rooms for two start at $70 per night, with most including breakfast
You won’t go hungry on Ukulhas! Here’s a breakdown of the dining scene:
- Options: Most hotels and guesthouses have an in-house café or restaurant. Additionally, there are over 10 local restaurants on the island. While there are no high-end dining spots, prices are reasonable. For example, a grilled fish dinner for two can easily cost under $30.
For more details on Maldivian cuisine, including what to try, tipping etiquette, taxes on your bill, and payment methods, refer to the linked article.
Ukulhas Beach: Sharks, Turtles, Manta Rays, and Glowing Plankton
Important:
For those already familiar with the Maldives, you know that tourists are only allowed to swim in regular swimsuits within designated areas called bikini beaches. More general facts about the Maldives can be found in the linked article.
While some islands have small and overcrowded bikini beaches, Ukulhas Beach is a true gem: soft white sand, over a kilometer in length, free sun loungers (though they aren’t enough for everyone), and plenty of natural shade. There’s ample space for all visitors to enjoy.
- Coordinates of the bikini beach: 4.211629826545715, 72.86639133292792
During low tide, you can stroll along the water’s edge. In high tide, the water rises closer to the greenery, making some areas harder to access.
The reef’s edge, where the coral ends and the ocean begins, is just a two-minute swim from the bikini beach and sandbank. This area offers the best snorkeling opportunities.
Snorkeling Spots and Wildlife:
- Point 2 (see map):
- A known turtle habitat. You’ll likely encounter at least one every day. Equip yourself with a mask, fins, and enjoy snorkeling!
- If you swim along the edge of the reef, you may encounter reef sharks. They are harmless, so there’s no need to worry.
- At dawn (around 6 AM), manta rays sometimes approach the shallows. However, mantas are deep-water creatures, so spotting them near the shore is rare. For better chances, book a dedicated manta excursion.
- Point 3:
- Located at the pier corner in the harbor. Come here around sunset (just after 5 PM).
- Nurse sharks, turtles, and giant stingrays gather here, drawn by local fishermen feeding them fish heads.
- This area, being part of the outer reef on the atoll’s edge, is also a fantastic snorkeling spot. You’re more likely to see turtles, sharks, and a variety of fish here.
Many locals keep large macaws as pets. Around sunset, they gather near Point 4, allowing the birds to fly freely and socialize. These colorful birds are a delightful sight for visitors.
Watching turtles, snorkeling, observing shark feedings at the harbor, and enjoying the macaws – all of these are completely free activities.
For more tips on snorkeling in the Maldives – from equipment to safety measures, and what marine life to expect – check out the detailed guide linked in the article.
It is important to remember that
Ukulhas offers a living reef and wildlife in their natural habitat, not a zoo. Do not touch or feed the creatures, especially with bread from restaurants. This can make manta rays and turtles sick. Swim nearby and admire them from a safe distance.
The island is also home to the phenomenon of bioluminescent plankton, though sightings here are less frequent than on neighboring islands. The plankton is carried by currents, which typically come from the northeast – an area near the harbor and landfill. This reduces the density of glowing plankton on Ukulhas, but it’s still possible to witness this magical sight.
- Ask Your Guesthouse Staff: Upon arrival, ask where and when plankton sightings are most likely. Use the phrase “Luminous plankton” – it’s not a spell from Harry Potter but a term locals understand well.
- Evening Walks: Don’t stay in your room! Walk along the beach between 8 PM and 10 PM, the prime time for glowing plankton. The phenomenon is rare and dependent on factors like season, weather, and moonlight, so sightings are not guaranteed, even during peak season.
- For a detailed guide on when, where, and how to see bioluminescent plankton in the Maldives, refer to the article linked above.
Excursions and Activities on Ukulhas
If you didn’t spot marine life near the house reef, don’t worry—these creatures are abundant at snorkeling spots within a 5–10 km radius of Ukulhas. Any excursion will give you a chance to swim alongside them. Here’s what you need to know:
- For any activity or excursion in the Maldives, head to a dive center or ask your guesthouse. They are the primary organizers of water-based adventures.
- Ukulhas currently has five or six dive centers. The island is small, so it’s easy to visit them all. Compare their offers and prices; while the general list of activities is similar, each center has unique perks.
Ukulhas offers a wide variety of activities and excursions for every taste. Here are some of the most popular:
- Snorkeling Safari
- Surrounding Ukulhas are numerous reefs, each served by different dive centers.
- Tours typically last two hours and start at $30. Turtles are almost guaranteed.
- Some packages include meals, though they are pricier.
- Sandbank (Fushifaru)
- A sandbank or an uninhabited island located about 2 km from Ukulhas.
- Perfect for picnics and stunning photos. Prices start at $30.
- Manta Ray Snorkeling
- Just 5 km from Ukulhas lies a manta ray point. If you’re lucky, you might see 20–30 mantas at once.
- These tours usually take place early in the morning, as mantas retreat to deeper waters during the day.
- Prices start at $40.
- Whale Shark Snorkeling
- For a truly unforgettable experience, snorkel with whale sharks. Prices typically range from $100 to $150, as these excursions involve traveling to the Dhigurah region.
- This is a completely different level of snorkeling compared to encounters with reef or nurse sharks near the house reef or harbor.
- Fishing
- Options include beginner-friendly fishing for smaller tuna with a simple line for $40 or full-day deep-sea fishing for marlin at around $1,000.
- Diving
- Prices start at $50 per dive, offering access to some of the most vibrant marine ecosystems in the Maldives.
- Resort Island Visits
- Spend a day on a luxury resort island with food and alcohol included. Prices range from $130 to $170 per person. Relax like a millionaire alongside the rich and famous.
Travel tips
Ukulhas is an excellent destination with very few drawbacks. However, here’s one key piece of advice:
- Don’t Overstay on a Single Island. Two weeks on any local island, even one as fantastic as Ukulhas, can feel too long. After a couple of days, you’ll know every corner of the island. Within three more days, you’ll have explored the entire reef. If you’re content spending all day on the beach without moving, then no problem. But for more active travelers, variety is key.
I always recommend my friends not to hesitate to island-hop. During a two-week vacation, you can easily visit three local islands, staying 4–5 days on each. This way, you’ll create a richer and more memorable experience. Luckily, Ukulhas is part of a great atoll with amazing neighboring islands:
- Rasdhoo (Alif Alif Atoll, or North Ari Atoll)
- just 50 minutes by ferry from Ukulhas, this island offers a change of scenery and exciting new activities.
- Thoddoo (Alif Alif Atoll, or North Ari Atoll)
- known for its vivid bioluminescent plankton and a house reef inhabited by turtles. Just a 2-hour ferry ride via Rasdhoo.
- Dhigurah (Alif Dhaal Atoll, or South Ari Atoll)
- The crown jewel! Although it takes nearly a full day to reach (or at least all daylight hours), this enchanting island is famous for its whale sharks and feels like another slice of paradise.
In conclusion, Ukulhas is undoubtedly one of the top 10 local islands in the Maldives. It’s a destination that leaves a lasting impression, appealing to both active adventurers and families with children. The island offers a perfect blend of authentic Maldivian charm, rich marine life, and exciting excursions. Whether snorkeling with manta rays, watching nurse sharks at sunset, or just lounging on the pristine beach, Ukulhas guarantees unforgettable memories.
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Resources to help you plan your dream trip to the Maldives
- Flight tickets and the best deals
- Vacation packages (from budget to luxury): CheapOair
- Hotels and guesthouses on any island:
- TripAdvisor compares prices among a dozen other services and platforms and offers to choose the best one.
- Trip.com – the most popular service for booking accommodation.
- 12go is the largest Asian ferry and speedboat reservation service. It gathers all Maldivian carriers, even the small ones that operate between local islands.
- Tours and excursions: GetYourGuide and Viator – a limited selection of excursions, but convenient and reliable.
- Comprehensive insurance: EKTA
- eSIM at the same price as in telecom office in Male airport.