Discover Fulhadhoo: serenity on the edge of Baa Atoll

A quiet escape in Baa Atoll, Fulhadhoo offers authentic island life, marine adventures, and a boutique stay run by twin sisters and their mom.

24 May, 3:00 PM

Zen Inn Fulhadhoo

Sponsored feature: this travel guide is a paid submission by Zen Inn Fulhadhoo.

Tucked away in the southern reaches of Baa Atoll, Fulhadhoo is one of those rare Maldivian islands that still feels untouched. With its swathes of white sand, slow-paced life, and shallow lagoons that stretch for miles, it’s ideal for travellers looking to disconnect from the urban stress and grind. Part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Fulhadhoo blends nature, adventure, and hospitality with none of the resort crowds.

Getting to Fulhadhoo

Getting to Fulhadhoo takes a bit of patience, but the journey is part of the adventure. From Malé, most travelers take a speedboat that departs either from Malé itself or directly from Velana International Airport. The ride takes about two hours.

Atoll Cute Speedboat

Saturdays to Thursdays:

From Male’/Airport to Fulhadhoo: 12PM and 3:30PM

From Fulhadhoo to Male’/Airport: 7AM and 12:30PM

Fridays:

From Male’/Airport to Fulhadhoo: 3PM

From Fulhadhoo to Male’/Airport: 7AM

You can book speedboat tickets in advance through your guesthouse. For those who enjoy slow travel and don’t mind a few bumps along the way, the route is worth every minute. In the rare event that a speedboat transfer timing changes, this will be communicated to you by the guesthouse that books for you or directly by the Atoll Cute Transfers.

Alternatively, travellers can hop on a domestic flight to Dharavandhoo, followed by a 45 minute private speedboat ride.

Recently though, the very exciting option of travelling by seaplane directly to Fulhadhoo has been introduced. It is available on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Speedboat: +960 790 8088

Maldivian Aero Hotline: 1671

Where to stay

Zen Inn Fulhadhoo

Located steps away from the beach, offers a comfortable, stylish, and affordable base for exploring the island. With minimalist interiors, thoughtful local touches, and a lush garden setting, Zen Inn is a guesthouse that gets the balance right.

This family-run business was founded by twin sisters Sara and Suha along with their mom Sui. The twins bring their combined experience in resorts to this quiet corner of Baa Atoll. Sara, who has previously worked in Digital Marketing in resorts handles branding, reservations, and social media. Suha, a dive instructor with an extensive background in hospitality, is based full-time in Fulhadhoo and oversees guest operations and experiences. The result is a professional boutique experience with a personal touch, where service is as warm as the sunsets.

What to do

Fulhadhoo Excursions

is the first local excursions centre in Fulhadhoo, run by a team of brothers native to the island. They offer:

⁠Swimming with manta rays

Swimming with ⁠turtles

Night snorkeling and swimming with plankton

Dolphin cruises

Reef and ⁠open ocean snorkeling

Beach dinners and weddings

Sandbanks and desert island picnics

Traditional and sport fishing

Sport Fishing

Flow Ventures Fulhadhoo

, run by a young and passionate team, is your go-to for all things active and aquatic. They offer:

Guided snorkelling tours through vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life

Manta snorkeling

Turtle & Goidhoo outer reef snorkeling

Coral Garden snorkeling

Dory reef snorkeling

Sunset bottom line fishing

Sunrise big game fishing

Deserted Island full day with BBQ lunch, and many more!

Fishing experiences for every level, including trolling, popping, jigging, and bottom-line

Sandbank and uninhabited island camping adventures

Whether you're seeking adrenaline or calm, Flow can help you experience the island’s rhythm on your terms.

Where to Eat

Zen & Brews: Located onsite at Zen Inn, this cosy spot serves up fusion flavours, good drinks, and great main dishes.

Pinto Thai Restaurant: A great Thai option for when you’re craving spice and heat.

Kaage Pool Club: Laidback setting with a pool view.

Alikko Café: Casual café known for its local dishes and island charm.

Why Fulhadhoo?

Fulhadhoo is the kind of place that rewards those willing to slow down. It’s not about packed itineraries or flashy resorts.

It’s about early morning swims in crystal-clear shallows, afternoons exploring mangroves or reef channels, and evenings that end under starlit skies with good food and better company.

Whether you’re a solo traveller, couple, or group of friends seeking somewhere off the beaten track, Fulhadhoo offers a rare chance to experience island life at its most honest and beautiful.

Sponsored feature: this travel guide is a paid submission by Zen Inn Fulhadhoo.

If you are a guesthouse, local business, or island council interested in submitting a similar guide, please get in touch by emailing us at editorial@maldivesindependent.com.

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Discover Fulhadhoo: serenity on the edge of Baa Atoll

Getting to Fulhadhoo

Atoll Cute Speedboat

Where to stay

Zen Inn Fulhadhoo

What to do

Fulhadhoo Excursions

Flow Ventures Fulhadhoo

Where to Eat

Why Fulhadhoo?

Discussion

Join the Conversation

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