Our 2024 Thulusdhoo Island Guide has all the updated essential tips and info needed to plan a holiday to Thulusdhoo on a budget, including the best things to do at Thulusdhoo Island, how to get to Thulusdhoo Island by taking the Thulusdhoo speedboat and local ferry services, plus where to stay – Thulusdhoo hotels.
The Thulusdhoo Island Guide is written by Kristie Murray, Australian Owner & Founder of Indulge Maldives Holidays. Kristie has lived on Thulusdhoo Island for the the last 9 years from Feb 2015 to the present, owns a healthy food cafe, Indulge Thulusdhoo, on the island. Below Kristie shares all her insider tips for travelling to Thulusdhoo on a budget, plus the very best things to do at Thulusdhoo Island.
image credit: Marie & Jake for Indulge Maldives
2024 THULUSDHOO ISLAND GUIDE:
THULUSDHOO ON A BUDGET
As one of the best budget islands in Maldives, Kristie starts our Thulusdhoo Island Guide by sharing her
top 5 reasons why you must visit Thulusdhoo on a budget:
1. It is close in proximity to the airport (just 30mins via the Thulusdhoo speedboat) and is one of the most affordable local islands in all of Maldives to travel to.
2. Our Thulusdhoo Island Guide shows you the best things to do at Thulusdhoo Island. All the same activities resorts offer, for a fraction of the price. Thulusdhoo Island is the best local island for affordable water sports and excursions that are based at the island. Think surfing, snorkelling, diving, fishing, swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, dolphin watching, sandbank excursions, resort day trips and cultural immersion. Plus Indulge Maldives can give you discounted excursions & cafe discounts, helping you save even more on your trip!
3. When planning to do Thulusdhoo on a budget, travellers have a large selection of accommodation & food options, including both budget-friendly guesthouses and four-star hotels. There are over 30 guesthouses/ hotels on Thulusdhoo Island. Plus many of the hotels have restaurants, plus local style cafe & of course our own Insta worthy tropical outdoor cafe, Indulge Thulusdhoo (Hello Bali / Byron Bay vibes in Maldives!)
4. It’s easy to island hop as Thulusdhoo Island is close to both resorts and other local islands, such as Dhiffushi and Huraa islands. Indulge Maldives can assist you with creating a Maldives island hopping itinerary, that utilises either the local ferry network, the scheduled daily Thulusdhoo speedboat, or private speedboat transfers so you don’t waste holiday time transiting back through the airport between islands.
5. It is the main surfing island in Maldives and is home to the world famous surf breaks Cokes and Chickens, plus there are a handful of other waves nearby. There are even helpful local surf guides and renowned photographers like Maldives Surf Photographer based on the island.
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THULUSDHOO HOTELS:
With over 30 Thulusdhoo hotels and guesthouses on the island, there really is something for everyone, especially if you’re looking to do Thulusdhoo on a budget. Kristie has seen the hotels be build from the ground up, has slept in the hotel beds, experienced the service, dined in the restaurants and done the excursions. The below Thulusdhoo hotels are Kristie’s hand-picked selection, based on location, excellent facilities, food, staff service and price. Our cheapest package starts from USD$50 per night. Kristie recently invited Instagram-famous travel couple Marie & Jake (1.1mil) to stay at Season Paradise hotel, Global Travel Influencer Gypsea Lust (2.1mil) to stay at IRU Maldives & Salty Luxe (610k) to stay at Samura Maldives. Indulge Maldives offers exclusive deals and packages to the best Thulusdhoo hotels that aren’t available anywhere online:
Lux: Season Paradise | Samura Maldives | Met House |
Mid Range: Reef Edge | Canopus Retreat
Budget Friendly: Akiri Surf Retreat | Keylaa Inn
Email us today for cheaper than online prices to Thulusdhoo hotels. We also arrange your excursions and Thulusdhoo speedboat transfers.
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Samura Maldives from $165 per night – image credit Andra Opra
MET HOUSE from $150 per night
REEF EDGE from $112 per night
AKIRI SURF RETREAT – from $65 per night
BEST THINGS TO DO AT THULUSDHOO ISLAND:
Visit Thulusdhoo on a budget and tick off these awesome bucket list activities from our Thulusdhoo Island Guide. Below are the best things to do at Thulusdhoo Island:
→ Swim at the two bikini beaches
→ Stand Up Paddleboard the lagoons
→ Surf at Cokes, Chickens & other nearby surf breaks like Sultans & Jails
→ Snorkel off the island’s house reefs or explore the Coral Garden
→ Scuba dive with Feenaa Dive
→ Take a half day trip or picnic to Asdhoo Sandbank with Akiri Holidays
→ Eat smoothie bowls served in coconuts at Indulge Thulusdhoo
→ Island hop to neighbouring Dhiffushi or Huraa islands
→ Indulge in a resort day trip to Club Med Kani Resort (not during COVID due to regulations)
→ Go on a fishing trip with a local and learn local sustainable fishing techniques
→ Watch the dolphins play in the island’s lagoon
→ Jekski, wakeboard or try out inflatable watersports
→ Hang out poolside at Season Paradise’s Infinity pool
→ Visit the nation’s Coca Cola Factory (free) – yes it’s situated at Thulusdhoo Island!
→ Wander the colourful village streets & immerse yourself in Maldivian life / culture
→ Get a massage at Season Paradise Spa
→ End the day at the beautiful Sunset Point
→ Laze in a beachside hammock & read a book
→ Climb a palm tree
→ Drink a fresh Coconut
→ Try Maldivian food & afternoon tea ‘Hedhikaa’ snack at a local café
→ Hang out with the friendly locals
→ Take a day trip to Vaavu Atoll : swim with nurse sharks, snorkel a shipwreck, swim with dolphins & explore sandbanks $110pp
Lonely Planet is also a great resource for things to do at Thulusdhoo Island.
Indulge Maldives can book all your excursions and things to do at Thulusdhoo Island for you.
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SURFING AT THULUSDHOO ISLAND:
One of the best things to do at Thulusdhoo Island is surfing – it is widely known as the best surfing island in all of Maldives. The surfing season runs from March to end of October with the largest swells from June to August. North Malé Atoll area is generally the most consistent region for waves in Maldives.
For surfers travelling to Thulusdhoo on a budget, one bonus is having direct access the world famous Cokes surf break from the island. It’s a fast long right-hander for advanced surfers only. Take a 5 min transfer across to the ‘Chickens’ surf break – a long-left hander that offers great barrel riding on bigger days. Plus surf at all the other spots within 10-25mins of the island – Ninjas (beginner friendly), Sultans, Jails, Honkeys.
Indulge Maldives has experienced local surf guides & our very own Managing Director, Hupa Ibrahim is Maldives best surf photographer. Check out Hupa’s epic Instagram @maldivessurfphotographer & contact him to enquire about personalised surf photo session. View our Thulusdhoo Island Guide Surf Package and Maldives Surf Trip Guide.
DAY TRIP TO VAAVU ATOLL
One of the best things to do at Thulusdhoo Island is to join us for a day trip to Vaavu Atoll – swim with harmless nurse sharks, dolphins, snorkel an underwater ship wreck that’s teeming with corals & ocean life plus enjoy lunch on a deserted sandbank. Cost USD$110pp including taxes & lunch. 8AM – 6PM.
THULUSDHOO ISLAND RESTAURANTS GUIDE:
After you’ve discovered the best things to do at Thulusdhoo Island for yourself, you’ll want to explore the below local cafés and restaurants from our Thulusdhoo Island Guide:
INDULGE Thulusdhoo
We’re pretty excited to have our very own tropical outdoor cafe, and think it’s one of the best things to do at Thulusdhoo Island. ‘Indulge Thulusdhoo‘ brings Bali & Byron Bay to The Maldives, with sand floor, tropical foliage, hip music and smooth tropical surf vibes. Serving the only ground coffee on the island with our speciality Brazil coffee beans roasted here in Maldives, our experienced Baristas serve you the perfect cup. Try healthy açai & protein bowls served in coconut shells, fresh fruit smoothies & Low GI multi-grain brown bread sandwiches, salads, pizza, burgers, pasta & schnitzels. All food is made fresh using sustainable & locally sourced island products where possible. We are proud to be one of the only cafes on the island to employ Maldivian locals – some who double as exceptional surfers, surf guides & surf photographers! Chat any surf related questions / board repairs in store to our team.
THE SANDBAR
Locally owned cafe, The Sandbar serves both healthy & sweet treats for affordable prices. Tucked away behind Sandy Toes Boutique, next to Isola Guesthouse. Live music on some evenings.
Bandaha
The best local restaurant on the island. Best for a cheap local eats, Sri Lankan, Indian & Maldivian favourites. Situated just behind the football field on the island.
Bayonii
Serves local Maldivian food – Kottu Roshi, curries, rice and noodle dishes, plus traditional afternoon tea snacks called Hedikka. Bayonni is where all the local’s hang out!
Le DUE La LUNE
Located at the front of the island, serving up a selection of Local, Asian and some simple Western meals.
Season Paradise – Largest restaurant at Thulusdhoo Island. Slightly more expensive but well worth indulging in the wonderful buffet selection on offer. Expect a fresh salad bar, chicken or beef dish, fresh fish, rice, pasta and an entire dessert bar. On Friday evening’s the restaurant is moved outdoors under the palm trees & night sky above and chefs cook on the open grill barbecue $30pp. All other days $20 per meal or $35 for dinner and lunch.
Canopus Retreat
Sand in the toes beachside dining, under palm trees & fairy lights at night at Canopus Retreat Hotel. Best for Italian favourites & choc brownies with ice cream.
Reef Edge:
Another one of the Thulusdhoo hotels with a restaurant & garden view beachside dining. Slightly more expensive. Best for club sandwiches, meat dishes & curries.
HOW TO GET TO THULUSDHOO ISLAND:
All Maldives airport transfers must be pre-arranged. It’s not possible to arrive at Malé Airport and book Thulusdhoo speedboat ticket on the spot. It doesn’t work like that here in Maldives and if you do it this way, there is a high chance you will find yourself stuck on the airport island for a night. This is due to the fact that there are limited speedboats to each local island and speedboat companies require passengers to pre-book in advance so that they can determine how many passengers will be onboard for each service.
If you’re wondering how to get to Thulusdhoo Island in 2024 and wanting to travel to Thulusdhoo on a budget, the good news is that travellers have two options – take the Thulusdhoo speedboat or local ferry. Thulusdhoo Island is located in North Malè Atoll, 27km north of Velana International Airport. It one of the closest local islands to Malé and is therefore cheap to travel to.
THULUSDHOO SPEEDBOAT
There are two companies that operate the Thulusdhoo speedboat. River Speed is a company owned and operated by a local Thulusdhoo family. The second company Ref Cool is owned by Maldivians associated with Season Paradise hotel. Both operate excellent Thulusdhoo speedboat services that run to schedule.
The cost of the Thulusdhoo speedboat is the same for both the River Speed and Refcool companies:
Adult USD$25pp & Child USD$15pp one-way (2-11.99yrs). Infant free. Indulge Maldives can book all your speedboat transfers for you. Travellers have the option to pay cash onboard.
Thulusdhoo Speedboat Schedules:
From Airport: Saturday to Thursday: 9:30am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm or 10pm transfers. Friday’s: 9:30am, 4:30pm, and 10pm. 30 minute duration.
To Airport: 8am, 10:30, 11am, 2pm, 2:30pm, 7pm or 7:30pm transfers. Friday’s: 8am, 2:30pm, 3pm, 7pm and 7:30pm. 30 minute duration.
THULUSDHOO LOCAL FERRY – THARIKA FERRY 2
The Thulusdhoo local ferry, Tharika Ferry 2, operates on a once daily schedule to/from Malé (except Tuesday’s & Friday’s). The boat is designed for local people to access the mainland Malé, hence the once a day route. The local ferry departs from Thulusdhoo harbour at 7:30am and departs from Malé (outside the fruit and veg local markets) at 3:30pm. The ferry can sometimes depart from the Villingili boat terminal in Malé, so be sure to check with your hotel or guesthouse for the most up-to-date information. The trip costs USD$2p.p. for a 1.5 hour journey.
Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to reach the Thulusdhoo local ferry in Malé, as taxis in Malé can be quite hard to secure as they are in high demand. Indulge Maldives would suggest getting to the ferry 30 minutes before departure to ensure you allow yourself enough time. Tickets can be purchased onboard the Tharika Ferry 2 and designated seats are assigned. It is also possible to sit on top of the roof of the ferry for a more authentic experience and picturesque view.
The Atoll Transfer website is also helpful resource.
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THULUSDHOO ISLAND GUIDE RECOMMENDED STAY:
3 – 7 NIGHTS. Depending on your budget and how many things you wish do during your visit. It’s a great island to put first on your Maldives itinerary. As it is close to the airport and is only one of two local islands that have speedboats in operation all day, meaning travellers can fly to Maldives day or night and arrive at your island destination the same day – no night in transit at the airport is required (last speedboat departs Malé airport at 10pm).
THULUSDHOO HOLIDAY PACKAGES:
4N: MALDIVES ADVENTURE US$399p.p.
4N OR 7N TROPICAL HONEYMOON from USD$790p.p.
4N BUDGET MALDIVES PACKAGE USD$250p.p.
4N ROMANTIC MALDIVES GETAWAY USD$450p.p.
LEARN TO SURF MALDIVES : 8 DAY BEGINNER SURF LESSONS MALDIVES – USD$1,199p.p.
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THE 7 NIGHT ULTIMATE MALDIVES SURF PACKAGE USD$639p.p.
Thanks for reading the Thulusdhoo Island Guide.
We hope you discovered the best things to do at Thulusdhoo Island!
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