All You Need to Know about Maldives Hulhumale’

Maldives is widely known as an amazing chain of islands that caters to relaxation, watersports and everything in between. A natural paradise that never fails to amaze. And while these natural islands are the talk of the town, we would like to turn your attention to a man-made island in Maldives that might peak your interest. 

Say hello to Maldives, Hulhumale’. Lying 8 km off the North East coast of Male’, the island was artificially and strategically built to be an international hub to the island nation. The dredging and overall construction of this ambitious project started in 1997 and continues to be expanded upon and built to this day. The island has a length of 2.4 km and a width of 1 km and is slated to be able to occupy more than 240,000 people half way through the 2020’s. And while this project is an amazing step to solve some national issues plaguing the locals, it’s also a great stopover point for tourists. When you ask yourself as to what to do in Hulhumale’, don’t worry as the artificial island has a lot to offer.

How to Get to Hulhumale’

Getting to this man-made marvel is no big deal as there are a few options you can explore. 

Aside from walking, the cheapest way to get to Hulhumale’ is to take the public ferry which costs about 15 MVR to 20 MVR ($1 USD or so). This is the slowest form of naval transportation in Maldives. The next best way is to book yourself a speedboat, which can be arranged by the resort / guest house you’re staying at even if you’re at Male’ at the moment. 

If you’re more interested in taking land transportation, the public bus costs  7 MVR ($ 0.45 USD) and has a few routes that’ll take you to Hulhumale’ from Male’. If you’d like to check out the routes, you can explore by clicking here. A cab will run you about 75 MVR to 100 MVR ($4.87 USD to $6.49 USD). You could also rent a motorbike and ride around everywhere, which will require you to wear a helmet if you’re going to Hulhumale’ as you need it to cross the bridge by law.

If you’re looking to walk, you’re looking at a 7.3 km walk from the capital across a bridge. If you’re walking from the airport to Hulhumale’, it’s a 6 km walk.

Disclaimer: All monetary figures in this post were taken during the time of writing and may be subject to change.

Exploring Hulhumale’s Beaches

Hulhumale’ was made with careful planning and they made sure the city has features where the public could stroll around in peace, ride around the streets and enjoy a picnic as the sun sets. 

Hulhumale’ has a tranquil park by the name of Hulhumale’ Central Park, a 8 hectare piece of land that’s been split into 4 different parts, all serving a purpose. One is a mosque zone that has the biggest water fountain in the country. The leisure zone is for those who want to run around, play some ball, do some kickflips in the skating rink and relax on the grass and have a picnic or even a photography session due to the beauty the park offers. The recreational zone is for all the health buffs, where a designated outdoor gym space resides if people want to go for a run or pump some iron. And lastly the interactive zone, where people can just relax by themselves or with company and just vibe.

If you want to get around this island in an easier and more stylish fashion, Hulhumale’ has a motorcycle and scooter rental service you can take advantage of. The service goes by the name of Atollrent and has a 6 hour rent option with 2 price categories and a 24 hour rent option with a selection of rental options. 

If you’re looking for more romanticism, we suggest a walk down the beach during sunset. With an unobstructed view with the sea and sky as a backdrop, it doesn’t get any better than an island during sunset. If you’re feeling a bit lazy, there are some accommodation options on the western side of Hulhumale’ that can offer the same views while you relax on a couch or at the balcony, with one such example being Marina View Apartments.

Even though Maldives, Hulhumale’ is now a major city, it still retains the famous island allure as the resorts.

Cultural and Historical Attractions in Hulhumale’

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Even though the island is still in its infancy, Hulhumale’ already has religious attractions that will become historically relevant through the passage of time. The island is home to the Hulhumale’ Mosque and the Masjid Hassan Adam in Hulhumale’ Phase II, beautifully built monuments where Friday prayers are held religiously on a weekly basis. 

Dining and Cuisine in Hulhumale’

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Hulhumale’ has quite a rich selection of eateries spanning different cuisines. Let’s go over the foreign tastes before we talk about the local ones.

• Japanese: Oishii
• Russian & Moroccan: GG’s Kitchen and Bistro
• Mediterranean & Arabic: Zaatar Cafe’
• Western: NY Steak Shack, Manhattan Fish Market
• Indian: Bombay Darbar
• Thai: Thai Palace Restaurant
• Chinese: Chinese Kitchen

As for local cuisine, there are multiple small establishments that serve local food with fresh ingredients such as:

• The Chef Mode Badhige
• The Keyolhu
• The Maldive Kitchen

There are way more establishments on both local tastes and foreign ones and we simply couldn’t fit all of them here. These are excellent options however and you shouldn’t miss out on them.

Shopping and Souvenirs

Maldives, Hulhumale’ is filled with local stores that sell Maldivian products, both traditional and modern. Smaller stores cater to local products such as cane baskets, lacquer products, handmade jewellery and even traditional apparel. These stores can be found by strolling around the island and even on Male’ if you feel like going on a short trip to the capital. Here are some local stores to keep an eye out for at both Hulhumale’ and Male’:

• Oevaali
• Island Bazaar
• Almah
• Art Foshi

Hulhumale’ has a shopping centre called Centro Mall that houses internationally recognised brands spanning clothes, food and more. If you’re looking for a more modern shopping experience in Maldives, Hulhumale’, this is the place to be.

Accommodation Options in Hulhumale’

Hulhumale’ is home to a variety of hotels and guest houses, all of which have great amenities and services. Let’s go over a few options you’d have if you’re staying overnight at this man-made island, starting with hotels:

Acacia Beach Hotel Maldives

Acacia Beach Hotel Maldives has two accommodation options which are the Deluxe City View and the Deluxe Sea View. They both come with the following amenities and details:

• 169sqft
• Queen size or twin beds
• Complimentary wifi
• Air conditioning
• Hair dryer
• Coffee maker
• In-room safe
• LED TV

They have one dining establishment by the name of Café Acacia where they serve a variety of cuisines for all meal times. The menu changes as per the chef’s discretion to match the seasonal ingredients that go their way. Indulge in in-room dining if you’re feeling a bit lazy and still laying in bed. They also have a spa by the name of Serenity Spa that offers an array of massage treatments, mani-pedi options and packages.

They also offer excursion options such as watersports (banana boat, jet ski, etc), safari’s, snorkelling and adventure trips (includes a sandbank, snorkelling and dolphin cruise adventure) so you won’t be left wanting.

Paralian Hulhumale’ Maldives

Paralian Hulhumale’ Maldives has six accommodation options: Paralian Suite, Ocean View (Classic), Ocean View (Sunrise), Ocean View (Subtle), Palms View Deluxe and Dwellers Nest. They come with the following amenities:

• Paralian Suite, Ocean View (Classic), Ocean View (Subtle) and Dwellers Nest
  • One Queen size bed
  • Furnished living area
  • 42” television with cable 
  • Mini safe
  • Mini bar
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and bottles of water
  • Complimentary wifi
  • Electric kettle
  • Hair dryer
  • Ironing facilities (upon request)
  • Emergency lighting
    
• Ocean View (Sunrise)
  • Two single beds
  • One sofa bed
  • Coffee table by the window with a view of the ocean and beach
  • 42” television with cable 
  • Mini safe
  • Mini bar
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and bottles of water
  • Complimentary wifi
  • Electric kettle
  • Hair dryer
  • Ironing facilities (upon request)
  • Emergency lighting
    
• Palms View Deluxe
  • One Queen size bed
  • Furnished living area
  • 42” television with cable 
  • Mini safe
  • Mini bar
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and bottles of water
  • Complimentary wifi
  • Electric kettle
  • Hair dryer
  • Ironing facilities (upon request)
  • Emergency lighting

They also have an in-house chef that offers a breakfast buffet, lunch and an all-day menu. They serve the following types of meals:

• Sandwiches
• Pizzas
• Noodles
• Kottu Roti
• Soup
• Salad
• Fresh juices
• Milkshakes
• Chocolate drinks
• Soft drinks
• Coffee / iced coffee
• Iced tea

Paralian ensured they had a decent portfolio of activities as well so that guests don’t have to stress of things to do, such as:

• Male’ City Excursion
• Deepwater submarine diving
• Water sports
• Safari
• Fishing
• Snorkelling and diving
• Resort day trips
• Spa

Rivethi Beach Hotel Maldives

Rivethi Beach Hotel Maldives is a 4 star gateway to paradise and comes with some excellent features. They have 5 room types along with the following amenities:

• Deluxe Double Room
• Deluxe Twin Room
• Deluxe Double Room with Sea View
• Deluxe Double Room with Side Sea View
• Deluxe Suite with Sea View
  
  • Air conditioning & fan
  • Ensuite bathroom
  • Free toiletries
  • Complimentary wifi
  • Flat screen television 
  • Ironing facilities 
  • Hairdryer
  • Bidet
  • In-room safe
  • Telephone
  • Electric kettle
  • Bed linen
  • Towels

Rivethi is a beachfront property with the beach just steps from the hotel. They’re also quite keen on guest experiences, with one of the first ones they’d experience being the airport shuttle to the hotel. This saves time and allows guests to get to Rivethi without any hassle. They also have a restaurant with free breakfast in the morning, which can be enjoyed in a continental, à la carte or buffet style. If you’re travelling as a family, the resort can also alleviate your children’s boredom with their children’s playground.

Rivethi Beach Hotel Maldives is fantastic as a stop-over hotel for one or two nights while you spend time in Hulhumale’. It has everything you need and more as a quick pitstop.

Huvan Beach Hotel at Hulhumale’

Huvan Beach Hotel at Maldives, Hulhumale’ is a cool 10 minute walk from the Hulhumale’ Ferry Terminal, allowing for easy access to and from the hotel. They have beachfront properties with four different room types: Standard Double, Standard Double with Balcony, Deluxe Double / Twin with Balcony and Deluxe Double Sea View with Balcony. They have the following amenities:

• Complimentary wifi
• Minibar
• Air conditioning
• Ceiling fan
• Telephone
• Hair dryer
• Airport shuttle
• Tea and coffee making facilities
• Daily housekeeping
• Ironing facilities
• Toiletries
• 24 hour front desk
• Room service
• HD TV
• In-room safe
• Laundromat services
• Currency exchange
• Car hiring

The hotel has the Red Snapper & The Coffee Beans restaurant, where they offer a buffet breakfast, à la carte selections and a surprise dinner experience. They also offer the following activities for all guests:

• Watersports
  • Canoeing
  • Jet skiing
  • Water skiing
  • Standup paddling
  • Kite surfing
  • Rocking chair
  • Beach volleyball
    
• Excursions
  • Snorkelling
  • Big game fishing
  • Private picnic
  • Scuba diving
  • Dolphin safari 
  • Sunset cruise
    
• Trips and tours
  • Fishing
  • Tour of Male’ City
  • Island hopping
  • Adventure trips
  • Local island tour

If you’re looking for a well-rounded experience at Hulhumale’, this is the place to be.

Hathaa Beach Maldives

Hathaa Beach Maldives, Hulhumale’ is located on the eastern side of the island, allowing for easy access to the beach. They have a Deluxe Double Room with twin bed, King-size bed and sea view options. They have the following amenities:

• Complimentary wifi
• Air conditioning 
• Elevator
• Complimentary breakfast
• Welcome drink
• Tea and coffee
• Express check-in
• Drinking water
• Hypoallergenic bedding
• Telephone
• Daily housekeeping
• Work desk
• Ironing facilities
• Electric kettle
• Refrigerator
• Laundry service

A great stopover location, Hathaa also offers watersports activities such as canoeing and snorkelling for anyone who wants to jump in while waiting. They also have a bar for the adults and a kids play area for the children. 

Now let’s talk about the guesthouses in Hulhumale’. 

Hotel Ocean Grand at Hulhumale’

Hotel Ocean Grand at Hulhumale’ is located 10 minutes from Velana International Airport and can be reached via car. They have three room types, all of which share the same amenities: Deluxe Double Room, Superior Deluxe Double or Twin Room and the Ocean view with Balcony.

• Air conditioning
• Private bathroom
• Television
• Coffee and tea making facilities
• Minibar
• Complimentary wifi
• Complimentary toiletries
• In-room safe
• Bidet
• Towels
• Work desk
• Refrigerator
• Telephone
• Ironing facilities
• Hairdryer

Their Ocean Grand Restaurant has cuisine ranging from Maldivian, Chinese, Thai, Asian, Italian, Indian and Mexican, which can be enjoyed on ground level or at the rooftop along with a view of the ocean. They also provide dining experiences such as  dinner under the stars on the beach as well. They also offer varying watersports and excursion options for those with a sense of adventure.

Planktons Beach

Planktons Beach is a beachfront property that has access to views of both the sea and the lagoon. They have five room types, which are the Deluxe Double Room, Deluxe Ocean View Room, Family Room, Ocean View Terrace Room and Ocean View Terrace Suite. They all have the following amenities:

• Air conditioning
• Television
• Complimentary wifi
• Telephone
• Ironing facilities
• In-room safe
• Wardrobe
• Hairdryer
• Towels
• Linen and much more

Rooms such as the Ocean View Terrace Suite have a patio, sofa bed and more due to it being a larger room. Other rooms have their own plus sides too due to the nature of the rooms such as the Ocean View Terrace Room that has a separate seating area.

They also have a great selection of activities:

• Snorkelling
• Diving
• Windsurfing
• Canoeing
• Fishing
• Themed dinner nights
• Tours

Indulge in a variety of cuisine options such as Chinese, Italian, Indian, Seafood, Maldivian, Asian and International tastes at their restaurant. 

h78 Maldives

h78 at Hulhumale’, Maldives is a comfortable 15 minute drive from Velana International Airport that’s also equipped with great accommodation, good food and an even better view. They have four room options: Deluxe Double Room (from $124.32 USD), Deluxe Twin Room (from $113.12 USD), Deluxe Double Seaview (from $124.32 USD), and Deluxe Suite (from $135.52 USD). All four rooms come with the following amenities:

• Deluxe Double Room
  • Queen size bed
  • Complimentary tea / coffee
  • Wardrobe
  • Complimentary wi-fi
  • Minibar
  • Air conditioner
  • In-room safe
  • Towels & bathrobes
  • Flat screen television
  • Slippers
  • Room service
  • Toiletries
    
• Deluxe Twin Room
  • Same as the Deluxe Double Room but with twin beds / two single beds instead of the Queen size bed
    
• Deluxe Room Seaview
  • Same as the Deluxe Double Room including ocean views
    
• Deluxe Suite
  • Same as the Deluxe Double Room including a living area

The hotel has a restaurant by the name of The Catch 78 Restaurant, which offers local and international tastes, along with light snacks if you’re feeling a little peckish. They also have a bunch of activities you can take part in such as:

• Excursions
  • Male’ City and Hulhumale’ tour
• Spa and gym within walking distance
• Whale Submarine ride
  • Whale Submarine Maldives allows a maximum of 50 guests onto their submersible and takes them on an adventure 150 metres below water.
• Watersports in Hulhumale’
  • Wakeboarding
  • Kitesurfing
  • Flyboarding
  • Jet Skiing
  • Banana boat 
  • Scuba diving
  • Underwater walking
  • Kayaking
  • Snorkelling
  • Windsurfing
• Celebrations
  • Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

Vista Beach Retreat Maldives

Vista Beach Retreat Maldives is also located a comfortable 10 minute car ride from Velana International Airport. They have four room types available: Sea View Junior Suite (from $168 excluding TGST), Sea View Superior Deluxe Double (from $150 excluding TGST), Sea View Superior Deluxe Twin (from $150 excluding TGST) and Deluxe Double Room with Balcony (from $114 excluding TGST). Here is what they offer:

• Sea View Junior Suite & Sea View Superior Deluxe Double
  • Air conditioning
  • Baby cot
  • Balcony
  • Bathroom
  • Coffee maker
  • Fan
  • Free parking
  • Hairdryer 
  • Complimentary wifi
  • Minibar
  • Non-smoking
  • No pets allowed
  • In-room safe
  • Satellite television channels
  • Shower
  • Telephone
  • Terrace 
  • Wheelchair accessible
    
• Sea View Superior Deluxe Twin
  • Air conditioning
  • Baby cot
  • Bathroom
  • Free parking
  • Hairdryer
  • Complimentary wifi
  • Minibar
  • Non-smoking
  • No pets allowed
  • In-room safe
  • Satellite television channels
  • Shower
    
• Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
  • Air conditioning
  • Baby cot
  • Bathroom
  • Coffee maker
  • Fan
  • Free parking
  • Hairdryer
  • Complimentary wifi
  • Minibar
  • Non-smoking
  • No pets allowed
  • In-room safe
  • Satellite television channels
  • Shower
  • Telephone
  • Wheelchair accessible

All their room types come with an included breakfast so you won’t have to worry about searching for a decent place to eat right after waking up. Their breakfast comes from Nova Bistro, their main restaurant. Consisting of international cuisine, the restaurant ensures all tastes are satisfied, along with their beachside dining and fine dining options ready to set the ambiance you desire.

The hotel also offers to book water sports activities from local dive centres such as snorkelling, windsurfing, parasailing, kite surfing, kayaking, jet skiing, banana boat rides, ring rides and water skiing. They have some excursion options available as well, such as:

• Daly resort trips to:
  • Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
  • Bandos Maldives
  • Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Maldives
  • ClubMed Maldives
  • Summer Island Maldives
• Snorkelling for beginners
• Dolphin watching
• Handline fishing
• Island hopping
• Sandbank visit with snorkelling
• Snorkelling at two locations
• Casting and trolling fishing
• Villingili sightseeing tour
• Male’ sightseeing tour
• Snorkelling at Shark Point

Sunny Canopy B&B Maldives

Sunny Canopy B&B Maldives holds three accommodation options for guests, all of which have the same amenities:

• 48 inch television with cable
• Complimentary wifi
• In-room safe
• Rain shower
• Air conditioning
• Minibar
• Telephone
• Hairdryer 
• Coffee and tea making facilities
• Remote controlled fan and air conditioning

The rooms are named the City View Suite Room, City View Deluxe Room and the Standard Room. The Standard Room has a view of the ocean with one double bed and 20 sqm of space (along with the City View Deluxe Room), while the City View Suite Room has one double bed and 26 sqm, allowing for a three-guest stay. A 20 minute car ride will have you on their property from Velana International Airport.

They also offer these activities:

• Sandbank visit and dolphin trip
• Sunset cruise
• Submarine dive
• Evening fishing trip
• One day visit to a resort
• Snorkelling at two reefs
• Snorkelling and a visit to a local island
• Island hopping 
• Speedboat ride

Safety Tips and Travel Guidelines

One of the first things we would recommend you do is buy yourself some decent sunscreen and not the usual stuff you get over the counter. Regular sunscreen is known to be harmful to corals. So, if you go to Hulhumale’ and end up taking a dip on its Eastern beaches, make sure you have biodegradable sunscreen. This helps the corals immensely and you would have peace of mind as well.

Another beach related tip would be to never swim out to sea from the beach, especially during the rainy season. Ocean waves can be quite unpredictable so it’s advised that you stay within a safe distance so that you don’t get carried out to sea by strong currents. 

Maldives is an Islamic nation and while it’s not super stringent, it’s always a good idea to respect other countries’ religion and culture when you travel there. One of the things you’d need to be aware of is that alcohol is prohibited in the Maldives, except for at resorts. Alcohol in any of the other islands is not available and having any alcohol on you is a crime as well. You will also want to be aware of your clothing if you go to a mosque or religious site. Take care to cover your shoulders and knees if you enter a mosque as that is the minimum level of attire you’d need. You should also be aware that wearing a bikini or extremely revealing clothing is frowned upon at the inner islands so make sure to not wear anything too revealing at the local beaches.

As Maldives is a tropical country, you should also bring mosquito repellant with you. If you decide to stay at a resort and your accommodation happens to be surrounded by trees, it might not be such a bad idea to carry some of that around with you. Mosquitos tend to fly into houses at night so put your repellent to good use after the sun goes down and you’ll be good to go! Other than these specific tips and guidelines, a little bit of consideration and common sense goes a long way. 

We hope you’ve gotten all the information you need about Maldives, Hulhumale’ and we at MadlyMaldives sincerely hope you enjoy your stay. Take charge now and make your booking with our booking assistant today!