Maldives: The Local Island of K. Guraidhoo

Located just about 30km from Male, K. Guraidhoo is a small local island in the South Male Atoll, with a population of around 700+500. It is only about 8km away from Maafushi. Guraidhoo offers a unique opportunity to experience local Maldivian culture, interact with residents, and escape the usual tourist crowds.

(When I visited, for the first two days, we were the only tourists on the island. It wasn’t until the third day that we saw other visitors.)

From Guraidhoo, you can see the nearby Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, which is so close that it feels like you could swim across. However, I wouldn’t recommend it—you might get lost in the short stretch of sea or even be stopped, as the resort is on a private island.

✴️✴️ Personal Recommendation:
Spend 2-3 days on K. Guraidhoo to ensure you have enough time to explore and enjoy this small local island. ✳️✳️

❇️❇️ Facilities on the Island:
- A small hospital and pharmacy
- Two mosques
- A football field
- An old cemetery

💟💟 For souvenir lovers, there are a few shops offering a variety of items, from traditional "Feyli" and artworks by local artists to silver jewelry.

Small Tip: When exploring Guraidhoo, please respect the local culture. Avoid walking around the island in bikinis or just swim trunks. While women don’t need to be fully covered, they can wear shorts, skirts, or strappy tops.

**Note:**
Local restaurants and shops on the island typically close by 2:00 PM.

🚢🚢🚢🚢 Transportation:
- The fastest way to get there is by speedboat, costing around US$20-30 per person.
- Alternatively, you can take a traditional Maldivian boat (public transport). It’s a slower option, taking about 2 hours, but it’s very affordable (around US$1). However, I’m not sure if the prices have increased recently.

For diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, Guraidhoo offers many excellent spots to explore underwater.

Guraidhoo is truly a paradise for budget travelers. Hope you enjoy your visit!