Maldives guesthouses on local islands – my experience report

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Maldives in a completely different way: living between the locals and catching fish with the fishermen? If you are tired of all-inclusive resorts, you can rent a guest house in the Maldives. A good alternative for divers and anyone who wants to practice water sports in the Maldives at relatively low cost. Who is a vacation in Maldives guesthouses on local islands suitable for? I have put together the most important tips and information for you.

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The Maldives is best known for luxury vacation unparalleled. Anyone who travels to the archipelago in the Indian Ocean usually doesn't bake small sandwiches, but rather wants to do the big thing: a luxury vacation in a five-star hotel on a remote dream island like Coco Bodu Hithi and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, which can only be reached by seaplane and offers an all-round service with cocktails, massages and the finest foods.

Anyone who has traveled to the Maldives so far has generally been satisfied with nothing less than the maximum in luxury, comfort and seclusion. Endless massages with sea views, bungalows built on wooden walkways and 5-course dinners on the beach are symbolic of the classic island holiday. But Maldives guesthouses and hotels on the islands of the locals have recently opened their doors to divers. Is a Maldives diving holiday in the guest house of the local islands a worthwhile alternative to the all-inclusive oases?

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Vacation in the Maldives guesthouse on a local island.

Experience Maldives in a different way

Because there is another way: on some of the over 1000 islands in the 26 atolls Maldives you can simply rent a guesthouse. A total of 220 of the small islands are inhabited by locals. Normally there is nothing special about getting a holiday home or apartment in your favorite holiday destination.

It's different in the Maldives: Holidays on the local islands have only been possible since 2009. A law had to be passed by the President himself that would allow tourists to vacation on the local islands. Guesthouses - Guesthouses - is the representative expression for pensions, smaller ones Hotels, Apartments and holiday homes.

The concept is catching on

The concept is slightly different compared to the five-star resort: some guesthouses have been built on the local islands where vacationers can live among the locals. The concept is not new, but is best suited to European holidaymakers from Mediterranean countries Croatia, Spain or Greece:

Instead of a hotel with all-round amenities, you rent a home for a week or two where you can cater for yourself and the holidaymaker has everything to themselves. And I am of the opinion that this concept is particularly suitable for travelers who... Diving Holidays want to spend in the Maldives in a guest house.

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Ideal for diving holidays – Maldives guesthouses on local islands

“Do something crazy and travel to the local island of Maradhoo in the Addu Atoll!” Writes Beluga Tauchreisen on its homepage. The diving tour operator offers two so-called guest houses on the island: the Beluga Guesthouse and the Stellar Maradhoo. The single-family houses could also be in a new German housing estate and are furnished like a classic holiday home. A holiday home in the Maldives? Guaranteed to be one of the best-kept even today holiday tips for the kingdom of the islands.

Vacation like Robinson's: Maldives guesthouses are quaint and far less comfortable than a luxury resort.
Vacation like at Robinson: Maldives guesthouses are quaint and offer far less comfort than a luxury resort. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

The guest houses on local islands are comfortably furnished

But are they also suitable for a Maldives diving vacation? Several bedrooms with their own bathroom, shared living room and kitchen - you feel like you are in a shared apartment. Pool, sea view, beach are missing, but nobody misses either, says Axel Becker from Beluga Reisen: “We only send guests to Maradhoo who only have diving in mind. Bathing or beach holidaymakers are out of place here. ”At least that doesn't sound like the worst accommodation for a great Maldives diving holiday. But what about trendy Maldives sports like Stand Up Paddling? Presumably, it would also be rather difficult to get a board here.

We only send guests to Maradhoo who only have diving in mind. Beach or beach vacationers are out of place here.

Axel Becker, Beluga Travel

When vacationing on local islands in the guesthouse, diving is clearly the focus

Three to four times a day we go out with the typical Maldives dive dhoni to amazingly intact reefs and a manta spot of superlatives: "At the manta spot you can see up to 25 animals - that's why the divers come to the island." An argument that counts and perhaps even more crucial to a true Maldives diving holiday than a five star resort.

The locals have their own islands - tourists can visit the islands by boat. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
The locals have their own islands - tourists can visit the islands by boat. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

Such a Maldives diving holiday in a guest house is still unusual: women have to wear a T-shirt to swim on Maradhoo, there is a sign prohibiting bikinis on the beach and alcohol is only available in two hotels that can be reached by car. Traffic on a Maldives island - even that sounds strange, but it shows the other side of this country, which doesn't "just" consist of artificial wellness palaces and isolated star islands.

Local Islands – Advantages of vacationing in a guesthouse

The big advantage: the trip becomes an individual vacation. Beyond package tourism, adventure awaits and beyond all-inclusive there is the authentic Maldives to discover. Some Tour operators, including those from the diving industry, now offer the opportunity to live next door to the Maldivians. The whole thing also has a nice side effect: the individual vacation is often much cheaper than a trip to a remote luxury resort.

Experience authentic Maldives on local islands

Of course, this type of vacation doesn't appeal to every traveler: Those who would like to be pampered on their vacation should still go to the private resort island. A guest house in the Maldives, on the other hand, is more for young travelers with smaller ones Budget recommended for those who like to travel off the beaten track and want to take a look at the lives of the locals in the archipelago. Unthinkable until a few years ago, the concept of guest houses has now established itself in the Maldives. Even the transfer to the local island with a local, public ferry is a must Adventures for themselves.

Hello, I'm Sascha Tobias Tegtmeyer from Hamburg - and a real beach child with heart and soul! Sea fan, travel lover and always up for an adventure. On my travel blog Just-Wanderlust.com and the social media channels of Strandkind Travels, I combine my love of traveling and nature with a passion for water sports such as stand-up paddling, diving and surfing. I am a journalist, author and blogger - and I am naturally curious when I get to know new travel destinations and then write about them in detail. As a technology fan, when I'm traveling with my family or alone, I'm always happy to bring a few travel gadgets with me for testing purposes. My favorite travel countries, which I also prefer to write about in my travel blog: USA, Thailand and Maldives.
About the author

I'm just a curious beach kid in the world

Hello, I am Sascha Tobias Tegtmeyer from Hamburg – and a real beach child with heart and soul! Sea fan, travel lover and always up for an adventure. On my travel blog Just-Wanderlust.com and the social media channels of Strandkind Travels, I combine my love of traveling and nature with a passion for water sports such as stand-up paddling, diving and surfing. I am a journalist, author and blogger - and I am naturally curious when I get to know new travel destinations and then write about them in detail. As a technology fan, when I'm traveling with my family or alone, I'm always happy to bring a few travel gadgets with me for testing purposes. My favorite travel countries, which I also prefer to write about in my travel blog: USA, Thailand and Maldives.

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New way of vacationing in the Maldives – guesthouses increasingly popular

Who dares and this new kind of Maldives vacation Tried, will probably be richly rewarded: Travelers can experience everyday life in the Maldives - fishing and fishing trips, for example, are deeply anchored in the culture of the Maldives. In the large and small shops that are located in the fishing villages, travelers will also find all kinds of exotic souvenirs, as the Maldives produce everything they need for everyday life themselves. A lot is made from the outer shells of the coconut, for example. The hammocks, wood carvings and colorful cloths made from natural fibers are also very popular. Adventure vacationers will find strange, exotic types of fruit, spices and, typical of the Maldives, plenty of fresh fish on the numerous markets.

Freedom of movement is not desired on the islands of the locals: who can live with it, has much joy on the islands. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
On the islands of the locals there are small villages with only a few hundred inhabitants each. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

"The atmosphere in the village is absolutely peaceful, calm and relaxed," says Axel, who has already been on vacation at Maradhoo. Another powerful argument for this new form of vacation: Seven nights with full board and drinking water cost an unbeatable 350 euros! And perhaps even more important for us divers: bottle fees and the boat fees otherwise common in the Maldives do not apply.

The residents of the local islands in the Maldives are super hospitable and open-minded. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
The residents of the local islands in the Maldives are super hospitable and open-minded. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

But as is so often the case in life, there is not only black and white. Casa Mia on the inhabited island of Mathiveri in the North Ari Atoll can be described as a hybrid of resort and guesthouse. The bungalow complex has its own restaurant, a seawater pool and, perhaps the biggest difference to the guesthouses, a private stretch of beach. Kirsten Clahr from Extratour has also already visited a local island:

"You can move freely as a woman in the plant, but if you go to the village, you have to make sure that the shoulders and knees are covered." 

This is something to keep in mind when making your way to the dive center or snorkeling at another end of the island or doing water sports like standing paddling would like to. A spontaneous beach walk around the island in a bikini? Probably not a good idea here! Alcohol is also prohibited in principle on the local island of Casa Mia, but solutions are already being sought.

“We are planning a dhoni with a cozy bar on board that will anchor directly in front of the resort. The floating bar can either be reached via a boat shuttle or you can just walk over - the water is extremely shallow in front of the beach, ”says Simon Lorinser, Product Manager at Reisecenter Federsee. The concept of Casa Mia seems to be working, another hotel of this type is being planned - the property has already been bought!

Disadvantages of a vacation in the Maldives guest house on local islands

However, a holiday on a local island also has its small disadvantages: If you are in the Vacation really want to let go, a trip to the guest house is not suitable. Because the rules for tourists are strict: alcohol is not allowed to be drunk on the islands of the locals. If you still want to have a drink, you have to find the individual loopholes on site, which make it possible, for example, to drink on a private ship. However, the traveler should inquire about this on a case-by-case basis. Those who refrain from alcohol during their trip are on the safe side.

While pure luxury prevails on the resort islands, things are a bit more rustic on the Maldives local islands. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
While pure luxury prevails on the resort islands, things are a bit more rustic on the Maldives local islands. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

Staying on the beach in swimming trunks is also problematic. Overly revealing clothing such as swimwear is prohibited on the local islands. Even if you want to go to the beach or go swimming, you have to cover yourself up on the locals' islands. The Maldives are strictly Islamic and respect requires that you stick to the relevant rules - not to mention that violations are severely punished. As already mentioned, there are some loopholes: Many accommodations have different types of excursions on offer that lead to lonely and uninhabited islands - so-called Robinson Islands - and where you can sunbathe and swim carefree in bathing trunks and bikini - but never above without.

On the local islands you will get to know the Maldives authentically. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer
On the local islands you will get to know the Maldives authentically. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

Atolls with Maldives guest houses on local islands

There aren't that few guesthouses in the Maldives anymore. It is easy to lose track of things. We know some of the most important atolls where guest houses are located on local islands: Mathiveri in North Ari Atoll, Maafushi in South Male Atoll, Felidhoo and Thinadhoo in Vaavu Atoll, Ukulhas in North Ari Atoll, Dharavandhoo in Baa Atoll, Gulhi in South Male Atoll, Guraidhoo in the South Male Atoll. The number of guest houses in the various atolls is likely to continue to rise in the next few years, so that more and more guest houses will be added to the various islands in the atolls.

Guesthouses on Maradhoo

The islands of the Addu Atoll are connected by bridges and together form Addu City, with over 30 000 inhabitants, the second largest city of the Maldives. An island of the atoll is Maradhoo. On her and in the middle of the village are the two guesthouses working together with the Aquaventure base. Restaurants, supermarkets and cafes are nearby. In addition to the self-catering is also full board possible and even highly recommended: The food in the local restaurant is very good and you can talk to the villagers. Drinking water is available to guests free of charge.

The island can be visited all year round as there is no pronounced rainy season here. Diving takes place up to four times a day, including a manta ray. Beluga Reisen even gives a guarantee: If you don't see a manta, the diver will be reimbursed 20 percent of the dive price. And at least sharks in the Maldives can be seen at almost every dive site. The guests of the guesthouse can walk to the base, those of the Stellar Maradhoo can use the free bicycles.

Beluga Guesthouse

  • Accessibility by plane from Malé to the island of Addu
  • Island / Atoll: Maradhoo in Addu Atoll
  • Room: three
  • Occupancy: for a maximum of six divers
  • Facilities: each room with bath / shower, air conditioning, double bed catering drinking water, supermarket and restaurants (offer full board) nearby
  • Diving: Dive Center Aquaventure, under European management
  • Organizer: www.belugareisen.de
  • Price: A week with full board, water, transfer and 20 dives costs from 1059 euros

Stella Maradhoo

  • Accessibility: by plane from Male to Addu Island
  • Island / Atoll: Maradhoo in Addu Atoll
  • Rooms: ten studios
  • Occupancy: 20
  • Amenities: air conditioning, TV and kitchenette in each studio catering drinking water, supermarket and restaurants (offer full board) nearby
  • Diving: Dive Center Aquaventure, under European management
  • Organizer: www.belugareisen.de
  • Price: One week with full board, water, transfer and 20 dives costs from 1059 Euro.

Overview of Maldives guest houses on local islands

A selection of hotels, holiday homes and apartments are available here. The list is by no means complete and can be supplemented at any time.

Guest houses on Maafushi - South Male Atoll

  • Venturo Inn
  • Sun Tan Beach Hotel
  • Crystal Sands
  • Royal Pearl Inn
  • Isle Beach Inn
  • Holiday Lodge
  • Stingray Beach Inn
  • White Shell Beach Inn
  • Kaani Beach Hotel

Guest houses on Gulhi - South Male Atoll

  • Nima Inn - Gulhi
  • Orchid Island Lodge
  • Tropic Tree Hotel

Guest houses on Dharavandhoo - Baa Atoll

  • Aveyla Manta Village

Guest houses on Felidhoo - Vaavu Atoll

  • Vaali Beach Lodge

Guesthouse on Thinadhoo - Vaavu Atoll

  • Plumeria Boutique Lodge

Guesthouse on Dhigurah - South Ari Atoll

  • TME Retreats

Guesthouse on Mathiveri - North Ari Atoll

  • Casa Mia @ Mathiveri

Guesthouse on Ukulhas - North Ari Atoll

  • Ukulhas Breeze Inn

Guesthouse on Thoddoo - North Ari Atoll

  • Blue Water Thoddoo Inn

Maldives guesthouses on local islands – the most important questions and answers

Anyone who travels to the Maldives for the first time certainly has many questions - and rightly so. Because the realm of the islands is not just one of the most beautiful places in the world, special has some special features and customs that you should definitely know before you start your island vacation for the first time. In my Maldives travel report I have answered the most important questions and answers about your Maldives holiday with tips and inspiration.

What strikes you straight away on the Maldives local island: everything is so beautifully colorful. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer Diving local island Maldives Guesthouse Guesthouse
What strikes you right away on the Maldives local island: everything is so beautifully colorful. Photo: Sascha Tegtmeyer

Maldives guesthouses on local islands - the original way to discover the island state

My conclusion

A vacation in a guest house in the Maldives is certainly not suitable for every vacationer: Many travelers want to spend their annual vacation in luxury and enjoy the benefits of a relaxing stay in a five-star luxury resort or something similar with three meals, want luxury, drinks, massage don't miss us fun. There is nothing wrong with that. Of course, luxury has a certain relaxation factor.

Anyone who can do without the superfluous "frills" of the resort islands such as wellness, countless restaurants and pool landscapes, has a tight budget and only wants to dive, will feel at home on the local islands. The new holiday concept appeals to people who like it individually, do not want to sit in the dining room with hundreds of other guests and want to experience the country and its people.

Guesthouses are for a different target group

Anyone who goes to a guesthouse has a different goal in mind: on the local islands you can experience culture, closeness to the people and the authentic side of the Maldives. A trip to the locals is adventurous and certainly requires one or two compromises when it comes to comfort. But it's worth it! This is a different kind of vacation.

Especially for divers who just want to go to the wonderful dive sites or with the typical ones Maldives sharks want to dive, the guest houses are ideal. Anyone who can make friends with the few but strict rules on the local islands will be able to mingle with the locals with a lot of joy and have a lot of fun with the locals in the Maldives and certainly experience one or the other extraordinary adventure!

Have you ever been to the Maldives or are you planning a vacation in the island nation? Share your experiences in the comments.

Comment

  1. Hey Sascha, a cool report from you. We would like to add something: There are now about 300 guesthouses on about 70 islands in the Maldives. The difficulty is in fact finding the right island and knowing how to get there. But it's fun to discover the island kingdom of the Maldives individually, because that's the only way to experience the Maldives in an authentic and real way.

    Very important to note: By the way, there are now bikini beaches everywhere where there are vacationers. Even on the large neighboring island of the capital on Hulhulmale there will soon be a bikini beach section.

    There is even more information in our Inselauten Maldives blog.

    Kind regards
    Yami & Toddy
    http://www.inselnauten.de