Dhangethi Island (Updated 2026)

Modest in size, but bright in beauty, the island of Dhangethi is located quite far from Male - 87 km. The island size is 925 x 350 m, which is the capital of the atoll Alif Daal (South Ari Atoll). About 1000 people inhabit this small island.

Things to do in Dhangethi

Bikini beach

Only a 2-minute walk from the village is a bikini beach with beautiful white sand. The beach is cleaned daily. It even has facilities like a shower and a toilet.

Dhangethi has several stunning beaches that visitors can enjoy. Here are some details about the beaches on Dhangethi: Bikini Beach. This is the most popular beach on Dhangethi and is exclusively reserved for tourists to wear swimwear. The beach is pristine with crystal clear waters and powdery white sand. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling in the calm waters. Local Beaches. There are also a few local beaches on Dhangethi, where visitors can observe the daily life of the islanders. These beaches are often less crowded than Bikini Beach and offer a more authentic Maldivian experience. Picnic Island. This is a small island near Dhangethi that is popular for day trips and picnics. The island is surrounded by clear waters and coral reefs, making it a great spot for snorkeling and diving. Sunset Beach. This is a quieter beach on the western side of the island, offering a peaceful escape for visitors. It's a great spot to watch the sunset and take in the beautiful colors of the sky.

House reef

The Bikini Beach gives direct access to the house reef. The current is usually strong during high tide, so mornings are the best time to snorkel without worry. 

The house reef is best explored from the outside where the drop-off is. But during the tide there is a very strong current — beginners should stick to morning sessions. The reef is shallow in many places, making it impossible to reach all parts at low tide due to lack of depth. Coral health is poor, with bleaching and dead corals. 

Sandbanks

The Maldives is the best barefoot luxury destination with sandy white beaches, clean water lagoons, blue skies, and hundreds of stunning private sandbanks. At your request, you will be transferred to one of the nearby sandbanks (including Dhigurah sandbank) within 5 to 10 minutes. There are three sandbanks where the nearest sandbank is just 5 minutes away. You can do many activities on the sandbank including lunch/dinner, wedding ceremonies, and snorkeling.

Snorkeling safaris

Turtle snorkeling. Observing turtles in their natural habitat is a delightful experience. There are several turtle snorkeling points near Dhangethi and it offers incredible turtle sightings and 99% guaranteed you see them. Guests can reach the turtle snorkeling point by a traditional boat ride within 15 minutes. And a guide will be there through the journey.

Manta snorkeling. Snorkeling with manta rays is unforgettable and one must-have experience in the Maldives. Dhangethi Island area is one of the best places where you can swim with manta rays. They are harmless to humans and very friendly. The Manta snorkeling trip is a half-day activity starting from 8:00 am, but it depends on the weather and current.

Water sports

Dhangethi truly allows you to have fun in the sun, offering a wide range of water sports in the Maldives for all family members. Maldives offers many exciting sports for those who have talent and love adventure. Simple or stimulating, sports in the Maldives are an excellent way to stay in shape having fun surrounded by the most beautiful landscapes around the world. Available water sport activities: Jet Skiing, , Wake Board, Paddle Board, and Windsurfing.

Resort day visit

During your stay, if you'd like to compare local and luxury life in the Maldives, then resort day trips are just the things you need. Dhangethi is surrounded by 14 luxury resorts. But not all of them are open for day visits. You can book your day staying at Vilamendhoo Maldives Resort Island, Machchafushi Island Resort, Conrad Maldives. The last one is famous for its underwater restaurant - the first of its kind in the Maldives. Guests can dine at this restaurant by appointment, which costs about 450++ USD per person + transfer to/from the resort. During your stay at the resort, you can relax at a pool or the beaches of the resort, get lunch, and use other resort amenities. Spa treatments, drinks, and some other amenities (like the water sports center) in the resort only with extra charges.

Whale shark snorkeling

Dhangethi is near Maldive's famous whale shark point which is one of the main reasons to visit Dhangethi. Ask anyone where the best place is to spot whale sharks and they'll tell you at the coral reef next to Maamigili island. Enjoy the company of these harmless giants. Usually, whale sharks can be spotted all year round. Since they are the biggest fish species, they can grow up to 10 m in length (in the Maldives the average size is 6-8 m). Whale sharks are rather slow-moving creatures and are curious, but obedient. Whale sharks will eagerly come close to snorkelers, divers, and boats and will often stay close as long as they don’t feel in danger. It feeds on plankton including copepods, krill, fish eggs, and small nektonic life, such as small squid or fish.

Feeding occurs either by ram filtration, in which the animal opens its mouth and swims forward, pushing water and food into the mouth, or by active suction feeding, in which the animal opens and closes its mouth, sucking in volumes of water that are then expelled through the gills. In both cases, the filter pads serve to separate food from the water. So whale sharks are absolutely harmless! Guests can reach the famous whale shark point near Dhangethi within 30 minutes by a traditional boat ride.

Scuba diving in Dhangethi

With over 50 dive sites, Dhangethi is the perfect place for a diving holiday both for beginners and experienced divers. The South part of South Ari Atoll (near Maamigili, Sun Island Resort) is a protected Marine Area. Weekly full-day trips are offered to search for whale sharks in this area throughout the year. The dive sites are between 10 minutes and 1 hour away from the island. These dive sites are reached by comfortable dive boats (dhonis). The unique diversity and variety of underwater life in the Maldives especially around Dhangethi have a lot of highlights to offer scuba divers. The most famous dive sites near Dhangethi:

Kudarah Thila

Current: Can be strong

Life: Rich diversity

Visibility: up to 25 m

Best dive period: Jan-Apr

The Thila is a part of Marine Protected Area and is often considered the most beautiful site of the South Ari atoll with exceptional diving conditions.

Kudhimaa Wreck

Current: Can be strong

Life: Lots of macro

Visibility: up to 25 m

Best dive period: Jun-Nov 50m

long cargo ship lying on a sandy bottom at around 30 meters depth, right next to a Machchafushi Island Resort. It was sunk in 1998 and already offers good coral growth and a large variety of species living on it. Nurse sharks, batfish, stonefish, lionfish and moray eels are permanent residents and can be spotted around the wreck.

Maamigili Beyru

Current: Can be strong

Life: Mostly big fish

Visibility: up to 25 m

Best dive period: Aug-Nov

Located on the Southern part within the Marine Protected Area of South Ari atoll. Shallow and very easy dive, which might turn into a very exciting one, as it is known as the best location in the Maldives for spotting whale sharks (if you're lucky enough).

Broken Rock

Current: Can be strong

Life: Alive coral gardens

Visibility: up to 25 m

Best dive period: Jan-Apr

It's one of the most well-known dive sites in the South Ari Atoll due to its unique formation which has a canyon splitting the reef in two. While swimming you should keep an eye out for the large corals which stick out from the walls. Resident napoleon wrasse, turtles, scorpionfish, and a stunning variety of marine life including many species of moray eels and a great variety of soft coral.

Five Rocks

Current: Can be strong

Life: canines/macro

Visibility: up to 25 m

Best dive period: Jan-Apr

It's formed by a pinnacle that has been split into five pieces over the centuries. These “rocks” reach from 12 m to 40 m at the sandy bottom. Numerous overhangs and ocean-swept currents provide the perfect environment for vibrant corals, plenty of reef fish and white tip reef sharks. Five Rocks is a favorite among photographers for its unique underwater landscapes.

Vilamendhoo Thila

Current: Can be strong

Life: Rich diversity

Visibility: up to 25 m

Best dive period: Apr-Nov

The thila is a large, complex reef structure that begins in 10m of water and extends down to a sand bottom at 30m. Parts of the thila are sloping reef, others steep walls with overhangs. In the shallow water, large bommies are scattered about, with rich growths of hard corals. The fish life is especially dense, with schooling blue-striped snapper, oriental sweetlips, and sometimes whale sharks.

More dive sites near Dhangethi.

Dhangethi Infrastructure

The narrow streets of Dhangethi, with their unique and bright houses, create an amazing atmosphere of tranquility. Walking through them, you can feel what it means to be a real islander far from the mainland, in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Like on any other inhabited island, the streets of Dhangeti create a cunning interweaving.

ATM. There is an ATM, but locals are always complain there is no cash. So bring cash USD instead.

WiFi & connectivity. Fibre broadband has been installed island-wide. Most guesthouses include WiFi, and it generally works well in rooms. However, it can be spotty in practice, so downloading offline content before arrival is sensible. 4G mobile signal from Maldivian operators is available.

Medical. There is a health centre (hospital) on the island. It is a basic facility — for anything serious, transfer to Malé is required.

Shops. The island has 8 mini-marts and 12 souvenir shops. The main shopping street runs through the village. Basics are available but limited — bring sunscreen, medications, and any specific personal items from home.

Also, you will find school, cultural center, mosque, football field, dive centers, water sport center, volley court, and a mobile operator company office.

Where to eat on Dhangethi

Compass Beach & Bistro. On the west side facing the sunset. The standout place to eat, with a wide menu, generous portions, and genuinely attentive staff — the kind that set up romantic lighting on request and move your table inside when it rains. Signature dishes are the Seafood Fried Rice, Tuna Fish Burger, and Chicken Tandoori Pizza. Avoid the bolognese. Every evening stingrays and baby sharks are fed from the pontoon, visible from your table. Sometimes has live music. Open daily 7am–midnight, Fridays from 2pm only.

The Blue Moon Café. Also on Beach Road with a west-facing overwater deck for sunsets, and its own stingray feeding in the evening. The food is authentic and cheap — tuna fried rice, tuna kothu rossy, grilled fish, fresh juices. Everything comes very spicy by default; ask to reduce the chili. Upstairs seats are best at lunch for the breeze; the ground floor gets hot. Mid-range pricing.

Monalaz Beach Café. The most affordable place on the island. Tandoori pizza, burgers, fish curry — tasty but heavily spiced. You can bring your own fresh catch to be cooked. Stingray feeding at 18:30. Service is slow and inconsistent — some staff can be inattentive or rude when busy, and larger groups tend to jump the queue. Best for a casual lunch rather than dinner.

Breezy & Bliss. Beachside, air-conditioned, free WiFi, cheap, friendly staff. Mostly referenced as a good option for a relaxed lunch or snack rather than a full dinner. Limited independent reports.

Transfer to Dhangethi

Domestic flight + speedboat

Around 250 USD per round trip per person, there are 5 flights per day to Maamigili followed by a speedboat to Dhangethi.

Scheduled Speedboat

Daily at 15:00-16:00 from Male jetty no.1 or no.6 and at 7:00 am from Dhangethi. Price is 45 USD per way per person. Duration is 1,5 hrs.

Private speedboat

The price is 700-800 USD per way per boat. Can be arranged at any time.

Public Ferry

Runs from Viligilli ferry Terminal, Malé: Trip duration is a 6hrs one-way. Price - US$5. Malé - Dhangethi, 09:00 am (on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday), one-stop and a ferry change in Mahibadhoo. Dhangethi - Male’, 09:00 am (on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday), one-stop and a ferry change in Mahibadhoo. Warning: - Tickets are issued from the Vilingili terminal on the day of travel. - The ticket price is $US 6 per person. - It can be canceled due to weather conditions. - Service may stop without prior notice.

*Schedule is subject to change.

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