Hanimadhoo is an island located in the northernmost part of the Maldives, an archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean. It is part of the Haa Alif Atoll and is the largest island in the atoll.
The island has a population of approximately 1,500 people and is known for its beautiful beaches, clear turquoise waters, and abundant marine life. It is a popular destination for tourists who come to the Maldives to relax, scuba dive, and snorkel.
Hanimadhoo has its own domestic airport, making it easily accessible for tourists. It is also home to several resorts, including the Hanimadhoo Island Resort and Spa, which offers luxury accommodations and various recreational activities such as windsurfing, kayaking, and fishing.
In addition to its beautiful natural surroundings, Hanimadhoo is known for its traditional Maldivian culture and hospitality. Visitors to the island can experience local cuisine, music, and dance, as well as visit historic landmarks such as the Hanimadhoo Cemetery, which is believed to date back to the 14th century.
Hanimadhoo is known for its stunning beaches with crystal-clear waters, white sand, and a peaceful atmosphere. Some of the most popular beaches on the island include:
Hanimadhoo Beach. This is the main beach on the island, located on the western side. The beach is long and wide, with soft white sand and clear blue waters. It’s an ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing.
Utheemu Beach. This is a smaller beach located on the eastern side of the island, near the historical Utheemu Palace. The beach is less crowded than Hanimadhoo Beach and offers a peaceful setting with stunning views of the Indian Ocean.
Kuredu Beach. This beach is located on the neighboring island of Kuredu, which is accessible from Hanimadhoo via a short boat ride. Kuredu Beach is known for its long stretches of soft white sand, turquoise waters, and colorful marine life. It’s a great spot for snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing.
House reef
The house reef on Hanimadhoo is located on the eastern side of the island, and it is known for its diverse marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and rays. The reef is also home to various types of coral, including staghorn and table coral.
Night Fishing
Night fishing for the most part is considered a sport for Maldivians, young and old. Your boat will leave just before the sunset to find a good spot near a reef. The crew will show you how to tie up hooks to lines and how to use sinkers. Once you catch enough to fill your barbecue grill, return back to the island and enjoy your fish by a bonfire.
Scuba diving
The island is able to offer innumerable diving sites suitable for either beginner, more advanced, or expert divers with qualified multi-lingual PADI and SSI instructors. So whether you are a young diver, a family, a complete beginner, a single diver, a couple or a group of experienced divers, you’ve been invited to come and dive with a dive center to discover the amazing underwater world!
Island hopping. You can visit nearby islands and explore their unique culture and traditions. You can also enjoy a picnic on a secluded island and relax on the pristine beaches.
Sunset Cruise: Enjoy the stunning sunset views while cruising on a traditional Maldivian boat called a dhoni. You can also spot dolphins and other marine life during the cruise.
The only disadvantage of this Maldivian paradise is the distance to Male. It’s approximately 300 km. So the only type of transfer is a domestic flight. But this remoteness can be made up for by the island’s nature, true solitude, and magnificent views.
Hanimaadhoo infrastructure
Hanimaadhoo is a quiet fishing village with lots of tree shade and swings. Fishing and agriculture are what most of the 2500 inhabitants of the island do for work.
Apart from the international airport, there is a village on the island that occupies about 1/3 of the island. The population is 2,500 people. There is an ATM, a hospital, a school, a mosque, a post office, and a police station – in fact, they can be found on any inhabited island.
At the northern end of the island, a climate observatory is located. The data provided by the observatory is used not only for the weather forecast but also for monitoring climate changes in the region. This issue is very important in the Maldives, because sea level is rising, and soon (in 50 years or so) the majority of Maldivian islands can disappear underwater.
In recent years more and more people are moving to Hanimaadhoo from Hathifushi and Hondaidhoo. It is planned that this island will soon become an important tourist center of the northern province of Maldives.
There are only 5 guest houses and an eco-hotel on the island.
Where to eat on Hanimaadhoo
Nana’s Kitchen. Great ice-cream shop on the island.
Dark Lobster Restaurant. Tasty food with great prices. Lobster is good as well.
Chill Time. Continental food is very good, it has to be emphasized that it does not bite because otherwise, it is inedible, recommended.
Simmer Ever Restaurant. Nice restaurant with a good selection of local and global dishes to choose from. They have free WiFi with good speed, too!
La Sorriso. If you need a good espresso, this is the place to come!
Youth Café. Local place with great variety of Maldivian food.
Athirimathi Hotaa. Tea and coffee place with shorts and snacks.
Transfer to Hanimaadhoo
Because of its remoteness from Male the only kind of transfer to the island is a domestic flight. The price is around 140 usd/way.
Travel time is 50 mins.
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