Travel Guide Rasdhoo

The local island of Rasdhoo is located in the small atoll of the same name. It is the administrative capital of the North Ari Atoll and is about 60 km northwest of Male. You will find everything you need on the island: bank, ATM, local hospital to treat injuries, post office and police. The 30-hectare egg-shaped island is home to 1,200 inhabitants. It is very built up, but the low houses or small two-three storey buildings, the compressed sand streets keep a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Rasdhoo has only started to develop intensively in the last few years with the advent of backpacking tourism. The island had 17 guesthouses in 2019, there are now 26! It must be said that Rasdhoo is very famous for its reef and the huge Madivaru lagoon just across the way. A trip to the deserted islands of Madivaru and Madivaru Finholu, to the lagoon's pristine sandbanks and a dip in its natural pool is a must-do. There are also many diving spots in the area, the most famous of which are Madivaru Corner, Hammerhead Point and Manta Point. The island has one beach where swimming in bikinis is permitted. Located in the south of the island, it is about 100 meters long, but its deckchairs are quickly overcrowded in high season. On the other hand, at low tide, it is necessary to walk a little before having water up to the waist. The many dead corals require sandals to avoid hurting your feet. Work to expand the beach and clean up debris is on the agenda, but has been postponed due to the Covid crisis. Rasdhoo has the advantage of not being too far from Malé, so you don't have to waste too much time on transfers. But it is isolated enough to offer the experience of paradise so desired.