THINGS TO DO IN RASDHOO, MALDIVES – PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE ISLAND
- How to get to Rasdhoo
- What to do in Rasdhoo
- Enjoy Rasdhoo’s Bikini Beach
- Go diving
- Snorkelling excursion
- Kayaking or paddle surfing
- Local tour of the island
- Sandbank excursion
- Dolphin watching
- Other things to do in Rasdhoo
- How many days should you stay in Rasdhoo?
- Where to sleep in Rasdhoo
- Where to eat in Rasdhoo
- Tips for visiting the island
- Map with points of interest on the island
In recent years, Rasdhoo has become one of the best options for backpackers in the Maldives. Here you will find a good range of hotels and restaurants, many diving schools, and a wide variety of marine fauna that will make your days on the island as complete as possible. Read on if you want to know how to get there, where to sleep, or eat on this small island in the Maldives.
The island is located in the northeast of the Ari Atoll, about 56 kilometers from Male, the capital of the Maldives and your gateway to the country. It is quite small and there is no problem getting around on foot, it will not take you more than 5/10 minutes on foot to cover any distance. Although it still retains its local atmosphere, there is much more tourism here than in its neighbors Ukulhas and Thoddoo.
Without a doubt, Rasdhoo has become the ideal alternative to other more developed islands such as Maafushi. This is because in recent years the island has developed and has a very good quality-price ratio in terms of hotels, restaurants or excursions. At the same time, it has not yet lost that local character that is so popular when you are looking for an island where you can rest, disconnect, and relax.
If you like snorkelling, diving or want to get to know the marine fauna of this country in depth, then you should include Rasdhoo in your travel itinerary through the Maldives. Here you will find up to 8 different types of sharks, huge manta rays, sea turtles and some of the most spectacular coral reefs on the islands. Its bikini beach is not the best we visited during our days in the Maldives but it has turquoise waters, a good grove to avoid the sun, free hammocks, some beach bars on the sand and good snorkelling to do on your own.
How to get to Rasdhoo?
The island of Rasdhoo is well connected to the capital of the Maldives, Male and the neighbouring islands of Ukulhas and Thoddoo, so it is ideal to alternate it with one of these islands. There is the option of the public ferry and the speed boat, faster but also more expensive.
If you are on a tight budget you are surely looking for a way to get to Rasdhoo using public transport. Well, the public ferry line 303 connects Male to Rasdhoo in just over 3 hours. The ticket price is 52 MVR (3.12€) per person. You can buy tickets at Henveiru Ferry Terminal, from where the ferry departs. The tricky thing is that this journey is only done on Mondays and Thursdays. The reverse journey, i.e. Rasdhoo-Malé, is done on Sundays and Wednesdays.
If the schedule doesn’t suit you or you want to get there quickly and comfortably, you can take a speed boat direct to Rasdhoo from Male airport. The journey takes 1 hour and 10 minutes and the price is around €40. You can arrange it through your accommodation or 12GoAsia.
Another option is to make the journey by private transport. You can arrange a private speed boat through your accommodation. The price can easily exceed €200. This may be an option to consider if you are travelling with a large group.
What to do in Rasdhoo
We warn you that it is difficult to get bored on this island, and as we have already warned you, here you will find one of the largest offers of activities to do during your days on the island. In addition, as there is a greater offer, the prices are quite competitive.
Enjoy Rasdhoo’s Bikini Beach
In our opinion, Rasdhoo’s Bikini Beach is not among the best of the local islands but it is quite decent to spend your relaxing time on the island. Like the beaches on its neighboring islands, it has the typical crystal-clear turquoise waters but we found it less comfortable for swimming since shortly after entering the water you start to find some stones and the beginning of the coral. If you continue swimming a few meters you will find a good coral reef where you can enjoy good snorkeling. Here you can enjoy seeing a lot of tropical fish without having to hire any excursion.
It has plenty of trees where you can shelter from the sun and free hammocks (although some are not in very good condition). Unlike other islands, on this bikini beach you will find some beach bars on the sand, such as the Gabbiano Club, which has low tables and chairs where you can watch the sunset while having a drink.
We recommend that you wear water shoes when walking and swimming, as there are some broken glass along the shore and rocks in the water.
Diving
With one of the best seabeds and a huge variety of fauna, Rasdhoo is one of the best islands to go to for diving during your trip to the Maldives. There are several diving schools where you can dive or even get your Open Water at very reasonable prices. In addition, some of these schools have Spanish-speaking staff, so if you are not very fluent in English, this is a detail to keep in mind.
One of the best-rated centers on the island is Alihuras Rasdhoo, located in the port area. Diving prices vary between $50 and $65, depending on the number of dives. The price of the Open Water is around €540.
Snorkeling excursion
If you don’t dare to dive or you’re travelling on a tight budget, don’t worry, in Rasdhoo you’ll be able to enjoy the marine fauna and the wonderful coral reefs with just a pair of goggles and a snorkel. This island offers some of the best snorkelling spots of the local islands, whether on your own or with an organised excursion.
The highlights of snorkelling around Rasdhoo are the turtles, manta rays and different types of sharks. Prices vary depending on the companies and accommodations. We leave you as a reference the prices that we were given at our accommodation: snorkelling with turtles $40 per person, snorkelling with manta rays $40 per person, snorkelling in Madivaru reef $26 per person and the combination of the 3 spots in two days about $90 per person.
Kayaking or paddle surfing
If you are a restless person and can’t spend much time relaxing on the beach, at Rasdhoo’s bikini beach you have options to rent a kayak or paddle surf and enjoy a pleasant ride in these impressive turquoise waters. A good option is Ocean Breeze Watersports, located on the beach itself. The price of a double kayak is $15 and the transparent kayak is $20.
Tour of the local islands
As we have already mentioned throughout the post, Ukulhas and Thoddoo are two beautiful islands that are close to Rasdhoo. If you don’t plan to spend a few days on these islands, then a good option is to visit them on a day trip. There you can enjoy tropical beaches full of palm trees, good snorkeling and ideal areas for swimming. The price of these excursions is usually around $25/30 to visit one of the islands for a day.
Excursion to a sandbank
One of the images that surely comes to mind when you imagine your trip to the Maldives is seeing yourself walking on a huge strip of white sand lost in the middle of the turquoise sea. Well, Rasdhoo has several of these sandbanks and it is easy to organize an excursion. You can organize it through your accommodation or a company on the island. The price ranges between €20/€40 depending on the number of people.
Dolphin watching
One of the excursions you can do during your days in Rasdhoo is dolphin watching at sunset. The price per person varies depending on the number of people in the group. For example, the price for 2 people can exceed $150 per person, while the price is reduced to $60 per person in groups of 10 people or more.
Other things to do in Rasdhoo
At sunset it is a good time to take a walk around the pier area. Here it is easy to see sharks as they usually come to eat the waste that the fishermen throw into the sea every day. We are not crazy about it but this is the reality on the local islands. They are usually seen more easily around 5:30 pm.
Rasdhoo, in addition to the bikini beach, has a local beach. You cannot go to this beach in a swimsuit but you can visit it and, if you feel like it, take a dip in clothes. It is important to always keep in mind the dress code in the Maldives.
Enjoy the sunset with a cocktail at Club Gabbiano. This bar is located right on Bikini Beach, so it is ideal for relaxing at sunset and enjoying the magnificent sunsets that the island offers.
If you would like to feel rich for a day, the accommodations offer day trips to a luxury resort. These usually include entry to the facilities, buffet lunch and transfers. Prices are usually around $150/$200.
How many days should you stay in Rasdhoo?
As you have seen throughout the post, Rasdhoo is an island with many possibilities and endless alternatives and activities to do during your days on the island. In addition, it has a bikini beach where you can rest and relax after so much hustle and bustle.
Therefore, we recommend that you spend at least 4 full days on the island. By full days we mean days without transfers in between. If you are going to dive, this may be too short for you and you may need between 5 and 7 full days on the island to be able to take advantage of everything it offers.
Another possibility is to visit it from Ukulhas or Thoddoo on a day trip, although we think that Rasdhoo is ideal for spending a few days doing activities at a good price and discovering the varied marine fauna.
Where to stay in Rasdhoo?
Rasdhoo has a range of hotels with a good quality-price ratio. Although prices vary greatly depending on the time of year, it is possible to find affordable options just a few metres from the beach and with amenities that will allow you to enjoy your days on the island.
Acqua Blu Rasdhoo
This simple accommodation is located just 2 minutes walk from Rasdhoo’s bikini beach. It is among the cheapest options on the entire island. They offer double rooms with air conditioning, private bathroom, fridge, TV and wardrobe. Don’t expect great luxuries but do expect cleanliness, attentive service and a very good vibe. They have a restaurant area where you can have all your meals if you don’t want to leave the hotel. It is possible to find rooms for €75 per night. They have free snorkelling equipment and include pick-up and transfer to the port, so let us know your arrival time.
Rasdu View Inn
If you want to feel at home during your stay on the island, then the Rasdu View Inn may be your choice. This small, family-run hotel offers spacious double rooms with air conditioning, a fridge, a TV and a private bathroom. Bikini Beach is about a 6-minute walk away and the port is about 4 minutes away. You can include all meals of the day or just breakfast in the room rate. They also have free snorkelling equipment and include a round-trip transfer to the port. They have triple rooms, making it ideal if you are travelling with children. The price is around €65 with breakfast included for a double room and €75 for a triple room.
Quicksand Rasdhoo
One of the best options for staying close to Bikini Beach with a bit more luxury. This hotel, also with a warm and family atmosphere, offers double rooms with air conditioning, a TV, a fridge, a private bathroom and a sofa. It stands out for its good customer service and the comfort of its rooms. Following the island’s tradition, you can also order all meals of the day here. It is located less than a 2-minute walk from Bikini Beach and offers free snorkelling equipment. It also includes a round-trip transfer to the port. The price of the rooms is around €145 per night with buffet breakfast included.
Where to eat in Rasdhoo?
The island has one of the most varied restaurant offerings of all the local islands. In addition, the quality-price ratio is not bad at all. We recommend some places where you can eat delicious and at a good price.
Alimenté
One of the most popular restaurants on the island. It is located very close to the port. It has tables on the sand. We went several times during our days on the island. We tried the rice with tuna, the noodles with beef and the kotu roshi. Everything is quite tasty but what surprised us most was the size of the dishes… very big portions. The coffee is spectacular, the best we had during our trip to the Maldives. We paid around 9/10€ with a coffee included, quite good value for the quality and quantity. The service is fast and they are very pleasant to deal with.
Lemon Drop
Although somewhat more expensive than other restaurants on the island, Lemon is a good option if you are looking for a little more quality and variety on the menu. We tried the tandori chicken, garlic nan and fried calamari. Everything was super good, especially the tandori chicken. We paid about €22 with milkshakes included. The restaurant has modern decor, is very clean and has a great atmosphere. The service is fast and super attentive.
Shallow Lagoon
The restaurant at this accommodation is open to the public. It has a sandy terrace where you can feel very comfortable. Although the quality of the food is somewhat lower than in the two previous options, we found it to be a good place to have dinner with your feet in the sand. They serve some very tasty fruit smoothies. We paid about €10 for chicken tikka masala and spaghetti carbonara (which we do not recommend hehe). It is always quite busy as both hotel guests and locals and tourists staying at other hotels go there.
Tips for visiting the island
- The island has a small pharmacy and a small hospital that can be useful in case of a basic emergency.
- In the port area there is a huge branch of Bank of Maldives with an ATM.
- Bring enough cash for your days on the island. As on other islands, ATMs are often out of order and so are card payments (the bank server is out of order).
- We repeat this advice for all the islands, pay in local currency in restaurants and accommodation and in US dollars if you are going on excursions. Pay attention to this because if you pay for excursions in rupees they give you a very unfavourable exchange rate.
- Do not wear a bikini on local beaches. The Maldives is a Muslim country, so if you decide to visit a local beach, keep in mind that you cannot wear a bikini. We bathed in sun protection shirts and (if you are a girl) tights.
- Always respect the dress code when walking through the streets of the islands. Just do not wear a bikini and be covered up to your knees.
- There are plenty of souvenir shops on the island at good prices, if you want to buy a gift for your family.
- Finally, don’t leave Rasdhoo without enjoying its mesmerizing sunsets. Enjoy it with a coconut from the bikini beach.
And that’s it for the practical guide to Rasdhoo. We hope it helps you prepare your next trip to the island and that you enjoy it as much as we did. If you have any questions, write to us in the comments and we will do our best to help you.
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