Boutique Beach - Dhigurah Island

Dhigurah Island is situated at the southern tip of Ari Atoll. Dhigurah means long and at 2.5 kilometres it is one of the longest islands in the Maldives. Two thirds of the island is still covered in natural Maldivian forest. Guests staying here can experience a genuine Maldivian experience where local people are happy to share their island and lifestyle with visitors.

Boat Diving

With a location in the southern part of Ari atoll, Dhigurah is ideally placed within the famous whale shark region where whale sharks can be seen all year round. The British Whale Shark conservation group, who are also based on Dhigurah, have recorded 350 whale sharks in the surrounding area.

Mantas have a cleaning station at nearby Rangali from February to April and many feeding mantas can be regularly seen in the lagoon just moments off the beach all year round.

Just five to ten minutes from the harbour are world renowned 'thilas' such as Kuda Rah Thila, Broken Rock, Five Rocks and the aptly named Seventh Heaven. These are deep channel reefs full of marine life and both hard and soft corals.

The dives are conducted from a dive dhoni or speedboat depending on conditions and diver ability. From three tank full day dive safaris, to individual dives and night dives... all are available and personally tailored to suit divers. There are over 50 dive sites in this part of Ari Atoll covering all abilities. Marine life includes whale sharks, mantas, mobula rays, eagle ray schools, sail fish, grey reef sharks, silver tip sharks, guitar sharks and turtles. There is also a wide range of small creatures to encounter including many different nudibranch, frog fish, leaf fish, mantis shrimps, long nose hawk fish, ghost pipe fish and of course huge schools of batfish. South Ari atoll's dive sites offer fabulous variety of both fish and coral life.

If you're interested in a small group trip to the island of Dhigurah, our Maldives Whale Shark Extravaganza trip is the perfect place to unwind and dive with whale sharks alongside an expert from the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme. To find out more, give our friendly team a call.

The dive centre at Boutique Beach is staffed by an experienced team with many years’ diving experience in the Maldives. The PADI dive base has a speedboat and a diving dhoni allowing total flexibility depending on the experience of guests and weather conditions. A range of PADI dive courses is available for anyone wishing to enhance their dive skills. Please enquire for details.

Packages include boat, guide, two dives per day to local dive sites, air / nitrox, tanks and weights. Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your requirements. Speedboat trips can be organised for dive trips further afield for smaller groups (additional charge). Equipment is available to hire if required. Nitrox is complimentary for qualified divers.

Keen photographers will be spoilt by the individual camera work stations and a projector in the reception area for showing underwater films shot during the weeks' diving. A full range of snorkelling excursions, including a whale shark safari, is also available.

Extras in Resort

Prices listed below are an indication only, and subject to change.

Equipment rental per day, payable in resort (USD):

• Full equipment excl. computer:  $20
• Full equipment incl. computer:   $26
• Regulator:   $6
• BCD:   $6
• Wetsuit 1.5mm:   $6
• Dive Computer:   $6
• Torch:   $13
• Mask:   free
• Fins:   free
• Snorkel:   free
• 15lt tank:   $5 (per dive)
• Speedboat special trips to additional dive sites are available at extra cost (subject to min. numbers)

Please note that SMB and Dive Computer must be carried on every dive.

A Maldivian sales & service charge of 12% applies to all purchases in resort.

Getting Around and Basic Information

Male airport is located on its own island. The Airport island accommodates the main terminal, the seaplane port and the airport hotel (Hulhule Airport hotel). In the vast majority of cases, Male airport acts as the hub for all transfers between island resorts and atolls.

A narrow channel of water separates Male Airport Island from Male town and a regular inexpensive boat service operates between the two islands.

Once you are on your island resort, there is no ‘public’ transport to get around to other islands, you need to organise local excursions and join guided trips.

Twin centre stays, in most cases, hub through the central point of Male to reach your next island.

Climate

This tropical climate has two monsoon seasons. November to May is the northwest monsoon season, which is dry and sunny. June to October is the southeast monsoon and brings the wet season. Having said this, the period crossover of the monsoon seasons fluctuates each year and even during the wet season, one may experience weeks of solid sunshine and just showers in short, sharp bursts.

Air temperature is stable around 28 - 30° C and the water temperature rarely drops below 25° C. Spectacular diving takes place all year round.

Currency

Local currency is the Maldives Rufiyaa (MVR).
Approximately £1 = 26 MVR

The tourist currency is US Dollar ($) or Euro (€). Island resorts charge in USD or Euros and bills can be settled with most internationally accepted credit cards at the end of your stay.

Time

The Maldives is +5 hours of GMT.

Flight Options

Emirates via Dubai from Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. Other regional departures may be available; supplement may apply. Regaldive's prices are currently based on Emirates. Supplements may or may not apply for other airlines dependant on seat availability.

Sri Lankan via Colombo, date / flight dependant, from Heathrow.

Qatar Airways via Doha.

Charter Flights: Flights are direct, once a week for 7 night durations departing Sundays and Mondays. We can tailor-make a quote for you.

Stopovers in Dubai & Sri Lanka available on request.

Internal Transfers to Your Island Resort from Male

Your resort/boat is reached either by sea plane or boat transfer from Male airport, distance dependant, with the exception of Haa Alifu and Addu atoll. Transfers are organised as part of your holiday package, unless requested otherwise.

Seaplane and Boat Transfers

Most islands close to Male offer speedboat transfers.

Island resorts located in Ari atolls, Raa atoll, Baa atoll, Lhaviyani atoll, Felidhe atoll, Meemu atoll, North and South Nilande atolls and Haa Dhaaul atoll are served by seaplane services.

Islands and liveaboards located on Haa Alifu atoll and Addu atoll are reached by internal scheduled flight.

Some more distant islands offer a boat transfer as well, although as the transfer crosses between atolls they can often be long and uncomfortable and affected by the currents, so we opt to use the most comfortable option for each island.

If you are transferring by seaplane you should be aware of the following:

• Seaplanes do not operate a fixed departure schedule, but are planned daily according to the islands and guests that must be picked up and dropped off. The planning is carried out locally 24 hours in advance.
• Seaplanes often pick up and drop off guests from a number of islands on a single transfer run.
• Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours, generally 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
• You may have to wait for a short duration after arriving in Male. On departing, the islands will transfer you back to Male as late a local logistics on that day will allow.
• On departing your island resort your return seaplane transfer time will be confirmed the day before departure by your resort.
• If you have a late international flight departing home, it is highly advisable you ask Regaldive to reserve a day use package for you at the Hulhule hotel.
• Seaplanes are not pressurised flights.
• Seaplanes typically operate a strict weight policy of 20kg for hold luggage.
• Excess luggage is currently $2/kilo to the island and $4/kilo on the return.

Inter Atoll Flights - Haa Alifu and Addu Atoll

Transfers to Haa-Alifu in the North and Addu atoll in the South involve an internal pressurised flight from Male. This is arranged and costed as part of your travel package, unless otherwise requested.

Hulhule Airport Hotel - Day use & overnights

International and internal flight schedules occasionally make fairly long connection times in Male Airport inevitable. The Hulehule Airport hotel offers inexpensive day packages to non-residents for use of their beach, pool, showers, left luggage and other facilities. Pre-booked packages are available with Regaldive, for day use with and without a room, and overnight stays (refer to separate webpage on Hulehule Airport hotel).

Passports

Passengers travelling to the Maldives must have six months valid on their passport from the date of return to the UK.

Visas

A free 30 day permit is given to British travellers on arrival in Male. Other nationalities should consult their consular website.

Vaccinations

Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic or local GP. Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk. There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to the Maldives, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio.

Boutique Beach