Medhufushi Island

Currently one of only two islands with tourist developments on the Meemu atoll, Medhufushi island lies to the east of Meemu-Atoll, 300 km south of Male. It is 900 metres long and about 90 metres wide.

Medhufushi features an exceptionally beautiful lagoon which is ideal for learning to dive. The lagoon is also great for swimming, surfing and sailing.

The virtually untouched dive sites, with many of the closer inner atoll sites suitable for beginners, offer a stunning diversity of corals and tropical fish. There are also plenty of more challenging dive sites for the experienced diver.

The elongated island is surrounded by dazzling white beaches and great care has been taken to develop it with as little disturbance as possible to the environment. You will find plenty of welcoming shade among the untouched tropical vegetation including palm trees, rubber plants, mangroves and scaevola (screwpine) trees.

House Lagoon

Medhufushi Island lagoon is the ideal spot to learn to dive. In front of the diving school, soft white sand slopes down to 6m. The varied marine life around of the large coral formations is just waiting to be explored by guests during their diving course.

Boat Diving

Two or three dive boats (dhonis) offer daily access to a variety of dive sites within 5 - 60 minutes. Many dive sites situated within the atoll offer a relaxing, easy dive, but those seeking more challenging dive sites will not be disappointed either; the dive centre has the flexibility to offer something for everyone each day.

Mulah-Kandu and Mulee-Kandu sites are just a 20 minute boat ride away, offering fantastic exploration of the spectacular channel dives to the west of the atoll.

Dive site map

For an excellent overview of Medhufushi, please see the video below, courtesy of our colleagues at Werner Lau. 

Werner Lau 

The Werner Lau dive base on Medhufushi is an SSI / PADI / CMAS centre offering an exceptional level of service. The dive centre sits next to a beautiful sandy lagoon with a depth up to 7 metres, so, with a ratio of 2 students to one instructor, this island is ideal for learner divers.

Experienced divers can make the most of boat dives on the interior and exterior of the atoll, opening up a challenging range of little visited sites. A wide range of equipment is available for hire locally including 6 underwater scooters.

Boats depart twice a day and half and full day boat trips are offered locally to dive sites beyond the range of a single tank dive, if numbers permit. Nitrox is available FREE up to 32% to qualified Nitrox divers. The centre is equipped with 12 litre aluminium cylinders that take both DIN and INT fittings.

Dive site map

Dive Packs

Options available include 6 and 10 boat dive package, and a 6 day (12 dives) option (to be taken over consecutive days).

Divers with fewer than 40 logged dives can complete boat dives but will need to be guided (extra cost applies for the guide - see below). Experienced divers with 40+ logged dives are able to dive as a buddy pair on boat dives. The dive centre can insist that a diver is guided (local charge applicable), if they determine that a diver is not competent enough to dive in a buddy pair.

Use of a Dive computer is compulsory. Each diver must have their own computer.

Dive Courses

A range of dive courses is available for those looking to learn to dive. Please enquire for details.

EXTRAS IN RESORT

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

• Certification fees for courses: $151
• Full day trips - Lunch on boat:  $6-$16 per day
• Tank service fee: $0.80 per tank
• Guide: $5 per day dive
• Guide: $6 per night dive

Equipment rental per dive, payable in resort USD

• BCD: $7
• Regulator: $7
• Wetsuit: $7
• Computer: $7
• Dive torch: $7
• Mask, snorkel & fins (per day): $9
• SMB: $6 for duration of your dive pack

Local sales tax and resort charges to be paid locally:

• Sales tax: 12%
• Service charge:  10%

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.

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 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 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

Transfers to Haa-Alifu in the North involve an internal pressurised flight from Male. This is arranged and costed as part of your travel package to the north of the Maldives, 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).

Climate

This tropical climate has 2 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 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 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

Transfers to Haa-Alifu in the North involve an internal pressurised flight from Male. This is arranged and costed as part of your travel package to the north of the Maldives, 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.

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