Bikini beach
First-timersThe long, west-facing swimwear beach, with sunsets every evening and guesthouses a short walk behind it.
Ukulhas island guide
Things To Do In Ukulhas
A small, spotless local island in Alif Alif Atoll, known for its waste-management and eco efforts, with a long sunset beach and easy trips to manta rays and sandbanks.
Eco
Island waste management
1.5 h
From Malé
Sunsets
West-facing beach
The clean island
Ukulhas is a small local island in Alif Alif Atoll, about an hour and a half from Malé by speedboat. It is known across the Maldives for keeping itself clean: it was one of the first local islands to organise its own waste collection and recycling, and the lanes and beaches show it. Guests are asked to use as little plastic as possible.
It has one of the longest bikini beaches on any local island, on its western side, so it is a good place to watch the sunset. The village behind it is small, friendly and relaxed.
Ukulhas is also a good base for the marine life of North Ari Atoll, with manta rays, turtles and reef sharks a short boat ride away. Three or four days is right.
Where to stay
Stay near the bikini beach.
Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Ukulhas
Spend time on the bikini beach, one of the longest on a local island, and swim off it in the calm, clear water. It faces west, so come back for sunset.
Book a manta trip. Manta rays come to cleaning stations on the reefs nearby, and operators move between sites with the season. Half-day snorkelling trips also stop at reefs with turtles and reef sharks. From May to November, longer trips look for whale sharks and dolphins further south in Ari Atoll.
Spend half a day on a sandbank, or try a sunset handline fishing trip with local fishermen; you can often have the catch grilled for dinner.
Hop over to neighbouring islands, such as Mathiveri and Rasdhoo, for a different reef and a change of scene.
Free things
Free things to do in Ukulhas
The bikini beach is free, long and rarely crowded, and the sunsets from it cost nothing.
Snorkel off the beach for reef fish close to shore, and walk the island's clean, sandy lanes in the late afternoon, when the village is at its liveliest.
Join in the island's own efforts by picking up any plastic you find: Ukulhas is proud of its clean beaches.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Ukulhas
Breakfast at most guesthouses is mas huni, tuna with coconut, onion and chilli, eaten with roshi flatbread, plus fresh fruit.
Lunch and dinner are mostly grilled reef fish and Maldivian curries, often with coconut, alongside pasta and pizza. A few cafés in the village sell short eats (hedhikaa), cheap fried fish snacks. If you go fishing, ask your guesthouse to cook what you catch.
A meal costs €5 to €12, plus tax and service charge in many places.
Nightlife
Going out in Ukulhas
Ukulhas is quiet at night. There's no alcohol on local islands, and evenings are for sunset on the bikini beach, a long dinner and walks under the stars.
Sunset fishing trips are the closest thing to a night out. For bars and parties, go to Maafushi.
Getting around
Getting around Ukulhas
Shared speedboats run from Malé and the airport, usually twice a day. They take 75 to 90 minutes and cost about $50 per person each way. Most guesthouses arrange them and meet you at arrivals.
The public ferry on the Malé, Rasdhoo, Ukulhas and Thoddoo route costs only a few dollars but takes about four hours and runs only a few days a week, never on Fridays. Check the timetable on mtcc.mv before you plan around it.
On the island, everything is walkable.
Costs
What Ukulhas costs
Ukulhas is affordable for the Maldives. Guesthouse beds start around €35 and a careful day costs €60 to €90.
Room prices are usually quoted before 17% tourism tax, often a 10% service charge, and a $6 per person per night green tax, so check the final price before you book. Speedboat transfers, at about $50 each way, are a big part of the cost.
The rufiyaa (MVR) is the local currency, but prices are in US dollars and dollars are accepted everywhere. Bring enough cash, in small notes, for trips, food and tips.
Safety
Staying safe in Ukulhas
Ukulhas is safe and relaxed. It is a Muslim community: there's no alcohol, and you should cover your shoulders and knees away from the bikini beach. During Ramadan, eat and drink discreetly in public during the day.
Currents on the outer reefs can be strong on boat trips: stay with your guide and wear a life jacket if you're not a confident swimmer. Keep your distance from mantas and turtles, and don't touch them or the coral.
Emergency: 119 police, 102 ambulance.
Day trips from Ukulhas
Mantas, sandbanks and the reefs of North Ari Atoll, a short boat ride from the harbour.
Manta points
Snorkel with manta rays at reef cleaning stations nearby, where small fish clean them. Keep your distance and don't touch.
Sandbank
Half a day on a strip of white sand in the lagoon, with snorkelling stops on the way.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The dry season is the season.
December to April
Dry season
Ukulhas
Calm seas.
Varies yearly
Ramadan
Ukulhas
Quieter days.
When to go
December to April is the dry season, with calm seas and the clearest water. From May to November it is wetter and windier, but it is also the season for whale sharks and dolphins.
Jan
Dry, calm
Feb
Dry
Mar
Dry
Apr
Hottest
May
Monsoon begins
Jun
Wet
Jul
Wet, cheaper
Aug
Mantas
Sep
Wet
Oct
Wet
Nov
Drying
Dec
Dry season returns
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are euro equivalents. Excludes trips and taxes.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Ukulhas travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Why is Ukulhas called eco-friendly?
It was one of the first local islands to organise its own waste collection and recycling, and it works hard to keep its beaches clean.
How do I get there?
By shared speedboat from Malé, 75 to 90 minutes for about $50, or the slow public ferry a few days a week.
Is there alcohol?
No. Ukulhas is a local island, and there are no floating bars nearby.
Can I see manta rays?
Yes, on boat trips to nearby cleaning stations.
Do I need cash?
Yes. Bring US dollars in small notes for trips, food and tips.
How many days do you need?
Three or four.
Where is the best sunset?
The west-facing bikini beach.
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