Thulusdhoo is a wonderful local island in the Maldives that you need to discover. The island is located just 28 km north of Malé and can be reached in about thirty minutes from Malé via speedboat. Thulusdhoo village, the capital of the Kaafu Atoll, is characterized by its colorful walls and sandy lanes. The coral reef that stretches all around the coastline of Thulusdhoo protects the crystal clear lagoon providing for unlimited surfing conditions on almost any given day of the year.
This surfing paradise offers though much more. It has stunning white sandy beaches, surrounded by warm turquoise waters and dolphins as regular visitors. Even if you are just relaxing on Thulusdhoo beach, you’re sure to see dolphins. Since a few years it is possible to stay on the local islands of the Maldives, as on Thulusdhoo. This gives tourists the chance to sleep in alternative accommodations and to discover the real Maldivian life.
Surfing in Thulusdhoo
Guesthouses on Thulusdhoo
There are various guesthouses on Thulusdhoo. You can find the best ones on the east side of the island. I spent three nights in the recently renovated Canopus Retreat.
Canopus Retreat on Thulusdhoo
Recently renovated rooms
Direct sea view
Underwater world in the Maldives
Every morning around 9 am swims a large group of dolphins in the waters around Thulusdhoo. From the beach of the hotel, you can see them very well. We were lucky that we brought a drone and we have captured fantastic images.
If you go snorkeling, you will be treated to the most beautiful underwater world of the Maldives. You see the most amazing fish, and you should not be surprised if you encounter a turtle.
Swim with turtles in the Maldives
Diving in the Maldives
Diving School Sea Retreats offers a variety of diving opportunities and has nice and good diving equipment for both beginners and advanced. This school is 20 meters away from Canopus Retreat. The cheerful and experienced dive instructor Thoal can tell you all of the underwater worlds of the Maldives and is happy to guide you once underwater.
This can be done via a trial dive (suitable for children from eight years old), but also if you want to get your Padi this is the right place. The real underwater adventurers can book a package where they can discover new dive sites each and every day or can even go diving at night. A trip with Sea Retreats on the beautiful waters of Thulusdhoo makes your holiday unforgettable.
Underwater world Thulusdhoo
Excursions from Thulusdhoo
Thulusdhoo is outside the surf season not so touristy, so during excursions, you may often feel you are discovering everything as first. Together with a few other guests of Canopus Resort we organized with the friendly hotel manager Sanjay spontaneously a picnic tour to a deserted sandbank.
Within a little less than half an hour with a speedboat, you’re dropped in the middle of the Indian ocean on a deserted sandbank. The water is so clear and blue that you almost can not believe it’s real. Armed with a snorkel & fin set you can swim in a second to the reef and spot the most beautiful fish.
At the end of the morning, after 2 hours of snorkeling, swimming and relaxing a delicious lunch was served. On our way back we stopped at an azure coral reef in the middle of the sea. Our first excursion was right away successful.
“No-filter” picture
On a deserted sandbank
Discover the real Maldives
Do you want to book a holiday to the Maldives, but do not know where to start? Then I advise you to contact Saskia of the Real Maldives. Saskia has worked in the Maldives for years and can give you the best tips if you want to put together a trip to this beautiful coral islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
The Real Maldives is a Dutch company that specializes in dive safaris. On this safari, you stay on a beautiful yacht with full board, and you go under the guidance of a dive specialist a few times a day diving in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean.
On top of that, they also offer a large selection of hotels and resorts, that the owners have chosen personally, that allow tourists to experience at an affordable price “the other side” of the Maldives.
Colored walls of Thulusdhoo
Surfers island Thulusdhoo
Spot dolphins on Thulusdhoo!
We have made fantastic drone shots from the group of dolphins that were passing our hotel every single day. The video is in preparation and is going to be awesome 🙂 Do you want to be the first person to see this video compilation, please register than now to my newsletter!
Drone shot