As I excitedly mapped out a trip to the Maldives, one thing was sure I was going to immerse myself in the sun-kissed shore of the untouched beach of Hulhumale Island. Without taking too much time, I delved into the realm of knowledge, Wikipedia to find out the best spots with soft, powdery sands and crystal-clear water.
Welcome to this travel blog, where I’ll be sharing reviews of Hulhumale Island, the destination, activities you can do to enjoy the time there, and a little bit of the history of the construction.
Maldives Hulhumale Island
Hulhumale Island is the most desirable spot for sightseers worldwide, located in North Male Atoll’s south. It is an artificial island, created by relocating sand from the seabed to a coral platform. This innovative idea came from the overpopulation problem in the capital of the Maldives, which protected residents against the rising sea levels too.
It is one of the Maldives smart cities, serving multiple purposes. The island is divided into several residential zones, it also features commercial zones with office buildings, restaurants, shopping malls, etc.
Due to its positioning in the Indian Ocean, Hulhumale has been designed with coastal defense systems like seawalls and breakwaters. It is popular for its turquoise crystal water, sandy beach, and water sports activities such as snorkeling, diving, jet skiing, windsurfing, and mouthwatering Maldivian seafood.
How to reach Hulhumale in Maldives:
One has two options, depending on their point of origin:
- If you start your journey from Velana International Airport, you can simply take a public ferry from the airport island to Hulhumale and it generally takes 15-20 mins. Speedboats are available too, they are a faster transportation system but more expensive than ferries.
- But if you are from Male City it can take 20-25 minutes to reach Hulhumale by public ferry. You can also take a speedboat from Male to Hulhumale for a faster transfer.
Visitors from around the world come here to see the beautiful sunset as the sun casts its golden rays upon the shoreline, inviting you to soak in its warmth. One can stroll along the water’s edge and have quality time with their family or partners, as it offers a serene and great escape from the hustle of everyday life.
Hulhumale City
Hulhumale City, which is almost renowned as a city of hope, is a rapidly growing artificial island constructed to reduce the overcrowding problem in the city of Male. The city is designed with carefully organized residential zones, it also has commercial zones with shopping malls, restaurants, and various businesses. It is an attractive destination for locals and tourists as it is very developed and a unique artificial island. It represents a successful example of sustainable urban development.
Best Things to Do in Hulhumale
There are a lot of enjoyable activities to do in Hulhumale, among them water sports activities are most desired. But if a family comes to Hulhumale to spend their vacation they can go to several spots to enjoy their time on the island, such as:
Hulhumale Central Park
The park is located at the center of Hulhumale Island making it easily accessible for residents and travelers. It’s very spacious with a lot of benches, picnic tables, and shades throughout the whole park. Besides, Central Park is designed for children with toys such as swings, slides, etc.
Best things to do:
- You can go for a stroll, jogging or cycling. If you are with your family then it’s a good place for picnics.
- You can sit, socialize, and enjoy the view. The availability of concerts, festivals, or art exhibitions in the park depends on the time or visit of your visit to Hulhumale Island.
Inside Tips: To get a better experience and to see the serene beauty of the park it’s recommended to visit during peak-off hours. You’ll have more space to explore and avoid crowds if you go for a stroll at the park in the early morning or in the late afternoon.
Hulhumale Mosque
Hulhumale Mosque is widely known as Hulhumale Friday Mosque, which boasts Islamic architecture and contains traditional Maldivian architecture and also modern construction techniques. The mosque represents not only a place of religious significance but also a heritage of the Maldives, its vibrant culture, identity, and Islamic traditions.
Best things to do:
- One of the primary tasks to do in Hulhumale Mosque is engaging in prayer. One can go there to learn more about their history, tradition, culture, and their love for their religion.
- You can respectfully capture the beauty of the mosque and its architecture.
- You can attend religious lectures and events, these events can serve community activities along with Islamic teachings.
Inside Tips: If you want to visit Hulhumale mosque it’s essential to dress appropriately as it’s a Muslim place of worship. It’s customary to remove shoes before entering a mosque and respectfully ask for permission before taking photos inside.
Hulhumale Beach:
As I already talked about the beach in Hulhumale, you already know that it’s popular for its sparkling clear water with a beautiful shoreline and its unpolluted beach sand. People also come here to take a quick break from the exhausting hustle of daily life.
Best things to do:
- You can go swimming or sunbathe and for a stroll in the evening. Travelers can take a refreshing dip in the sea and soak up the warmth of sunlight.
- Beachfront dining is available for couples with mouthwatering Maldivian traditional foods.
- Hulhumale Beach offers a lot of water sports activities such as snorkeling, diving, jet skiing, scuba diving, etc.
- You can join a fishing excursion organized by local tour operators or resorts. Additionally, consider fishing during high tide for better chances of catching fish and also respect fishing regulations to keep the marine ecosystem safe.
Inside Tips: Hulhumale Beach can be heavily crowded in peak seasons. If you want to avoid crowds, consider visiting in the early morning or the late afternoon. Keep yourself Hydrated if you are planning to stay for a longer period. The Maldives has a tropical climate, so be sure to apply sunscreen within some hours while roaming.
Planning Your Trip to Hulhumale:
- Anarchy can happen anywhere anytime even at places where tourists visit often, so listen to local authorities’ advice.
- The waters around Hulhumale can have powerful tidal currents which cause drowning every year. Therefore you should take appropriate precautions before going there.
FAQs
Hulhumale is known for the largest and fast-growing artificial islands which helped to solve the overpopulation and water rise issue. It is also renowned for its sustainable urban development and its beautiful beaches with clear water and powdery unpolluted sands.
Yes, Hulhumale is an artificial island. It was created by relocating sand from the seabed to a coral platform. The city of Hulhumale was created by the Housing Development Corporation.
The crime rate in Hulhumale is quite low therefore, it maintains a reputation for safety. However, travelers should be observant or watchful with their belongings and personal security, especially in crowded spots. Research says following local laws and customs can provide you with a safe and enjoyable experience.
Male is the capital city of the Maldives and Hulhumale is quite close to Male. Approximately, the distance is only about 6 kilometers. The short distance makes it accessible and convenient for travelers.