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Summary: Ukulhas is a lesser-visited paradise island connected to Male by public ferry and the perfect place to swim with Manta Rays ethically all year round.
Ukulhas Island doesn’t have the immediate charm of either Gulhi or Omadhoo. From our speedboat ferry bobbing in the sea, the island looks slightly larger and more developed. There are more boats docked along the shore. A slightly industrial-looking ferry dock marring the otherwise picture-perfect coastline.
But like my other two favorite Maldivian islands — this island is blanketed in a coat of soft white sand and covered in palms and fruit-bearing trees and sees few international visitors.
Your Guide to Ukulhas Island
Upon further exploration, the small island less than 1 km in length, is quite charming. A handful of restaurants like Taste are cooking up really remarkable meals. The local market has tons of fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, and snacks on offer. Both of these are rare on the Maldivian Islands. In this scattered island country, it’s remarkably difficult to cultivate anything fresh and most groceries come from mainland Asia via a series of planes and boats.
The beaches here are spectacular. Blue water, white sand, and large tropical fish on the house reef. It’s an island paradise for those who want nothing more than to relish in the sunshine and devour some good books. However, adventurous travelers can choose from an array of diving, snorkeling, and beach hopping activities offered by Nala Veli Guesthouse.
If you’ve read any of my previous blog posts on the inhabited islands of the Maldives, you’ll know that these beachy atolls aren’t just for the rich and famous. The Maldives can be affordable while still enjoying exceptional hospitality and incredible underwater experiences.
Here’s everything you need to know to add Ukulhas Island to your Maldives Island Hopping Itinerary.
Why Visit Ukulhas Island?
There are two main reasons to venture up north to Ukulhas.
The first and foremost is the population of Manta Rays. This is one of the only islands in the Maldives where you can spot them outside of the June-August migration. Here Manta Rays can be seen year-round. This is a big deal because the off-season (which happens to be June-August) in the Maldives can be rainy and unpleasant so few people plan their vacations during this Manta migration time. You can expect to see at the very least a handful of Mantas here but sometimes you’ll spot upwards of 20.
The other reason is to avoid the crowds. More popular islands (located much closer to Male) drawn a lot more visitors. Ukulhas has all the infrastructure you need— without having to share the beach with loads of tourists.
Getting to Ukulhas Island
You have two options when it comes to reaching the island.
1. Speedboat.
The speedboat costs $50 per person and leaves at around 10-11 AM from the Male Airport. You can also catch the boat at the main Male island at around 9:45 AM if you on not just arriving at the airport. This route takes about 1.5 hours and you should arrange your tickets with the guesthouse you book on the island. (Nala Veli is the best option, but I’ll get to that later!)
This option runs every day.
2. The Local Ferry
If you’re a planner like me, you can (and should) take the local ferry. It will save you about $92 round trip per person! Yup, the 4-hour ride will only cost you about $4. The problem? It only runs on Monday and Thursday mornings at 9 AM. So, plan your trip accordingly.
Note: Ferries in the Maldives do change their route times and itineraries on occasion. A ton of online info said that the days were actually Sunday + Thursday (not Monday), but when we arrived in person…that turned out to be out of date. If you are set on taking the local ferries, I recommend using my ferry schedule as a guide and then getting the most up-to-date information at the information kiosk when you arrive at the Male International Airport help desk.
Where to Stay on Ukulhas Island
Local guesthouses and small hotels on the inhabited islands are always comfortable. What they offer is pretty consistent across the board. Each has a very comfortable bed, cold A/C, ample lighting, wifi, and warm showers (even if you don’t need them). Nala Veli was no exception.
Nala Veli — The Best Place to Stay on Ukulhas Island
Overhanging our small outdoor balcony where we enjoyed a breezy morning coffee, was both a screwpine and jackfruit tree of epic proportion. This gave us shelter from the equatorial sun and blocked the new development next door with its jungly foliage.
Nala Veli also has a full spa set in its second villa. This villa is typically used for large groups and is separate from the rooms catered to couples and families. The spa/second villa has a small water feature with goldfish and a pleasant tropical garden ambiance. This is also where you’ll pick up your snorkel gear before hitting the beach.
Expect to get well acquainted with the restaurant downstairs. Your complimentary breakfast is served here (as well as a full lunch and dinner menu). Most Maldives breakfasts are set. Toast, fruit, coffee, maybe a fried egg, or some local Mas Huni (a Maldivian cold tuna dish). But Nala Veli lets you choose between a full breakfast menu with options like pancakes, western breakfast, and a couple of local options. The restaurant is packed with people at all times of the day because it’s one of the best on the island. Get the fish curry for sure.
Why We Chose Nala Veli
Even on this very small island, you have numerous accommodations to choose between. We chose Nala Veli for lots of reasons.
- It’s right on the best (and bikini-friendly) beach.
- It has one of the best restaurants on the island.
- It’s locally owned.
- It offers easily bookable excursions like a trip to a scenic sand bar and snorkeling with Manta Rays.
- It’s affordable!
Read this post to stay at 11 more cheap hotels in the Maldives.
Eating on Ukulhas Island
Food in the Maldives’ inhabited islands is…adequate. Aside from Nala Veli Bistro, Taste is the only other really decent restaurant on the island. Taste is more expensive, but try the fish curry, marinated olives, or seared tuna for a treat.
Best Things to Do on Ukulhas Island
This is one of those chill Maldivian islands where you could easily spend your days doing absolutely nothing and be perfectly content. But for people who want a little more action, these were my favorite activities on the island.
1. Swim with Mantas
No contest. This is the best attraction on Ukulhas Island. It’s also the only place to swim with them year-round.
2. Watch Sharks and Turtles from the Pier.
Every Maldivian island has a lookout area where you can spot marine life. Ukulhas’s is from the fishing pier.
3. Visit a Scenic Sand Bar.
The photo says it all. This is a great way to get some space from the few other tourists on the island and also a good spot to snorkel.
4. Snorkel the House Reef!
The snorkeling around Ukulhas Island is actually pretty good! You can rent some gear from the guesthouse and then head straight out from Bikini Beach. You’ll see lots of huge tropical fish and maybe some sharks.
Note: Nala Veli is also the best place to organize excursions or a BBQ on the beach. Unlike the neighboring hotel, Nala Veli is owned and operated by locals who know the island and the surrounding area well.
Where Does Ukulhas Island Rank Compared to Other Islands?
Overall, I loved my stay here. But it’s not my number 1 favorite of the inhabited islands. This probably had something to do with all the construction that was happening on the island while I was here (July 2023). I would 100% recommend a quick visit here to see the Manta Rays because it’s a truly amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience.
But if snorkeling isn’t your thing…you might be better off on another island.
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