Hulhumalé
Reclaimed and planned. Wider streets, a public beach, and newer hotels.
- Type
- Reclaimed island
- Getting There
- Bridge from the airport & Malé
- Layout
- Planned grid
- Known For
- Beach & guesthouses
Hulhumalé is a reclaimed island built to ease crowding in Malé. Laid out on a grid with wider roads, a public beach, and a growing cluster of guesthouses and hotels, it sits beside the airport and connects to Malé via the Sinamalé Bridge.
Hulhumalé feels nothing like Malé, and that is by design. The island was reclaimed from the lagoon and laid out on a grid, so the streets are wide, the buildings newer, and the pace closer to a quiet suburb than a capital city. A public beach runs the length of the eastern shore, backed by guesthouses, cafés, and a long seafront path.
For most travellers this is the practical base: ten minutes from the airport by road, with enough restaurants and shoreline to fill an evening or a rest day. An afternoon covers the beach, Central Park, and a slow dinner. If you have more time, guesthouses and booking apps make day trips to nearby islands easy to arrange.
Choose Hulhumalé for an early flight, a late arrival, or a beach within walking distance of your room. Choose Malé if you would rather be inside the working city. The two are twenty minutes apart, so it is realistic to sleep in one and spend the day in the other.
Getting There & Around
From the airport
Hulhumalé sits next to the airport island with a direct road link. Taxis take about ten minutes for a set fare of around MVR 80, and RTL buses run between the terminal and Hulhumalé for MVR 15.
From Malé
Buses and taxis cross the Sinamalé Bridge and pass through Hulhulé. The trip takes fifteen to twenty five minutes depending on traffic; taxi fares are set at MVR 85 to Phase 1 and MVR 100 to Phase 2, and buses cost around MVR 10.
Getting around
Phase 1 is flat and walkable on a simple grid. Buses connect Phase 1 and Phase 2, and taxis are easy to book.
Timetables and fares change. Check MTCC for ferries and RTL for bus and ferry schedules before you travel.
Places to See
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Phase 1 Beach
The long public beach running down the eastern shore of Phase 1, lined with guesthouses and cafés.
View
Phase 2 Beach
A newer stretch of beach serving the Phase 2 development at the northern end of the island.
View
Central Park
Hulhumalé's main park, with lawns, walking paths, and open space for evenings and weekends.
View
Ferry Terminal Park
A small waterfront park by the ferry terminal on the western side, looking back toward Malé.
ViewEat in Hulhumalé
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Beachside Bistro at H78 Veli
Beachstro
Black Truffle
Bombay Darbar
Cafe Solo
Stay in Hulhumalé
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Turquoise Residence by UI
H78 Maldives
Seasalter Maldives
h78 Iru
Good to Know
Swimwear
The public beach is family oriented and modest swimwear is expected. There are no bikini beaches anywhere in Malé City, including Hulhumalé.
Fridays and prayer times
Friday mornings are quiet, with shops opening after Friday prayers. Shops also close briefly at daily prayer times; cafés stay open.
Money
ATMs and card payments are widely available along the main roads. Keep small cash for corner shops and taxis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why stay in Hulhumalé instead of Malé? +
It is closer to the airport, quieter, and has a public beach. Most guesthouses near the beach cater to travellers on a stopover before or after a resort or local island stay.
How far is Hulhumalé from the airport? +
About ten minutes by taxi or bus. The two islands are joined by road, so no boat is needed.
Does Hulhumalé have a beach? +
Yes. A long public beach runs down the eastern shore of Phase 1, and Phase 2 has a newer beach area.
What is there to do in Hulhumalé at night? +
Cafés and restaurants along the beach road stay open late, and the seafront path is busy after dark when the heat drops. There are no bars; alcohol is illegal on local islands and is served only at resorts and Hulhule Island Hotel.
