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Dhaandhoo is located in the Gaafu Ali atoll, in the southern part of the Maldives.ย ย It is about a 20-30 minute speedboat ride from the Park Hyatt Hadahaa.ย ย I took this trip as one of the excursions Park Hyatt has to offer. As I mentioned in my previous post, the trip, like other excursions require a minimum of 2 persons for their excursions. But their new General Manager, Stavros, made an exception for me. So, for $200 USD (plus service and tax), I set off for Dhaandhoo.
My guide, Aslay, was from Dhaandhoo. He explained that Dhandhoo was the third largest island in the Maldives, with 2,500 people. I couldnโt verify that information anywhere online, and I donโt know if he was talking about third largest in terms of population or size. But, thatโs what he said and for the sake of this post, letโs say itโs true.
Even though Dhaandhoo is one of the largest, you can walk across it relatively easily within 20 minutes. There are motorbikes on the island, but no cars. The streets are actually crushed coral and sand. Most of the people on the island are fisherman, as that was the only industry available to them. There are some shops on the island and one guesthouse. Aslay is probably related to everyone on the island, and we visited his mothers house and his house. Everywhere we stopped, someone was there to give us something to eat.
You’ll see many lounging chairs made of metal and netting. Aslay explained that mostly, in the afternoon, you’ll find women lounging in these chairs, watching the world go by. I never did see a woman lounging, but I did see a lot of lounge chairs.
The 2004 tsunami destroyed many of the houses in Dhaandhoo. Foreign aid and donors rebuilt most of the houses with aid money, which Aslay calls โtsunami housesโ.
Photo Journal
This is my photo journal of my trip to Dhaandhoo. What life is like in the Maldives, outside the resorts.
Share what the Real Maldives is like and pin it!
To see what life is like on the other side, in the resorts, see my post about Park Hyatt Hadahaa.
Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.ย She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!ย She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.
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I enjoyed seeing these photos and description of what the Maldives is really like away from the 5 star resorts (of which I am lucky enough to have stayed in) . I have heard that many locals are now opening up their own homes for travellers that want a real taste of “beach life” at a fraction of the price. I am not sure whether I am ready for that yet but I think it’s a great idea for more intrepid travellers and ones on a budget.
Hey Angie! I heard that locals were offering guest houses on local islands too. I think itโs a great idea for them! thereโs definitely a market for that, as well!
I came here for soaking up a few tropical vibes. And learning about the local island of Dhaandhoo clearly didn’t disappoint. What a fascinating place and who would’ve thought it ranks amongst the most populous islands of the Maldives. Will save this and your other detailed post on the Maldives for future reference. Thanks for sharing!
โMarvin
https://parttimepassenger.com
Thanks for reading, Marvin! Tropical vibes are my favorite. And even though I do enjoy a good resort, unknown places off the beaten path are my preference! ๐
Looks like a great island to visit in the Maldives, Lannie! It’s funny how even one of the bigger and more populated islands is so small. Ellie and I greatly enjoyed our short 6-day/5-night stay. Can’t even remember what our island was called, I think something like Holiday Island or Sunshine Island, it was definitely among the smaller ones as it had no permanent residents. There were only a few bungalows. The hotel, the reception, and all the other main buildings were on an island one minute away by boat. ๐
I love that you got to see the โrealโ Maldives and what the island life is for the locals. Dhaandhoo sounds and looks lovely, especially those pink doors. I hope to get to the Maldives one day.