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Dhangethi is a small local island in Alif Dhaal (South Ari) Atoll, about 90 km south-west of Malé. It's a guesthouse island rather than a resort, with a bikini beach, a calm lagoon for watersports, and the whale shark area of South Ari a short boat ride away.
On the water
Most of what there is to do here is on or under the water:
- Snorkel with whale sharks in the South Ari Marine Protected Area, one of the few places they're seen all year. Read the whale shark guide
- Snorkel trips to manta rays, turtles, nurse sharks and sandbanks. See the snorkel trips
- Lagoon watersports: stand-up paddle, canoes (including see-through ones), catamaran sailing, and towed sports behind the speedboat. Which to try first
- Jet skis: rent one on the lagoon, or ride out to a snorkel spot
- Fishing: traditional handline fishing at sunset, a barbecue of the catch, or a private boat for big-game, popping and jigging. Which fishing trip to choose
On the island
- Swim and sunbathe at the bikini beach, the island's spot for swimwear
- Walk around the village and see everyday life on a Maldivian local island
- Try Maldivian food at a local café: fresh tuna, curries and short eats
- Watch the sun go down from the beach, or from a boat on a sunset fishing trip
Getting to Dhangethi
There's no airport on Dhangethi, so everyone arrives by boat. From Velana International Airport in Malé there are three usual ways:
- Shared speedboat: the most common choice, about 1.5 to 2 hours. Your guesthouse can usually book you a seat
- Domestic flight and speedboat: about 30 minutes by plane to Maamigili, then a 20 to 30 minute boat ride. Quicker over choppy seas, and dearer
- Public ferry: the cheapest, but slow, often with a change on the way, and only on certain days
Shared boats and ferries run at set times and don't wait for late flights. Check the timetable with your guesthouse before you book your flights.
Staying on a local island
Dhangethi is home to a Maldivian community, and local islands have a few rules that resorts don't:
- Cover shoulders and knees in the village. Swimwear is for the bikini beach and the boat
- Alcohol isn't allowed on local islands
- Friday is the weekend, and shops and cafés close for a short while at prayer times
- Ask before you photograph people
- During Ramadan, be discreet about eating and drinking in public in the daytime
When to go
It's warm all year, with the sea at around 27 to 30°C. The north-east monsoon, roughly December to April, is the drier, calmer season. The south-west monsoon, roughly May to November, brings more wind, rain and choppier seas, but also quieter islands. Whale sharks are in South Ari in every month.
Common questions
Where is Dhangethi?
In Alif Dhaal Atoll, also called South Ari Atoll, about 90 km south-west of Malé in the Maldives.
How do I get from Malé to Dhangethi?
Most people take a shared speedboat from Velana airport or Malé, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. You can also fly to Maamigili and take a short boat ride, or take the slower public ferry.
What is Dhangethi known for?
Being close to the South Ari Marine Protected Area, where whale sharks are seen all year, plus snorkel trips, lagoon watersports and fishing.
Can you wear a bikini on Dhangethi?
Yes, at the island's bikini beach and on boat trips. In the village, cover your shoulders and knees, as on any Maldivian local island.
Is there alcohol on Dhangethi?
No. Alcohol isn't allowed on local islands in the Maldives.