Maldives' local islands and guesthouses provide a great alternative to the resorts as it lets you indulge in the beauty of Maldives through a budgeted holiday. Without breaking the bank, you can still experience the white sand beaches, engage in thrilling waters sports in the turquoise lagoon, and even venture to some of the best diving experiences available in the archipelago. Whether it be a romantic honeymoon or a family vacation, the Maldives local islands provide a much-needed tranquil holiday amidst the blissful surroundings of the archipelago.

One such local island in Maldives is Omadhoo. Nestled in the secluded water of Alifu Dhaalu Atoll (Southern Ari Atoll), Omadhoo Island is home to lush tropical vegetation, a white sand beach, and crystal clear waters of the turquoise lagoon. Omadhoo Maldives provides an idyllic getaway with a charming authentic island lifestyle.

If you are planning to travel to an Omadhoo Island Hotel on your budget Maldives holiday, here is everything you need to know before visiting the local Island.

How to Transfer to Omadhoo

You can get to Omadhoo by crossing the sea by a speedboat or the local ferry. The most ideal option would be the speedboat which takes around 1hr and 5mins to reach the island. You can find speedboat transfer to Omadhoo for around USD 50 per person per way. The speedboat operates daily from both Male to Omadhoo and Omadhoo to Male, allowing you a more flexible transfer option.

Alternatively, you can also choose the local ferry Omadhoo transfer option. The ferry option is the cheapest, costing around USD 4 per person per way. The ferry operates from Male, Maldives to Omadhoo at 9 am every Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday, while the Omadhoo to Male ferry operates 10 am every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. While the ferry is the most cost-efficient option, it takes around 4hrs and 30mins to reach Omadhoo Island.

Experience Authentic Maldives Lifestyle

Spanning 3 Square Kilometer. The Island of Omadhoo is home to less than 1000 people. Untainted by the modern changes, the lifestyle at Omadhoo has remained almost the same over the years. Here you will discover the authentic Maldivian lifestyle of local islands. A simple and quiet life on a fishing island is charming to explore.

Natural Beauty of Maldives the Beckons

More than half of Omadhoo Island is covered with lush tropical vegetation. You can find avenues of coconut palm and breadfruit trees to explore. The western part of the island is fully covered with banyan trees and tropical palms, creating a small lush tropical jungle. With the abundance of plants, you can also spot exciting birds and life from flying foxes to herons inhabiting the island of Omadhoo.

Surrounding the lush vegetation is the pristine beach of the island. With pearly white sands that effortlessly contrast the turquoise blues of the lagoon, walking on the beach with your loved ones is a memorable experience on its own. The beach leads to a beautiful small sandbank on the southwestern side of the island. The sheer beauty of Omadhoo makes it an ideal destination for a Maldives local island experience

A Blissful Stay

Utilizing the beautiful surroundings of the island to their fullest are the charming Omadhoo guest houses providing you a blissful stay at the local island. Omadhoo hotels and guesthouses such as Green Leaf Omadhoo offers an ideal accommodation setting that is a few minutes away from the beach. With air-conditioned rooms and private bathrooms, you can discover beautiful rooms that reflect the Maldives' local island lifestyle. The Omadhoo guesthouses themselves boasts beautiful gardens with cozy spaces and comfortable hammocks to relax in as well.

Wonderful Dining Opportunities

At Omadhoo Island you can indulge in a diverse range of dishes from European to Continental and even Maldivian cuisines. The in-house restaurants provide all the meals that you will need. Perhaps a continental breakfast would be the perfect start to the day. The island is also home to 3 restaurants. If you want to taste local cuisines in a cozy setting head over to the Ocean Restaurant. Meanwhile, the Moorish Idol Cafe offers affordable menus for you to enjoy to your heart's content.

Things to do in Omadhoo

Wake up and head to the bikini beach where sunbeds and umbrellas invite you to relax and unwind. Walk around the island as you explore lush vegetation and discover mosques, football fields, and the Omadhoo School. For those of you craving a little bit of adventure, Omadhoo island lets you discover fishing, diving, and getaway to sandbanks. Some Omadhoo Island Guesthouses even let you enjoy an exclusive deserted island getaway experience by letting you book the whole island for yourself. There are lots to do and discover on the island.

Omadhoo Diving Experiences

One of the things to look forward to at the island is the exquisite Omadhoo diving experiences. A local reef boasting live corals and exciting fauna surround the island of Omadhoo, allowing you some memorable snorkeling sessions around the island. At the western part of the reef, you can discover barracudas and snappers while the central part is home to eagle rays and turtles. You can also spot sharks along with schools of fish on the east side of the reef. There are two entrances to the reef. The currents tend to be a bit string so it's advisable to use fins.

Of course, your Omadhoo diving experience is not only limited to the island reef. A getaway to a sandbank or uninhabited island can also lead you to some exquisite snorkeling experiences. You can also make an arrangement with an Omadhoo guesthouse to join a whale shark safari; a must-have experience when you visit Omadhoo.

If you are looking for dive courses, the 3 Omadhoo dive centers have got you covered as well. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, the dive centers provide PADI Open Water Diver courses and amazing Omadhoo scuba diving experiences for you to engage in.

Blessed with natural beauty, stunning guest houses, and plenty of things to do, a holiday at Omadhoo Island will leave you with memorable moments to cherish for a lifetime.