Ukulhas travel & budget guide
Ukulhas travel guide - Explore Maldives on a budget
When you think of the Maldives, what comes to mind? Probably images of tropical white beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, iconic overwater bungalows, and maybe even reef sharks. Surprisingly, it is so much more than that. The underwater world here is vast and breathtaking, and if you are thinking it is all about luxury resorts with eye-watering price tags, think again. Ukulhas is a local island that gives you the chance to connect with friendly locals, experience island life authentically, and travel to the Maldives on a budget. Yes, you heard that right, it is possible in the Maldives! Join me and my boyfriend as we explore everything Ukulhas has to offer in my travel & budget guide!
Ukulhas, enjoy local island life
If, like me, you want to explore the beauty of the Maldives without spending €1000 per night, then opting for a local island is your best bet. Here, you can find accommodations ranging from €30 to €300, depending on the season and type of accommodation. We chose Ukulhas for its pristine cleanliness, lush greenery, and abundance of bikini beaches with an incredible house reef.
Maledives travel information
Currently, the Maldives consists of a whopping 1190 islands, with 200 being local islands and 88 resort islands. While resort islands cater to tourists, most local islands are open to everyone. If you are curious about the differences, then check out my travel guide on Malé & Hulhumale, where I spill all the details, including tips for your arrival in the Maldives.
How to travel to Ukulhas in the Maldives?
Getting to Ukulhas is an adventure in itself, and there are two exciting ways to embark on this journey:
- Speedboat ferry: Undoubtedly, this is the preferred option for many travellers, offering a relatively swift journey to Ukulhas. It takes about 90 minutes from the airport to Ukulhas, and at the time of writing, the fare is around $50 per person for a one-way ticket. Be prepared for the heat onboard, as there is no air conditioning. You can open the windows, but there is a chance of getting splashed! You can buy your ticket in advance via this website.
- Local ferry: Opting for the local ferry takes longer but saves you a bundle. For just 53 Rufiyaas per person for a one-way trip (that is roughly €3), you will reach Ukulhas from Malé in about 4.5 hours. The departure point is northeast of Malé, where the airport ferry also arrives. This boat ride is often much quieter than the speedboat, giving you plenty of space to relax. Moreover, there is a pleasant breeze, making the journey more enjoyable. Check out timetables & routes on the official website and buy your tickets at the ticket counter in Malé.
Explore Ukulhas - travel & budget guide
Ukulhas is delightfully compact, with everything within walking distance. A stroll from one end of the island to the other takes no more than 15 minutes. Locals might find this a trek and prefer to zip around on their scooters, they are not used to such distances!
Safety Ukulhas, Maldives
Apparently, you are in good hands when it comes to safety. Locals are so trustworthy that they often leave the keys in their scooters. They greet you warmly, and even the underwater world is safe. You could practically leave your belongings unattended; the locals will not steal them. Perhaps a tourist might have ill intentions, but the locals respect your property. The biggest danger you will encounter is falling coconuts, so watch out.
Religion Maldives
Ukulhas is a local island, and its residents adhere to strict Islamic principles, which means there are some rules to follow. While tourists have been visiting for years, it is respectful to abide by their customs. You are not allowed to walk around the island in swimwear, except on designated bikini beaches. Fortunately, Ukulhas has plenty of those, allowing you to enjoy the beaches in your swimwear almost everywhere. Except for one part, as there is a small area designated for locals to swim (public beach).
Clothing restrictions local island Maldives
Men should wear shirts and trousers/shorts, while women should dress modestly. No hot pants or tight tank tops. A knee-length dress without sleeves is generally accepted.
A week of detox
Due to religious beliefs, alcohol is not served on local islands. But fear not! You will find delicious mocktails, non-alcoholic beers, and fresh juices instead.
Underwater world in this Ukulhas travel & budget guide
Ukulhas snorkeling
Ukulhas is a must-visit destination because of its extraordinary underwater world! Abounding with beauty, the sea is a spectacle to behold. In particular, the house reef, serves as the habitat for three sea turtles, numerous reef sharks, and various rays. Moreover, you will have the chance to encounter many colourful fish. Keep an eye out for Nemo (clownfish) & Dory (Picasso triggerfish), as we did. Spotting Nemo is made easier by looking for the sea anemone, where clownfish love to hide, and Dory is usually not far away, gracefully swimming around.
Tip!
During our snorkelling adventures, we found it very convenient to take the Explore Tech Pouch with us to the beach. This waterproof pouch keeps your gear neatly stored, such as your Go Pro and accessories for it.
Turtles, rays & sharks
The sea turtles here encompass both herbivores and carnivores. While some exclusively feed on plants, three of them call Ukulhas’ house reef home, with others making occasional visits. Additionally, several types of rays can be found, including Eagle Rays, Stingrays, and Manta Rays. Furthermore, two types of sharks, namely lemon sharks and reef sharks, inhabit these waters. Although generally harmless, it is advisable to maintain a safe distance, especially near the pier, where marine animals are sometimes fed with old fish. Swimming there during feeding times could inadvertently pose a threat.
Tours in this Ukulhas travel & budget guide
Among the myriad tours available in the Maldives are opportunities to swim with whale sharks, encounter giant manta rays, explore sandbanks, or indulge in a day trip to a resort island. Opting to spot giant manta rays, my boyfriend and I were amazed by their potential wingspan of up to 7 meters and weight of 3000 kg! These majestic creatures can live for up to 20 years.
Swimming with manta rays
Moreover, witnessing these colossal rays up close is an unforgettable experience. As we swam alongside our tour guide with a manta ray, the sheer magnitude of their size became apparent. Often seen swimming in circles with mouths agape, filtering plankton and small fish, they create a surreal spectacle as you glide alongside them.
Ukulhas diving - Travel & budget guide
Although we did not partake in diving ourselves (due to lacking certifications at the time), the enchanting stories I have heard from divers are truly magical. Nowhere else in the world will you encounter such a remarkably beautiful underwater world. Here, you will come across a diverse array of marine life, including fusiliers, tuna, scorpionfish, bigeye trevallies, octopuses, moray eels, turtles, parrotfish, surgeonfish, clownfish, Picasso triggerfish, batfish, white tip reef sharks, and gray reef sharks. Once you have experienced diving here, you may find it difficult to match elsewhere. For those with diving certifications, this opportunity should not be missed. Alternatively, you can obtain your diving certification here, although costs are higher compared to elsewhere. Nearby the island, there are two diving locations: Hafsa Thila to the southwest of Ukulhas and Maaya Thila to the northwest.
Cost of diving Ukulhas, Maldives
While diving may not come cheap, expect to pay around $100 for a few hours underwater. Nevertheless, the experience is truly unparalleled.
Ukulhas - Ecotourism
Ukulhas stands as a verdant green island, so do not be surprised if you encounter a tropical downpour, a common occurrence on all Maldivian islands. The locals are exceptionally hospitable and will often welcome you to seek shelter during these rains. Be enthralled by the melodious songs of tropical birds that greet you in the morning. In addition to its lush greenery, the islanders are committed to maintaining cleanliness. Beginning early in the morning, they sweep, collect beach litter, and gather old plastic. Lend a hand by disposing of your rubbish responsibly, contributing to the island’s cleanliness and greenery. The island residents work diligently to preserve the island’s pristine environment.
Ukulhas - Restaurants
On the island, you will find several restaurants, and after trying a few, we have curated our top recommendations:
- Poblano Restaurant: Our favourite spot was undoubtedly Poblano Restaurant. The service is exceptionally friendly, and you can relish delicious local cuisine here. Do not miss out on trying the Kothu Roshi, as it offers a delightful burst of flavours. The prices are quite reasonable, ranging from $6 to $8 for a satisfying meal.
- Peperone Restaurant: At Peperone, you can savour local dishes alongside a selection of grilled specialities. The ambiance is laid-back, so relax and enjoy. Prices are comparable to Poblano.
- Sea Salt: True to its name, Sea Salt offers delectable seafood options. I particularly enjoyed the rice with shrimp! Prices here are slightly lower than at the top two restaurants.
- Chef The Indian Restaurant: Although it may not initially catch your eye, Chef The Indian Restaurant serves up fantastic Indian cuisine. The chef infuses each dish with passion, evident in every bite. Be sure to sample the Butter Chicken, providing a flavourful Indian feast for $5 to $6.
- Sapore Restuarant & Pizzeria: If you are craving pizza, look no further than Sapore. Their pizzas are scrumptious, generously topped with cheese, perfect for cheese enthusiasts. Keep in mind that prices here are higher than at other establishments, averaging around $12 per pizza.
Ukulhas travel & budget guide
Restaurants typically display prices in dollars. While you can pay with dollars and often receive Maldivian rufiyaa as change, using the local currency poses no issues. Supermarkets primarily list prices in Maldivian rufiyaa, although occasional dollar prices may appear. An ATM is available on Ukulhas, but it may occasionally run out of cash. Therefore, ensure you have ample dollars or rufiyaa before your visit. Additionally, many accommodations and restaurants accept credit cards, albeit with a small extra fee.
Budget guide for travelling 5 days to Ukhulas, Maldives?
For budget travellers, understanding the total expenses of a Maldives trip is crucial. Here is a breakdown of our total expenditures per category:
- Accommodation (high season rate): With two individuals, we spent €287.42 for four nights, including breakfast. Payments are typically settled at accommodations. Opting to pay with a credit card incurs an additional 3.8% charge by local banks. Our stay was at Trip Villa, boasting amenities such as air conditioning, a refrigerator, hot water, and complimentary drinking water.
- Restaurant: We dined at a restaurant once daily, supplementing with fruit and snacks in the afternoon or evening. Of course, this expenditure may vary per person. By opting for water instead of beverages with meals, substantial savings can be made. On average, we spent €20 per day (for two individuals) on restaurant expenses, totalling €100 for 5 days.
- Groceries: We allocated an average of €5 per day to groceries, totalling €25.
- Tour: Electing to embark on a single tour, as much can be seen (at no cost) during self-guided snorkelling excursions. Our curiosity led us to the giant manta rays, for which we paid €50 per person for the tour, inclusive of a visit to another uninhabited island and breakfast.
- Transportation to Ukulhas: For the outbound journey, we utilized the local ferry, costing €3.20 per person. Conversely, the speedboat ferry (our sole option on Monday) was substantially pricier, amounting to €46.70 per person. Thus, the total cost tallies to €99.80.
- Tip: While most restaurants include a service charge, we found it gratifying to provide additional tips for exceptional service, as well as at our accommodation, where exemplary care and cleanliness were provided. Our total tip expenditure amounted to €30.
Total costs - Ukulhas travel & budget guide
With two individuals, our total expenditure for the 5-day Ukulhas trip amounted to €642.22. Naturally, this figure is contingent upon individual spending habits, souvenir purchases, chosen tours, and daily food and beverage consumption.
Best time to visit Ukulhas
The optimal time to explore this charming island is from December to April, corresponding to the high season. During this period, rainfall is less frequent compared to other months. However, prolonged rain showers are still possible, although they seldom persist throughout the day. Consequently, accommodation rates are higher than during the low season.
Share with your friends on socials...
Book a ferry in advance
via 12Go
Last update: 03-09-2024 © Doris Leone
‘Un abrazo’ and maybe we will see each other one day; Doris Leone
