The island of Huraa is well used to tourists visiting from nearby resorts, but it retains its small-island feel. It is now home to several guesthouses, and a buzzing surfer scene with 15 breaks within easy reach. Huraa’s dynasty of sultans, founded in 1759 by Sultan Al-Ghaazi Hassan Izzaddeen, built a mosque on the island that still stands today.

Huraa can be reached by public ferry 308, which leaves Male's New Harbour at 2.30pm daily except Monday and Friday, and arrives in Huraa at 4pm. In the other direction public ferry 308 leaves Huraa on the same days at 8am, arriving at Male's New Harbour at 9.40am. There are also several daily private speeboats between Male and Huraa (US$40, 40 minutes). Book through Atoll Transfer.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Himmafushi

2.62 MILES

Himmafushi is famous for its main street selling some of the least expensive souvenirs in the country, such as carved rosewood manta rays, sharks and…

2. Thulusdhoo

4.54 MILES

Thulusdhoo has traditionally been an industrious island, known for manufacturing of bodu beru (big drums), for its salted-fish warehouse and for its Coca…

3. Aarah

10.1 MILES

This small island was used as the president’s holiday retreat during the Gayoom era and as such was a heavily fortified installation complete with bunkers…

4. Dhiffushi

10.86 MILES

Dhiffushi is an appealing inhabited island, with around 1000 inhabitants, three mosques and two schools. Mainly a fishing island, it has lots of greenery,…

5. Funadhoo

11.68 MILES

This small island may not look like much, but it's the vital fuel repository for Male and indeed much of the country.

6. China-Maldives Friendship Bridge

12.12 MILES

This incredibly impressive piece of engineering connects Male to the airport island of Hulhule, but unlike most of the causeways connecting islands…

7. Fish Market

12.18 MILES

Although the squeamish may well object to the buckets of entrails or the very public gutting of fish going on all around, the Fish Market should not be…

8. Old Friday Mosque

12.19 MILES

This is the oldest mosque in the country, dating from 1656. It’s a beautiful structure made from coral stone into which intricate decoration and Quranic…