Ukulhas Island
Beach days and village life on Ukulhas
Spend a morning by the sea, wander through the village and stop at a local café. On Ukulhas, beach time and island life are close together. This small inhabited island in North Ari Atoll is around a kilometre long and a little over 200 metres wide, about 72 km west of Malé.
The bikini beach and local rules
Enjoy swimming and relaxing on the designated bikini beach, around a 2-minute walk from Koimala. With your room close by, you can spend as much or as little of the day on the sand as you like.
Swimwear is for the bikini beach. Please dress modestly in the village and around the rest of the island, including cafés and the harbour. Alcohol and pork are prohibited on local islands, including Ukulhas.
The village and its heritage
Take time to explore the village beyond the beach. Cafés and restaurants offer a taste of island life, with fish at the heart of local food. Ukulhas has a long fishing history and won the National Fishing Competition in 1963, 1964 and 1965.
The old Friday mosque, known as Maamiskiy or Kuda Miskiy, dates to 1656 and has carved coral-stone walls. Be considerate around homes and places of worship as you explore.
Ukulhas received the Maldivian government's Green Leaf Award in 2014 for protecting its environment. The island council describes its approach to waste management in its account of Ukulhas history.
Days out from Ukulhas
For a little more adventure, explore the surrounding waters and nearby islands. Koimala's seven excursions include manta snorkelling, snorkelling safaris, dolphin cruises, sandbank trips, island hopping, picnic-island trips and fishing with BBQ.
Getting to Ukulhas
Your island stay begins with a speedboat journey from Velana International Airport. Find the arrival details in Getting here, or browse the Journal for help choosing your dates, planning your budget and deciding how long to stay.