I have a lot of “favorites”. Favoritest place to party, favoritest place to chill, favoritest place to snorkel etc. But if I had to pick my favoritest place to *exist* – it would be Fulidhoo. Imagine waking up to the sound of gentle waves and stepping onto a pristine beach just outside your room with natural wild life in the ocean. That’s exactly what I experienced at the beachfront Kinan Retreat. There are nurse sharks and stingrays right less than 50 ft just outside your room chilling around. Nestled in the northern part of the Maldives, the Vaavu Atoll, is Fulidhoo’s Kinan Retreat. A hidden gem that offers an unforgettable stay for a fraction of the cost of an overwater villa. This resort combines luxury with local charm, making it the perfect destination for travelers seeking both relaxation and adventure.

Okay, let’s be real—when you think of the Maldives, the first thing that probably comes to mind is “paradise,” closely followed by “I can’t afford that!” But what if I told you there’s a way to experience the crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and dreamy sunsets without blowing your budget? Enter Fulidhoo, the Maldives’ not so secret for budget travelers.

Fulidhoo is a small, local island that lets you soak in all the beauty of the Maldives without the hefty price tag of those fancy overwater villas. In this guide, I’m breaking down exactly how you can visit the Maldives on a budget, highlighting my own stay at a super affordable hotel in Fulidhoo. Ready to see how you can turn your dream trip into a reality without maxing out your credit card? Let’s dive in!

Speedboat:

• Cost: $40 per person
• Duration: 1 hour
• Timings:
  • Male to Fulidhoo: Saturday–Thursday 10 AM & 4 PM, Friday 9 AM
  • Fulidhoo to Male: Saturday–Thursday 7:30 AM & 1:30 PM, Friday 6:30 AM

Fulidhoo Ferry and Speedboat Timings for 2024

When looking for a hotel or guest house (as accommodations are often called on local islands), I wanted to stay somewhere that hosted activities. Kinan also has an activity menu and their own boat so it caught my eye instantly for ease of planning activities!

Booking and Arrival at Kinan Beach Retreat, Fulidhoo

Let’s start with the tricky part—the booking process. After booking on their website, there aren’t many details shared upfront. But, don’t stress—you’re going to the Maldives! Just relax and trust the process. Kinan Beach Retreat is family-run, and they’re usually busy because it’s almost always fully booked. Trust me, they have your booking and know you’re coming. They’ll reach out via WhatsApp the day before your arrival, so no need to worry! Their speedboat runs daily, so as long as your flight is on time, you’re set! Just in case, here’s their contact number: +9609882881, if you have any questions before your arrival.

Here’s the basic procedure after arriving at MLE airport.

1. Arrive at Velana International Airport in Male (MLE).
2. Connect to the Arrival Wi-Fi after landing and fill out the IMUGA declaration online. You’ll need basic info like your passport number, flight details, and arrival time.
3. Continue through immigration and customs.
4. Pick up your checked baggage.
5. Highly recommended: Grab a SIM card! You’ve got two options: Dhiraagu or Ooredoo. We chose Dhiraagu because their service is better in the northern atolls. Even if you snag a free SIM at the airport vending machine, you’ll need to pay at least $40 for a 15-day activation. We handled ours at the counter—the staff is super helpful.
6. Exchange money. I recommend bringing about $50 per day for local island expenses like food and shopping. Kinan Beach Retreat accepts USD, but cards are not accepted. You’ll need to pay in cash for your entire stay, as well as for any activities. Pro tip: You don’t pay at the time of booking online. Kinan adds up your activities at the end, so plan ahead using their menu: Excursions Menu.
7. Please note: Wi-Fi at the airport is only available at the Food Court, and you’ll need to purchase food at any of the counters to get the Wi-Fi code.
8. As you exit the airport with your bags, you’ll see people holding signs for resorts and guesthouses. Head to the information counter and tell them you’re going to Fulidhoo for Kinan Beach Retreat. They’ll point you to your ferry crew. You might wait 15-30 minutes for other arriving flights so you can ferry together.
9. Board your ferry!

That’s literally the hardest part of what’s otherwise an easy trip. Once you board the ferry, Kinan Beach Retreat takes care of everything else. You’ll pay for the ferry transfer ($40 each way, per person) at the end of your stay.

It might seem overwhelming at first, but Maldivian people are the kindest and most helpful you’ll ever meet. So relax—you’re in the Maldives!

Upon arrival at the Fulidhoo dock in the boat transfer, Kinan’s staff is waiting to pick you and your bags up! The arrival process was seamless since it’s located about 100 feet from the dock! The staff at Kinan Retreat made the check-in process easy and quick. If you’re looking for a smooth, stress-free start to your affordable Maldives vacation, Kinan Retreat definitely delivers and is a great start to your budget friendly Maldives travels!

Room Experience at Kinan Retreat

The rooms at Kinan Retreat are a perfect blend of comfort and simplicity, ideal for budget travelers in the Maldives. My room was cozy, clean, and came with all the basic necessities you’d want for a relaxing stay—air conditioning, a comfy bed, and a private bathroom. For the price, you really can’t beat it! It’s the perfect affordable Maldives stay that offers both comfort and value.

Kinan Beach Retreat has the best location on the island. It’s right next to Stingray Viewpoint, where boats come from Maafushi to feed the stingrays and take drone shots. But, because you’re staying on Fulidhoo, you get to see them for free! You can even feed the stingrays yourself by buying tuna packets from a local shop for about 50 Maldivian Rufiya. Love a good perk like that!

The rooms are beautifully designed with wood accents and are impeccably cleaned every morning. Considering how much sand is around, I was so happy to come back to clean sheets and a spotless floor every afternoon which was way beyond my expectations on budget travels. We stayed in the deluxe room with a balcony, so we woke up to ocean views every morning. The balcony overlooks the beach club, so we could easily see which activities were happening and join in. The room came with a safe, air conditioning, a ceiling fan, a fridge, a shower (with shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel), and well-organized shelving in the closet. Wi-Fi was available, and I even got some work done when I wasn’t completely distracted by being in the Maldives again!

The vibe is so homely and friendly. I realized I truly love staying at guesthouses more than a resort island because the people here are always willing to talk to you. Don’t get me wrong, 5 star service and amenities are great but it’s so much more fun to genuinely connect with people that live here. The people I met here and the activities I did like snorkleing with sharks- THAT’s what I can’t put a price on.

Budget Tips for Food and Drinks

Having breakfast and dinner covered also gave us the freedom to explore for lunch, and we absolutely loved Kuna. We also tried out Dream Hut which had some real good coffee near stingray point. We highly recommend stopping by Kuna for a few meals!

Fulidhoo has two grocery stores, with the largest on the main street. There are tons of packaged goods like candy, chips, drinks, canned goods, ramen packets, biscuits and ice cream!

Don’t expect tons of options on fresh food—what’s available depends on deliveries. Some fruits like melons, bananas, apples, and oranges are usually available but the more tropical fruits, like papayas, are harder to find. It’s definitely enough to get by if you prefer grabbing your own food instead of eating out constantly or if you just need that quick snack in between meals!

Staff and Service at Kinan Retreat

The staff at Kinan Retreat were honestly some of the friendliest I’ve met during my travels. They were super attentive, always ready to help with any requests, and made my stay extra enjoyable. From arranging affordable excursions around Fulidhoo to recommending local dining spots, their service was top-notch. If you’re looking for a budget hotel in the Maldives with exceptional service, Kinan Retreat is the place to be. They’re also your boat captain and tour guide when you’re on snorkeling trips so it’s tightly knit operation!

Bikini beaches are located on the end of the island. Beautiful waters with palm trees and shaded areas and beach chairs are provided. It’s respectful to cover up everywhere else on the island as is common in the Muslim culture.

Fulidhoo feeds my soul’s need for cotton candy sunsets. I’ve literally never seen anywhere that’s so perfect without any filters.

Visas:

US citizens and Indian citizens don’t need to apply for a visa prior to arrival. 

Dress code in Fulidhoo:

Modesty is key. Bikinis are only allowed on designated bikini beaches—East and West, with the West being the most popular. Elsewhere, cover your shoulders and knees.

Can I buy alcohol on Fulidhoo?

No, alcohol is banned on all local islands in the Maldives.

What’s the wildlife like?

Expect to see large fruit bats, herons, and stingrays near the jetty.

Tap water:

Stick to bottled water as tap water isn’t drinkable.

Language:

If you’re heading to the Maldives, you’ll mostly hear Dhivehi, the local language. But don’t worry, English is super common too, especially around guest houses and resorts. So, you’ll have no trouble getting around or chatting with locals. There are a lot of Bangladeshis so Hindi and Bangla are common too!

Religion:

Fulidhoo, like the rest of the Maldives, is 100% Muslim. Respect local customs and dress modestly outside of bikini beaches.

Vaccinations:

No specific vaccinations are required for visiting the Maldives.