Bodufolhudhoo

Bodufolhudhoo sits in the central part of North Ari Atoll, an area dense with well-known resorts such as Nika Island Resort, Velidoo and Gangehi. According to the 2022 census, the island has a resident population of 697, and lies around 70 km from Malé. Its position amid so many resorts shapes much of daily life, with a good number of islanders employed there directly.

The local economy shifted from fishing, its mainstay until the early 1990s, towards tourism-related work. Guests staying at nearby resorts come over for island hopping, and Bodufolhudhoo has responded with tourist shops and more than five guesthouses, along with a private stretch of sand, Sunset Beach, set aside for visitors. The island holds the distinction of being the first in the Maldives to ban single-use plastic bags, a detail that says something about its approach to managing tourism growth.

A health centre staffed by a medical officer and two registered nurses covers basic care needs. Getting around locally is done on foot, by bicycle or motorbike, with wheelbarrows still used for shifting heavier loads. An old helipad from a 1990s helicopter service remains on the island, though it is no longer in operation. For visitors, speedboat is the standard way to reach Bodufolhudhoo, and stingray feeding is what draws people here above all else.