Thulhagiri is a small island located in the middle of North Male atoll, just 25 minutes by speedboat from Male and the airport. Palm trees shade the interior and there is a fine beach leading to a large sheltered lagoon. The island blends in to its surroundings beautifully and offers a high standard of food and accommodation. The southern end of North Male atoll offers a concentration of excellent dive sites, which are all accessible from the island.

House Reef

The beautiful and healthy house has three main access points for diving, offering a big variety of options. Two of these entrance points are marked with ropes leading from the shallow lagoon out to the reef edge, while the third is very close to the edge of the reef, accessible via a staircase from the water bungalow jetty. One way dives can be done from one entrance point to another, or divers can return to the initial starting point. A small and colourful thila (Thulhagiri Kuda Thila) just west of the island can be reached starting from the house reef, but can also be dived from the boat.

Boat Diving

Thulhagiri’s location allows for its dive boats to access some of the best dive sites on both the southwestern and southeastern sides of North Male atoll making it an excellent diving option year round. There are well over 30 dive sites that are regularly visited by the islands' dive boats.

The range of dive sites available from the island means there are great options for all divers, from novice right through to advanced. Highlights include dive sites Barracuda Giri (aka. Okobe thila), Paradise Rock (aka. Nassimo thila) or H.P. Reef (aka. Rainbow reef) for soft corals; Sunlight Thila or Lankan Reef for Mantas, and Aquarium or Furana for schools of fish and pelagic encounters.

Sub Aqua Dive Centre

The excellently run Sub Aqua dive base is a PADI 5* resort. Unlimited diving is available to experienced divers on the house reef. For those wanting to dive further afield, dive boats go out twice a day and cater to all experience levels.

Occasionally the dive boats operate full day trips to access dive sites beyond the range of a single tank dive. Thulhagiri's location at the Southern end of the North Male atoll makes it well placed to access fabulous dive sites year round. Over 30 dive sites are accessible within an hour's boat journey from resort.

Dive Packs

Options available include 5, 10, 15 and 20 house reef dive packages. Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.

Divers are required to complete a compulsory check dive on arrival. The dive centre can insist that a diver is guided (local charge applicable - see table below) either on the house reef or on the boat, if they determine that a diver is not competent enough to dive in a buddy pair.

For unguided dive packs, divers must have a PADI Open Water or equivalent qualification and logged 30 dives in the 18 months prior to arrival. If divers do not meet this requirement, they will be required to pay for a guide in resort (local charge applicable - see table below).

All dive packs are based on air or Nitrox. Nitrox is available FREE of charge up to 32% for nitrox certified divers.

Use of a dive computer is compulsory. Each diver must have their own computer.

Dive packs are unguided, for consecutive days, from the house reef and include tanks (air or Nitrox, if qualified) and weights.

 Dive Courses 

A range of diving courses is available for those looking to learn to dive. Please enquire for details.

Extras in Resort

Prices listed below are an indication only, and subject to change.

• Boat trips* - Single trip:  $16
• Boat trips* - 2 trips:  $28
  * Include towel and 0.5L of water
• Guide:  $7 per dive
• Certification fee for courses: $160
• Certification fee for Nitrox courses: $93

Equipment rental, payable locally in USD

• Snorkelling Set: $13 per day or $62 per week
• Shorty wetsuit: $13 per day or $62 per week 
• BCD: $9 per day or $44 per week 
• Regulators: $9 per day or $44 per week 
• Dive computer: $10 per day or $50 per week 
• Underwater torch: $10 per dive

* 12 litre aluminium cylinders are provided for both DIN and International fittings.

All above prices include the 10% service charge and the local sales tax (12%)

Getting Around and Basic Information

Male airport is located on its own island. The Airport island accommodates the main terminal, the seaplane port and the airport hotel (Hulhule Airport hotel). In the vast majority of cases, Male airport acts as the hub for all transfers between island resorts and atolls.

A narrow channel of water separates Male Airport Island from Male town and a regular inexpensive boat service operates between the two islands.

Once you are on your island resort, there is no ‘public’ transport to get around to other islands, you need to organise local excursions and join guided trips.

Twin centre stays, in most cases, hub through the central point of Male to reach your next island.

Internal Transfers to Your Island Resort from Male

Your resort/boat is reached either by sea plane or boat transfer from Male airport, distance dependant, with the exception of Haa Alifu atoll. Transfers are organised as part of your holiday package, unless requested otherwise.

Seaplane and Boat Transfers

Most islands close to Male offer speedboat transfers.

Island resorts located in Ari atolls, Raa atoll, Baa atoll, Lhaviyani atoll, Felidhe atoll, Meemu atoll, North and South Nilande atolls and Haa Dhaaul atoll are served by seaplane services.

Islands and liveaboards located on Haa Alifu atoll are reached by internal scheduled flight.

Some more distant islands offer a boat transfer as well, although as the transfer crosses between atolls they can often be long and uncomfortable and affected by the currents, so we opt to use the most comfortable option for each island.

If you are transferring by seaplane you should be aware of the following:

• Seaplanes do not operate a fixed departure schedule, but are planned daily according to the islands and guests that must be picked up and dropped off. The planning is carried out locally 24 hours in advance.
• Seaplanes often pick up and drop off guests from a number of islands on a single transfer run.
• Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours, generally 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
• You may have to wait for a short duration after arriving in Male. On departing, the islands will transfer you back to Male as late a local logistics on that day will allow.
• On departing your island resort your return seaplane transfer time will be confirmed the day before departure by your resort.
• If you have a late international flight departing home, it is highly advisable you ask Regaldive to reserve a day use package for you at the Hulhule hotel.
• Seaplanes are not pressurised flights.
• Seaplanes typically operate a strict weight policy of 20kg for hold luggage.
• Excess luggage is currently $2/kilo to the island and $4/kilo on the return.

Inter Atoll Flights - Haa Alifu

Transfers to Haa-Alifu in the North involve an internal pressurised flight from Male. This is arranged and costed as part of your travel package to the north of the Maldives, unless otherwise requested.

Hulhule Airport Hotel - Day use & overnights

International and internal flight schedules occasionally make fairly long connection times in Male Airport inevitable. The Hulehule Airport hotel offers inexpensive day packages to non-residents for use of their beach, pool, showers, left luggage and other facilities. Pre-booked packages are available with Regaldive, for day use with and without a room, and overnight stays (refer to separate webpage on Hulehule Airport hotel).

Climate

This tropical climate has 2 monsoon seasons. November to May is the northwest monsoon season, which is dry and sunny. June to October is the southeast monsoon and brings the wet season. Having said this, the period crossover of the monsoon seasons fluctuates each year and even during the wet season, one may experience weeks of solid sunshine and just showers in short, sharp bursts.

Air temperature is stable around 28 - 30° C and the water temperature rarely drops below 25° C. Spectacular diving takes place all year round.

Currency

Local currency is the Maldives Rufiyaa (MVR).

Approximately £1 = 26 MVR

The tourist currency is US Dollar ($) or Euro (€). Island resorts charge in USD or Euros and bills can be settled with most internationally accepted credit cards at the end of your stay.

Time

The Maldives is +5 hours of GMT.

Flight Options

Emirates via Dubai from Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. Other regional departures may be available; supplement may apply. Regaldive's prices are currently based on Emirates. Supplements may or may not apply for other airlines dependant on seat availability.

Sri Lankan via Colombo, date / flight dependant, from Heathrow.

Qatar Airways via Doha.

Charter Flights: Flights are direct, once a week for 7 night durations departing Sundays and Mondays. We can tailor-make a quote for you.

Stopovers in Dubai & Sri Lanka available on request.

Internal Transfers to Your Island Resort from Male

Your resort/boat is reached either by sea plane or boat transfer from Male airport, distance dependant, with the exception of Haa Alifu atoll. Transfers are organised as part of your holiday package, unless requested otherwise.

Seaplane and Boat Transfers

Most islands close to Male offer speedboat transfers.

Island resorts located in Ari atolls, Raa atoll, Baa atoll, Lhaviyani atoll, Felidhe atoll, Meemu atoll, North and South Nilande atolls and Haa Dhaaul atoll are served by seaplane services.

Islands and liveaboards located on Haa Alifu atoll are reached by internal scheduled flight.

Some more distant islands offer a boat transfer as well, although as the transfer crosses between atolls they can often be long and uncomfortable and affected by the currents, so we opt to use the most comfortable option for each island.

If you are transferring by seaplane you should be aware of the following:

• Seaplanes do not operate a fixed departure schedule, but are planned daily according to the islands and guests that must be picked up and dropped off. The planning is carried out locally 24 hours in advance.
• Seaplanes often pick up and drop off guests from a number of islands on a single transfer run.
• Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours, generally 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
• You may have to wait for a short duration after arriving in Male. On departing, the islands will transfer you back to Male as late a local logistics on that day will allow.
• On departing your island resort your return seaplane transfer time will be confirmed the day before departure by your resort.
• If you have a late international flight departing home, it is highly advisable you ask Regaldive to reserve a day use package for you at the Hulhule hotel.
• Seaplanes are not pressurised flights.
• Seaplanes typically operate a strict weight policy of 20kg for hold luggage.
• Excess luggage is currently $2/kilo to the island and $4/kilo on the return.

Inter Atoll Flights - Haa Alifu

Transfers to Haa-Alifu in the North involve an internal pressurised flight from Male. This is arranged and costed as part of your travel package to the north of the Maldives, unless otherwise requested.

Hulhule Airport Hotel - Day use & overnights

International and internal flight schedules occasionally make fairly long connection times in Male Airport inevitable. The Hulehule Airport hotel offers inexpensive day packages to non-residents for use of their beach, pool, showers, left luggage and other facilities. Pre-booked packages are available with Regaldive, for day use with and without a room, and overnight stays (refer to separate webpage on Hulehule Airport hotel).

Passports

Passengers travelling to the Maldives must have six months valid on their passport from the date of return to the UK.

Visas

A free 30 day permit is given to British travellers on arrival in Male. Other nationalities should consult their consular website.

Vaccinations

Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic or local GP. Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk. There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to the Maldives, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio.

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Thulhagiri Resort