33
THINGS
TO DO IN
RASDHOO
ABOUT RASDHOO
Located at the heart of Maldives, Rasdhoo – the capital island of North Ari Atoll – is just one hour speedboat ride away from the Male’ and Velana International Airport. A land area of approximately half square kilometers is populated with around 1500 people.
Being in the middle of one of the most famous and demanding tourism zones in Maldives, Rasdhoo is one among the islands that pioneered local tourism in the country. Since the establishment of the first guest house in the island in 2011, local tourism grew exponentially in Rasdhoo. As we speak, the island currently hosts 25 guest houses with approximate capacity of 200 rooms, 5 dive centers, 2 watersports centers and 4 restaurants. 100% of the local tourism establishments in the island are owned and operated by local entrepreneurs. This, together with the fact that most of the staff providing guest services are experienced and trained through their previous employment at nearby resorts make Rasdhoo unique for tourists, allowing them to obtain very personalized, yet cutting-edge services.
Scheduled direct speedboat transfers to and from Airport are available twice daily from each end. The short distance of 30 nautical miles from Airport makes it easy and affordable to arrange private hires if needed. Alternatively, comfortable 3 hour journey using direct public ferry system would be available in alternative days to and from Male’ for those looking for exceptionally cheap transport options. Conversely, a 15 minute scenery sea plane ride is available for anyone who wants to take this premium option for any reason. All these make Rasdhoo one of the most easily accessible local tourism destination in the country.
#01
RELAX AT SANDBANK
Sightseeing
Spend a day relaxing at the sandbank, Madivaru-finolhu. This is one of the best ways to spend a sunny day at Rasdhoo. Stunningly beautiful scenery is perfect for your selfies and outdoor photo shoots. The lagoon famous as the “blue-hole” hosting varieties of marine life, is just another excitement. Madivaru-finolhu is located in Rasdhoo Atoll, which has recently been protected under Environment Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives as an Internationally Recognized Area is evidence to the global significance of the underwater biodiversity of the region.
#02
RESTAURANT AND CAFE'
Food
There are four restaurants in Rasdhoo which serves food of different cuisines, vegetarian or non vegetarian. Local specialities such as the local breakfast, “mashuni with roshi” and grilled fish “fihunu-mas” for lunch or dinner is something everyone should try while in Rasdhoo.
#03
SECRETARIAT OF RASDHOO COUNCIL
Government buildings
Secretariat of the North Ariatholhu Rasdhoo Council is engine of Rasdhoo consist of three elected council members, who lays developmental plans and policies. They are also responsible for the municipal services in the island and takes responsibility in developing local tourism in the island.
#04
SECRETARIAT OF THE NORTH ARIATHOLHU ATOLL COUNCIL
Government buildings
North Ari-atoll consists of eight islands under the administration of North Ariatholhu Atoll Council which includes the island Rasdoo. Atoll Council provides services which are centralized and collaborates with the islands in planning and development of infrastructure and facilities to improve the living condition of the islanders.
#05
"BODU NIKAGAS" THE BIG BANYAN TREE.
Sightseeing
Bodu nikagas , the big banyan tree is the tallest tree in the island which is seen distance away from the island as far as 10 miles. Expected to be aged 100 plus years, the tree is home for various spices of birds and bats. Located within the compound of Atoll Hospital, this tree is protected by the Heritage Ministry.
#06
MEET THE LOCAL PEOPLE
Culture
Meet the local people while you are in the island. They are friendly. People of Rasdhoo treat the visitors as their family. The younger generation can speak English so don’t hesitate to speak to them, they are happy to help you. Your hotel can arrange visits to a local home and to experience their way of life.
#07
ALIF ALIF ATOLL EDUCATION CENTER
Government buildings
This is your Text paragraph. It’s a great place to add a Weekdays in Rasdhoo begins with the sight of students going to school early in the morning. Alif Alif Atoll Education Center is a small school currently hosting approximately 112 female and 126 male students starting their educational journey from the age of 5 to 16. Apart from the studies sports activities, football and handball etc are played as their physical education. description of your business, your site or what you do. Use this space to add information for your users, write about your philosophy or your journey and define your distinguishing qualities. Consider adding an image for extra engagement.
#08
“MASJID-AL-HUDHA” MOSQUE
Sightseeing
The Mosque of Rasdhoo, “masjid-al-hudha” is the icon of our religion and culture. Taking is islamic dress-code into consideration, visitors are welcomed to see and take photos of the most important building of Rasdhoo.
#09
RASDHOO CHILDRENS' PARK
Arguably the finest of location in Rasdhoo for locals and visitors to spend their afternoons with their kids in a sunny day.
Sightseeing
#10
PLAY GROUND
Sightseeing
Rasdhoo playground is the place where most activities happen in Rasdhoo. It has a football ground, futsal or handball court and a youth center which hosts indoor games. If you like to participate in a game of futsal or handball visitors are always welcome there.
#11
SERVICES BY NGOS IN RASDHOO
Non government organisations in Rasdhoo plays an important role in the community, mainly focusing on sports, culture, religion and education. There are four NGOs in operation. They are: Jamiyyathul Uloom, Jamuyathuh Najaah, Jamiyyathuh Tha-asi, Rasdhoo Educational Development association.
Non government organisation
#12
MADIVARU CORNER DIVE SITE
This is easily one of the best sites for snorkeling and diving if you like sharks. Under supervision of a guide follow the reef wall until you reach the corner, where you can watch the spectacular display of reef sharks and eagle rays passing in front of you, often in great numbers.
Marine life
#13
MANTA FEEDING STATION
Marine life
This site is one of visitors’ favorites. There is a bit of current, this large coral block is the place that the manta rays come to be cleaned. Dip in and wait for the mantas to begin flying gracefully through the waters. If you are calm and still, the mantas may approach to a close proximity. Other visitors to the block include pods of dolphins and solitary sharks.
#14
SUNSET VIEW
Sightseeing
The most amazing scenery on any day is when the sunsets. The orange sea, skies and clean shores make the place highly photogenic. If you visit daily it would seem like a better sunset view everyday.
#15
RASDHOO CHANNEL
Marine life
This is where the edge of the atoll drops off to the deep ocean water. Go with a local guide to the channel between Rasdhoo and Kuramathi Island and see the occasional leopard shark or giant stingray on the sandy bottom, before encountering many reef sharks. The stronger the current, the more sharks you can see.
#16
ALIF ALIF ATOLL HOSPITAL
Government buildings
Built in 1990 Rasdhoo health center was upgrade to a hospital in 2002. Facilities such as medical diagnostic laboratory, x-ray facility are available. Medical emergencies and diagnostics are handled by experienced specialists and medical officers. In case if the patient needs further treatment from a better hospital sea-ambulance is always ready to transfer the patient to Male’.
#17
RASDHOO POLICE STATION
Government buildings
Station for atoll command of the Maldives police service is stated in Rasdhoo. This is center of all operations of police in the north Ari-atoll even though there are no many scenes for them to attend in this peaceful island.
#18
RASDHOO PRE SCHOOL
Government buildings
There is something for every age group in Rasdhoo. Visit Rasdhoo pre school to see the educational facilities available for local kids under the age of six. If you are lucky enough events such as art exhibitions and food exhibitions by school parents is a place to find more about local culture.
#19
"FATTARU" HOME OF TURTLES
Sightseeing
Sea turtles are one of the Earth's most ancient creatures. Fattaru is a place where you will not miss to see a turtle. Under supervision swim along the fattaru reef to see the turtles feeding and relaxing in the sea bed. Make sure you don’t touch them. Just enjoy watching and take pictures for a souvenir.
#20
SHIP WRECK
Marine life
Close to the island of Kuramathi, the site can be easily reached in just 2 minutes by boat. The wreck is a 40m/131ft-long freighter that was sunk in 1987. The Kuramathi wreck is resting at a maximum depth of 20m/66ft, and during the years, it developed into an artificial reef, providing shelters for many different fish species. Moray eels and lots of shrimp live in the steering house, while the masts became home for hundreds of pufferfish.
#21
"CAVES" DIVE SITE
Marine life
This is a wall dive along the reef stretching out from Kuramathi Island. The caves are a series of shallow ledges found between 18 and 30m. One of the ledges at 22m is large enough to do a very pretty swim-through, taking care of the coral while you pass by. You can find white tip reef sharks and giant stingrays resting on the sand and various other spices in abundance.
#22
STELCO RASDHOO POWER HOUSE
Utilities
Rasdhoo powerhouse managed by State Electric Company of Maldives is a power plant which produces electricity to keep the island lit and running. It has a capacity of producing 400 kilovolts of electricity using five diesel generators.
#23
RASDHOO WASTE MANAGEMENT CENTER
Utilities
Rasdhoo works to become one of the cleanest islands in the Maldives. Rasdhoo waste management center sends plastic bottles, metals, glass for recycling and produces manure from the food waste and leaves. Waste from households are collected daily using two trucks.
#24
EAGLE-RAY SIGHTINGS
Marine life
This is an interesting site with the wall of the island of Rasdhoo on one side and massive coral blocks (or thilas) mounted on the outside steep drop-off of the atoll. These two features create a corridor of sand between the inner reef and outer thilas, in places only 20 meters wide. The aqua dynamics of this corridor seem to attract eagle rays, and on the sandy bottom we often find resting stingrays and white tip sharks.The thilas provide encounters with hunting jacks and trevally, white-tip and grey reef sharks, eagle rays and occasionally large diamond rays.
Sightseeing
#25
RASDHOO HARBOUR - FISHING BOATS
Rasdhoo was traditionally a fishing community though it had changed to a mix of fishing and tourism in recent years. There are about 20 fishing boats of sizes 70 to 110 feet in operation to fish yellowfin tuna. Take a walk to Rasdhoo harbor to see fisherman return from fishing in the afternoon and night.
Activity
#26
EXPERIENCE FISHING
Get on a boat to start a day that you wont forget. Then drop your line down and wait for the nibbling to start. Then once you know its time to pull, bring in the line as fast as you can and get ready for that picture. Morning troll fishing, day fishing and evening or night fishing is an adventurous way of spending a day in Rasdhoo.
#27
DOLPHIN CRUISE
Sightseeing
Maldives ranks among the top five places on Earth for watching dolphins. Over 20 different species of dolphin call the Maldives home. Going for a dolphin cruise on sunset is a relaxing tour you can enjoy with your family, friends or your partner.
#28
RASDHOO POST OFFICE
Government buildings
Don't forget to send a post card to your home. Rasdhoo post office provides parcel deliveries and money transfer services. It is open on week days from 9:00am till 3:00pm.
#29
HAMMERHEAD SHARK DIVE SITE
Marine life
Take an early morning dive to see the elusive hammerhead shark. The boat drops you into blue water dive, where there is no reef or bottom to give you a visual reference as to your position. The blue plankton look like shining flakes of glitter in the water around you and unicorn fish will play around your face and amongst your bubbles. Even if the hammerheads don’t appear, it is a beautiful dive.
#30
THREE PALM
Marine life
Fan reef is situated on one corner of Kuramathi island and if the current is running west jump in the narrow sand patch between Kuramathi house reef and the first thila of Rasdhoo Channel. This small area often provides an immediate sighting upon descent either of eagle rays, napoleon, barracudas, white tip and grey reef sharks, stingrays or a leopard sharks.
#30
COMING IN AND OUT OF RASDHOO
Transfer service
Transfer to and from Rasdhoo is very convenient. It is just an hour from Airport via Speedboat operated twice daily. Apart from the scheduled speedboat trips, public ferry is available twice in a week. If you wish to spend some money on the aerial view of Maldives, take sea-plane from airport to Rasdhoo.
#32
"RASDHOO MADIVARU" PICNIC ISLAND
Sightseeing
“Rasdhoo-Madivaru” – a picnic island located less than half a kilometer away from Rasdhoo is the favourite picnic destination even amongst locals living in the atoll and in Male’ region. The fine white sandy beach and pure light blue lagoon is always available for tourists close at hand. Videography would surely be among the best souvenirs that one might take home from there.
#33
RASDHOO TOURIST BEACH
Sightseeing
The most relaxing place in the island is Rasdhoo tourist beach, an area allocated for tourists to spend their day basking at the sun and sea. Under the watch of a guide snorkeling at the outer reef may be full of surprises and amazement.