Dhigufaru Island Resort, which opened in late 2016, is a deluxe boutique property situated in the UNESCO biosphere reserve of Baa Atoll. Nature inspired the island’s concept and it’s famous with guests as the “Birds’ Island”. This article first appeared in our print issue no. 2.
Dhigufaru’s development is true to the spirit of a local Maldivian island. Its 40 villas are set in the large, 35,000 square metre island of Dhigufaruvinagandu.
Whether you’re in a spacious semi-water villa, a ‘sunset’ beach villa Veli Room, a ‘sunrise’ Boaku Room, you will observe meticulously designed spaces, elegantly furnished and providing maximum privacy. The beach villas feature their own veranda enclosed within a private garden offering tranquil views of the beach and lagoon. The water villas allow direct access to the lagoon from the Aanu or ‘sand rock’, from a large private sun deck.
The resort’s amenities include an indulgent specialty restaurant, pool bar and a main restaurant with wine cellar offering cuisines from around the world, a spa with a reflexology centre, as well as a kids’ club, a PADI licensed dive school and a range of water sports.
Given its location in Baa Atoll – a UNESCO biosphere reserve – Dhigufaru is a divers’ delight. Here, divers have the opportunity to see rare mega fauna and stunning combinations of hard and soft corals. Its proximity to Hanifaru Bay, a world-renowned spot where mantas congregate in vast numbers together with whale sharks during part of the South West Monsoon (July to Nov), makes Dhigufaru an ideal base for nature-lovers.
The island itself boasts some curious features. The Boaku or “curved beach” on the eastern side of the island is a beautiful natural cove. It’s the best part of the island to view a fabulous Maldivian sunrise, and Boaku’s shallow waters mean your children can roam freely.
Meanwhile, Veli or sand on the island’s west is a pristine stretch of beach flanked by the crystalline water that the Maldives is famous for; a place to relax and enjoy splendid sunsets. The Aanu “lime stone” along the northern edge has beach rock, giving shape, character, and natural protection for Dhigufaru.
Delight in Dhigufaru’s lush lagoon – one of the longest in the Maldives and an ideal setting for an array of watersports activities on offer at the resort. If you’re in the mood for romance, enjoy affordable destination dining options including moonlit or starry sky dinner cruises on M/Y Dhaainkan’baa, the most luxurious yacht available for private charter in the Maldives. To get up close with nature, experience hand feeding of visiting school of sting rays just off the beach. Nature-lovers will also be thrilled to know Dhigufaru is a nesting ground for many seabirds including the graceful white-tailed tropicbird or Dhandifulhu Dhooni, a rare and protected species in the Maldives. The resort’s logo resembles the tail of this avian beauty.