Alifushi
A Raa Atoll island that is the country's main centre for building traditional dhoni boats.
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Alifushi in the north of Raa Atoll is where Maldivian boats are built: the dhoni, the curved-stem wooden vessel that does everything from fishing to ferrying, has been made here for generations, and a boatyard on the island turns out hulls that go to the whole country. The work is done largely by eye rather than from plans, with the shape carried in the builders' heads and passed down.
What you actually see
- The boatyard - the working yard building dhonis for the whole country.
- The dhoni form - the curved-stem hull shape the Maldives is known for.
- The building method - work done by eye rather than from drawn plans.
- The village - the community the boatbuilding tradition sits in.
When to go
November to April is the dry season with easier travel. The yard works to its own schedule. Ferry connections are infrequent.
Honest expectations
The yard is a working operation, not a visitor attraction, and access depends on asking. Fibreglass has replaced timber for many hulls. Accommodation on the island is very limited.
Nearby
Ifuru airport is south, and Malé is far south.
What to pack for Alifushi
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
