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Meridiela.

Kudahuvadhoo

The capital of Dhaalu Atoll, with a mosque whose coral stonework is the finest in the country.

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Typeisland
WhereDhaalu Atoll
Nearest cityKudahuvadhoo
Best seasonNovember to April
Time to allowHalf a day
Getting thereDomestic flights from Malé, around forty minutes; ferries within the atoll
EntryFree

Kudahuvadhoo is the administrative centre of Dhaalu Atoll and holds an old mosque whose coral stone blocks are cut and fitted with a precision that specialists have singled out as the finest surviving example of the technique anywhere in the Maldives, the joints so tight that no mortar was needed. A large pre-Islamic mound stands on the island as well. The island has an airport and is the atoll's transport hub.

What you actually see

  • The mosque stonework - coral blocks cut and fitted without mortar to an exceptional standard.
  • The pre-Islamic mound - the earlier structure surviving on the island.
  • The atoll centre - the administrative and transport hub for Dhaalu.
  • The coral technique - the Maldivian tradition of dressed coral masonry at its best.

When to go

November to April is the dry season with easier travel. Flights run from Malé daily. Mosque access depends on prayer times.

Honest expectations

The mosque is in use and access requires permission and appropriate dress. There is little else on the island for visitors. Accommodation is limited.

Nearby

Rinbudhoo is north, and Nilandhoo is northwest.

What to pack for Kudahuvadhoo

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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