Ukulhas

Ukulhas in North Ari Atoll built a reputation across the Maldives for something unglamorous: it was the first island to run a proper waste separation and management system, at a time when most islands burned or dumped rubbish on the beach, and it has won national awards for it repeatedly. The result is a notably clean island with a good bikini beach, a house reef and a set of guesthouses.

Background

Ukulhas is a flat, oval cay of coral sand near the northern edge of Alif Alif Atoll, 71.68 kilometres west of Malé. It is aligned northwest to southeast, 1025 metres long and 225 metres wide, with an area of 17.4 hectares. Its population grew from 615 in 2006 to 1284 in 2022. Tourism formally began on 15 November 2012. The island received the Green Leaf award in 2014 for protecting its environment, and each year it holds cleaning and planting programmes and talks on waste, marine ecosystems and biodiversity. A health centre with round-the-clock emergency care opened on 1 June 2007.

Source: Wikipedia, "Ukulhas"

Highlights

• The waste system - the separation and management programme the island became known for.
• The bikini beach - the clean stretch set aside for visitors.
• The house reef - coral within swimming distance of the shore.
• The village - the community that runs the island's programmes.

When to go

November to April is the dry season and calmest. Ferries run on limited days. The monsoon from May brings rougher crossings.

What to expect

Local island rules on dress and alcohol apply outside the beach. The island is small and there is little to do beyond the water. Speedboat transfers are expensive and ferries are slow.

Nearby

Rasdhoo is east, and Thoddoo is northeast.

Key facts