Dhiffushi (Kaafu Atoll)

Dhiffushi (Dhivehi: ދިއްފުށި) is one of the inhabited islands of Kaafu Atoll.

Dhiffushi
inhabited local island
Dhiffushi
Location in Maldives
Coordinates: 4°26′28″N 73°42′40″E
CountryMaldives
Administrative atollKaafu Atoll
Distance to Malé36.99 km (22.98 mi)
Dimensions
 • Length0.950 km (0.590 mi)
 • Width0.200 km (0.124 mi)
Population
 (2014)[1]
 • Total1,053 (including foreigners)
Time zoneUTC+05:00 (MST)

Geography

The island is 36.99 km (23 mi; 20 nmi) northeast of the country's capital, Malé.[2] Dhiffushi is 0.95 km (0.59 mi) in length and just 0.2 km (0.12 mi) wide, with a total land area of 22.3 ha (55 acres). It is located next to Meerufenfusi. The island has Maldivian flora and fauna with coconut palms along the shoreline.

Dhiffushi is the most eastern inhabited island in the Maldives and hence the island witnesses sunrise first in the country. There are about six sandbanks at very close proximity to the island along with snorkelling and diving sites. The island's house reef is more than 10 km (6.2 mi) long housing colorful corals, many varieties of fishes and other marine flora and fauna.

Demography
Historical population
YearPop.±%
2006 767—    
2014 967+26.1%
2006-2014: Census populations
Source: [3]

Governance

In accordance with the recently passed Decentralization Act of Maldives, Dhiffushi is governed by an elected Island Council composed of three Councillors. The Council is headed by the President of the Council. The Island Council reports to the Local Government Authority (LGA). As democracy and decentralization is at the infant stage in Maldives, the councillors, and the government may find it difficult to deal with important issues like land, and resource utilization.

Economy

Dhiffushi is the leading island in Local Guesthouse industry the Maldives. The island is famous for its hospitality and friendliness of the people while there are a variety of guesthouses run by locals along with a few guest shops opened up for business.

Infrastructure

The island has a hospital, two mosques and public school. Currently there are three local cafes which operates from morning 6am until 11pm, seven local shops, and a few restaurants serving international menus open from morning 11am till 11:45pm. About a dozen guesthouses are in operation ever since local islands are opened up for guesthouse business. Many new boutique and island style tourist accommodations are budding in the island. There is a local soccer club and a soccer field.

As of beginning of 2012 Dhiffushi council has started to build an industrial area next to the harbour in order to claim additional land, the land has been used for commercial industrial use.

The island doesn't have a police station due to the low crime rate.

Transport

Public ferry
  • Everyday except Friday & Monday
  • Takes 2 hrs 45 mins
  • Tickets per person MVR 20
  • Leaves from Male' at Villingili Ferry Terminal at 2:30pm. The ferry dhoni arrives at the island at 5:30pm
  • Leaves from Dhiffushi to Male' at 6:30am. The ferry dhoni arrives at Male' at 09:30am

Fast ferry

A speedboat ride of 40 mins, tickets cost $35 per person.

From Saturday to Thursday, this ferry leaves from Male' to Dhiffushi at 4:30pm in front of the Bank of Ceylon. The return journey from Dhiffushi to Male' leaves at 7:30am. On Fridays, the journey from Male to Dhiffushi is at 8:30am and 7:00pm. The return journey from Dhiffushi to Male' is at 5:00pm.

Guest Houses in Dhiffushi

There are 18 Guest Houses in Dhiffushi Island.

1. Crown Beach Hotel
2. Crown Beach Villas
3. Rashu Hiyaa
4. The Captains Residence
5. Dhiffushi White Sand Beach
6. Ameera Guest House
7. Captain's Sunset Lodge
8. Crystal Dhiffushi
9. The Home Maldives
10. Veli Vilaa
11. Araamu Holidays and Spa
12. Ranauraa Inn
13. Ohana Maldives
14. Dhiffushi Inn
15. Sea Side Villa
16. Club Kaafu
17. Infinity Dhiffushi
18. Portia and Spa

References
  1. "Table PP5: Resident Population by sex, nationality and locality (administrative islands), 2014" (PDF). Population and Households Census 2014. National Bureau of Statistics. p. 34. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  2. "Coordinate Distance Calculator". Boulter.com. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  3. "Table 3.3: Total Maldivian Population by Islands" (PDF). National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
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