UPDATED FEB 2020. We all know the Maldives as one of the world’s most ultimate luxurious travel destinations. But, as you peek behind the curtain of water villas and extravagant resorts, there is a side to this island paradise rarely seen in the travel magazines and, in my opinion, no trip to the Maldives is complete without experiencing it. Luckily for us, Boutique Beach offers the chance to visit a local island for a more authentic Maldivian experience while still enjoying the comforts of a luxury hotel.
Where To Stay In The Maldives For An Authentic Diving Experience
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Basic information for Boutique Beach
Location: Dhigurah, Maldives
Bookings: Direct bookings can be made online here
Good for: Couples, romantic trip, solo trip, friends trip
Highlights: Snorkel with whale sharks or manta rays, local experience, simple luxury
Bird’s eye view of the rooftop
Where to stay in the Maldives for simple luxury
If minimalism married luxury you would end up with the simple elegance of these spacious rooms at Boutique Beach.
The concrete floors had a minimal chic vibe to them while the four-poster bed and Molton Brown toiletries brought in a sense of luxury.
For me, there were two things that really stood out about the rooms.
The first was the outdoor shower because, well, who doesn’t love a nice shower under the stars?
The second was the eco-friendly products provided. They left beach bags to carry your gear to the beach and reusable mugs that were perfect for taking a coffee to the beach in the morning.
Each room also has a charging station for your camera gear. You know that will come in handy because Dhigurah is quite a photogenic place.
Shower under the stars
Simply luxury in the beachside rooms
The all-inclusive experience
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included and what can I say other than ‘wow’.
Breakfast and lunch were served in the downstairs dining area, complete with a sandy floor. They always included plenty of delicious food and different fresh fruit juice each day.
Dinners were served on the rooftop, under the stars, which was a wonderful way to finish off each day.
Chef Buddhi’s passion for cooking is very obvious. He would check in each day to ask if we had any food preferences and you could see the twinkle in his eyes as he started thinking up meal ideas.
I wanted to try some authentic Maldivian food and Chef Buddhi was able to whip a few creations together that not only tasted great but allowed me to experience more of the culture.
There is no alcohol on the island. If you prefer alcohol, it would be better to stay at one of the other islands.
Delicious food at Boutique Beach
How to get to Boutique Beach in Dhigurah
Male is the main island where you will most likely fly into. From there you can get to Dhigurah by speedboat or a domestic flight.
The flight is the faster option but it is also more expensive.
The staff can organize your transfers when you book your stay. They also offer a pick up when you arrive on Dhigurah so you don’t have to walk with your luggage to the hotel.
There’s even whale sharks in the garden
Important note about the dress code in the Maldives
It’s important to note that the Maldives is a country with a conservative dress code.
You are not expected to cover yourself from head to toe, but the general rule is to cover your shoulders to knees. I wore maxi dresses with sleeves, or put a light jacket over my dresses without sleeves.
For men, a t-shirt and shorts seemed to be the standard.
Keep the dress code in mind when you go to the beach. Boutique Beach has an area of the beach directly in front of the hotel that allows bikini wearing.
Sunbeds are provided on the roof of the hotel as well as their beach for lounging and tanning. They also provided a map of the island which marked the bikini beach areas.
It’s easy to follow a conservative dress code with maxi dresses
What to expect in Dhigurah
Walking around the island is a great way to get a feel for the local community.
It’s a small island with a population of about 600. As you walk around you will see people raking the sandy roads together, relaxing in hammocks, and kids playing.
I saw a group of women laughing and playing cards on the beach one day and thought it looked like the perfect setting for some quality girl time.
The island is so small that you can stand on one side and see the opposite side, so it’s easy to walk around everywhere.
Colorful buildings in Dhigurah
The diving excursions
Boutique Beach is a diving focused hotel, so if you love being in the water then it’s the place for you.
The diving team can arrange scuba diving or snorkeling trips to take you to see the amazing wildlife including manta rays and whale sharks.
I went on a snorkel excursion each day of my visit and I have to say the water life is amazing. I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen so many animals in one place.
Snorkeling with the giant, graceful manta rays was an absolutely incredible experience.
Swimming with manta rays is an amazing experience
Swim with whale sharks
My dream for this visit was to swim with a whale shark and the area around Dhigurah is one of the best places in the world for year-round sightings.
Unfortunately, they were a no-show while I was there.
I have to say that even though I was sad not to live that dream, I understand that wild animals are just that – wild.
I’m always very skeptical of how ethical something is when they guarantee a wild animal experience. If there’s a guarantee, I assume there is something shady going on or some sort of mistreatment.
Although I was a little sad that I didn’t see a whale shark, I was also glad to know that it was up to the animal where they swam that day as opposed to being pushed into bays where they can’t escape so tourist can swim with them.
Overall thoughts
If you want to step away from the flashy resorts and experience something a little different, Boutique Beach is a fantastic choice.
Being able to take snorkel tours every day with so much wildlife was just incredible. The staff were amazing, helpful, and everything was done with care and attention. It’s also a great opportunity to still treat yourself to a luxurious accommodation experience but on a quieter island with a more authentic vibe.
For more information:
Book your stay at Boutique Beach here.
Visit the Boutique Beach Website
Follow the hotel on Instagram for the latest updates and specials
Other guides to help you plan your trip
7 Interesting Things To Know Before You Visit Dhigurah In The Maldives
What To Wear In Conservative Countries If You Are A Female Traveler
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