Hello friends. This was the fourth island on our journey: Tınadhoo Island. Our hotel Plumeria, had its own boat. So there was no need to worry about transfers from Malé. As soon as you land in Malé, an agent meets you and escorts you to the boat. The island is 75 km from Malé, so the trip takes about 1 hour and 20–30 minutes. As usual we checked into the hotel right away and immediately noticed that the staff was busy cleaning, as if they were preparing for our arrival.
We were greeted by a large Tınadhoo sign, which instantly brought smiles to our faces. A sign that everything was going well. From what I could tell swimming was possible here, but the area was mostly filled with coral reefs, making it a bit uncomfortable for swimming. However, it was perfect for spotting fish.
After settling into our room we started exploring the island. The room opened up to a small terrace with two chairs, perfect for enjoying the tranquility. Our room was number 139 the farthest from the beach. There was a small construction site nearby, but we couldn’t hear a thing. It was completely peaceful. The room was quite spacious, with small yet essential details like an ironing board. Despite being on a local island, the hotel was pretty good. It had a wonderful bed with two night lamps. The room was beautiful though a bit dark. The only downside was that while tea and coffee were free, the minibar and even the water were charged. However, the prices were reasonable. 1.5 liters of water cost 0.50 dollars and a can of Coca-Cola was 1 dollar.
Next we explored the storage area where all our belongings fit comfortably. There was also a safe, slippers and a mirror with a cover to check your appearance. The hotel seemed a bit old, but they maintained cleanliness well. There was even a foot-washing area, which some hotels overlook. The room was somewhat hidden, nestled within greenery.
We were staying in an area with one-story houses and villas. On weekends many locals visit with their children, so it can get a bit noisy. The great thing was that the hotel offered an all-inclusive system: breakfast, lunch and dinner were included in our package. For our first lunch, there was an impressive variety of options, from salads to hot dishes. Chicken and fish were always available, especially steamed fish. There were also two types of seafood. I didn’t see shrimp, but there was fish today. And you could choose from potatoes, rice or pasta. The most surprising thing was the large selection of desserts. I’m not much of a dessert person, but having options is always nice.
The restaurant was quite interesting.it had sand on the floor, allowing you to walk around barefoot and enjoy the vibe. There was also a sea view from the restaurant and a bar serving non-alcoholic drinks, wine and beer.
Later we decided to explore the island to see if there was a beach since we hadn’t figured out the hotel’s beach area yet. We discovered jet skis, kayaks and paddleboards available. To get a beach towel, you need to go to the reception, where you can pick one up, use it and exchange it for a fresh one the next day. In the mornings, the UV index is low, making it perfect for sunbathing. We decided to explore the beach. First impressions were great. There were sun loungers where you could relax, but bikinis weren’t allowed on this beach. For that you’d need to walk a little further to the bikini beach, which had loungers and public areas.
The weather forecast predicted a 90% chance of rain on our first day, but we decided to swim and sunbathe early in the morning before the clouds rolled in. As expected, clouds started gathering on the horizon, bringing a massive wall of rain, but we were determined to make the most of the morning. The sea was calm and inviting, almost calling us in with a "Come on, jump in." vibe. I loved the natural beauty. There weren’t many tourists around early in the day.
While everyone was having breakfast, we quickly grabbed our fins, masks and snorkels and headed to the beach to secure the best spots. We walked about 200 meters along the shore, where gazebos started lining the beach, which stretched about 500 meters long. Plenty of space for everyone, even with lots of tourists on the island. It was wonderful. No crowds. Let’s dive in together.
We swam for 30 minutes, covering around 500 meters. They say the corals died in the 1990s due to warm currents, but they’re slowly recovering and growing back quite quickly. There were plenty of fish, especially if you swam through the gaps in the reef walls around the island. I’m sure you’d love it.
Let me tell you about our wonderful beach. This beach is 500 meters long with beautiful, sandy access everywhere. However, at the end of the beach, there are some corals in the sea, which can hurt your feet. That’s why it’s always a good idea to bring protective shoes. By the way, clouds were approaching us, but we were lucky. We swam a little while the sun was hiding behind the clouds.
It also rains in the Maldives and we decided to swim in the rain. I think we fulfilled all our little dreams.We even swam in the Maldives in the rain. Nature is always beautiful.
Afterward we looked for a quieter, hidden beach and actually found a forest park. Interestingly everything was very clean, with every tree neatly maintained. You can walk around comfortably here. The island and the hotel are mostly concentrated in the east, while the rest is a bit wilder but also somewhat dirty. Currently, several new hotels are being built here with tall buildings, so Thinadhoo is developing. For example, this island we explored will change over time as more tourists discover it. In a few years it will be a different place.
Thinadhoo is changing. Of course, there will still be wild, untouristy islands for a while, perfect for those seeking solitude. Thinadhoo left a really beautiful impression. Our first impression was excellent. Our hotel is nice, the beach is very long and although there are many tourists, it doesn’t feel crowded. There are plenty of sun loungers on the beach and everyone can find a spot. You can swim in the ocean as much as you like and there are lots of fish.
For dinner there’s an amazing variety of food. You can also order pasta or grilled fish specially prepared for you. The selection is quite extensive. I was really satisfied. It doesn’t feel like a local island; it feels more like a resort. I tried the chicken with teriyaki sauce and it was delicious. Besides the main restaurant, there’s also a sandy restaurant where you can order à la carte dishes. If you only have breakfast included or no meal package at all, you can pay extra for meals here. There are different drinks available, all non-alcoholic. A coconut costs 2 dollars.
In the evening we attended a meeting organized by the hotel. They gave us hotel-branded hats. The hotel holds this meeting for every new guest. In the evenings, everyone gathers, watches a video and gets information about the hotel, including which beaches are suitable for bikinis and which are not. They also provide details about tours you can join. The highlight is swimming with sharks.
At 6 pm, sharks are fed at our hotel. A lot of them come, lining up and waiting for food. It’s really an impressive sight. There are so many sharks that sometimes those at the front don’t get any food. When the food is thrown farther, the sharks rush there. Some just lie around and wait. Many people gather here. It’s fascinating, but at the same time, constantly feeding them might cause them to lose their natural hunting instincts.
On our second day we arrived a bit late for breakfast. At 8:30 am. But we were told that breakfast would be available until 9:30 am on the first day. There’s plenty of pastries, donuts, sweets and baked goods. I don’t usually prefer potatoes or beans in the morning, but I always go for an omelet, sausage or bacon. They prepare it fresh here: crepes, omelets, waffles… The best part is relaxing with an ocean view while having breakfast.
Then we went on a shark tour. The locals had prepared the fish in advance and the sharks showed up immediately when they started feeding them. Unexpectedly a huge shark appeared. I wasn’t expecting the sharks to be this big. The first ones we saw were small, but now they looked like massive monsters.
There are also many dolphins and they have a lot of fun with the boats. We hadn’t seen anything like this in a long time.
Now let me tell you about the spa. There’s Thai massage here, which we hadn’t seen on local islands before. A 60-minute massage costs 65 dollars and 90 minutes is 80 dollars. The spa and massage services are quite varied.
There are many different water sports available as well: jet skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding and even jet cars. A 15-minute jet car ride costs 65 dollars. You can also get diving lessons. A certified dive costs 130 dollars.
The village on the island is very small, with only 50 to 200 residents, most of whom work at hotels or cafes. There’s not much to explore in the village, but spending time at the hotel and the beach is much more enjoyable.
There are also floating bars like the Blue Bar. Groups are formed and you can go there by boat from 9 to 11 pm. The round-trip costs 20 dollars per person. If you want a relaxing evening, this activity is perfect for you.
Finally, our last day arrived. This wasn’t our first island. We’re experienced now, but for first-time visitors, everything is very exciting. If you’re planning to come here, a one-week vacation for two at Plumeria Hotel costs around 1000 dollars. This includes breakfast, dinner, various activities and two tours. If you want more adventure, you can add diving or more tours.
It was an amazing vacation and above all, we will definitely come back for our next anniversary.