Maldives local island stays in Addu
A Maldives local island is an inhabited island where Maldivians live, as opposed to a resort that has an island to itself. Addu City has several. Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo and Feydhoo form the western chain, and Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo lie in the east. Gan, at the western end of the chain, has the airport and a former military base.
Guesthouses operate in Hithadhoo and Maradhoo-Feydhoo. You live next to the community, so the rules below apply to you from the first day. From a guesthouse you can book a snorkeling safari or sunset cruise, or plan a walk and a kayak trip in the Addu Nature Park.
Rules on a local island: alcohol, dress and swimming
Follow them calmly and respectfully, and the stay is easy.
Alcohol
Outside resorts, possessing or drinking alcohol and being drunk are offences on inhabited islands. Do not carry alcohol out of a resort, and do not expect a guesthouse to serve it.
Dress
Away from resorts, cover your shoulders and avoid short or tight shorts. At local beaches, cover your upper arms and thighs when you swim. Nudity and going topless are not allowed anywhere, resorts included.
Swimming
A guesthouse near the water does not mean a bikini beach. Ask your host which stretch of shore is used for swimming and what to wear there. Tidal currents can be strong, so swim only in supervised or marked areas and follow local warning signs.
Respect and photos
You are a guest in a residential town. Greet people, keep noise down in the evening and ask before you photograph anyone. Ask your host about local customs.
Fridays
Ferry service on Fridays may differ from the rest of the week. Check the current timetable before you plan a Friday move or an island trip, and ask your host which places are open.
Tours and boat trips in the Addu Atoll
Snorkeling, sunset and dolphin cruises, diving and day trips, with live prices and availability.
Where to stay: islands and areas
Which part of Addu City fits which plan.
| Area | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Hithadhoo | Western chain, administrative centre | Guesthouses; Addu Nature Park with boardwalks, mangroves and a kayak route |
| Maradhoo-Feydhoo | Western chain, between Maradhoo and Feydhoo | Guesthouses |
| Maradhoo and Feydhoo | Western chain | The ferry to Fuvahmulah leaves from Feydhoo |
| Gan | Western end, airport island | Former British base; hotel stays are covered on the where to stay page |
| Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo | East | Arrange the transfer separately; the link road serves the west |
For most first-time visitors, Hithadhoo is the easiest base: it has the nature park, and the link road connects it to Gan and the airport. Choose Gan if the flight and the island's history matter most. More on both is on the Gan page and the where to stay page.
Costs and taxes for a guesthouse stay
Check what the quoted room price includes.
Room price
Compare offers with the same number of guests and the same meal plan. A low nightly rate can exclude taxes and meals.
Tourism GST
The rate is 17 percent since 1 July 2025 (16 percent before). It applies to tourist services, guesthouses included, and to domestic flights bought by foreign visitors. Ask whether it is already in the price.
Green Tax
Since 1 January 2025 the rate is $12 per person and day. Hotels and guesthouses on inhabited islands with at most 50 registered rooms pay $6. A guesthouse is not automatically in that group, so ask. Children under 2 are exempt.
How the days are counted
Tax is charged in 24-hour blocks from check-in. The last block counts only if you stay at least 12 hours. A nightly price is a simplification.
Getting around Addu City
One road links the western islands.
The link road joins Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo, Feydhoo and Gan over roughly 14 to 16 km. Ask your guesthouse to arrange the airport transfer before you arrive, especially for the east. Flights and the Malé connection are on the getting there page.
Maldives local island stays: frequently asked questions
Can I drink alcohol on a local island?
No. Outside resorts, possession and consumption are offences on inhabited islands. Do not bring alcohol from a resort, and do not expect a guesthouse to offer it.
What should I wear on a local island?
Cover your shoulders and avoid short or tight shorts away from resorts. When swimming at local beaches, cover your upper arms and thighs.
Are there bikini beaches on Hithadhoo, Feydhoo or Maradhoo?
Do not assume so. A guesthouse near the water is not a bikini beach. Ask your host where swimming is customary and what to wear there.
How much is the Green Tax at a guesthouse?
It is $12 per person and day, or $6 for hotels and guesthouses on inhabited islands with at most 50 registered rooms. Children under 2 are exempt. These are 2026 rules.
Do ferries run on Fridays?
Friday service may differ from other days. Check the current timetable before you plan a Friday journey.
Is this the official Addu City website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by Addu City Council, a tourism authority, a resort or a tour operator.