Seaside Dhigurah

We stayed at Seaside Dhigurah for 7 nights and had a great break. Although the 6 chalets are side by side, they are amid the tropical garden, and you get a real sense of privacy. The rooms are well provisioned, including a refrigerator and Netflix on the TV. The open-air shower is a nice touch and a great way to check the days weather. One niggle though is that the hot water takes a long-time to reach the shower, no problem if you like a tepid shower in the morning. There is enough choice on the breakfast for most people and the fresh fruit plate is really good. One area that could be improved is getting coffee, on most occasions we had finished our breakfast before the coffee arrived. I think having a self-service, filter coffee, would speed things up. Seaside provides free mask and snorkel to use and bikes to get around the island. Yaeesh and his team are extremely helpful and will help resolve any problem/query you have, including arranging a scooter for us to visit the sand bank as my wife struggled cycling. We didn’t book any trips but by example, a whale shark trip will cost you $180/£143, per couple. Finally, some tips, most people want to visit the sandbank, it’s a long walk and/or bike ride, and its isolated so you need to make sure you’re self-sufficient and have enough water, sunscreen, repellent etc. Yaeesh can organise a ‘taxi’ for you if you don’t fancy the walk/ride. Most of the other hotels and restaurants are at the other end of town and we really liked the Malaveli restaurant. If you need to change money, the corner shop offers a decent rate, and the Beach View café is good for a coffee and slice of butter/chocolate cake.

A great way to visit the Maldives, such good value compared to resorts we’ve been to in the past and does feel more authentic. The accommodation at Seaside is excellent, lots of space and we loved the outside shower. Riswaan and Rajuwan run the place really well, and the excursions from the harbour around the corner are great value, we swam with whale sharks (although obviously not guaranteed we swam with 3), and had a special breakfast on a sandbank with nothing around us but the ocean. Dhigurah itself is beautiful, an hour walk along the beach to the sandbank at the other end of the island was great exercise and one of the most beautiful walks. Bikini beach nearer the village has more people but never crowded, but the further you go, you can feel like you’re on your own on the island. Riswaan sorted to the internal flight and speedboat transfer for us with Flyme which works perfectly, very easy to get from international arrivals, to being met off the boat at Dhigurah harbour. We’ve already booked again for next year!

Seaside Dhigurah is an attractive and ideally located small hotel in a garden setting and in the best area of Dhigurah. From our arrival to departure we enjoyed the most wonderful hospitality, food and comfort at Seaside, courtesy of Ali Riswaan and his team. Their personal service and their friendly and professional manner at all times was impressive. The spotlessly clean, large and air-conditioned rooms are a delight to return to after a morning's snorkelling, or just walking or cycling around the island. The restaurant is on the first floor and has nice views with optional indoor or outdoor seating. The excellent value of the establishment stretches to the free use of bicycles and snorkelling equipment, and excellent free wifi. We are sure that you will enjoy your stay at Seaside as much as we did!