FAQ & FACTS

Yes! Guesthouses on local islands in the Maldives reopened in November 2020 (resorts slightly earlier). Consisting out of 1,192 small islands, an outbreak has been prevented! The only island ‘off limits’ is our capital Male’ at this moment

No. Not at this moment

Travelers from South Asian countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) were restricted last month(s). However, these restrictions are lifted from the 30th of July onwards.

With the naturally isolated islands, we believe it is unlikely that our borders will close again. However, if there is an outbreak in your own country, please double check with us or with the government if you will be allowed to travel.

Yes! Dhigurah (and Bliss) is reopened since November 2020! Recently additional restrictions have been implemented on local islands, to which Dhigurah complies: 60% of the total island population is vaccinated, 90% of the 65+ age group, and over 95% of all tourism workers.
We welcome you!

1. PCR TEST: Not needed anymore (as of 5th of March, 2022).
2. HEALTH DECLARATION: An online form to fill in within 48 hours prior to departure to the Maldives, which takes about 30 minutes and you can find here.
3. CONFIRMED BOOKING: At a registered tourism facility, which Bliss Dhigurah is! The full list of approved facilities can be found here.

When leaving the Maldives:

• Filled health declaration form <48 hours prior to departure

No. Recent (July ’21) additional restrictions have been laid on local islands: In order for our guests to travel to local islands without being fully vaccinated, the inhabitants on the island needs to be vaccinated. On Dhigurah over 60% of the total island population is vaccinated, 90% of the 65+ age group, and over 95% of all tourism workers.
We welcome you!

Yes. Even though testing positive is highly unlikely, as everyone is tested before arrival and many travelers are vaccinated, it might be something you would like to be insured for. The Maldives’ national insurance company, Allied, provides this insurance from $25 per person per stay onward, which we highly recommend you to take.

Due to the additional rules and regulations by the government as well as the local island council, there hasn’t been any community spread on Dhigurah. Let us guide you to the additional guidelines on our island:

Face masks

• When walking through the village area, wearing a face mask is recommendable. 
• On the beach, face masks are not required. The bikini beach (2.5 KM), which is located about 100 meters from our front door, is open on all days of the week.
• At Bliss, as long as social distance is maintained in open areas, we do not require our guests to wear a face mask. Even though we leave it open for staff to wear face masks or not (not obliged).

Shops

• Souvenir shops are open! You can visit them, but we still advise to wear a face masks while in the shops or local areas.
• Super markets are open as well and we advise the same as for the Souvenir shops
• The Health Center and Pharmacy are open (opening hours you can ask at reception).

Activities

• Excursions: Snorkelling and fishing trips are organised as usual
• Diving: The dive center is open and operates as usual
• Local cooking class: At this moment it is unfortunately not possible to organise a local cooking class
• Resort day trip: Also, not possible. At the moment resorts do not accept day visitors. However, if you do want to experience both worlds, most resorts do accept a “split stay”. As long as you book a night with them. Please do verify this with the resort you set your eyes on prior to booking.

Yes! We can arrange your PCR test on Dhigurah for $90 per person. The test is taken within 72 hours prior to your international departure and you’ll receive your results usually within 24 hours, but no later than 48 hours.

No, as of the 5th of March you do not need a negative PCR test anymore for leaving the Maldives. (Please check the regulations of the place/country you go to after Bliss Dhigurah, to make sure you don’t require one for your new destination/home country). 

• With the latest updates related to COVID regulations in the maldives, our policy regarding rebooking and cancellation is now as follows:
• All bookings made via the Bliss website, or directly with the hotels can be modified or cancelled, without any cancellation fees, up to 7 days prior to arrival.
• Prepayment will be taken 7 days prior to your arrival and can be made via banktransfer, for more information please do not hesitate to contact us.
• This is valid from now until 30th June 2023 (with the exception of the Festive season. Please inquire at the respective hotels for additional information)
• These terms may vary at any given time with prior notice and are subject to the hotel’s cancellation policy

If you need to adjust a reservation made through another travel site (such as Booking or Expedia), please contact them directly for assistance and cancellation policies.

At Bliss Dhigurah, we remain vigilant in enforcing procedures and protocols issued by the the Maldivian Health Protection Agency (HPA) and the World Health Organisation and – as always – will continue our commitment to providing meaningful, memorable experiences for all who stay with us.

Testing positive is unlikely: Everyone visiting Dhigurah will be tested prior to arrival and the majority of the island is vaccinated. However, it might of course happen! When tested positive, or if you’re identified as a close contact (when sharing the room with someone who tested positive), the following will happen:

Positive yourself:

• You’ll have to quarantine in a dedicated ‘quarantine room/home’ on Dhigurah for 7 days
• After the completion of 7 days, you will be free to leave

Close contact:

• You’ll have to quarantine in a dedicated ‘quarantine room/home’ on Dhigurah for 7 days
• You can request a mid-term PCR test on day #5. If this test comes back negative, nothing will change. If it comes back positive, the 7 day count restarts
• After the completion of 7 days, on day 8, there will be PCR test. When the result is negative, you are free to leave

The Maldives’ national insurance company, Allied, provides insurance covering quarantine accommodation from $25 per person per stay onward, which we recommend you to take.

Yes! Provided that neither of the islands you will stay at is “under monitoring” due to a recent COVID case. This does not happen often though (knock on wood).

If you are splitting your stay between a local island and a resort, please make sure to check with the resort if they accept split stays. Most do, but some are more restrictive. Are you going to a resort after visiting Bliss Dhigurah? Then make sure you check with that resort if they require you to have a negative PCR test before arriving.

Yes. However, only for a transit.
As the capital is very densely populated, there are restrictions on sightseeing and duration of stay in Male’ and Hulhumale’.

There are two main transfer options from Velana International Airport (MLE) to our hotel, either by domestic flight or by speedboat.

1) Flight: Domestic flight
From Male Airport to Maamigili (20 minutes) + Speedboat to Dhigurah (20 minutes). The departure dates and times are flexible. Price: $140 per adult, one way, $70 for children <12 at the time of traveling.
2) Speedboat:
Male Airport –> Dhigurah: 11.00AM and 16.00 PM (Sometimes the times might change a little due to weather conditions).
Dhigurah –> Male Airport: 6.30AM & 15.00PM
Costs: 60 USD per person, one way.
Please let us know which option works best for you and we will take care of booking it. You’ll be able to pay for the transportation costs upon your arrival.

The cost of transportation will be added to your room bill, which will be settled upon check out of Bliss.

We would like to book your transport at least 5 days in advance to secure your seats in high season. During low season it is possible to book your spots last minute, though we cannot make guarantees.

Yes. We will meet you at Dhigurah’s harbor to pick you up!

• Speedboat: We do not need any other information. Please inform the speedboat crew that you’re staying at Bliss and you will be set!
• Flight: To book the flight for you we would prefer a copy of your passport, if you do not prefer to send that on email or whatsapp, we would need the exact full name(s) (as per passport) – date of birth and country of origin. 

From Male airport –> Dhigurah
Timings: 11.00 AM & 16.00PM
*Sometimes the time might differ a bit, depending on weather conditions

From Dhigurah –> Male Airport
Timings: 06.30AM & 15.00PM
On fridays: 14.00PM

The speedboat leaves from Jetty Number 1 and the name of the speedboat is Endheri Express. In case you face any issues, please call us on: +960 720 1234.
Timing from Male city: 15.45pm (on fridays 14.45pm)

If arriving before 09.30AM, you will be able to catch the 11.00AM speedboat and if arriving before 2:30PM, you will make the 16.00 speedboat.
Return: You will arrive at the airport around 08.45AM, always check with your airline if the check in desks is closing 60 or 90 minutes prior to departure. 

For more information, please send us an email.

We can book your domestic flights + speedboat transport to Dhigurah. To make this booking we need the following details: 1) Full names of all passengers, 2) International flight number connecting to domestic flight, 3) If any kids <12 years old traveling: Date of Birth.
The airline will book seats as closely connecting as possible to your international flight. We will receive your booking information quite quickly after booking and will communicate it to you. However, the airline might make some minor changes to flight times up to the day before traveling. We will get back in touch with you in case of changes.

The airline does not provide the time schedule online, so for more questions about this you can write us on [email protected]

Usually the flights are 3 to 5 times a day (depending on the season).

To guarantee your spot on the plane and assure a favourable flight connection, we need to book your tickets at least 5 days in advance. Even though we might be able to get spots with a shorter notice, we cannot make any guarantees anymore.

We can easily arrange private speedboat transportation from Dhigurah to nearby islands. The price would depend on the proximity of the island. Let us know if you would like us to check (current) prices to specific islands and we will find out.

Alternatively if you’re traveling to a nearby local islands, you could take the public ferry.
MTCC Route 304 travels: Fenfushi, Maamigili, Dhidhdhoo, Dhigurah (~8AM), Dhangethi, Mahibadhoo – Dhangethi, Dhigurah (~15:20PM), Dhidhdhoo, Maamigili, Fenfushi.
NOTE: Bliss does not take responsibility for arranging tickets (bought on the boat) and possible delays/no shows.

Unfortunately, transportation to further islands is quite difficult. Public transportation is limited and private transportation might get quite costly. We could find out what a private speedboat to the island will cost you, but are quite certain that it will be a more affordable to travel back to Male’ by public speedboat and go to different islands from there.
If you would still like to know the price of a private speedboat, please do let us know and we will find out!

Please drop us an email at [email protected]

Please fill in our group contact form and we’ll get back in touch with you shortly.

Example packing lists are made because we receive a regular question of what to pack to the Maldives. Feel free to keep our lists as guidelines but keep in mind that a packing list changes drastically per person. You might want to add or subtract items for your own list.

You can find the lists here.

We have universal sockets next to your bed and in quite some public spaces (like the coffee bar and rooftop) Most of these sockets have a USB charging point as well. For the other sockets in the room and building we have Type G (British/ Square 3-pin).

We love to stay connected ourselves and therefore invested in a 50mbps internet line for our guests as well! There are rarely issues with the internet and hardly any power cuts.
We have 2 internet options, the first one is our Free Wifi and if you are in need of faster internet or doing some zoom or team meetings you can pay towards our Premium internet. 

We always have some special deals going on! If you book through us directly by sending an email, we might be able to offer you a secret deal depending on the season and duration of your stay! Just drop us an email.

We have limited space in our rooms and therefore it is not possible in most of our rooms to add an extra bed.

It is possible for a third person to sleep in the Suite. We recommend the connecting family rooms (4 pax) for families. It would be possible to add an extra bed to the family room if there is a family of 5 people (3 children), however this would limit moving space significantly.

Children under 6 years old could share the same bed with the parents.

For this question, please go to the home page and find the chapter about our cancellation policy.

We’re happy to share our menus! Though, please keep in mind that the menu and prices might slightly change over time and season. If you have specific dietary restrictions, please let us know. We’re very flexible, but would need a heads up if we need to order special ingredients.

You can find our current menus here.

Currently you can pick off the a la carte menu if you book a room + meal plan, as we do not have buffet style restaurant. For Half Board, breakfast + one meal per day is covered by us. Commonly this is dinner, but if you prefer you could swap it for lunch. For Full Board, we cover breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For dinner in half board or full board, you can pick any* main dish and dessert from the menu. Please keep in mind that the menu might change slightly over time. The meal plan includes bottled drinking water, additional drinks are chargeable.
*Only the lobster comes with additional charge. 

In time we might develop set (equally delicious) menus for meal plans.

There will be a set menu or buffet for group bookings on meal plans.

We spot Whale sharks throughout the year. It depends a bit on the weather how easy they are to spot from the boat. The calmer the sea and sunnier it is, the easier it is to see them.

Other sharks are always around as well. Other (harmless) sharks we frequently see are: Black tip, White tip and Grey reef sharks. You’ll see nurse sharks more on dives than during snorkeling. Occasionally a different shark species visits, after which the snorkel/dive community goes out of their way to find them.

It’s possible to spot Mantas throughout the year when diving. There is a cleaning station nearby that is frequently visited. For snorkeling there are some months with a lot of activity where the manta rays can also be spotted in our lagoon. Last year this was from January to about April, and it might repeat itself before the end of the year. However, it is harder to predict.

Yes. Most of the beach surrounding Dhigurah has soft white sand, with occasionally some coral. Definitely good to swim from!

• Resort day trip: Currently, not possible. At the moment resorts do not accept day visitors. However, if you do want to experience both worlds, most resorts do accept a “split stay”. As long as you book a night with them. Please do verify this with the resort you set your eyes on prior to booking.

There are blocks of coral with fish and occasionally a turtle near the beach. The nearest reef is the inner reef (arches) further in the lagoon, which might be accessible by canoe or SUP, though it is quite the paddle.
The outer reef is on the other side of the island, and since the reef forms a natural protection wall for the island, it is only accessible going around it by boat. The outside reef has both more fish and coral and is nicer to snorkel on.

We are happy to share our dive price list with you. All prices are inclusive of taxes, drinks and applicable boat fees. Please send an email to [email protected]

No. Though it’s safer to inform us about possible dive plans so that we can plan the dives accordingly, especially if you’re staying for a short period of time. Usually you can book while you are here, but in high season it is easier if we reserve a spot on the boat and plan the dives according to the dive certification (e.g. depth).

We accept a wide variety of card payments (among which Amex, VISA, Mastercard and Union Pay). Cash payments are are only accepted in USD or MVR (We cannot accept Euros). 

!Please note that the Maldivian bank is very particular about the condition of the USD notes. Old and/or lightly damaged notes, even though still accepted in other countries, will be refused by the national bank of the Maldives.

Please don’t take offense, it is purely that the note will have no worth to the individual to whom you are paying.

Particularly the old US$100 bill is refused. The new $100 bills can be identified by the blue stripe that runs across.

Yes! Since 2020 we have an MVR (Maldivian Rufiyaa) ATM on Dhigurah. Please bare in mind that it is not always working or filled with money. To be safe, we always advice to get money from the ATM at the airport. Our hotel representative welcoming you at the airport can help you with this.

You cannot exchange money on Dhigurah, so exchanging needs to be done at the Male Airport. 

Yes, for direct bookings we need a 50% pre-payment 7 days prior to your arrival date. This can be done by banktransfer.
For more info: [email protected]

No, the local shops only accept cash. The souvenir shops accept USD as well as MVR, whereas the local grocery shops usually accept only Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR). Furthermore, the pharmacy only accepts payments in cash in MVR.

Yes. We can prepare the bill in advance and you can make a payment transfer. The bank charges $15 as a transfer fee, which will be added to the bill.

Yes. There is a designated bikini beach within a few minutes walk from Bliss. The beach itself starts only 20 meters from our front door, but the official ‘bikini beach’ starts from the boat yard, about 50 meters further.

There are two networks, Ooredoo and Dhiraagu. Both can be found at the airport and both are working equally well on the island. Though, rumor has it that Ooredoo has a slightly larger 4G coverage.

No. Unfortunately alcohol is not allowed on any local island in the Maldives. However, we have great mocktails and 0.0% beers! 

No. The mosque is not near the hotel and loudspeakers can’t be heard.

Yes. There are a few souvenir shops on the main street of the island. There’s a handful of convenience stores, a pharmacy and a medical center.