Discover Makunudhoo

Makunudhoo is part of Haa Dhaalu Atoll and has a large reef. Makunudhoo is the westernmost inhabited island in the Maldives. If you are looking for hotels in Makunudhoo, it is worth exploring different aspects of the destination: the coastline and underwater world, archaeological traces, as well as the harbour and how to get there. These topics appeal to different travel interests. For nature and diving, it is also worth distinguishing between Makunudhoo itself and the nearby island of Innafushi.

Reef, pond and surroundings

At the western end of Makunudhoo is a pond connected to the sea. Residents call it “fureytha fengandu”, meaning “monster pond”. Its connection to the sea distinguishes it from an enclosed inland body of water. The large reef, in turn, points to the island’s underwater landscape. The pond and reef therefore represent two different scales of the coastal landscape: a single named place and a large-scale natural feature.

Innafushi is located near the destination. Flocks of seabirds gather there to nest and lay eggs. Numerous shipwrecks on the reef around Innafushi are of particular interest to divers, while offshore diving is associated with Makunudhoo. If diving is an important reason for your trip, check in advance whether a suitable option is available for your travel dates.

Archaeological traces and mosque

At the northern edge of Makunudhoo are the ruins of a circular foundation measuring 18 feet 10 inches in diameter, or around 5.74 metres. This measurement gives the archaeological find a specific sense of scale. The pond at the western end and the foundation at the northern edge provide two different points of reference on the island. During excavations at Makunudhoo’s Old Friday Mosque in 2020, the ruins of an extensive pre-Islamic complex were discovered; the discovery was reported in January 2025. The Masjidul Thaqwa Mosque on Makunudhoo was stated to have a capacity of 700 people when it was inaugurated in October 2016.

Harbour and how to get there

When it was inaugurated in October 2016, the harbour was reported to measure 790 feet long and 375 feet wide, equivalent to around 241 and 114 metres. The harbour was developed to resolve the difficulties residents faced when docking on the island and to significantly reduce the burden of travel. While the archaeological evidence relates to the island’s history, the harbour represents the practical side of arrival and connections. Makunudhoo can be reached by boat or by domestic flight to a nearby larger island; the transfer is then made by speedboat or dhoni. The journey therefore includes a stopover and a further leg to the island.

Discover more destinations: Noonu, Kelaa, Hoarafushi, Nellaidhoo, Vashafaru, Kulhudhuffushi, Funadhoo, Dhidhdhoo

For the main travel overview: Upper North Province.