Kulhudhuffushi is the capital of Haa Dhaalu Atoll administrative division on Thiladhunmathi Atoll in the north of the Maldives. The 2nd largest town in the country by population and size, Kulhudhuffushi is known as the “Heart of the North”. The island is famous for its mangroves (kulhi), after which the island itself is named. It is the only city in the Maldives that has a airport besides Male.
The city has been rebuilt several times in the past in 1812, 1819, and 1921, the island was affected by heavy rains and storms that left many people dead. Since then the island has been famous for unity and hard workers around the Maldives. The people of Kulhudhuffushi are famous for their courage and bravery during the wars fought against the enemies of the nation. Apart from that, the people of Kulhudhuffushi City led the whole atoll Thiladhunmathi in a rebellion act held against the Malé government during the 1940s because of the unjust governance for the people of the north at the time.
The island is located 275 kms north of Malé. Kulhudhuffushi is the economic capital of the northern Maldives. Residents of the city and surrounding settlements are mostly employed in the tourism service or agriculture production. Saturday market is a market which is held every Saturday at “Bandaara road” Kulhudhuffushi, where local farmer’s products and domestic food is available. Hundreds of islanders of Thiladhunmathi and nearby islands visit for shopping and business in kulhudhuffushi City on Saturdays.
The island is also known for shark fishing, blacksmith works, producing coir rope, building boats, and working in cargo vessels. The culture of the island has its own uniqueness. Besides Male, it is the 2nd most favored location in the Maldives with close to 2 dozen seaside hotels and resorts. The island is a hub of adventure sports activities like parasailing, dolphine watching, and more. Known for its pristine white beaches, sunrise, and sunset the island is a nature lovers paradise. Kulhudhuffushi is the starting point for a 20-minute speed boat ride to the island of Neykurendhoo which is a biodiversity hotspot and home to numerous species of mangrove plants.
The government is planning to attract more visitors to the island as a part of the ExploreMaldives initiative to promote tourism. Efforts are on to raise awareness about Mangrove conservation in locals. The mangroves in the island are being studied as a part of an international program to determine the cause of the mass death of certain species of mangrove.
The island is also famous for Mud Kulhi mangroves. Only 2 mud Kulhi of such a kind is found in the Maldives. Best known for its flora and fauna including birds, fish the best way to explore the island is in canoe. Kulhudhuffushi is famed for its cuisine including the wafer-thin and light ‘Haalu Folhi’ and smoked ‘masbondi’. The local population is famed for its unique dialect. To put it in a nutshell, a visit to Kulhuduffushi is a must for #tourist coming to the Maldives.
