Bikini Beach on Maafushi Island [Maldives]

Remember the above notice? Some of you might ask "then what's the purpose of going to Maldives?! Believe me, guys would raise the same question as they are in fact looking out for ladies in bikinis!

Please be assured that there was in reality one stretch of beach in Maafushi (known more as a local island rather than an exclusive islet) where you can wear your trunks / bikinis and this place was conveniently located outside Kaani Beach Hotel. 

Look out for the bunched up dried coconut tree leaves that made up the perimeter of the beach and be rewarded by a view that was truly "Maldivian" standard.

Like the above.

Unlike other beaches in Maafushi, this was the one patronised by most foreigners given its special standing on the island; the opportunity to be more than half naked!

To be fair, the view wasn't the best in Maldives as many islands boasted much better scenery but as far as i am concerned, this was good enough for a dip! 

Step further in and the picture was no longer that postcard perfect! This might a tad disappointing for those who were looking forward to that perfect honeymoon; if that's the expectation, do consider forking out that at least S$600 a night accommodation in that exclusive resort island.

I am perfectly fine with my S$150 a night hotel and i thought the sunset was just as spectacular in Maafushi! Maybe just for your information, there were quite a few restaurants next to the bikini beach where you can have a romantic, sunset dinner!

Two other breathtaking sunset photos for your viewing pleasure! 

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Location

As above

Additional Information
For a full review on Maafushi island, visit the webpage here.

For my Maldives itinerary, 

click HERE.

US$10 Buffet @ Arena Beach Hotel [Maafushi Island, Maldives]

As i was wandering alone around the small town of Maafushi, something at the corner of my mind caught my immediate attention; dinner buffet at only US$10!? 

Anyway, the staff was in the midst of preparation and i promised to return when the sun set. The promise was kept although we had to navigate quiet and sometimes dark lanes in order to get there. I exaggerated a bit since it was no less than five minutes away from Kaani Beach hotel.

An outdoor romantic setting coupled with comfortable sea breeze and the pounding sea waves made up the dinner venue that day; hardly appropriate for two full grown, hungry men. 

Whatever the case, it was the food that i was really looking forward to. This line was only one of three lines available that day; the other two being a BBQ counter and the dessert table.

First few items on my plate; the barbecued stuff! Knowing fish was the main diet for any Maldivian, i asked for two types of fish, a piece of chicken and sausages. The BBQ fish didn't had much taste saved for being a bit fish; chicken was too tough for my liking with minimal seasoning and well, the sausages were the best of the lot!

The two chicken cubes were once again a disappointment (hard, too salty) and the spaghetti wasn't impressive. The fish fingers (not in the picture) were really good even though i chose to believe it was because they were freshly fried.

Desserts were nothing to shout about; normal bread pudding and chocolate cake. For US$10 (exclusive of service charge and tax) per person, i am honestly not complaining. 

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Location

At Arena Beach Hotel

Map

As above

Buffet Menu

As above.

For a summary of my Maldives 

trip, click here.

Kaani Beach Hotel - My Review @ Maafushi Island [Maldives]

When i booked the air tickets to Maldives, i am pretty sure i would have to seek out alternatives on hotel accommodations as there is absolutely no way i am going to spend over S$500 a night on those exclusive beach resorts. 

My research brought me to Maafushi, a local island south of Male said to have over 30 different hotels / guesthouses, with prices that were way more comfortable on the pocket. I eventually booked with the three-level Kaani Beach Hotel due to its high Agoda review score. 

Hotel

Let's rewind to the day of arrival. A whole line of staff from the various hotels / guesthouses were waiting at the jetty and holding on a wooden sign bearing the hotel they represented. After welcoming you and placing your luggage at the hand pulled trolley, it would be a nice, less than five minutes stroll to the hotel. 

A nice glass of juice shall be waiting to quench your thirst as the reception staff performed the check in procedure while another operation staff gave a short briefing to all the newbies. 

Like the above (no bikini), and of course information like breakfast timing, the use of beach towels, the briefing time for the various excursions scheduled for the next day etc. 

Free usage of the snorkeling kits, life jackets and fins! I personally don't feel comfortable sharing snorkeling kits with other people; buy your own if you could. 

Utilise the bicycles to cycle around the local island! To us, it was a great mode of transport for us to explore Maafushi and we make full of use it to visit the police station and health centre when i fell sick. 

Do keep a look out on the upcoming excursions on the whiteboard easel stand at the reception. Those looking to share in the expenses of speedboat (which cost usually USS$175) back to Male to catch your flight can also check out the board periodically.

This would be a more sophisticated board to look at even though i didn't really see much update and it can be confusing since it lists down all excursions and not necessarily the one that has been given the go ahead to take place. 

Collect your room key and most importantly, the details to unlock the free WIFI which had a pretty decent speed. Please note that there is a maximum limit of two devices which you can use to log on to the network. 

Note: No elevator!!!! Do be assured that the friendly Maldivian staff would help you lug it up and it's helpful to note that i am only on the second floor! Furthermore, the stairs were definitely not on the same scale as the ones we faced in Misty Villa! 

I had opted for a room with balcony and what i didn't expect was a common balcony! What's the use of a balcony you ask? Well, i would need to dry my beachwear and that's almost on a daily basis! 

Close proximity to the local life - another advantage was how close we were to a souvenir shop and a local convenience store with prices that didn't give me a heart attack! 

Our twin beds - nothing much with basic amenities like a flat screen television (channels like National Geographic etc were available), mini safe, mini fridge, hot flask for our instant noodles and coffee, wardrobe etc. Aside from air-conditioner, there was a ceiling fan which i appreciated a lot when i was down with fever.

Washroom that came equipped with a hair dryer! There were also complimentary bottles of shampoo, bath gel and body lotion. Frankly, it would be beneficial to include aloe vera gel for sunburnt skin too! 

Rain shower! 

There was a sun deck on the roof where you can tan your skin although i don't require understand why when the bikini beach (the only beach on the local island where you can wear bikini) is just right outside Kaani Beach.

View from sundeck where the bikini beach is demarcated by the fenced up area. I was supposed to check out the reefs at that area on my last day but my weak body prevented me from doing so. :(

I am grateful that rain never fell on the six days i was in Maldives. Well, if rain does fall, i know i can seek respite in the recreation room where i would be thrashed endlessly by Alex in pool.

There was even a small karaoke system to belt out classic oldies! 

Breakfast

Now, let's talk about our daily breakfast at the spacious, ground level restaurant. As with most complimentary breakfasts by hotel, i was honestly not expecting much. 

Frankly, i was all ready to grab my usual toast with jam and butter when i thought i should give the Maldivian breakfast some chance. Turned out it was the best decision i made! 

The fish curry was mildly spicy yet flavourful, the mushrooms were great additions to the pita bread but it was the coconuts with onions and tuna that took the cake for its unique, infused flavouring! 

I was so impressed with it; i thought there should be a better to eat it. Not sure if it is authentically Maldivian but put everything on the pita bread as above.

Roll it up and eat it like a popiah! It was so so good! 

Breakfast on the second day - at least i am not seeing a regurgitation of the same food everyday! It wasn't as delicious as the one i had on day one although still decent enough.

In the event you got sick of the food, go for the perfectly made sunny side up! Alex had four of them every single day! You also opt to have omelettes. 

View when you look out of the restaurant. 

Excursions / Tour Packages

I faced a lot of problems when i was researching on what to do in Maldives as i often could not find the pricing and as you know, they can take a huge chunk of your overseas expenses. Hence, i am going to share with you the price lists for some of the excursions offered by the hotel. 

We took package one for our first excursion which lasted from 9.30am till about 2.00pm. Do keep in mind that there are excursion agents (shops etc) in Maafushi and you may check them out to compare the prices. 

This was the one i was supposed to take on my last day but had to opt out as i fell immensely ill and could hardly step out of the bed. Some of you might be curious about the entrance fee and i shall explain shortly.

Many of the excursions involve travelling to exclusive islands and staying there for an entire day where you would be recognised as guests with no rooms. Entrance fees would help to defray the resorts' cost and in some instances, include lunch or even unlimited drinks at the lounge. 

Entrance fees to those resorts differ and some can go all the way to US$150 per person and this might not even include the transportation cost to bring you there. In our trip, we visited two exclusive islands and i would share more soon. 

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Location

North Maafushi Island

Prices

US$595 for five nights

Booking

Via Agoda.com

Additional Information

Oh, remember to wash your feet to ride yourself of the sand before stepping into the hotel; the last you want is to have sand all over your bed when you sleep!


For my Maldives itinerary, please click here.