Local island •Gaaf Alif atoll, see all its islands
Nilandhoo
- Population
- 545
- as of 2022
- Area
- 0.61 km²
- land area
- Distance to airport
- 395.5 km
- Velana Airport
Overview
Nilandhoo is a local island in Gaaf Alif, 395.5 km from Velana International Airport. About 545 people live here.
On the island
- Health centre
- ATM
Not on the island
- Clinic
- Hospital
- Bank
- Airport
Access points
Getting to Nilandhoo
395.5 km from Velana International Airport
Public Ferry
From Kooddoo
35 min • $3.24 per person
Daily except Friday
MTCC's RTL ferry runs direct from Kooddoo to Nilandhoo with one stop at Maamendhoo. This is leg 2 after a Maldivian flight to Kooddoo. There is one sailing a day in each direction, in the late afternoon from Kooddoo and early morning back, and none on Fridays. There is no direct ferry from Malé. The route continues south to Dhaandhoo and Dhevvadhoo. Fare is a fixed per-person one-way public rate.
Not suited to late arrivals
Private Speedboat
From Kooddoo Airport jetty
15 min
Daily
Arranged through your guesthouse. There is no walk-up transfer desk at Kooddoo. It is the only way to reach the island on a Friday or after the afternoon ferry has left. This is a charter fare, not a fixed per-person rate, quoted on request.
Not suited to late arrivals
Domestic Flight
From Velana International Airport (Malé)
1 hr 5 min • $223.92 per person
Daily
Maldivian is the sole operator, flying Malé to Kooddoo Airport. Nilandhoo has no airport, so connect onward from Kooddoo by the RTL ferry or a speedboat. Morning and midday flights connect reliably. If you land late at night, confirm a night boat with your host first or plan an overnight stop. Fare is priced per person for one-way.
Works with late arrivals
Guest guidance
Good to know before you arrive
- No bikini beach
- No alcohol
Who it's for
Travellers after a quiet farming and fishing island with reef snorkelling, and experienced divers heading for the Nilandhoo Kandu channel.
Who it's not for
Nightlife seekers, luxury-amenity travellers, beginner divers wanting easy sites, anyone needing more than health-centre care, and Friday arrivals.
Dress code
Modest dress in the village (shoulders and knees covered); keep swimwear for a resort or sandbank excursion.
During Ramadan
Local cafés and restaurants may close or limit service during Ramadan daylight hours; guesthouses generally still serve guests.
Location
Where Nilandhoo is
- Distance from Velana Airport
- 395.5 km