Located in North Ari atoll, an atoll renowned for its idyllic islands and colorful marine life, Feridhoo boasts of natural beauty and a rich heritage. Feridhoo is 90 kilometers from Velana International Airport (also known as Male’ International Airport) and can be reached via a 90 minutes speedboat ride.
Feridhoo has a length of 1.125 kilometers and a width of 0.575 kilometers. The people live in the middle of the island with thick vegetation on both sides. There are several paths through this thick vegetation which can lead to secluded pieces of beach. The island is surrounded by white sandy beaches and the house reef is easily accessible from the shore. Interesting features include the huraagandu, which is a rocky bank by the sea, when you stand at the edge of the huraagandu starting out into the infinite blue of the sea and sky, it is as if you are standing on the edge of the world. Additionally the large banyan tree (locally known as nika gas), which is an identifying feature of the island from afar, stands towering over everything else. It is an incredible experience to view and walk among the roots of this ancient tree which is rumored to be older than 400 years. Ask one your hosts for a guided tour of this marvel of nature.
Feridhoo has a registered population of approximately 770 people while 420 people are living on the island with the remainder living in the capital city, Male’, and other islands or working in resorts (Census 2014). With advent of Tourism in 1972 and local tourism more recently, the majority of the population works in the Tourism and Hospitality industry.
The people of Feridhoo have a rich ancestry entwined with Africa. It was common in the past for the rich, especially kings, to purchase African slaves on their pilgrimage to Mecca (a holy site for Muslims located in Saudi Arabia) and bring them back to the Maldives with them on their return. And then these slaves were freed by their owners before their death to gain merit in the afterlife. It is said that two of such freed African slaves settled in the island of Feridhoo and the majority of the population of Feridhoo are descendants of these two freed slaves. Look out for the subtle physical traits of this ancestry in the current population of Feridhoo during your stay with us. Additionally, and probably due to this ancestry, the island is renowned for boduberu, the local drum music which has deep roots in African music.
The people of the Feridhoo, like the rest of the Maldives, practice Islam and the two mosques on the island are testament to the people’s religious identity. The old mosque features local craftsmanship while the new mosque, dubbed Masjidul Qufran, is a more modern compared to the old mosque. Additionally the island has several State offices such as the Island Court and Secretariat of the Island Council. Other points of interest include the island school, the island health center and pharmacy.
Escapism Maldives is located in the heart of the island and therefore everything is quite close by. Also, when you are on an island smaller than 1.5 kilometers everything is conveniently around the corner.
Visit Feridhoo and escape from the mundane that is everything else.