Expect no overwater villas or curated luxe. Meedhoo is a living heritage island, rooted in centuries old traditions, cultural depth, and strategy for future growth. For travellers who want more than selfies, this is your port of call.
What Makes Meedhoo Worth Your Time
1. A Living Legacy: One of Addu’s Oldest Settled Islands
Meedhoo is one of the oldest inhabited islands in Addu Atoll, with evidence of settlement dating back over 2,000 BCE. It was also among the first islands in the Maldives to convert to Islam. This isn’t tourist décor, it’s deep roots and real identity.
2. Kōgaṇṇu – Maldives Oldest & Largest Cemetery
The Kōgaṇṇu Cemetery is epic in both history and scale. Dating to the 12th century and packed with 1,535 tombstones, including the country’s largest coral gravestone. It’s also on the World Monuments Watch, a testament to cultural significance.
3. Mathikilhi Eco Garden – First Wetland Garden in the Maldives
This protected wetland spans about 50 hectares, featuring freshwater ponds, marshes, and native vegetation like hibiscus, screwpine, and water adapted trees. Home to freshwater fish like greenstripe barb and swamp eel, it’s also an eco tourism and flood control asset.
4. Modern Harbor, Heritage Connections
The island’s harbor was significantly upgraded and inaugurated in March 2022. Deepened channels, a 496 m quay wall, 115 m seawall, breakwaters, pavement, and lighting. All delivered by MTCC under government leadership.
5. Part of Hulhumeedhoo – Larger Island, Shared Life
Geographically, Meedhoo and Hulhudhoo are one island, administered separately. Meedhoo comprises the northern half: 1.83 km² area with 1,892 residents (as of 2022) and rising, reflecting a dense, vibrant community.
Things To Do in Meedhoo
- Wander through coastal lanes that feel lived in, not choreographed.
- Visit Kōgaṇṇu Cemetery – the oldest in the nation with royal and faith based significance.
- Walk the boardwalks of Mathikilhi Eco Garden, where wetlands show a different side of Maldives.
- Check the harbor’s energy – it’s Meedhoo’s bustling new artery connecting to boats and local trade.
- Immerse in daily life – stroll paths past mosques, shops, and community gardens, and sense the island’s pulse, not its branding.
Cost Snapshot (Estimates)
| Experience | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| Harbor visit / community stroll | Free |
| Eco Garden entry (tourist) | MVR 50 (~US$3) |
| Local eats / café experience | Affordable, local rates |
| Guesthouse stay (Reddit-recommended) | Budget-friendly |
| Heritage walk / local guide | Low-cost to voluntary tip |
Entry to Mathikilhi Eco Garden runs MVR 50 for tourists (approx. US$3) and MVR 10 for locals.
What Meedhoo Isn’t
- It’s not a resort. No overwater villas or spa packages.
- Daily rhythms outweigh scheduled tours.
- Infrastructure is solid, but not luxury. Expect friendly simplicity.
- Service hours might be flexible, this is community first travel, not packaged tourism.
Final Take
Meedhoo is Maldives unfiltered, where wetlands, stories, mosques, and cemeteries speak louder than marketing. If you want a travel experience that feels lived in, layered, and real, Meedhoo is a must stop.