Utheemu

Utheemu (އުތީމު) is a small island in Haa Alifu Atoll, the northernmost atoll of the Maldives, and one of the most important historic places in the country. It is the home island of Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu, the national hero who, with his brothers, led the uprising that ended Portuguese rule in the sixteenth century.

The heart of the island is Utheemu Ganduvaru, the wooden residence where he grew up. Built with steep thatched roofs, carved timber and lacquered details, it is one of the finest surviving examples of traditional Maldivian architecture and gives an insight into the life of a prosperous island household. A small museum displays royal possessions, and the old mosque with its coral stone walls and the surrounding cemetery stand nearby. Show more

Beyond its history, Utheemu is a quiet village island with sandy lanes, breadfruit gardens, a harbour and a beach. Reef snorkelling off the northern shore and ferry hopping to neighbouring islands such as Thakandhoo and Ihavandhoo, whose old mosque is on the UNESCO tentative list, round off a stay far from the resort belt.

Utheemu is reached by domestic flight to the north, usually via Hanimaadhoo, and then by boat. A day visit or a night on a nearby guesthouse island suits most travellers. The island is especially busy around national commemorations of its hero. Modest dress is expected, and alcohol is not sold.