History
Historical information about K. Guraidhoo
Located so close to the capital city-Male’, Guraidhoo with its many attractive dive and surf points, turtle snorkeling and friendly locals, has long been welcoming tourists to its island charms.
Guraidhoo Shipwreck
Documented by Francois Pyrard a French navigator known for his personal written account of his time in Maldives from 1602-1607, the Guraidhoo shipwreck is said to have occurred in 1605 when a Chinese vessel carrying porcelain and over 500 passengers wrecked on Medhu Faru near the island. Only 100 from 500 passengers were said to have survived. The mast of the vessel he wrote was the largest he’s ever seen, taller and thicker than those of the Portuguese carracks.
The islanders still talk about the large ship that sank in their waters., and these historic waters now home to guitar sharks, napoleon wrasses and eagle rays is a popular dive point.
The islanders still talk about the large ship that sank in their waters., and these historic waters now home to guitar sharks, napoleon wrasses and eagle rays is a popular dive point.
Retreat for Sultans
Guraidhoo is said to have been a place to retreat for Sultans from the chaos of rebellions. Sultans have said to have found Guraidhoo as a refuge in times of outside invasions and unrest.
Sultan Hussain Faamuladheyri Kilegefaanu of Utheemu Dynasty who reigned the country between the years 1609 - 1620 AD, was laid to rest in K. Guraidhoo. The tomb was placed near an old mosque "Valhu Miskiy".
Sultan Hussain Faamuladheyri Kilegefaanu of Utheemu Dynasty who reigned the country between the years 1609 - 1620 AD, was laid to rest in K. Guraidhoo. The tomb was placed near an old mosque "Valhu Miskiy".
Tourism
Guraidhoo’s historical significance in tourism made its mark with the birth of one of the first guest houses to be established in the Maldives during the 1980s.
The elders of the island fondly recollect the first ever tourists on the island. It is told that the women of the island would display beautiful shells that they collected from the beaches laying them on the sides of the roads, trading them with curious foreigners visiting in the early days.
Today you can still see the remains of this trade but modernized with time in the form of souvenir shops lining the roads with beautiful island treasures.
The elders of the island fondly recollect the first ever tourists on the island. It is told that the women of the island would display beautiful shells that they collected from the beaches laying them on the sides of the roads, trading them with curious foreigners visiting in the early days.
Today you can still see the remains of this trade but modernized with time in the form of souvenir shops lining the roads with beautiful island treasures.
Diving
The Dive School in Guraidhoo- DivePoint Maldives was a business venture born from a passion for diving by Marcus and Mohamed Jalal (Jerry) – a local from Guraidhoo.
in 2006 Marcus Hauck met his current business partner Mohamed Jalal, a former compressor technician, divemaster and diving instructor. They turned their passion for exploring the Maldivian seas into a joint business and founded the first Dive point centers.
Today there’s a total of 5 DivePoint centers, four located on resort islands, and with one here in Guraidhoo.
in 2006 Marcus Hauck met his current business partner Mohamed Jalal, a former compressor technician, divemaster and diving instructor. They turned their passion for exploring the Maldivian seas into a joint business and founded the first Dive point centers.
Today there’s a total of 5 DivePoint centers, four located on resort islands, and with one here in Guraidhoo.