Kudagiri Picnic Island Opens Next Month

The long awaited Kudagiri picnic island is opening next month.

Situated in Kaafu atoll near the capital Male, Kudagiri Picnic Island opens next month. The island is a local only island developed for the residents of Male city.

Opening of the island has been delayed several times with the initial opening scheduled for the last Independence Day. According to the Ministry of State for National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure the delay was caused to build additional facilities on the island and develop the landscape by planting more trees

The island is reportedly an eco-friendly island with the arrangements based on the modern concept.  According to the managing director of Housing Development Corporation (HDC), Suhail Ahmed, and the island will provide public toilets, changing rooms, water sports facilities and hut. According to reports the island will also provide accommodation but the service will not be available initially. Kudagiri currently has a mosque and building providing basic amenities with electricity and water sullies installed.

In addition the island also has a fire safety plan and a disaster management plan.

Moreover, the island of Kudagiri is 10.5 km from the capital city of Male’. It takes 15 minutes by speedboat and 40 minutes by ferry boat to reach the island from Male’. Tickets to and from Kudagiri to Male is reportedly MVR 15.

Initiallythe Picnic Island was planned locate in EMboodhoo lagoon with an approximate 3.3 hectares of land to be utilized. The government later changed the plan to Kudagiri. There was also a plan to develop the island of Kudabandos as the picnic island but the government later decides to turn the island into a resort. 

Residence of greater Male will have a much needed island gateway upon completion of this project. Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) is developing the island.