The first Independent & Dreamy Guide to the Maldives

For this very first Focus On, we could not speak about Dhonis as first. They can be considered as a symbol of the Maldives and we, at Dreaming of Maldives, love them. This is why since 2005, we have chosen a small sailing Dhoni as our symbol too. They have inspired many of our photos and one of them was chosen for the cover of our First Edition of Dreaming of Maldives.

The traditional Maldivian boat is part of the Maldives and cannot be missed. Dhonis cross open seas and lagoons by hundreds, on a daily basis and can be spotted everywhere, from the airport to the most remote Atoll of the archipelago during a holiday in Maldives.
Very strong and elegant, they have braved oceans and stormy weather as mighty vessels for ages.

Dhonis are the most common transportation way in Maldives. Their role is fundamental in the Maldivian life for fishing and transportation of people and goods between Atolls and Islands.
Modern dhonis have become today a usual way to transport tourists during excursions, safaris and to reach diving spots.

Built in Maldives, their construction follows ancestral guidelines, transmitted orally from one generation to another. The Atoll of Baa hosts most of the shipyards.
Traditionally made of coconut wood, their shape was very probably inspired from the ancient Arabian sailing dhow, which was commonly used as a trading ship in Indian Ocean around the 11th Century AD.
Today, for more convenience and speed, the shapes, construction techniques and material have changed through the time and most of the dhonis are equipped with diesel engines and built with imported wood. Their size can vary from 3 to 4 meters (14 ft), the rarest, up to 30 meters (100 ft) and even more.

Dhonis are more and more used as Luxury Liveaboard by many Resorts who offer their guests the possibility to cruise between Atolls for a few days. Traditional on the outside, high on design and cutting-edge technology on the inside, the gendary Maldivian boat has been transformed into a luxurious cruising nest for two.

Small dhonis are one of the most beautiful fishing boat we have seen around. Unfortunately, due to their size and low speed, they become more rare among the islands. Some Resorts use them as decorative furniture or to transport their guests to their Water Villas.
If you are very lucky, you will sometimes be able to see them with open sail, gliding gracefully across the lagoon.