Inspired by the spirit of safari boats yet rooted in the charm of Dhigurah Island.
Our Story
Time to relax
Time to relax It all began with an “undholi.” Over a decade ago, Romney visited Ibrahim on Dhigurah Island, searching for an “undhoali” – a traditional wooden swing seat that is a cherished part of any Maldivian home. Romney dreamed of bringing that piece of the Maldives back to her London garden.
During her visit on Dhigurah, conversations with Ibrahim led to unexpected opportunities. In time, Romney built a house on the island. Over the past 30 years, she has explored the Maldives’ underwater world… diving on safari boats and even serving as a multi repeater at a resort in South Ari long before tourists were allowed on local islands. That changed in 2012 when the Maldivian government permitted guesthouses on local islands.
Romney’s deep love for the ocean and diving laid the foundation for Boutique Beach—a boutique hotel envisioned as a haven with beautiful rooms featuring open air bathrooms, large comfortable beds, and exceptional cuisine.
Inspired by the spirit of safari boats yet rooted in the charm of Dhigurah Island, Boutique Beach came to life. Construction began in August 2014, and on June 15, 2015, the first guest arrived to be greeted with fresh young coconuts.
BB Dive - The Dive Centre
Alongside the hotel, a dive centre was established. The journey began with a converted Dhoni fishing boat, which was soon outgrown. Ibrahim then found a more suitable vessel, and after adding extra rooms, the boat was upgraded once more. For a few memorable years, “World Light” served as our dive boat, carrying divers on countless adventures. During this period, Romney and Ibrahim decided it was time to create a dive boat built just for us.
In 2021, we embarked on building our very own dive boat. Up until 2020, we had hired boats from a nearby island, but our goal was always to keep the investment on Dhigurah to boost the local economy. Afzal’s father generously agreed to fund the boat’s construction in exchange for a monthly rent over 20 years. Ibrahim, our captain, travelled to Raa Atoll in the north of the Maldives to purchase a wooden hull from a renowned local builder, towing it back to Dhigurah over two days.
In a remarkable show of community spirit, villagers gathered on a holiday Friday to help pull the boat onto the beach using traditional logs and a winch…an effort that took only an hour. From June to December 2021, a skilled team specialised in fibreglass worked diligently to wrap the entire wooden hull, ensuring it would be well protected for many years to come.
The Boat
Inspired by a previous rental boat that proved too small, the new design was a spacious 55-foot vessel, offering divers plenty of room. The fibreglass team then built the deck and sunroof, creating an engine space below and ample seating with an area above for towels and dry gear. Although the engine…from Sri Lanka…arrived late due to COVID related delays and port strikes, Ibrahim and local helpers eventually installed it with great care.
Once the boat’s structure was complete, the community once again united to help launch her into the water. This time, the heavier boat took two and a half hours to roll down the beach and into the sea. The excitement peaked when our captains drove the boat across Dhigurah Lagoon to the harbour at speed, marking a triumphant first run. After final electrical work and seaworthiness certification, on January 1, 2022, our guests set off on their first adventure aboard Manta Mobula, our new dive boat. With travel time to Manta Point reduced by an hour, we could now explore even more incredible dive sites… an achievement celebrated by both guests and staff alike.
