Hoarafushi

Hoarafushi (Dhivehi: ހޯރަފުށި) is an inhabited island of Haa Alif Atoll, Maldives, and is geographically part of the Ihavandhippolhu Atoll.The island has a history dating back approximately 300 years when the inhabitants of nearby Huvahandhoo migrated and established a settlement. Over the centuries, Hoarafushi has developed a rich cultural heritage, particularly known for its contributions to Maldivian poetry and literature. It is an island-level administrative constituency governed by the Hoarafushi Island Council.

Hoarafushi ހޯރަފުށި
island
An aerial view of the island
Hoarafushi Location in Maldives
Coordinates: 6°58′50″N 72°53′45″E
Country	Maldives
Geographic atoll	Ihavandhippolhu Atoll
Administrative atoll	Haa Alif Atoll
Distance to Malé	317.57 km (197.33 mi)
Government
• Council	Secretariat of the Hoarafushi Council
Dimensions
• Length	1.75 km (1.09 mi)
• Width	0.45 km (0.28 mi)
Population  (2025)[1]
• Total	3,613 (excluding foreigners)
Time zone	UTC+05:00 (MST)
Area code(s)	650, 20

Night View of Hoarafushi

History

The island is named after the great frigatebird, known as the hoara in Dhivehi, which used to be seen there.

According to the 1912 census, Hoarafushi was the fourth-largest locality in the Maldives, with a population of 1,811.^[2] The island used to be an educational hub. The people of Hoarafushi claim to have originated from Gudhanfushi, a vanished island adjacent to Huvahandhoo in the same reef. The population moved to Huvuhandhoo as Gudhanfushi eroded away before moving onto Hoarafushi. In 2006 the inhabitants of Berinmadhoo were relocated to Hoarafushi.

Geography

Hoarafushi is located at the northern most Ihavandhippolhu Atoll. The island is situated within the largest fringing reef of Maldives extending over 22 km. Hoarafushi consist of 3 islands naturally joined the main island Hoarafushi adjacent to Bodufinolhu connected in the late (1700) and Kudafinolhu in (2013). The island has a land area of 105 hectares. 317.57 km (197 mi; 171 nmi) north of the country's capital, Malé.^[3]

Aviation Academy

The Regional Airports Company (RACL) inaugurated an Aviation Academy on Ha. Hoarafushi, Maldives, featuring the country's first automatic fire simulator.^[4] Named the Ahmed Fayaz Fire Simulator after former RACL Fire and Safety Director Ahmed Fayaz, the academy aims to provide comprehensive aviation programs sanctioned by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority, including civil aviation-approved certificate courses.^[5] Basic firefighting courses commenced in July 2022, with plans to expand training to aircraft rescue, firefighting, and emergency medical services.^[6][7]

Population

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1912	1,811	—
1921	1,171	−35.3%
1931	1,602	+36.8%
1985	1,650	+3.0%
1990	1,995	+20.9%
1995	2,098	+5.2%
2000	2,221	+5.9%
2006	2,204	−0.8%
2014	3,291	+49.3%
2016	3,388	+2.9%
2018	4,379	+29.3%
2019	4,500	+2.8%
2022	3,561	−20.9%
2025	3,613	+1.5%
1911-2014-2016-2019-2021: Census populations Source: [8]

Education

The Hoarafushi island has 4 well known educational institutions.

1. H.a Atoll School (ހ.އ އަތޮޅު މަދަރުސާ), a government manipulated educational institution. (LKG to Grade 12)
2. Avid International Preschool opened in 2025

1. Thauleemul Bayaan (ތައުލީމުލް ބަޔާން), a private educational institution mainly focused on Qur'an Studies.
2. Novel Institute of Technology offers IT courses^[9]