The Dhoni, The Maldives Traditional Boat by Dreaming of Maldives

Discover the beautiful story of the Maldives traditional boat, the dhoni. Crafted by hand, rich in heritage, and central to island life and travel, these mighty and elegant vessels play a major role in Maldivian culture.

For centuries, the Maldives traditional boat, known as the dhoni, has sailed through the lagoons and open seas of the archipelago.
These elegant vessels are crafted by hand by master carpenters and passed down through generations. They are far more than simple boats, they are a reflection of the country’s secular heritage, craftsmanship, daily life, and exceptional skills.
Guided across reefs and currents by captains famed for their instinctive navigation, dhonis in the Maldives embody the art, tradition, and timeless beauty of island life—whether used for fishing, inter-island transfers, or transformed into luxurious cruising boats.

At Dreaming of Maldives, these boats have inspired our journeys since the very beginning, so much so that one small traditional dhoni became the very symbol of our identity.
Here begins their beautiful story.

All photos and video featured in this article were taken by us during our multiple journeys from north to south of the archipelago.

Maldivian Dhonis, the Iconic Maldives Traditional Boats

The Maldivian dhoni, ou Doani, is the quintessential Maldives traditional boat. Present across the entire archipelago, these beautifully curved boats have played a central role in island life for centuries and have long inspired us at Dreaming of Maldives.
With their elegant, curved lines and unmistakable silhouette, Maldivian dhonis have long served as the backbone of transportation across the islands. Connecting remote atolls, supporting the local fishing industry, and now transporting travelers.
For generations, they have crossed open ocean and navigated the unpredictable forces of nature, monsoon winds, sudden storms, and strong currents, that would challenge smaller, less stable boats.

A Dreamy Boat That Defined Our Story

In 2005, one of our photographs—a small traditional dhoni stranded on a pristine Maldivian beach, was chosen as the cover for the first edition of our book Dreaming of Maldives.
This image, so evocative of the islands’ spirit, became the visual identity of our entire work. Since then, the dhoni has remained at the heart of our story and creations.

Since then, a small sailing dhoni remained as our brand identity and logo.

Dhonis Have Always Inspired Our Work

Dhonis have appeared in countless photographic series we’ve created over the years.
Whether sailing across blue lagoons or resting in the golden glow of sunset, their silhouette adds timeless poetry to any Maldivian scene.
Their ability to evolve—while preserving their essence—makes them a constant source of inspiration, both visually and culturally.

Dreaming of Maldives was born.

How did a small Maldivian Dhoni inspire us the name “Dreaming of Maldives” ?

We wanted to illustrate our first book cover with a photo that would unequivocally identify the Maldives from any other tropical destination in the most heavenly and iconic way as possible. The second idea was to represent as much as we could the splendour of the Maldivian landscapes.

Among many photos, a little dhoni beautifully stranded on a beach kept our attention.
The picture seemed to be straight out of a dream
And besides, with this dhoni, the destination could not be mixed up with any other. It became iconic.
For the record, the same picture inspired us the title of the book too as well as the official name of all our creations since then.

Building Dhonis. A cultural heritage that crosses the centuries

The dhoni is deeply anchored in the Maldives culture. Mainly built by talented carpenters in Raa atoll, north Maldives, the construction of dhonis follows ancestral guidelines, transmitted orally from one generation to another. Today, for more convenience and speed, the shapes, construction techniques and material have changed through the times.

A Legacy of Craftsmanship

Each dhoni is a true work of craftsmanship, hand-built using techniques passed down orally from generation to generation.
In Raa Atoll, one of the main boat-building hubs, master carpenters still shape the hulls using nothing but their experience and traditional knowledge—often with no formal plans.

A Mighty Boat Built to Brave all kind of Weathers

Dhonis are mighty vessels. When I was living in the Maldives, I often saw them brave all kinds of weather.
But one day, I wasn’t just watching, I was inside. I had to. No turning back.

The moment that made me believe in dhonis…

During a particularly rough crossing between Male and what is now Hulhumale, with stormy winds and crashing waves, our dhoni kept cruising through the chaos. At one point, the boat tilted sharply to the side — nearly 60 degrees — as powerful waves struck it from the flank. For a moment, we were almost vertical above the sea. And then, just as steadily, the dhoni came back down and pushed forward, completely unfazed.
It wasn’t one of the traditional sailing dhonis, but a modern, engine-powered one.
They’re not fast ( between 20 km/h to 40 km/h – 12 Kn to 20 Kn/hour ) but they’re strong, balanced, and impressively stable.

Thanks to their sturdy hull and gently curved bottom, these Maldives traditional boats are remarkably seaworthy. Their design isn’t just beautiful—it’s made for survival. Shaped to ride with the waves rather than cut through them, dhonis maintain exceptional balance and stability, even when the sea turns rough.
This quiet strength is part of what has made the dhoni a mighty and trusted vessel across the Maldives.

From Coconut Wood to Modern Materials

Traditionally made of coconut wood, the Maldives most common tree, trusted for its solidity and resistance to rot, most dhonis today are built with imported hardwood and powered by diesel engines.
Sizes vary greatly—from small fishing boats just 3–4 meters long / 14ft ( the rarest today ) to majestic liveaboards of 30 meters / 100ft or more.

Modern Maldivian Dhonis

Modern dhonis have various colours, like green or blue. But the most eye-catching one is the red coloured dhoni, that perfectly contrasts with blue lagoon.

A Design Inspired by Arabian Dhows

Dhoni’s shape is likely inspired by the Arabian sailing dhow, which was commonly used as a trading ship in Indian Ocean around the 11th Century AD. The dhoni adapted its curves and structure to fit the local geography, reefs, and weather patterns.

The Dhoni resembles a dhow, an Arab traditional sailing vessel.

A small dhoni cruising the seas during a beautiful colorful sunset.

Dhonis in Daily Maldivian Life

Dhonis are at the very heart of the Maldivian way of life and cannot be missed during your stay. They are the most common transportation in Maldives and play a fundamental role in the Maldivian economy for fishing, transportation of people and goods between atolls and islands.

My favorite place : the bow !

Modern dhonis have become today a usual way to transport tourists for transfers, during excursions, diving safaris or to reach diving spots. They cross open seas and lagoons by hundreds on a daily basis and can be spotted everywhere, from the airport to the most remote atolls of the archipelago in all kinds of weather conditions.

A dhoni transporting tourists on the seaplane platform for their transfer to/from the resort.

Mighty Ships for Brave Captains and Crews

Until today, some dhoni captains and crews still rely on instinct and observation rather than GPS or compass to slip through the islands and atolls.
They find their ways throughout the labyrinths of coral, helping themselves with the bow of their dhonis together with the stars.
During clear nights, some of them have the rare ability to avoid dangerous reefs, by carefully observing the moves of the water at the surface of the lagoon.

On a typical journey aboard a Maldives traditional boat, a crew member often stands at the bow, carefully observing the lagoon to avoid dangerous reefs. These Maldivian dhonis are still navigated with remarkable skill. As the boat moves forward, the crew member shouts directions back to the captain, who pilots the dhoni from the back, close to the stern.

A dhoni crew member stands at the bow of his boat, carefully observing the lagoon to avoid dangerous reefs. Along the way, he shouts directions to the captain, who pilots the boat from the stern.

This teamwork, based on instinct and experience, is part of what makes traveling by traditional boats in the Maldives such a unique and authentic experience.

Luxury dhoni crew members

From Fishing Boat to Floating Luxury : The Modern Dhoni

Cruise between Islands and Atolls for a few days

Luxury resorts across the Maldives have reimagined the traditional dhoni into an elegant yachting experience.
Traditional on the outside, modernly designed and equiped with cutting-edge technology on the inside, the legendary Maldivian boat has been transformed into a super luxurious cruising nest for two.

Dreaming of a luxury cruise in Maldives

It’s probably the best way to experience the real Maldives and to reach its most untouched beauty.
Far from the crowds, your days unfold in complete seclusion : sailing between remote sandbanks, virgin islands, enjoying sunset dinners on deck and if you’re a snorkeler or a diver, diving pristine reefs.

These luxury dhonis are used for private island-hopping cruises and romantic sunset dinners.

This blend of heritage and high-end travel has given the dhoni a new identity—luxury, redefined through tradition.

A modern luxury Dhoni, used as a yachting vessel for a luxury resort in Maldives.

The Small Traditional Maldivian Boat. A Rare Beauty

Small sailing dhonis, once widespread, are now a rare sight. Their slow speed and delicate construction make them impractical for modern life, but they remain the most poetic of all Maldivian vessels.
Luckily some resorts still preserve them for decorative displays or private sunset cruises
When you do spot one, gracefully gliding across the lagoon with its sail open—it’s like watching a dream come to life.

Various photos of small dhonis. Rare and beautiful, they gracefully glide across the lagoons.

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