Dhigurah, one of the Maldives’ renowned island destinations in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, has been ranked among the world’s 10 most valuable holiday beaches, further strengthening the Maldives’ position as one of the most prestigious tropical destinations in the international tourism market.
According to a study conducted by luxury villa holiday specialist CV Villas, the beach of Dhigurah has been assigned an estimated hypothetical value of €162.7 million, equivalent to approximately MVR 2.9 billion. The island secured eighth place in the global ranking, placing it ahead of internationally recognised destinations including Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands and Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The study assessed some of the world’s best-known beaches by calculating the hypothetical value of their sandy coastal areas as land. The figures are intended to illustrate the potential value associated with highly desirable beachfront locations and do not represent actual sale prices or indicate that the beaches are available for private purchase.
Dhigurah was the only Maldivian destination to secure a place among the global top 15, highlighting the exceptional international value attached to the Maldives’ natural environment. Its inclusion alongside some of the most recognised beaches in Europe, Australia, the Caribbean, North America and South America provides another indication of the strength of the Maldives’ tourism brand and the continuing international appeal of its islands.
Located in South Ari Atoll, Dhigurah is particularly known for its strikingly long stretch of white sandy beach and an extensive sandbank extending into the clear waters of the Indian Ocean. The island’s name itself reflects its geography, with “Dhigurah” referring to its long island formation. Surrounded by turquoise lagoons, coral reefs and rich marine habitats, the island combines the natural characteristics for which the Maldives is globally recognised with the distinctive experience of staying on an inhabited local island.
Dhigurah has developed into an increasingly attractive destination for travellers seeking accommodation within local island communities while retaining access to the Maldives’ renowned beaches, marine environment and recreational experiences. Its expanding guesthouse and hospitality sector provides visitors with a range of accommodation choices and supports opportunities for local businesses, excursion operators, diving centres, restaurants and other tourism-related services.
The island is especially well positioned within South Ari Atoll, one of the Maldives’ most significant marine tourism areas. Waters surrounding the region are internationally recognised for encounters with whale sharks, making Dhigurah an important destination for diving, snorkelling and organised marine excursions. The opportunity to experience the Maldives’ underwater environment alongside an extensive natural beach and sandbank has helped establish the island as an attractive choice for travellers interested in both relaxation and marine exploration.
The recognition is also significant for the continued development of local island tourism in the Maldives. Dhigurah demonstrates how inhabited islands can complement the country’s internationally renowned resort tourism sector by offering visitors additional ways of experiencing Maldivian hospitality, island communities and natural attractions. Tourism activity on such islands also contributes directly to local economic participation through accommodation, transport, food services, water activities and other small and medium-sized tourism businesses.
The international ranking further enhances the visibility of Alifu Dhaalu Atoll and South Ari Atoll as destinations with considerable tourism potential. With its natural beauty, accessibility to major marine attractions and growing hospitality infrastructure, Dhigurah represents an important part of the Maldives’ increasingly diverse tourism offering and contributes positively to the country’s reputation as a premium global destination.
Florida’s Siesta Beach secured first place in the global ranking with an estimated hypothetical value of €1.08 billion. It was followed by Pampelonne Beach in France at €843 million and Praia da Falésia in Portugal at €573.2 million. Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos Islands ranked fourth with an estimated value of €376.4 million, while Australia’s Bondi Beach completed the global top five at approximately €365 million.
Hannah Marshall, luxury travel destination expert and marketing manager at CV Villas, said the research demonstrated how strongly geographical location influences coastal land values. She noted that although beaches often hold personal and emotional value for travellers, the assessment provides an interesting perspective on what internationally recognised stretches of coastline could hypothetically be worth when calculated in relation to surrounding land values.
Marshall also observed that destinations located in some of the world’s highest-value coastal markets can attract significantly greater hypothetical valuations than quieter locations, even when both offer outstanding natural beauty.
While Siesta Beach recorded the highest overall estimated value in the study, The Baths on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands had the highest estimated value per square metre at €8,846. Princess Diana Beach in Barbuda recorded the lowest assessed rate among the beaches studied, at approximately €199 per square metre.
Dhigurah’s position among the world’s 10 highest-valued holiday beaches represents another positive international recognition for the Maldives and its exceptional natural assets. As the country continues to strengthen and diversify its tourism sector, international acknowledgements of destinations such as Dhigurah support the Maldives’ global image as a country offering world-class beaches, distinctive island experiences, exceptional marine biodiversity and high-value tourism opportunities.
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