You can get to Maafushi Island from Malé four ways: the MTCC public ferry (~$2.50 one-way), a shared speedboat ($25–$35), a private speedboat ($150–$250), or an airport direct speedboat ($30–$45).Maafushi is the most popular local island in the Maldives, 27km south of Malé in South Malé Atoll, famous for its bikini beach, water sports, guesthouses and a calm lagoon. The public ferry is the cheapest but runs only on set days; the speedboat is faster and runs every day, including on Wednesday when the public ferry does not run. This guide walks you through every step of getting from Malé to Maafushi, with the transfer options, the cost, the journey time, the Malé ferry terminal, the step-by-step process, and everything you need to book the rest of your Maafushi trip — flights, hotels, car rentals, eSIMs, bikes and Maldives GetYourGuide tours.
Maafushi is the gateway to the local-island Maldives: a small inhabited island, walkable end to end in 10 minutes, with a dedicated bikini beach, a string of guesthouses, and a beachfront full of water-sports operators. It is the easiest local island to reach from Malé, which is why most first-time visitors to the Maldives on a budget start here. This guide answers the question 'how do I get to Maafushi Island from Malé' end to end, from landing at Velana International Airport to walking onto the Maafushi bikini beach. Use the search above to see the flights to Malé and the onward transfers for your date.
Your Four Transfer Options
There are four ways to get from Malé (or the airport) to Maafushi, each with a different price, journey time and schedule. These are the four options at a glance, with the cost, the crossing time, the days and the best use for each.
MTCC public ferry
Cost: ~$2.50 one-way
Time: 1h 30m
Days: Sun, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat (7:30am), Mon (3pm), no Wed
Best for: Budget travellers with matching dates
Shared speedboat
Cost: $25–$35 one-way
Time: 30–45 min
Days: Every day, on demand
Best for: Solo travellers and couples
Private speedboat
Cost: $150–$250 one-way
Time: 30–45 min
Days: Every day, on your schedule
Best for: Families and groups of 4–8
Airport direct speedboat
Cost: $30–$45 one-way
Time: 30–45 min
Days: Every day, from Velana airport jetty
Best for: Connecting straight off a flight
Step-by-Step: Getting from Malé to Maafushi
From the moment you land at Velana International Airport to the moment you walk onto the Maafushi bikini beach, here are the five steps to get to Maafushi Island from Malé, with the cost, the timing and the practical details for each step.
Step 1 — Land at Velana International Airport (MLE)
All international flights to the Maldives land at Velana International Airport (MLE) on Hulhulé island, right next to Malé. From the airport, you have two starting points: the airport ferry jetty at Hulhulé (for the airport direct speedboat to Maafushi) or a 10-minute ferry ride into Malé (for the MTCC public ferry and the Malé speedboat jetties). The airport ferry to Malé runs every 10 minutes, costs around $2 and takes 10 minutes. If you are taking the airport direct speedboat, you do not need to go into Malé at all.
Step 2 — Choose your transfer
There are four ways to get from Malé (or the airport) to Maafushi: the MTCC public ferry (the cheapest, $2.50 one-way, on set days), a shared speedboat ($25 to $35, every day), a private speedboat ($150 to $250 for up to 8 passengers, every day), or an airport direct speedboat ($30 to $45, from the airport jetty). The right choice depends on your budget, your dates and your group size. The public ferry is the cheapest but runs only on set days; the speedboat is faster and runs every day, including on Wednesday when the public ferry does not run.
Step 3 — Book the speedboat, or buy the ferry ticket on the day
There is no walk-up ticket booth for the speedboat, so book the shared or private speedboat through your Maafushi guesthouse or a transfer operator ahead of time, by email or WhatsApp, with your flight number and your preferred departure time. Some guesthouses bundle the speedboat transfer into the room rate, so check when you book — the bundled transfer can work out cheaper. The public ferry is cash-only at the MTCC ferry terminal in Malé: arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the 7:30am departure to buy your ticket in Rufiyaa (MVR), and bring small notes as the booth does not always have change for large notes.
Step 4 — Get to the right jetty
The MTCC public ferry and the Malé speedboats depart from the MTCC ferry terminal at the western end of Malé, near the Villingili ferry terminal. It is a 10-minute walk from the airport ferry jetty in Malé, or a 5-minute taxi ride from most Malé hotels. The airport direct speedboat departs from the Velana International Airport ferry jetty at Hulhulé, so you do not need to go into Malé at all. Your guesthouse will tell you the exact jetty and the meeting time, and most will meet you at the jetty on arrival at Maafushi.
Step 5 — Arrive on Maafushi
Both the public ferry and the speedboat arrive at the Maafushi island jetty on the north side of the island. Maafushi is walkable end to end in 10 minutes, with the bikini beach on the eastern shore, the guesthouses in the middle and the jetty on the north. Most guesthouses meet you at the jetty and walk you to your room. From there, the island is yours: swim at the bikini beach, book a snorkel trip or a sandbank picnic, rent a kayak, eat at one of the dozen cafes, and catch the public ferry or a speedboat back whenever you like.
What Awaits You on Maafushi
Bikini beach and lagoon
The Maafushi bikini beach is on the eastern shore, with white sand, sun loungers, a beach bar and clear water for swimming and snorkelling. The lagoon is calm and shallow, perfect for a long swim, and the house reef is a short swim from the beach. There are rental shops on the beach for snorkel gear, paddleboards and kayaks. The beach is small but well set up for day-trippers and overnight guests alike.
Water sports and trips
Maafushi is the water-sports capital of the local islands, with banana boat rides, jet ski rentals, parasailing, snorkelling trips to nearby reefs, sandbank picnics and diving all bookable from the beachfront operators. The snorkelling trips to the nearby reefs and the sandbank picnic are the most popular — book a day ahead in the peak season. The diving is good, with several thilas (submerged reefs) within a short boat ride.
Once you arrive at the Maafushi jetty, you walk south to the bikini beach in a few minutes. The island is small — walkable end to end in 10 minutes — with the bikini beach on the eastern shore, the guesthouses in the middle and the jetty on the north. There are no cars on Maafushi, but there are a few scooters and bicycles; everything else is a short walk. Most guesthouses meet you at the jetty, and there are a dozen cafes and restaurants on the island. From there, the island is yours to explore.
When to Go: Days, Months and Weather
Nov–Apr
Calmest seas
30–45 min
Speedboat crossing
Every day
Speedboat runs daily
The calmest crossings on the way to Maafushi are in the dry season from November to April, when the seas are flat and the visibility on the reef is best. The southwest monsoon from May to October brings rougher seas and a bumpier crossing, but the speedboat is more stable in the chop than the public ferry. The public ferry runs on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30am and Monday at 3pm, with no service on Wednesday — if you need to travel on a Wednesday, the speedboat is the only option. For a day trip, plan for a Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday and catch the 7:30am ferry out, or take a speedboat on any day.
Tips for Getting to Maafushi
- The MTCC public ferry is the cheapest way, at around $2.50 one-way, but runs only on set days
- The public ferry runs on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30am, and Monday at 3pm
- There is no public ferry on Wednesday — book a speedboat if you need to travel on a Wednesday
- The shared speedboat costs around $25 to $35 one-way and runs every day, on demand
- The private speedboat costs from $150 to $250 one-way for the whole boat, up to 8 passengers
- The airport direct speedboat from Velana to Maafushi costs around $30 to $45 one-way
- Book the speedboat through your guesthouse or a transfer operator — there is no walk-up booth
- Some guesthouses bundle the speedboat transfer into the room rate — check when you book to save
- The public ferry is cash-only in Rufiyaa — bring small notes, no cards or dollars
- The speedboat is paid in US dollars, to your guesthouse or the operator on the day
- The speedboat takes 30 to 45 minutes; the public ferry takes 1 hour 30 minutes
- Maafushi is walkable end to end in 10 minutes — the bikini beach is a short walk from the jetty
Maafushi in Pictures
A preview of what awaits you on Maafushi — the island from the air with the guesthouses and bikini beach, the public ferry and the speedboats docked at the jetty, the bikini beach with sun loungers and turquoise water, and a banana boat ride and parasailing above the lagoon.
Flights to Malé
Search live fares to Velana International Airport (MLE), the gateway to the Maldives and the start of your Maafushi trip. Real-time availability on each airline and the cheapest day to fly.
Maafushi Hotels
Book guesthouses on Maafushi — some bundle the speedboat transfer into the room rate, so the bundled room and transfer can work out cheaper than booking the speedboat separately.
Book Maafushi HotelsMalé Cars & Transfers
Book a car or airport transfer in Malé — the easiest way to reach the MTCC ferry terminal, the speedboat jetty and your Malé hotel from Velana International Airport, and to explore the capital island between your flights.
Maldives eSIM
Install a Maldives eSIM before you fly so you have data and messaging the moment you land at Velana International Airport — no airport SIM queue and no roaming charges on the way to the ferry terminal. Coverage on Maafushi and across South Malé Atoll is good at the guesthouses and the bikini beach.
Get a Maldives eSIMRent a Bike in the Maldives
Maafushi is walkable end to end in 10 minutes, but a bicycle is a fun way to explore the larger local islands of South Malé Atoll on a day trip. Book a bike ahead for any island-hopping trips from Malé, from Maafushi to Gulhi and Guraidhoo — a bike gives you the freedom to explore beyond the ferry jetty.
Rent a BikeMaldives Tours & Experiences
Once you have made it to Maafushi, book a Maldives experience — a sandbank picnic, a snorkelling trip on a nearby house reef, a sunset dhoni cruise, or a dive on a South Malé Atoll thila. Many of these experiences depart directly from Maafushi. Browse and book top-rated Maldives experiences below, all with free cancellation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Maafushi Island from Malé?
You can get to Maafushi from Malé four ways: the MTCC public ferry (the cheapest, around $2.50 one-way, on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30am and Monday at 3pm), a shared speedboat (around $25 to $35 one-way, every day on demand), a private speedboat ($150 to $250 for the whole boat, every day on your schedule), or an airport direct speedboat (around $30 to $45 one-way from Velana International Airport). The public ferry takes 1 hour 30 minutes; the speedboats take 30 to 45 minutes. Most visitors take the speedboat, as it runs every day and is much faster.
What is the cheapest way to get to Maafushi from Malé?
The cheapest way to get to Maafushi from Malé is the MTCC public ferry, with a one-way ticket at around MVR 36 ($2.50) for an adult and a round trip at around MVR 72 ($5.00). The public ferry runs on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30am, and on Monday at 3pm, with no service on Wednesday. The ticket is cash-only at the MTCC ferry terminal in Malé, so bring small Rufiyaa notes. If your dates match the ferry schedule and you are on a budget, the public ferry is by far the cheapest option — it just takes 1 hour 30 minutes instead of the speedboat's 30 to 45 minutes.
What is the fastest way to get to Maafushi from Malé?
The fastest way to get to Maafushi from Malé is the speedboat, with a 30 to 45 minute crossing against 1 hour 30 minutes on the public ferry. The shared speedboat costs around $25 to $35 one-way per person and runs on demand every day, while the private speedboat costs from $150 to $250 one-way for the whole boat, up to 8 passengers, and runs on your schedule. The airport direct speedboat from Velana International Airport to Maafushi is the fastest option if you are connecting straight off an international flight, as it skips the ferry or taxi hop into Malé.
How do I book the speedboat from Malé to Maafushi?
There is no walk-up ticket booth for the speedboat, so you book the shared or private speedboat through your Maafushi guesthouse or a transfer operator ahead of time, by email or WhatsApp, with your flight number and your preferred departure time. The speedboat is usually paid in US dollars, either to your guesthouse when you book the transfer, or to the speedboat operator on the day. Some guesthouses bundle the speedboat transfer into the room rate, so check when you book — the bundled transfer can work out cheaper than booking the speedboat separately.
Can I get a speedboat direct from the airport to Maafushi?
Yes — you can take a shared speedboat direct from Velana International Airport to Maafushi, with a one-way price at around $30 to $45 for an adult and $20 to $25 for a child, and a 30 to 45 minute crossing direct to the Maafushi jetty. The airport direct speedboat saves the taxi or ferry hop into Malé, and is the fastest way from the airport to Maafushi. Book the airport direct speedboat through your Maafushi guesthouse ahead of time, with your flight number and arrival time — the operator meets you at the airport ferry jetty and takes you straight to the boat.
Where does the ferry to Maafushi depart from in Malé?
The MTCC public ferry to Maafushi departs from the MTCC ferry terminal at the western end of Malé, near the Villingili ferry terminal. The terminal is signposted and there are ticket booths for each atoll route. It is a 10-minute walk from the Velana International Airport ferry jetty (the airport ferry runs every 10 minutes, costs around $2 and takes 10 minutes), or a 5-minute taxi ride from most Malé hotels. The speedboats depart from the same jetty, or from the airport ferry jetty if you take the airport direct speedboat.
Do I need to book the Malé to Maafushi transfer in advance?
You do not need to book the MTCC public ferry in advance — you buy the ticket in cash at the MTCC terminal on the day, 20 to 30 minutes before departure. You should book the shared speedboat a day or two ahead in the peak season (November to April), as the shared boat fills up. You should book the private speedboat and the airport direct speedboat ahead of time through your guesthouse or a transfer operator, with your flight number and your preferred departure time. Some guesthouses bundle the speedboat transfer into the room rate, so book the room and the transfer together where you can.
Is it easy to get to Maafushi on a layover in Malé?
Yes — Maafushi is one of the easiest local islands to reach on a layover, with a 30 to 45 minute speedboat crossing from Malé or the airport and speedboats running every day on demand. If you have a layover of 6 hours or more, you can take the airport direct speedboat to Maafushi, spend a few hours on the bikini beach, and take the speedboat back to the airport in time for your onward flight. Book the airport direct speedboat through a Maafushi guesthouse or a transfer operator ahead of time, with your layover window, so the operator meets you at the airport jetty and gets you back in time.
Book Your Trip to Maafushi
You can get to Maafushi Island from Malé four ways, from the $2.50 public ferry to the $25 to $35 shared speedboat to the $150 to $250 private speedboat. Once you know your transfer day, the rest is one batch of bookings: your flight to Malé, a guesthouse on Maafushi (look for one that bundles the speedboat transfer), an airport transfer, a Maldives eSIM and any snorkel or sandbank trips you want to lock in ahead. Start below.