The MTCC public ferry from Malé to Gulhi runs every day except Wednesday, departing at 7:30am from the MTCC Villingili terminal, with a ~$2.50 one-way fare and a 1 hour 40 minute crossing.The onward local ferry from Gulhi to Falhu runs daily at 9:00am, with a ~$1.50 fare and a ~20 minute crossing. Gulhi and Falhu are two of the quieter local islands in South Malé Atoll, a short hop south of Maafushi, and the public ferry is the cheapest way to reach them. This guide covers the full Malé to Gulhi and Falhu ferry schedule for 2026, the days and the departure times, the journey time, the fare, the Malé ferry terminal, the speedboat alternative, and everything you need to book the rest of your Maldives trip — flights, hotels, car rentals, eSIMs, bikes and Maldives GetYourGuide tours.
Gulhi and Falhu are the quieter cousins of Maafushi — smaller, calmer and with fewer crowds, but with the same white-sand beaches, clear lagoons and guesthouse culture. Gulhi is an inhabited island with a small harbour and a handful of guesthouses; Falhu is a tiny sandbank-style island a short ferry ride away, popular for a half-day picnic. The public ferry is the budget way to reach both, and the speedboat is the faster, more flexible alternative. This guide answers the question 'what is the Malé to Gulhi and Falhu ferry schedule' end to end, so you can plan your trip and pick the right transfer for your dates. Use the search above to see the flights to Malé and the onward transfers for your date.
Maldives Ferry Fast Facts
Malé → Gulhi ferry fare
~$2.50 (MVR 36)
Malé → Gulhi journey time
1h 40m
Gulhi → Falhu ferry fare
~$1.50 (MVR 22)
Gulhi → Falhu journey time
~20 min
Malé ferry terminal
MTCC Villingili terminal
Speedboat alternative
$30–$45 / 45 min
Malé → Gulhi Ferry Schedule (Outbound)
The MTCC public ferry from Malé to Gulhi runs every day except Wednesday, with a single morning departure at 7:30am from the MTCC Villingili ferry terminal. The ferry calls at Maafushi on the way, so the crossing is around 1 hour 40 minutes. These are the departure days, times and fares.
| Day | Departure | Fare (adult) | Journey time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 07:30 | $2.50 | 1h 40m |
| Monday | 07:30 | $2.50 | 1h 40m |
| Tuesday | 07:30 | $2.50 | 1h 40m |
| Wednesday | — | — | No service |
| Thursday | 07:30 | $2.50 | 1h 40m |
| Friday | 07:30 | $2.50 | 1h 40m |
| Saturday | 07:30 | $2.50 | 1h 40m |
Times and fares are indicative for 2026 and can change — confirm at the MTCC Villingili terminal on the day. The ferry is cash-only in Rufiyaa (MVR), around $2.50 one-way.
Gulhi → Malé Ferry Schedule (Return)
The return MTCC public ferry from Gulhi to Malé leaves at 3:30pm, every day except Wednesday, with the same ~$2.50 fare and a 1 hour 40 minute crossing back to the MTCC Villingili terminal in Malé. These are the return departure days, times and fares.
| Day | Departure | Fare (adult) | Journey time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 15:30 | $2.50 | 1h 40m |
| Monday | 15:30 | $2.50 | 1h 40m |
| Tuesday | 15:30 | $2.50 | 1h 40m |
| Wednesday | — | — | No service |
| Thursday | 15:30 | $2.50 | 1h 40m |
| Friday | 15:30 | $2.50 | 1h 40m |
| Saturday | 15:30 | $2.50 | 1h 40m |
Gulhi → Falhu Ferry Schedule
The local ferry from Gulhi to Falhu runs daily at 9:00am, with a short ~20 minute crossing and a fare of around $1.50 one-way. Falhu is a small sandbank-style island very close to Gulhi, and the local ferry is the cheapest way to hop between the two. The 9:00am departure fits neatly after the 7:30am Malé to Gulhi ferry arrives, so you can travel Malé → Gulhi → Falhu in one morning.
| Day | Departure | Fare (adult) | Journey time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 09:00 | $1.50 | 20 min |
| Monday | 09:00 | $1.50 | 20 min |
| Tuesday | 09:00 | $1.50 | 20 min |
| Wednesday | 09:00 | $1.50 | 20 min |
| Thursday | 09:00 | $1.50 | 20 min |
| Friday | 09:00 | $1.50 | 20 min |
| Saturday | 09:00 | $1.50 | 20 min |
The Gulhi to Falhu local ferry is a small boat and the schedule can shift with the tide and the weather — check at the Gulhi harbor on arrival. A private speedboat between Gulhi and Falhu (~$80 for the boat) is the more reliable way if you are tight on time.
Step-by-Step: The Malé to Gulhi & Falhu Trip
Step 1 — Get to the MTCC Villingili terminal
The MTCC Villingili ferry terminal is at the western end of Malé, near the Villingili ferry terminal. 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. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the 7:30am departure to buy your ticket in cash in Rufiyaa.
Step 2 — Take the 7:30am Malé → Gulhi ferry
Board the 7:30am MTCC ferry to Gulhi (and Maafushi) at the Villingili terminal. The fare is around $2.50 one-way, paid in cash in Rufiyaa, and the crossing takes around 1 hour 40 minutes, calling at Maafushi on the way. The ferry is open-air with bench seating — bring a hat, sunscreen and water for the crossing, and a dry bag for your phone and camera.
Step 3 — Arrive in Gulhi, or hop the 9:00am ferry to Falhu
The ferry arrives in Gulhi around 9:10am. If you are staying on Gulhi, your guesthouse will meet you at the harbour and walk you to your room. If you want to visit Falhu, the local ferry leaves Gulhi at 9:00am daily (~20 min, ~$1.50) — though the timing is tight, so a private speedboat (~$80 for the boat) is the more reliable way to see Falhu on a day trip. Spend the morning on Falhu and the afternoon on Gulhi.
Step 4 — Take the 3:30pm Gulhi → Malé return ferry
The return MTCC ferry from Gulhi to Malé leaves at 3:30pm, every day except Wednesday, with the same ~$2.50 fare and a 1 hour 40 minute crossing back to the MTCC Villingili terminal. Arrive at the Gulhi harbour 20 minutes before departure to buy your return ticket. If you miss the 3:30pm ferry, or you are travelling on a Wednesday, the shared speedboat (around $30 to $45) is the fallback, booked through your Gulhi guesthouse.
The Speedboat Alternative
Shared speedboat
A shared speedboat from Malé to Gulhi costs around $30 to $45 one-way per person and runs every day on demand, with a 45 minute crossing. The shared speedboat is the fallback on a Wednesday, when the public ferry does not run, and the faster option any day if the 7:30am ferry does not fit your schedule. Book through your Gulhi guesthouse.
Private speedboat
A private speedboat from Malé to Gulhi costs from $150 to $250 one-way for the whole boat, up to 8 passengers, and runs every day on your schedule. The private boat is the best value for families and groups of 4 to 8, and the only option for late-night or unscheduled arrivals. Some guesthouses bundle the speedboat transfer into the room rate, so check when you book.
The speedboat is paid in US dollars, either to your guesthouse when you book the transfer or to the speedboat operator on the day. The speedboat is open-air with bench seating, and the ride can be bumpy in the southwest monsoon from May to October — bring a light jacket for the spray. Most guesthouses arrange the speedboat transfer and meet you at the harbour on arrival at Gulhi. The speedboat is the most flexible way to reach Gulhi, and the only public option on a Wednesday.
When to Take the Ferry (and When Not To)
Nov–Apr
Calmest seas
1h 40m
Ferry crossing
Daily
Except Wed
The calmest crossings on the way to Gulhi and Falhu 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 MTCC ferry is a large, stable boat and runs in most weather. The public ferry does not run on Wednesday, so travellers on a Wednesday need to take the speedboat. For a day trip, plan for any day except Wednesday and catch the 7:30am ferry out and the 3:30pm ferry back. For a stay on Gulhi, the public ferry is the cheapest way in and out, with the speedboat as the flexible fallback.
Tips for the Malé to Gulhi & Falhu Ferry
- The Malé to Gulhi public ferry runs every day except Wednesday, at 7:30am
- The Gulhi to Malé return ferry leaves at 3:30pm, every day except Wednesday
- The Gulhi to Falhu local ferry runs daily at 9:00am, with a ~20 minute crossing
- The public ferry fare is around $2.50 one-way, paid in cash in Rufiyaa (MVR)
- There is no public ferry on Wednesday — take the speedboat if you must travel
- Buy your ferry ticket at the MTCC Villingili terminal 20–30 minutes before departure
- The MTCC ferry is cash-only in Rufiyaa — bring small notes, no cards or dollars
- A shared speedboat from Malé to Gulhi costs around $30 to $45, every day on demand
- A private speedboat from Malé to Gulhi costs from $150 to $250 for up to 8 passengers
- Book the speedboat through your Gulhi guesthouse — there is no walk-up booth
- Some guesthouses bundle the speedboat transfer into the room rate — check when you book
- The Malé to Gulhi ferry passes Maafushi, so you can hop off at either island
Gulhi & Falhu in Pictures
A preview of the Malé to Gulhi and Falhu trip — the Gulhi harbour with fishing boats and dhonis, the aerial view of Falhu island with palm trees and reef, the MTCC public ferry approaching a local island jetty, and the Malé ferry terminal ticket counter and waiting area.
Flights to Malé
Search live fares to Velana International Airport (MLE), the gateway to the Maldives and the start of your Gulhi and Falhu trip. Real-time availability on each airline and the cheapest day to fly.
Gulhi Hotels
Book guesthouses on Gulhi — 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 Gulhi HotelsMalé Cars & Transfers
Book a car or airport transfer in Malé — the easiest way to reach the MTCC Villingili terminal 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 MTCC terminal. Coverage on Gulhi and across South Malé Atoll is good at the guesthouses and the beach.
Get a Maldives eSIMRent a Bike in the Maldives
Gulhi and Falhu are walkable end to end in a few 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 Gulhi to Maafushi 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 Gulhi or Falhu, book a Maldives experience — a sandbank picnic on Falhu, 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 Gulhi. Browse and book top-rated Maldives experiences below, all with free cancellation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Malé to Gulhi ferry schedule?
The MTCC public ferry from Malé to Gulhi runs every day except Wednesday, with a single morning departure at 7:30am from the MTCC Villingili ferry terminal in Malé. The return ferry from Gulhi to Malé leaves at 3:30pm the same day, again every day except Wednesday. The one-way fare is around MVR 36 ($2.50) and the crossing takes around 1 hour 40 minutes, calling at Maafushi on the way. There is no public ferry service on Wednesday, so travellers on a Wednesday need to take the speedboat instead.
How much is the ferry from Malé to Gulhi?
The MTCC public ferry from Malé to Gulhi costs around MVR 36 ($2.50) one-way for an adult, with a child fare at around MVR 18 ($1.25). The ticket is cash-only at the MTCC Villingili ferry terminal in Malé, paid in Rufiyaa (MVR) — the booth does not take cards or US dollars, so bring small Rufiyaa notes. The return ferry from Gulhi to Malé costs the same, so a round trip is around MVR 72 ($5.00) per adult.
How long is the ferry from Malé to Gulhi?
The MTCC public ferry from Malé to Gulhi takes around 1 hour 40 minutes, with a single morning departure at 7:30am and a return at 3:30pm. The ferry calls at Maafushi on the way, so the crossing is a little longer than a direct speedboat. The shared speedboat from Malé to Gulhi takes around 45 minutes and runs every day on demand, so it is the faster option if the 7:30am ferry does not fit your schedule.
What is the Gulhi to Falhu ferry schedule?
The local ferry from Gulhi to Falhu runs daily at 9:00am, with a short ~20 minute crossing and a fare of around MVR 22 ($1.50) one-way. Falhu is a small sandbank-style island very close to Gulhi, and the local ferry is the cheapest way to hop between the two. The 9:00am departure fits neatly after the 7:30am Malé to Gulhi ferry arrives, so you can travel Malé → Gulhi → Falhu in one morning.
How much is the Gulhi to Falhu ferry?
The local ferry from Gulhi to Falhu costs around MVR 22 ($1.50) one-way for an adult, with a child fare at around MVR 11 ($0.75). The ticket is cash-only at the Gulhi harbor, paid in Rufiyaa (MVR). The crossing takes around 20 minutes, making Falhu one of the cheapest and quickest island hops in the Maldives — a great half-day trip from a stay on Gulhi.
Where does the Malé to Gulhi ferry depart from?
The MTCC public ferry to Gulhi departs from the MTCC Villingili ferry terminal at the western end of Malé, the same terminal that handles the ferries to Villingili, Maafushi, Gulhi, Guraidhoo and the other South Malé Atoll islands. The terminal 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. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the 7:30am departure to buy your ticket.
Is there a speedboat from Malé to Gulhi?
Yes — a shared speedboat from Malé to Gulhi costs around $30 to $45 one-way per person and runs every day on demand, with a 45 minute crossing. A private speedboat for the same route costs from $150 to $250 one-way for the whole boat, up to 8 passengers. The speedboat is the only option on a Wednesday, when the public ferry does not run, and the faster option any day if the 7:30am ferry does not fit your schedule. Book the speedboat through your Gulhi guesthouse, as there is no walk-up booth.
Can I visit both Gulhi and Falhu on a day trip from Malé?
Yes — you can visit both Gulhi and Falhu on a day trip from Malé. Take the 7:30am MTCC ferry from Malé to Gulhi (1h 40m, ~$2.50), arrive in Gulhi around 9:10am, then take the 9:00am local ferry from Gulhi to Falhu (~20 min, ~$1.50) — though the timing is tight, so a private speedboat between Gulhi and Falhu (~$80 for the boat) is the more reliable way to see both. Spend the morning on Falhu and the afternoon on Gulhi, then take the 3:30pm ferry back to Malé. It is a long day, but a great way to see two local islands in one trip.
Book Your Gulhi & Falhu Trip
The Malé to Gulhi ferry runs every day except Wednesday at 7:30am, the Gulhi to Falhu ferry runs daily at 9:00am, and the return to Malé is at 3:30pm. Once you know your ferry day, the rest is one batch of bookings: your flight to Malé, a guesthouse on Gulhi, an airport transfer, a Maldives eSIM and any snorkel or sandbank trips you want to lock in ahead. Start below.