The MTCC public ferry from Malé to Maafushi runs five days a week at 7:30am (and Monday at 3pm), with a one-way ticket from around $2.50, while a speedboat runs on demand in 30 to 45 minutes.The public ferry is the cheapest way to reach Maafushi, the most popular local island in South Malé Atoll, with a 1 hour 30 minute crossing and a stop at Gulhi on the way. The speedboat is the faster option, with shared and private boats running on demand through the day. Maafushi is famous for its bikini beach on the eastern shore, water sports, guesthouses and a calm lagoon — the easiest local-island stay from Malé. This guide covers the live Malé to Maafushi ferry schedule, the speedboat transfer, the ticket price, the journey time, the Malé ferry terminal, the island experience, 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 27km south of Malé, 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 most popular local island in the Maldives, and the easiest place to experience the Maldives on a budget. This guide shows you the full Malé to Maafushi ferry schedule, the speedboat options, the ticket price, the journey, the terminal, and the easiest way to book the rest of your trip. Use the search above to see the flights to Malé and the onward transfers for your date.
Malé to Maafushi Ferry Timetable
The MTCC public ferry to Maafushi runs on the South Malé Atoll route, which calls at Maafushi, Gulhi and Guraidhoo. The public ferry departs Malé at 7:30am on most days and at 3pm on Monday, with no service on Wednesday. The speedboat runs on demand every day. These are the daily departure options for the Malé to Maafushi route, with the public ferry and the speedboat times.
| Day | Public ferry | Speedboat | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 07:30 | Multiple | Public ferry runs; speedboats run on demand |
| Monday | 15:00 | Multiple | Afternoon public ferry only; speedboats on demand |
| Tuesday | 07:30 | Multiple | Public ferry runs; speedboats on demand |
| Wednesday | — | Multiple | No public ferry; speedboats only |
| Thursday | 07:30 | Multiple | Public ferry runs; speedboats on demand |
| Friday | 07:30 | Multiple | Public ferry runs; speedboats on demand |
| Saturday | 07:30 | Multiple | Public ferry runs; speedboats on demand |
Times are indicative and can change with the weather and the season — confirm at the MTCC ferry terminal the day before you travel. The public ferry does not run on Wednesday.
The Malé to Maafushi Transfer: What to Expect
You can reach Maafushi two ways: the MTCC public ferry, the cheapest and most authentic option, or the speedboat, the faster and more flexible option. These are the four things you need to know about the public ferry, the speedboat, the terminal and the arrival on Maafushi.
The MTCC public ferry to Maafushi
The public ferry from Malé to Maafushi is run by MTCC (Maldives Transport and Contracting Company) on the South Malé Atoll route, which calls at Maafushi, Gulhi and Guraidhoo. The ferry runs on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30am, and on Monday at 3pm, with no service on Wednesday. The ferry departs from the MTCC ferry terminal at the western end of Malé, near the Villingili ferry terminal. The one-way ticket costs around MVR 36 ($2.50) for a foreigner, payable in cash at the terminal, and the journey takes around 1 hour 30 minutes.
The speedboat transfer
The faster option is a shared or private speedboat from Malé to Maafushi, which runs on demand through the day and takes around 30 to 45 minutes. A shared speedboat costs around $25 to $35 one-way and a private speedboat from $150 to $250, depending on the time and the operator. The speedboats depart from the same jetty as the public ferry, or from the Velana International Airport ferry jetty if you are connecting straight off an international flight. Book the speedboat through your guesthouse or a transfer operator ahead of time — there is no walk-up ticket booth for the speedboat.
The Malé ferry terminal
The public ferry to Maafushi departs from the MTCC ferry terminal at the western end of Malé, a short walk or taxi ride from most Malé hotels. The terminal is signposted and there are ticket booths for each atoll route. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the 7:30am departure to buy your ticket and get a seat on the upper deck. The terminal is a 10-minute walk from the Velana International Airport ferry jetty, or a 5-minute taxi ride. The speedboats depart from the same jetty or from the airport ferry jetty.
The Maafushi jetty and the island
Both the public ferry and the speedboat arrive at the Maafushi island jetty on the north side of the island. Maafushi is the most popular local island in South Malé Atoll, 27km south of Malé, famous for its bikini beach, water sports, guesthouses and a calm lagoon. The island is walkable end to end in 10 minutes — you arrive at the jetty, walk to the bikini beach, swim, snorkel and book water sports, and stay a night or two at one of the guesthouses. Most guesthouses arrange the speedboat transfer and meet you at the jetty.
Maafushi Island: What to Expect on Arrival
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.
On arrival 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 arrange the speedboat transfer and meet you at the jetty, and there are a dozen cafes and restaurants on the island. The public ferry gives you around four and a half hours on the island for a day trip on most days; the speedboat lets you come and go on your own schedule.
When to Take the Ferry: Best Days & Months
Nov–Apr
Calmest seas
1h 30m
Ferry crossing
$2.50
Ferry one-way
The calmest crossings on the Malé to Maafushi ferry 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 — check the forecast if you get seasick and consider a seasickness tablet before you board, or take the speedboat, which is a more stable ride in the chop. The ferry runs year round, but the schedule can change at short notice in severe weather. For a day trip, plan for a Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday, and catch the 7:30am ferry out. If you need to travel on a Wednesday, book a speedboat — there is no public ferry.
Tips for the Malé to Maafushi Ferry
- The MTCC public ferry to Maafushi 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 public ferry one-way ticket costs around MVR 36 ($2.50) for a foreigner, payable in cash at the terminal
- The public ferry takes around 1 hour 30 minutes; the speedboat takes around 30 to 45 minutes
- A shared speedboat costs around $25 to $35 one-way and a private speedboat from $150 to $250
- Book the speedboat through your guesthouse or a transfer operator ahead of time — there is no walk-up booth
- Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the 7:30am public ferry to buy your ticket and get a seat on the upper deck
- Maafushi is walkable end to end in 10 minutes — the bikini beach, the water sports and the jetty are all a short walk
- The bikini beach is on the eastern shore, with sun loungers, a cafe and clear water for swimming and snorkelling
- Book your guesthouse ahead and they will arrange the speedboat transfer and meet you at the jetty
Maafushi in Pictures
A preview of the journey — Maafushi 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 ferry trip. Real-time availability on each airline and the cheapest day to fly.
Maafushi Hotels
Book guesthouses on Maafushi — from budget beachfront guesthouses a short walk from the bikini beach to mid-range boutique stays, all with the speedboat transfer arranged by the guesthouse.
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
Before or after your Malé to Maafushi ferry trip, book a Maldives experience — a Malé walking tour for your layover, 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 also depart directly from Maafushi. Browse and book top-rated Maldives experiences below, all with free cancellation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Malé to Maafushi ferry schedule?
The MTCC public ferry from Malé to Maafushi runs on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30am, and on Monday at 3pm. There is no public ferry on Wednesday. The ferry departs from the MTCC ferry terminal at the western end of Malé, stops at Maafushi on the way to Gulhi and Guraidhoo, and takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. For a faster trip, a shared or private speedboat runs on demand through the day and takes around 30 to 45 minutes.
How much is the Malé to Maafushi ferry?
The one-way ticket on the MTCC public ferry from Malé to Maafushi costs around MVR 36 ($2.50) for a foreigner, payable in cash at the terminal. The round trip is around MVR 72 ($5). The speedboat is more expensive: a shared speedboat costs around $25 to $35 one-way, and a private speedboat from $150 to $250, depending on the time and the operator. There are no advance bookings or online tickets for the public ferry — buy the ticket at the MTCC terminal on the day, 20 to 30 minutes before departure.
How long is the ferry from Malé to Maafushi?
The public ferry from Malé to Maafushi takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, with a stop at Gulhi on the way on some days. The boat is a large wooden public ferry with open-air bench seating on the upper deck and a covered lower deck. There is no air-conditioning and no food on board, so bring water, sunscreen and a hat. The speedboat takes around 30 to 45 minutes and runs on demand through the day, with a direct crossing to the Maafushi jetty.
Which days does the Malé to Maafushi ferry run?
The MTCC public ferry to Maafushi runs on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30am, and on Monday at 3pm. There is no public ferry on Wednesday. Friday is a working day for the ferry in the Maldives (the weekend is Friday and Saturday, but the ferries still run on Friday morning). If you need to travel on a Wednesday, book a speedboat through your guesthouse or a transfer operator — the speedboat runs on demand every day.
Where does the Malé to Maafushi ferry depart from?
The 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, 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 are connecting straight off an international flight.
Can I do a day trip from Malé to Maafushi on the public ferry?
A day trip on the public ferry is tight, because the outbound ferry is at 7:30am on most days and the return ferry is in the afternoon, but the timings can work on some days. The easier way to do a day trip is by speedboat, which runs on demand through the day and takes around 30 to 45 minutes each way. Book the speedboat through your guesthouse or a transfer operator ahead of time — there is no walk-up booth for the speedboat, and the shared speedboat fills up in the peak season.
What is there to do on Maafushi island?
Maafushi is the most popular local island in South Malé Atoll, 27km south of Malé, famous for its bikini beach on the eastern shore, water sports, guesthouses and a calm lagoon. The island offers snorkelling trips, sandbank picnics, banana boat rides, jet ski rentals, parasailing and diving, all bookable from the beachfront operators. The island is walkable end to end in 10 minutes, with the bikini beach, the water sports and the jetty all a short walk from the guesthouses.
Is the Malé to Maafushi ferry safe in the monsoon?
The public ferry runs year round, but the southwest monsoon from May to October brings rougher seas and the crossing can be bumpy. The ferry is a large wooden boat and the crew are experienced, so it runs in most weather, but check the forecast if you get seasick and consider a seasickness tablet before you board. The speedboat is the safer and faster option in the monsoon, as it is a more stable ride in the chop. The calmest crossings are in the dry season from November to April.
Book Your Malé to Maafushi Ferry Trip
The Malé to Maafushi public ferry runs five days a week at 7:30am (and Monday at 3pm) for around $2.50 one-way, while the speedboat runs on demand in 30 to 45 minutes from $25 one-way. Once you know your ferry day, the rest is one batch of bookings: your flight to Malé, a guesthouse on Maafushi, an airport transfer, a Maldives eSIM and any snorkel or sandbank trips you want to lock in ahead. Start below.