The Malé to Maafushi ferry ticket price is around MVR 36 ($2.50) one-way on the MTCC public ferry, and from $25 to $35 one-way on a shared speedboat.The public ferry is the cheapest way to reach Maafushi, the most popular local island in South Malé Atoll, with a round trip at around $5.00 and a child fare at around $1.30 one-way. The speedboat is the faster option, with a shared boat from $25 one-way and a private boat from $150 to $250 for up to 8 passengers. This guide covers the full Malé to Maafushi ferry ticket price, the child fare, the round-trip cost, how and where to pay, the hidden extras, 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 — and the ferry ticket price is a big part of why. This guide shows you the full Malé to Maafushi ferry ticket price, the speedboat cost, the child fare, the round trip, 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 Ticket Prices
The Malé to Maafushi ferry ticket price depends on the boat you take and whether you go one-way or round-trip. The MTCC public ferry is the cheapest, the shared speedboat is the mid-range option, and the private speedboat is the most flexible. These are the live ticket prices for the Malé to Maafushi route, for adults and children.
| Option | Adult | Child (under 12) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTCC public ferry (one-way) | MVR 36 (~$2.50) | MVR 20 (~$1.30) | Cash at the terminal |
| MTCC public ferry (round-trip) | MVR 72 (~$5.00) | MVR 40 (~$2.60) | Two one-way tickets |
| Shared speedboat (one-way) | $25–$35 | $15–$20 | Booked via guesthouse or operator |
| Shared speedboat (round-trip) | $50–$70 | $30–$40 | Two shared speedboat tickets |
| Private speedboat (one-way) | $150–$250 | Same | Whole boat, up to 8 passengers |
Prices are indicative and can change with the operator and the season — confirm at the MTCC ferry terminal or with your guesthouse before you travel. The public ferry is cash-only in Rufiyaa; the speedboat is paid in US dollars.
The Malé to Maafushi Ferry Ticket: What to Know
The Malé to Maafushi ferry ticket price is the headline cost, but there are a few things to know about the public ferry fare, the speedboat cost, how to pay, and the hidden extras. These are the four things you need to know about the ferry ticket and the speedboat transfer.
The MTCC public ferry ticket price
The public ferry from Malé to Maafushi is the cheapest way to reach the local island, with a one-way ticket at around MVR 36 ($2.50) for a foreigner and around MVR 20 ($1.30) for a child under 12. The round trip is around MVR 72 ($5.00) for an adult and around MVR 40 ($2.60) for a child — you buy two one-way tickets at the MTCC ferry terminal on the day. There is no advance booking and no online ticket for the public ferry; you pay in cash at the terminal, around 20 to 30 minutes before the 7:30am departure on most days.
The speedboat ticket price
The speedboat from Malé to Maafushi is faster and more expensive than the public ferry, with a shared speedboat at around $25 to $35 one-way for an adult and $15 to $20 for a child, and a round trip at around $50 to $70 for an adult and $30 to $40 for a child. A private speedboat costs from $150 to $250 one-way for the whole boat, up to 8 passengers, and is the most flexible option. There is no walk-up ticket booth for the speedboat — you book the shared or private speedboat through your Maafushi guesthouse or a transfer operator ahead of time.
How and where to pay
The public ferry is cash-only at the MTCC ferry terminal in Malé. Bring small Rufiyaa notes (MVR) for the ticket, as the booth does not always have change for large notes, and does not take cards or dollars. 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.
Hidden costs and extras
The public ferry fare is the headline cost, but there are a few extras to budget for. There is no luggage fee on the public ferry, but the boat can fill up in the peak season, so arrive early. The speedboat operators charge per bag for dive gear or oversized luggage, and some charge an early-morning or late-night surcharge. The guesthouses on Maafushi often include the speedboat transfer in the room rate, and some include breakfast and a snorkelling trip — bundle the room and the transfer to keep the total price down.
What Your Maafushi Ferry Ticket Gets You
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.
For the price of a $2.50 ferry ticket, you get a 1 hour 30 minute crossing through the South Malé Atoll, a stop at Gulhi on the way on some days, and a day or a few days on the most popular local island in the Maldives. The island 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 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 the Ferry Runs (and What It Costs)
$2.50
Ferry one-way
1h 30m
Ferry crossing
5 days/wk
Public ferry
The MTCC public ferry to Maafushi runs on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30am, and on Monday at 3pm, with no service on Wednesday. The ticket price is the same every day — around MVR 36 ($2.50) one-way for an adult. The speedboat runs on demand every day, with a shared boat from $25 one-way and a private boat from $150 to $250. The calmest crossings are in the dry season from November to April; the southwest monsoon from May to October brings rougher seas and a bumpier crossing, but the ferry ticket price does not change with the season. If you need to travel on a Wednesday, the speedboat is the only option — from $25 one-way shared.
Tips for the Malé to Maafushi Ferry Ticket Price
- The MTCC public ferry one-way ticket costs around MVR 36 ($2.50) for an adult and MVR 20 ($1.30) for a child
- The round trip on the public ferry is around MVR 72 ($5.00) for an adult — two one-way tickets bought on the day
- The shared speedboat one-way costs around $25 to $35 for an adult and $15 to $20 for a child
- A private speedboat costs from $150 to $250 one-way for the whole boat, up to 8 passengers
- The public ferry is cash-only at the MTCC terminal — bring small Rufiyaa notes, no cards or dollars
- The speedboat is usually paid in US dollars, booked through your guesthouse or a transfer operator
- Some guesthouses bundle the speedboat transfer into the room rate — check when you book to save
- 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 — the speedboat is the only option, from $25 one-way shared
- The public ferry takes around 1 hour 30 minutes; the speedboat takes around 30 to 45 minutes
Maafushi in Pictures
A preview of what your ferry ticket buys — 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 — 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
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
How much is the Malé to Maafushi ferry ticket?
The one-way ticket on the MTCC public ferry from Malé to Maafushi costs around MVR 36 ($2.50) for an adult and around MVR 20 ($1.30) for a child under 12. The round trip is around MVR 72 ($5.00) for an adult and around MVR 40 ($2.60) for a child — you buy two one-way tickets at the MTCC ferry terminal on the day. The speedboat is more expensive: a shared speedboat costs around $25 to $35 one-way for an adult and $15 to $20 for a child, and a private speedboat from $150 to $250 for the whole boat, up to 8 passengers.
How much is a child ticket on the Malé to Maafushi ferry?
A child ticket on the MTCC public ferry from Malé to Maafushi costs around MVR 20 ($1.30) one-way, for a child under 12. Infants under 2 usually travel free on the public ferry if they do not take a seat. The child fare on the shared speedboat is around $15 to $20 one-way. There is no formal child discount on the private speedboat — the price is for the whole boat, up to 8 passengers, regardless of age.
How much is the round trip from Malé to Maafushi?
The round trip on the MTCC public ferry from Malé to Maafushi is around MVR 72 ($5.00) for an adult and around MVR 40 ($2.60) for a child, made up of two one-way tickets bought at the MTCC ferry terminal on the day. The round trip on a shared speedboat is around $50 to $70 for an adult and $30 to $40 for a child. The private speedboat round trip is from $300 to $500 for the whole boat, up to 8 passengers. Some guesthouses bundle the speedboat transfer into the room rate, so the round trip can effectively be free with the room.
How do I pay for the Malé to Maafushi ferry?
The public ferry is cash-only at the MTCC ferry terminal in Malé. Bring small Rufiyaa notes (MVR) for the ticket, as the booth does not always have change for large notes, and does not take cards or US dollars. There is no advance booking and no online ticket — you buy the ticket at the terminal around 20 to 30 minutes before the 7:30am departure on most days. The speedboat is usually paid in US dollars, either to your Maafushi guesthouse when you book the transfer, or to the speedboat operator on the day.
Is the speedboat transfer included in the Maafushi guesthouse price?
Some Maafushi guesthouses include the speedboat transfer in the room rate, and some also include breakfast and a snorkelling trip, so the bundled room and transfer can work out cheaper than booking the speedboat separately. Check the room inclusions when you book — if the speedboat is not included, the guesthouse can still arrange it for you at the standard shared or private rate. The public ferry is never included in the guesthouse price, as it is a separate MTCC service.
What is the cheapest way to get from Malé to Maafushi?
The cheapest way to get from Malé to Maafushi 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 speedboat is faster but more expensive, from $25 one-way shared. If you are on a budget and your dates match the ferry schedule, the public ferry is by far the cheapest option — just bring small Rufiyaa notes for the ticket.
How much is the speedboat from Malé to Maafushi?
A shared speedboat from Malé to Maafushi costs around $25 to $35 one-way for an adult and $15 to $20 for a child, with a round trip at around $50 to $70 for an adult and $30 to $40 for a child. A private speedboat costs from $150 to $250 one-way for the whole boat, up to 8 passengers, and a round trip from $300 to $500. There is no walk-up ticket booth for the speedboat — you book the shared or private speedboat through your Maafushi guesthouse or a transfer operator ahead of time, and pay in US dollars.
Is there a luggage fee on the Malé to Maafushi ferry?
There is no luggage fee on the MTCC public ferry from Malé to Maafushi — you can bring your bags for the headline ticket price. The speedboat operators, however, often charge per bag for dive gear or oversized luggage, and some charge an early-morning or late-night surcharge. If you are travelling with dive gear or a lot of luggage, check the luggage policy with your speedboat operator when you book. The public ferry is the better option if you are travelling with a lot of bags, as long as your dates match the ferry schedule.
Book Your Malé to Maafushi Ferry Trip
The Malé to Maafushi ferry ticket price is around $2.50 one-way on the public ferry and from $25 one-way on the speedboat. Once you know your ferry 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.