The Malé to Maafushi speedboat price is around $25 to $35 one-way on a shared speedboat, and from $150 to $250 one-way on a private speedboat for up to 8 passengers.The speedboat is the faster, more flexible transfer to Maafushi, the most popular local island in South Malé Atoll, with a 30 to 45 minute crossing against 1 hour 30 minutes on the public ferry. The shared speedboat is the most popular option for solo travellers and couples, while the private speedboat is the best value for families and groups of 4 to 8. This guide covers the full Malé to Maafushi speedboat price, the child fare, the round trip, the airport direct transfer, the night surcharge, 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. The speedboat is the transfer of choice for most visitors, as it runs every day (unlike the public ferry, which does not run on Wednesday) and saves over an hour each way. This guide shows you the full Malé to Maafushi speedboat price, the shared and private options, the booking process, 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 Speedboat Prices
The Malé to Maafushi speedboat price depends on whether you go shared or private, one-way or round-trip, and whether you depart from Malé or directly from Velana International Airport. These are the live speedboat prices for the Malé to Maafushi route, for adults and children.
| Option | Adult | Child (under 12) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared speedboat (one-way) | $25–$35 | $15–$20 | Per person, 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 |
| Private speedboat (round-trip) | $300–$500 | Same | Whole boat, two legs |
| Airport direct to Maafushi | $30–$45 | $20–$25 | Shared speedboat from Velana airport jetty |
| Night / unscheduled surcharge | +$20–$50 | +$20–$50 | Per boat, after 6pm or on demand |
Prices are indicative and can change with the operator and the season — confirm with your Maafushi guesthouse or a transfer operator before you travel. The speedboat is paid in US dollars.
The Malé to Maafushi Speedboat: What to Know
The speedboat is the faster, more flexible transfer to Maafushi, but there are a few things to know about the shared and private options, the airport direct transfer, and the booking process. These are the four things you need to know about the speedboat price and the transfer.
The shared speedboat price
The shared speedboat from Malé to Maafushi is the most popular transfer for budget and mid-range travellers, with a one-way ticket at around $25 to $35 for an adult and $15 to $20 for a child under 12. The round trip is around $50 to $70 for an adult and $30 to $40 for a child. The shared speedboat runs on demand through the day, with a 30 to 45 minute crossing to the Maafushi jetty, and there is no fixed timetable — you book a seat on the next available boat through your Maafushi guesthouse or a transfer operator. The shared boat fills up in the peak season, so book a day or two ahead in November to April.
The private speedboat price
The private speedboat from Malé to Maafushi is the most flexible transfer, with a one-way price from $150 to $250 for the whole boat, up to 8 passengers, and a round trip from $300 to $500. The private speedboat runs on your schedule, departs from the jetty of your choice (the MTCC ferry terminal, the Velana International Airport ferry jetty or a Malé hotel jetty), and takes around 30 to 45 minutes direct to the Maafushi jetty. The private boat is the best value for families and groups of 4 to 8, and the only option if you arrive late at night or outside the shared speedboat windows.
The airport direct transfer
The fastest way from Velana International Airport to Maafushi is a shared speedboat direct from the airport ferry jetty, with a one-way price at around $30 to $45 for an adult and $20 to $25 for a child. The airport direct speedboat saves the taxi or ferry hop into Malé, with a 30 to 45 minute crossing direct to the Maafushi jetty. 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.
How to book and how to pay
There is no walk-up ticket booth for the speedboat, unlike the public ferry. 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.
What Your Maafushi Speedboat Transfer 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 $25 to $35 speedboat ticket, you get a 30 to 45 minute direct crossing to the most popular local island in the Maldives. The speedboat runs on demand, every day, so it works whatever your flight schedule — including on Wednesday, when the public ferry does not run. 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 speedboat lets you come and go on your own schedule, with no waiting for the public ferry timetable.
Speedboat vs Public Ferry: When to Pay More
30–45 min
Speedboat crossing
Every day
Speedboat runs daily
$25+
Speedboat one-way
The speedboat costs more than the public ferry — $25 to $35 one-way against $2.50 — but it saves an hour each way and runs every day, including Wednesday when the public ferry does not run. The speedboat is the better choice if your dates do not match the public ferry schedule, if you arrive on a late flight, or if you want the flexibility to come and go on your own schedule. The public ferry is the better choice if you are on a tight budget, your dates match, and you do not mind the 1 hour 30 minute crossing and the fixed 7:30am (or 3pm Monday) departure. For a day trip, the speedboat gives you more time on the island.
Tips for the Malé to Maafushi Speedboat Price
- The shared speedboat from Malé to Maafushi costs around $25 to $35 one-way for an adult
- 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
- There is no walk-up ticket booth — book the speedboat through your guesthouse or a transfer operator
- The speedboat takes around 30 to 45 minutes, against 1h30m on the public ferry
- The shared speedboat fills up in the peak season — book a day or two ahead from November to April
- The private speedboat is the best value for families and groups of 4 to 8
- Some guesthouses bundle the speedboat transfer into the room rate — check when you book to save
- A night or unscheduled speedboat can add a $20 to $50 surcharge per boat
- The speedboat is paid in US dollars, to your guesthouse when you book or to the operator on the day
Maafushi in Pictures
A preview of what your speedboat transfer 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 speedboat 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 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 speedboat jetty. 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 speedboat 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 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 under 12, 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. The airport direct speedboat from Velana International Airport to Maafushi costs around $30 to $45 one-way for an adult. The speedboat runs on demand, with a 30 to 45 minute crossing.
What is the difference between a shared and a private speedboat?
A shared speedboat is a per-person ticket on a boat with other travellers, with a one-way price at around $25 to $35 for an adult, while a private speedboat is the whole boat for your group, with a one-way price from $150 to $250 for up to 8 passengers. The shared speedboat runs on a flexible schedule set by the operator, with several departures a day, while the private speedboat runs on your schedule, with a departure at any time you choose. 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.
How much is the speedboat from the airport to Maafushi?
A shared speedboat direct from Velana International Airport to Maafushi costs around $30 to $45 one-way for an adult and $20 to $25 for a child, with 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.
How long is the speedboat from Malé to Maafushi?
The speedboat from Malé to Maafushi takes around 30 to 45 minutes, against 1 hour 30 minutes on the MTCC public ferry. The speedboat is a direct crossing to the Maafushi jetty, with no stops, and runs on demand through the day. The crossing is calmer than the public ferry in the southwest monsoon, as the speedboat is a more stable ride in the chop. Bring a light jacket for the spray, and keep your phone and camera in a dry bag for the ride.
How do I book the Malé to Maafushi speedboat?
There is no walk-up ticket booth for the speedboat, unlike the public ferry. 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.
Is the Maafushi speedboat transfer included in the 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 that you pay for in cash at the terminal.
What is the cheapest speedboat option to Maafushi?
The cheapest speedboat option to Maafushi is the shared speedboat, with a one-way ticket at around $25 to $35 for an adult and a round trip at around $50 to $70. The shared speedboat is per person, so it is the best value for solo travellers and couples. For families and groups of 4 to 8, the private speedboat at $150 to $250 one-way for the whole boat can work out cheaper per person than the shared boat. If you are on a tight budget and your dates match, the MTCC public ferry at $2.50 one-way is cheaper than any speedboat.
Is there a night surcharge on the Maafushi speedboat?
Yes — a night or unscheduled speedboat from Malé to Maafushi can add a $20 to $50 surcharge per boat, on top of the standard one-way price. The shared speedboat runs in the daytime, so any transfer after around 6pm, or outside the scheduled shared windows, is usually a private speedboat with the surcharge. If you arrive on a late international flight, the airport direct speedboat to Maafushi is the easiest option, with the night surcharge already built into the airport direct rate in most cases. Check the night surcharge with your guesthouse when you book.
Book Your Malé to Maafushi Speedboat Trip
The Malé to Maafushi speedboat price is around $25 to $35 one-way shared and from $150 to $250 one-way private. Once you know your speedboat 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.