Major city · Maldives
Maamigili
Two nights minimum: one for the airport transfer, one for the reef. A day-trip from Malé is too tight — the speedboat takes 2 h each way.
Maamigili is the main local island in South Ari Atoll, with its own domestic airport (VAM) and a long bikini beach. It works as a budget base for whale-shark excursions and as a transfer point for Sun Island Resort on neighbouring Nalaguraidhoo. The island is walkable end to end in 30 min.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MVR
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid May–Nov (southwest monsoon, rougher seas)
- Airport
- VAM
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Maldives ↗Seaplane transfers fly in daylight only, and the last departure is set by sunset for that day; a late landing at Velana usually means a night on land and the seaplane next morning.
- Maldives ↗Local islands follow Islamic norms: alcohol is not sold, cover shoulders and knees in the village, and swimwear is for the designated tourist beach only.
- Maldives ↗Submit the online Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival; airlines and immigration ask for the confirmation.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Maamigili119 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Maamigili, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR); resorts bill in US dollars and add service charge and tax; US dollars are widely accepted.Maldives-wide
- SIM or eSIMDhiraagu and Ooredoo sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at Velana arrivals with your passport.Maldives-wide
- Tap waterTap water is desalinated; resorts provide filtered water in glass bottles.Maldives-wide
- TippingResort: 10% service charge is on the bill; many guests add US$5–10 a day for room staff or butler.Maldives-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Maldives-wide
- SafetyMaamigili is safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets with a hose everywhere tourists stay.Maldives-wide
- Emergency numbers119 police · 102 ambulance · 191 coast guard (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysFriday: shops and cafés on local islands close for midday prayers (around 11:30–14:00); public ferries run fewer services.Friday: shops and cafés on local islands close for midday prayers (around 11:30 AM–2:00 PM); public ferries run fewer services.Maldives-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportVAM Villa International Airport Maamigili (Daily flights from Malé (Flyme); also weekly connections to several domestic airports.
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a caféRf 30–50
- Budget bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomMVR 1,500
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomMVR 3,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomMVR 6,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MVR 800 · Mid MVR 2,000 · High MVR 4,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- VAM Villa International Airport Maamigili (Daily flights from Malé (Flyme); also weekly connections to several domestic airports. Seaplane and traditional aircraft.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C) low), wettest May (13 rain days), driest Feb (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Maamigili: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
8 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. The main path is about 3.5 km around the island; a bicycle is useful but not essential.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Whale-shark snorkelling (South Ari Marine Protected Area)
goDoor to door: Half-day (3–4 h)
Organised excursion from Maamigili guesthouses, about 20–40 min by speedboat
Best early morning; check weather the day before.
Sun Island Resort (Nalaguraidhoo)
cautionDoor to door: 30 min
Domestic flight from VAM or speedboat from Maamigili jetty, about 10 min
Day access depends on resort policy; book a lunch or spa package if you are not a guest.
Ukulhas
goDoor to door: 1 h
Speedboat or public ferry, about 30 min
Another local island with a bikini beach and guesthouses.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Maamigili village
Guesthouses near the bikini beach or the harbour; all within a 15-min walk of each other.
Nalaguraidhoo (Sun Island Resort)
Resort island 1.6 km (1 mi) long, connected by buggy and bicycle. Separate from the local island.Resort island 1 mi (1.6 km) long, connected by buggy and bicycle. Separate from the local island.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rf 800–1,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rf 1,500–3,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rf 3,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 2 nights × MVR 3,000 | MVR 6,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × MVR 2,000 | MVR 8,000 |
| Speedboat Malé–Maamigili one way2 × MVR 750 · check | MVR 1,500 |
| Domestic flight Malé–VAM one way2 × MVR 1,200 · check | MVR 2,400 |
| Whale-shark excursion2 × MVR 2,000 · check | MVR 4,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MVR 2,190 |
| Trip total≈ MVR 6,023 per person per day, bed included | MVR 24,090 |
2026 estimate in rufiyaa; flights and excursions excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | Rf 30–50 |
| Local fish curry with rice | Rf 80–150 |
| Bottled water (1.5 L) | Rf 10–15 |
| Speedboat Malé–Maamigili one waycheck | Rf 750 |
| Whale-shark snorkelling tripcheck | Rf 1,500–2,500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Friday midday prayers: shops and some cafés close for about an hour.
- Alcohol is not sold on local islands; Sun Island Resort serves it.
- Speedboat from Malé costs about US$50 one way (check).
- Whale-shark trips depend on weather and season; ask at your guesthouse the day before.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 119
- Ambulance
- 102
- Coast guard
- 191
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MaamigiliMaamigili
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
މި އެޑްރެސް އަށް ގެންދޭTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police119
- Ambulance102
- Coast guard191
Embassy
The nearest embassies are in Malé. Most countries have an honorary consul there.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Speedboat Malé–Maamigili: about Rf 750, 2 h (check)
- Domestic flight Malé–VAM: about Rf 1,200, 25 min (check)
Say or show
- އައްސަލާމު ޢަލައިކުމް — Hello (assalaamu alaikum)
- ޝުކުރިއްޔާ — Thank you (shukuriyyaa)
- ކިހާވަރެއް؟ — How much? (kihaavareh?)
- ބީޗް ކޮބައި؟ — Where is the beach? (beech kobai?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Maamigili. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr · avoid May–Nov (southwest monsoon, rougher seas) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Maamigili
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