Major city · Maldives
Maafushi
Maafushi is the Maldives' budget base: 3–4 nights for excursions, bikini beach and guesthouse stays. Speedboat from Malé (30 min, ~$25) or public ferry (1h45, 22 MVR).
Maafushi is the most developed local island in Kaafu Atoll, with dozens of guesthouses, a bikini beach and daily excursions to sandbanks, snorkel spots and resort islands. It is the cheapest way to experience the Maldives: you sleep on a local island (no alcohol on land, modest dress outside the bikini beach) and join boat trips for whale sharks, mantas and reef diving. Three nights let you do two full days of excursions; four nights add a relaxed day on the beach or a visit to a resort island.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MVR
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry, calm seas)
- avoid May–Nov (rain, strong winds, rough seas for excursions)
- Airport
- MLE
- Nights
- 3–4
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 Maafushi119 ▾
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 Maafushi, 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
- SafetyMaafushi is safe for tourists; petty crime is rare.
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.
- AirportMLE Velana International Airport (Malé) (Speedboat transfer 30 min, ~$25 per person one way; public ferry from Malé Villingili terminal, 1h45…
- Getting aroundMaafushi is about 1 km (0.6 mi) long and 0.5 km (0.3 mi) wide; walking covers everything.Maafushi is about 0.6 mi (1 km) long and 0.3 mi (0.5 km) wide; walking covers everything.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)MVR 30–50
- BeerBeer on the boat-barcheckUS$5 (MVR 80)
- Budget bedDorm bed in guesthouse, a night, per personMVR 400
- Mid-range bedDouble room (guesthouse), a night, per roomMVR 2,500
- High-end bedDouble room (guesthouse), a night, per roomMVR 5,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MVR 800 · Mid MVR 1,500 · High MVR 3,000
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
- MLE Velana International Airport (Malé) (Speedboat transfer 30 min, ~$25 per person one way; public ferry from Malé Villingili terminal, 1h45, 22 MVR (check schedule).)
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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°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 Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C) low), wettest May (14 rain days), driest Feb (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Maafushi: 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)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
3 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
7 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°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)
13 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 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
Maafushi is about 1 km long and 0.5 km wide; walking covers everything. Some guesthouses lend bicycles. No cars for rent; taxis are not needed.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sandbank snorkelling trip
goDoor to door: 3–4 h
Organised excursion from Maafushi (speedboat or dhoni)
Includes reef snorkelling, lunch on a sandbank; book at your guesthouse. ~US$40–60 per person.
Whale shark / manta excursion (South Ari Atoll)
goDoor to door: 5–6 h
Speedboat excursion, about 1 h each way
Seasonal: whale sharks year-round, mantas May–Nov. ~US$80–120 per person.
Resort island visit (e.g. Adaaran Prestige Vadoo)
cautionDoor to door: Half day
Speedboat transfer arranged by guesthouse
Resorts charge a day-pass (US$100–200) including lunch and pool access; book ahead.
Malé city tour
goDoor to door: 1 h 45 min (ferry) / 30 min (speedboat)
Public ferry (310 or 311) or speedboat
Combine with the airport transfer; see the fish market, Old Friday Mosque and National Museum.
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.
Bikini beach area (north)
Closest to the beach and excursion meeting points; most guesthouses here.
Harbour area (south)
Near the ferry jetty and shops; slightly cheaper but a 10–15 min walk to the bikini beach.
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
- MVR 600–1,200 excl. excursions
- Mid
- MVR 1,200–2,500 excl. excursions
- High
- MVR 2,500+ excl. excursions
Trip budget
| Double room (guesthouse)1 × 3 nights × MVR 2,500 | MVR 7,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × MVR 1,500 | MVR 9,000 |
| Speedboat transfer Malé–Maafushi one way2 × MVR 400 · check | MVR 800 |
| Public ferry Malé–Maafushi one way2 × MVR 22 · check | MVR 44 |
| Snorkelling excursion (half day)2 × MVR 900 | MVR 1,800 |
| eSIM for travel (about a week)2 × MVR 500 | MVR 1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MVR 2,014 |
| Trip total≈ MVR 3,693 per person per day, bed included | MVR 22,158 |
2026 estimate in MVR; flights, speedboat transfers and excursions excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Beer on the boat-barcheck | US$5 (MVR 80) |
| Coffee (café) | MVR 30–50 |
| Local meal (curry and rice) | MVR 80–150 |
| Western meal (pasta, pizza) | MVR 150–300 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | MVR 10–20 |
| Snorkelling excursion (half day) | MVR 600–1,200 |
| Speedboat transfer Malé–Maafushi one waycheck | MVR 400 |
| Public ferry Malé–Maafushi one waycheck | MVR 22 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Alcohol is banned on land; a boat-bar moored offshore serves beer ($5) and spirits — hotel staff can call a free transfer.
- Dress modestly outside the bikini beach: shoulders and knees covered. Swimwear only on the designated bikini beach.
- Friday midday prayers close many shops and restaurants for 1–2 hours.
- Excursions depend on weather: May–Nov can cancel trips. Book a flexible itinerary.
- ATMs are scarce; bring enough rufiyaa or US dollars for the island. Most guesthouses accept card but charge a fee.
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.
MaafushiMaafushi
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
މާފުށި ޖެޓީއަށް ގެންދަވާTake me to Maafushi jetty, please
Emergency
- Police119
- Ambulance102
- Coast guard191
Embassy
Most embassies are in Malé (see /male). The US Embassy is in Colombo, Sri Lanka; the UK has a High Commission in Malé.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Speedboat Malé → Maafushi: ~MVR 400, 30 min (check)
- Public ferry Malé → Maafushi: MVR 22, 1h45 (check schedule)
- Boat-bar transfer (free): Hotel calls the boat; 5 min ride
Say or show
- އައްސަލާމު ޢަލައިކުމް — Hello (assalaamu alaikum)
- ޝުކުރިއްޔާ — Thank you (shukuriyaa)
- ކިތައް ދިނަން? — How much? (kithaa dhinan?)
- އާނ / ނޫން — Yes / No (aan / noon)
- މަޢާފް ކުރައްވާ — Excuse me / Sorry (maa'af kuravva)
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 Maafushi. 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 (dry, calm seas) · avoid May–Nov (rain, strong winds, rough seas for excursions) · 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Excursion pages with seasonal cutoffs and operator contacts.
- Eat pages with last-order times and vegetarian options.
- Bikini beach page with tide and crowd notes.
- Boat-bar page with operating hours and menu.
Sources
Ask about Maafushi
Loading…
Was this useful?