By air
Velana, Malé (MLE), ~30–45 min by speedboat
Indian Ocean Islands · Maldives
Maafushi, Maldives
A local island: the Maldives on a budget
Getting there
Best time to visit
November to April — dry season
Don't miss
The bikini beach
The harbour
Nearby sandbanks
Guraidhoo island
Things to do
Snorkelling trips
A day pass at a resort island
Fishing at sunset
Where to eat
What to pack
Modest clothing on the island (swimwear at the designated beach), snorkel gear
A quieter corner
Sandbank trips at low tide
Questions travellers ask
What's the dress code on Maafushi?
Modest clothing on the island; swimwear is for the designated beach. Pack snorkel gear too.
How far is Maafushi by speedboat?
About 30–45 minutes from Velana, Malé (MLE). Aim for November to April, the dry season.
How can I fill my days on Maafushi?
Snorkelling trips, fishing at sunset, sandbank trips at low tide, or a day pass at a resort island. Guraidhoo island makes another outing.
What's the local food on Maafushi?
Mas huni and hedhikaa, the Maldivian short eats.
About Maafushi
- Island
Where it is
Maafushi is an inhabited local island on South Malé Atoll, part of Kaafu Atoll in the Maldives, reached by speedboat or ferry from Malé to the north.
History
Maafushi was for centuries a small fishing island. When the Maldives began allowing guesthouses on inhabited islands, it became one of the busiest local islands for travellers, and its lanes filled with small hotels and dive shops.
People
Maafushi's people are Dhivehi-speaking Maldivians, and a community that once lived from fishing now also runs guesthouses, cafés and excursion boats. As on other local islands, daily life follows Islamic custom: alcohol is not served, and swimwear is worn only on the designated beach.
Known for
- Guesthouse stays on a local island
- The designated bikini beach
- Snorkelling and sandbank trips
- Day trips to resort islands
- Sunset fishing trips
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.