MV
Maafushi
The Maldives’ busiest local island, with guesthouses, a bikini beach and affordable excursions
The Maldives’ busiest local island, with guesthouses, a bikini beach and affordable excursions
Swimwear is allowed only on this fenced tourist beach at the island’s tip. It has sunbeds, water sports and shallow water.
Arrive early in high season for a sunbed.
Photo: Adam Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0
Sandy lanes lead past homes, cafés and small shops. Locals gather by the harbour in the evening.
Photo: Buiobuione, CC BY-SA 4.0
Alcohol is not allowed on the island, but boats anchored offshore operate as floating bars, with free shuttles from the harbour.
Photo: Buiobuione, CC BY-SA 4.0
Half-day trips visit reefs with turtles and rays and stop at a sandbank. Sunset dolphin cruises and resort day passes are also popular.
Photo: Dr. Ondřej Havelka (cestovatel), CC BY-SA 4.0
Full-day trips go to South Ari Atoll, where whale sharks are often seen. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Do not touch marine life.
Photo: Laika ac, CC BY-SA 2.0
Try mas huni (tuna and coconut breakfast), garudhiya (fish soup) and hedhikaa (short eats).
Most guesthouses offer meals; cafés serve local and international food.
Shared speedboats from the airport take about 45 minutes. The cheaper public ferry from Malé takes about 1.5 hours but does not run every day.
Book transfers with your guesthouse.
The Maldives uses the rufiyaa (MVR), but most tourist prices are in US dollars. Guesthouse prices often exclude taxes, a service charge and a nightly green tax.
Plus taxes and green tax.
Beach, reef and island life.
Speedboat from the airport, then relax on the bikini beach.
Join a snorkelling and sandbank trip.
Take a whale shark trip or a resort day pass.
Kayak, paddleboard and watch the sunset.
On inhabited local islands, cover shoulders and knees away from designated tourist beaches, and do not bring alcohol.
Public ferries do not run on Fridays.
Check whether quoted prices include taxes and the green tax.
Use reef-safe sunscreen and do not stand on coral.
Quick answers for planning time in Maafushi.
By shared speedboat from the airport in about 45 minutes, or by public ferry from Malé.
Only on the designated bikini beach.
Not on the island; floating bars operate offshore.
It is one of the cheaper ways to visit the Maldives.
December to April, the dry season.
English is widely spoken in tourism; Dhivehi is the local language.
Free
Guesthouses, boat operators and dive centres take bookings by message.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Maldives travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.