What to do in Maafushi: best things to do & travel tips
When you think of the Maldives, you probably picture powder-white beaches, crystal-clear turquoise water, luxurious overwater villas, and a hefty price tag. But there's a much more affordable way to experience this tropical paradise. Maafushi is one of the best destinations in the Maldives for travellers who want to enjoy beautiful beaches without spending a fortune.
Maafushi is a small local island measuring just 1.2 kilometres long and 265 metres wide, meaning you can easily walk around the entire island in about 20 to 30 minutes. Unlike the famous private resort islands, Maafushi is home to around 2,500 local residents, so instead of luxury overwater villas, you'll find cosy hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs. Located only 30 kilometres from Malé International Airport, it's also one of the easiest islands to reach after arriving in the Maldives.
How to get to Maafushi
Once you've landed at Velana International Airport, there are two main ways to reach Maafushi. The quickest option is taking a speedboat. You can either book a seat on a shared speedboat or hire a private transfer. Shared transfers usually cost around €25 per person, while private boats charge a fixed price regardless of how many people are travelling. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes.
The cheapest option is the public ferry. First, take the free airport shuttle ferry from the airport to Malé. From there, head to the ferry terminal and catch the local ferry to Maafushi.
Tickets cost only around €3 per person, but the journey takes considerably longer, usually 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on sea conditions. Keep in mind that local ferries do not operate on Fridays.
How many days do you need in Maafushi?
Because Maafushi is such a small island, 3 to 4 days is usually enough. This gives you plenty of time to explore the island itself, relax on the beach, and join a few of the popular day trips. If you're mainly visiting for a relaxing beach holiday, you could easily spend a week or more here enjoying the sunshine and crystal-clear water.
Where to stay in Maafushi
Unlike the luxury resort islands, Maafushi doesn't have overwater villas or beachfront bungalows. Instead, you'll find a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, homestays, and boutique accommodations, with rooms starting from around €50 per night.
Since the island is so compact, the exact location of your accommodation doesn't matter too much—you can walk everywhere within minutes. The western side of the island is home to Bikini Beach and many of the island's nicer hotels. On the eastern side, you'll find something completely different: the largest prison in the Maldives. It might sound surprising, but don't worry, you won't notice it's there during your stay.
Tips for visiting Maafushi
The Maldives is an Islamic country, which means there are a few local customs worth keeping in mind. Unlike many Western countries, Friday is the main day of rest. Most visitors won't notice much difference, although some shops may be closed and the local ferry doesn't operate.
Alcohol isn't served in restaurants on Maafushi or any other local island. There's also no point bringing alcohol from the duty-free shop, as it will be confiscated when you arrive at the airport. Alcohol is only available on private resort islands. If you'd like to enjoy a cocktail or beer during your stay, you can visit the famous floating bar: a boat anchored just offshore where alcoholic drinks are served.
Because Maafushi is a local island, wearing swimwear outside designated beach areas isn't considered appropriate. You'll notice that one section of the beach is officially called Bikini Beach (yes, that's really its name!). This is the only public beach where visitors are allowed to wear bikinis or swim shorts. At the island's other public beaches, you'll need to wear more modest swimwear, such as a T-shirt or rash guard together with longer swim shorts.
Best things to do in Maafushi
Although Maafushi is a small island, there's plenty to keep you busy. Of course, relaxing on the beautiful white beaches or by your hotel pool is part of the experience, but there's much more to do. Bikini Beach is a great place for snorkelling, and if you're lucky, you may even spot dolphins swimming close to shore. The island also has several small souvenir shops and plenty of cafés and restaurants where you can enjoy a refreshing mocktail. At Bikini Beach, you can rent kayaks, paddleboards and jet skis.
If you're looking for more adventure, almost every hotel and several local tour operators offer fantastic half-day and full-day excursions, including:
Snorkelling trips
Sandbank picnics
Swimming with whale sharks
Dolphin cruises
Day trips to luxury resort islands
