Maafushi

Maafushi is a local island a ferry ride from Malé, where you can see daily Maldivian life and join island-hopping trips.

Find a room in Maafushi Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Maafushi

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Maafushi is an inhabited island in Kaafu Atoll, in the Maldives, about 26 km south of the capital Malé. Like most islands in the country, it is built on a coral reef. Residents are of Maldivian descent and speak Dhivehi, the national language. Besides fishing and farming, many work in tourism-related jobs. The island is governed by an elected Island Council of five councillors.

Its closeness to Malé and the transport hubs has made it a popular choice for visitors who want to see a local island. You can reach it by ferry from Malé, and many travelers arrive through Velana International Airport. The island had 72 guest houses by December 2017, up from 40 in December 2015. Visitors from nearby resort islands come for island hopping and shopping, and the souvenir shops sit in assigned areas. January to March are the best months to visit, while June to August bring wet, windy weather.

Maafushi in five

Get a local SIM from Dhiraagu or OoredooDhiraagu and Ooredoo are the two main mobile networks in the Maldives. A local SIM gives you mobile data for maps and bookings.Phones and eSIM
Ask your guest house which ferry point to useMaafushi is about 26 km south of Malé, and visitors reach it by ferry from the capital. Many arrive through Velana International Airport, so ask your guest house which ferry point to use before you land.
Pack clothes that cover shoulders and kneesMaafushi is a Maldivian island, and most residents are Muslim. Cover up in the village streets and save swimwear for the beach.
Carry rufiyaa for the souvenir shopsThe currency is the rufiyaa (MVR). Souvenir shops on Maafushi are in assigned areas for visiting shoppers, so keep small notes ready.
Set up island hopping from MaafushiMany visitors come over from nearby resort islands for island hopping and shopping. Agree the price, the stops and the return time with the boat crew before you leave the dock.Tours and tickets

Things to do in Maafushi

See all attractions in Maafushi

Viewpoint · MaafushiBikini Beach

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to MaafushiPut the places you like in Maafushi on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Rufiyaa (MVR)
Entry: Visa on arrival for most passports; check Maldives Immigration rules
Emergency: 119 police, 102 ambulance
Tipping: Ask your guest house what is customary
Time: UTC+5, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Dry, calm
FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Dry, calm
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Hot, dry
AprilRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low28°Hot, dry
MayRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low28°Monsoon starts
JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low28°Wet, windy
JulyRain19 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Wet, windy
AugustRain17 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Wet, windy
SeptemberRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Wet, humid
OctoberRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Showers ease
NovemberRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Calmer days
DecemberRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Dry season starts

Average daily high and low in Maafushi, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Maafushi

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 30°
Humidity: 66%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 69%

Maafushi

01:37 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5

Today29°26°69%Tuesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 69%.
Wed29°28°18%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 18%.
Thu29°26°35%Thursday: Rain. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 35%.
Fri29°26°33%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 33%.
Sat30°27°53%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 53%.
Sun29°25°67%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 67%.

Updated 11:01 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 15.45 MVR

Amount

Converted to

MVR · Maldivian Rufiyaa

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

MaléAbout 26 km north; check ferry timesThe capital, with the ferry and airport link back to Maafushi.
Nearby resort islandsBoat trip; time varies by islandResorts close enough that guests come over for a day of island hopping and shopping.

Before you go to Maafushi

eSIM and local SIMDhiraagu and Ooredoo plansRead the guide

Travel insuranceCover for medical care and delaysRead the guide

Money and cardsRufiyaa and cash for small shopsRead the guide

Stays on MaafushiGuest houses on a local islandRead the guide

Rules for Maafushi, checked

Alcohol is not sold on local islands such as Maafushi.
Cover shoulders and knees in the village streets, and wear swimwear only at the beach.
Check visa-on-arrival eligibility and passport validity on the Maldives Immigration site before you fly.Source

Plan around Maafushi

All of the Maldives

Atolls, islands, resorts and how to move between them

Read the guide Getting around

Ferries from Malé and the airport

Read the guide Visas and entry

Visa on arrival and passport checks

Read the guide Money and costs

Rufiyaa, cash for small shops and typical prices

Read the guide Where to stay

Guest houses on a local island

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Local SIM options for maps and bookings

Read the guide

Maafushi FAQ

Is Maafushi worth visiting?

Yes, if you want to see a local Maldivian island. It is about 26 km south of Malé.

How do you get from Malé to Maafushi?

By ferry from Malé. Many visitors arrive through Velana International Airport, so ask your guest house which ferry point to use.

How many days do you need in Maafushi?

Two nights give time for a walk around the island and a boat day. Add a night if you want more shopping.

Can you drink alcohol on Maafushi?

No. Alcohol is not sold on local islands such as Maafushi, so plan for that before you arrive.

Is Maafushi good for a resort holiday?

No. Maafushi is a local island with guest houses, not resorts. Visitors from nearby resort islands often come over for a day of island hopping and shopping.