Maafushi Ferry Schedule – Timings & Travel Tips
The Maafushi ferry schedule runs daily except Fridays, with the government public ferry departing Malé at 3:00pm and arriving at Maafushi at 4:40pm on most days, with an additional 10:00am service on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The crossing costs about $2 to $3 USD per person. For a faster option, shared speedboats from Jetty No. 6 in Malé take 45 minutes and cost $20 USD per person one-way as of 2026.
Overview of Maafushi Island
Maafushi is a local inhabited island in South Malé Atoll, about 27 km south of the Maldives capital. Unlike the private resort islands that dominate Maldives travel coverage, Maafushi operates as a real residential community that also welcomes tourists. It has earned a reputation as one of the best places to experience local Maldivian life while still having access to snorkeling, diving, water sports, and bikini beach.
The island is small enough to walk end-to-end in about 20 minutes, which makes orientation easy on arrival. Activities include snorkeling with reef sharks at the nearby dive sites, dolphin watching excursions, island-hopping to Gulhi and Guraidhoo, jet skiing, and paddleboarding. The bikini beach on the north end is the designated area for non-conservative swimwear; the rest of the island follows local customs.
How to reach Maafushi from Malé
Two options connect Malé to Maafushi: the government public ferry and private speedboat transfers. The choice comes down to budget versus time. The ferry takes 90 minutes but costs around $2 to $3 USD. The speedboat takes 45 minutes and costs $20 USD per person as of 2026.
iCom Tours and Maafushi Tours are the primary speedboat operators. iCom Tours departs from Jetty No. 6 (in front of the Bank of Ceylon in Malé City) and can be reached at +960 790 2069. Maafushi Tours operates the same route at +960 735 2222. Both offer daily service including Fridays, unlike the government ferry.
| Transport option | Duration | Cost (2026) | Departure point | Runs on Fridays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government ferry | 90 minutes | ~$2-3 USD | Henveiru Ferry Terminal, Malé | No |
| Shared speedboat | 45 minutes | $20 USD/person | Jetty No. 6, Malé City | Yes |
| Private speedboat | 30-45 minutes | $150-250 USD/boat | By arrangement | Yes |
Maafushi ferry schedule: complete timetable 2026
The government public ferry to Maafushi operates two separate routes, both managed by MTCC (Maldives Transport and Contracting Company). Route 309 runs daily except Fridays. Route 306 (Rakeedhoo ferry) adds additional connections on alternating days. Tickets are sold in person at Henveiru Ferry Terminal from 9:30am daily (except Fridays). You cannot book these online.
Route 309 (Guraidhoo Ferry) runs Saturday through Thursday. This is the main daily route and the one most travelers use:
| Direction | Stop | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Malé to Guraidhoo | Depart Malé (Henveiru Terminal) | 3:00 PM |
| Malé to Guraidhoo | Arrive Gulhi | 4:15 PM |
| Malé to Guraidhoo | Arrive Maafushi | 4:40 PM |
| Malé to Guraidhoo | Arrive Guraidhoo | 5:05 PM |
| Guraidhoo to Malé | Depart Guraidhoo | 7:00 AM |
| Guraidhoo to Malé | Depart Maafushi | 7:25 AM |
| Guraidhoo to Malé | Depart Gulhi | 7:50 AM |
| Guraidhoo to Malé | Arrive Malé | 9:05 AM |
Route 306 (Rakeedhoo Ferry) adds a 10:00am departure from Malé on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, arriving at Maafushi at 11:30am. The return runs on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays, departing Maafushi at 12:35pm and arriving Malé at 2:05pm. This morning schedule is useful for travelers who want to arrive on Maafushi in the late morning rather than late afternoon.
Where does the Maafushi ferry depart from?
The government public ferry departs from Henveiru Ferry Terminal in Malé City. The terminal is on the eastern edge of Malé, near Maagiri Hotel and opposite the Barceló Nasandhura Maldives. If you arrive at Velana International Airport (the airport island), take the airport-Malé ferry, which arrives directly at Henveiru Terminal, making the connection to the Maafushi ferry straightforward.
The speedboats for iCom Tours and Maafushi Tours depart from Jetty No. 6 in Malé City, located in front of the Bank of Ceylon. This is a different jetty from the government ferry terminal, so confirm your departure point when booking your speedboat transfer.
Ferry costs: what to budget for 2026
The government public ferry from Malé to Maafushi costs approximately $2 to $3 USD per person one-way as of 2026. This fare covers Route 309 and Route 306. Tickets are purchased in cash at Henveiru Ferry Terminal on the day of travel and are not available online.
For island-hopping from Maafushi, local ferries also connect to nearby islands: Gulhi is a short stop on Route 309 and the ride from Maafushi costs about $1.50 USD. Maldivian currency (Rufiyaa/MVR) is accepted alongside USD at most terminals, though exact change in MVR is appreciated.
| Route | Fare (2026) | Transport type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malé to Maafushi | ~$2-3 USD | Government ferry | 90 minutes |
| Malé to Maafushi | $20 USD/person | Shared speedboat | 45 minutes |
| Maafushi to Gulhi | ~$1.50 USD | Government ferry | 15 minutes |
Speedboat services to Maafushi
iCom Tours and Maafushi Tours both run shared speedboat transfers from Malé to Maafushi. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes and costs $20 USD per person one-way as of 2026. Shared transfers run on a fixed daily schedule; private speedboats can be arranged on request for $150 to $250 per boat.
Speedboats run every day including Fridays, which is a key advantage over the government ferry. If you arrive on a Friday or want more flexibility on departure timing, the speedboat is the practical choice. Advance booking is recommended during peak season (December to April). Contact iCom Tours at +960 790 2069 or Maafushi Tours at +960 735 2222 to confirm current daily departure times.
| Operator | Type | Cost one-way (2026) | Duration | Runs Fridays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iCom Tours | Shared speedboat | $20 USD/person | 45 minutes | Yes |
| Maafushi Tours | Shared speedboat | $20 USD/person | 45 minutes | Yes |
| Private charter | Private speedboat | $150-250 USD/boat | 30-45 minutes | Yes |
Government ferry: what to expect on board
The MTCC public ferry is a slow-paced open-air vessel popular with local residents and budget travelers. The ferry does not have air conditioning, but the sea breeze during the crossing keeps it comfortable. Toilets are available on board. Passengers can bring two pieces of luggage and one handbag; additional bags may incur a small extra charge.
The ferry is subsidized by the Maldivian government, which is why the fare is so low. Certain passengers travel free of charge: Maldivian citizens aged 65 and over, children under 3 years old, and registered passengers with disabilities. Seats fill up on weekends and public holidays, so arriving at Henveiru Terminal early (30 minutes before departure) is worthwhile.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Operator | MTCC (Maldives Transport and Contracting Company) |
| Departure terminal | Henveiru Ferry Terminal, Malé City |
| Journey time | 90 minutes (Malé to Maafushi) |
| Operating days | Saturday through Thursday (no service Fridays) |
| Fare (2026) | ~$2-3 USD per person one-way |
| Ticket booking | In person at terminal only; available from 9:30am |
| Baggage | 2 pieces + 1 handbag; extra bags incur surcharge |
| Facilities | Toilet on board; no air conditioning |
Ferry travel tips for Maafushi
Arrive at the ferry terminal at least 30 minutes before scheduled departure, especially on weekends. The 3:00pm Route 309 ferry is the most popular and can fill up on Fridays (the day before the Friday service blackout), so arrive early on Thursdays if you’re catching that departure. Bring small bills in USD or Maldivian Rufiyaa for ferry tickets, taxis, and snacks.
Check the latest MTCC schedule at mtcc.mv/schedules-2/ before your trip, as service changes can occur around public holidays. The ferry schedule is subject to weather cancellations during rough sea conditions, particularly during the southwest monsoon (June to September). If the government ferry is cancelled, the speedboat operators typically continue running in moderate conditions.
Where to stay on Maafushi
Maafushi has over a dozen guesthouses and small hotels, with rates as of 2026 running from around $79 to $150 per night for a standard room. The island is small enough that any accommodation puts you within a 10-minute walk of the bikini beach and main dive operators.
Arena Beach Hotel is a well-established mid-range option with rooms from $90/night as of 2026 and is popular for its location near the water sports operators. Aquzz in Maafushi is a newer 4-star property with rooms from $79/night. Kaani Grand Seaview offers sea-view rooms from $110/night and is part of the larger Kaani group that operates several properties on the island, including Kaani Palm Beach (from $102/night) and Kaani Village and Spa (from $90/night).
Frequently asked questions
What time does the ferry from Malé to Maafushi depart?
The main public ferry (Route 309) departs Henveiru Ferry Terminal in Malé at 3:00pm daily except Fridays, arriving at Maafushi at 4:40pm. An additional morning ferry (Route 306) departs Malé at 10:00am on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, arriving at 11:30am. The return ferry departs Maafushi at 7:25am (Route 309, Saturday through Thursday) and at 12:35pm on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays (Route 306).
How much does the Maafushi ferry cost?
The government public ferry from Malé to Maafushi costs approximately $2 to $3 USD per person one-way as of 2026. Tickets are cash-only and purchased in person at Henveiru Ferry Terminal in Malé. The shared speedboat alternative costs $20 USD per person one-way and takes 45 minutes instead of 90.
Does the Maafushi ferry run on Fridays?
No. The government public ferry (both Route 309 and Route 306) does not operate on Fridays. Friday is the Islamic day of prayer in the Maldives, and MTCC suspends service on that day. If you need to travel to or from Maafushi on a Friday, the shared speedboat operators iCom Tours and Maafushi Tours both run on Fridays at $20 USD per person one-way.
Can you book Maafushi ferry tickets online?
No. As of 2026, tickets for the public ferry from Malé to Maafushi are sold in person only at Henveiru Ferry Terminal. The ticket window opens at 9:30am daily (except Fridays). You cannot pre-book or reserve a seat for the government ferry. Speedboat transfers through iCom Tours or Maafushi Tours can be arranged by phone in advance.
How do I get from Velana International Airport to the Maafushi ferry?
Velana International Airport is on a separate island from Malé. Take the airport ferry to Malé City, which arrives at Henveiru Ferry Terminal, the same terminal used by the Maafushi public ferry. This makes the connection straightforward. Alternatively, take a taxi from the airport to the speedboat jetty (Jetty No. 6) for a direct shared speedboat transfer to Maafushi.
How long is the ferry ride from Malé to Maafushi?
The government public ferry takes approximately 90 minutes from Malé to Maafushi. It makes intermediate stops at Gulhi (around 4:15pm on Route 309) before arriving at Maafushi at 4:40pm. The shared speedboat takes 45 minutes for the same journey and travels direct without stops. The 27 km distance makes the crossing one of the shorter public ferry routes in the Maldives.
What is Maafushi’s bikini beach, and where is it?
Maafushi’s designated bikini beach is on the northern tip of the island and is officially called the tourist beach area. It is one of the few spots in the Maldives outside of private resorts where visitors can wear Western swimwear in public. The rest of the island is a local residential area where modest dress is expected. The bikini beach is about a 10-minute walk from the main ferry dock at Great Harbour.
