Located in the calm waters of the Indian Ocean, Maafushi is the largest inhabited island in the Maldives archipelago. Spread in around 0.2 square kilometers, this tropical island provides a lot of visitors to see and do. Want to make your Maldives trip more convenient? Contact the best travel agency in Dubai for assistance and also check for the best Maldives tour packages with flights, accommodations, transfers etc. Keep reading to discover what this Maafushi island has to offer and find everything you need to know to plan your perfect Maafushi tropical getaway.

Geography

Maafushi is a part of Kaafu Atoll, spread across 26 kilometers south of the capital city Male. This island enjoys a temperature of 30°C and minimal rainfall. Maafushi is covered by white sandy beaches centered with swaying palm trees. The island itself includes narrow streets lined with colorful houses and guesthouses. When exploring the island on foot, you’ll also discover small shops and local restaurants dishing up traditional Maldivian cuisine.

How to get to Maafushi Island?

Speedboat

Take a speedboat from Male's airport jetty. There are regular speedboat transfers that go directly from the airport to Maafushi. This is the fastest way to get there and takes about 1-1.5 hours.

Ferry

Take a local ferry from Male's main harbor. There are public ferries that depart a few times a day from Male to Maafushi. This is the cheaper but slower option, taking 3-4 hours as the ferry makes stops at other local islands along the way. You'd need to take a taxi from the airport to Male's harbor to catch the ferry.

Top Things to Do in Maafushi

Maafushi island offers so many things to do keeping visitors engaged during their stay. The things include:

• Relax on Bikini Beach: One of the most famous spots in Maafushi is Bikini Beach, where swimsuits considered inappropriate on local islands are allowed. Visitors can swim, snorkel, or simply lounge on the soft white sand.
• Snorkel or Dive the House Reef: Maafushi Island offers excellent spots for snorkeling and scuba diving. Spotting manta rays, turtles and even whale sharks is possible when conditions are right.
• Go Sandbank Hopping: Explore small islands by hopping in different spots based on tide levels.
• Try Water Sports – From jet skiing to parasailing, numerous water sports operators offer equipment rental and excursions from Maafushi. The lagoon provides calm conditions for beginners.
• Tour a Local Island – Take a guided walking tour to see how locals live on densely populated islands, checking out shops, restaurants, and fishing charters.

Where to Stay in Maafushi

Maafushi has by far the widest array of guesthouse and hotel options among local islands. Visitors can choose anything from budget guest rooms to luxury overwater villas at exclusive rates:

1. Kaani Beach Hotel

   - 84 total rooms 

 Accommodations:

       - Beach Bungalows - simple thatched roof huts right on the beach

       - Deluxe Garden Rooms - spacious rooms amidst gardens

       - Overwater Villas with Private Pool - one and two-bed options

1. Arena Beach Hotel

   - 120 total rooms

  Accommodations: 

       - Garden View Rooms - economical rooms facing resort gardens

       - Ocean View Rooms - contemporary rooms with ocean views 

       - Sunset View Suites - spacious suites with oceanfront balconies

1. Crystal Sands

   - 5 luxury villas 

Accommodations:

       - 1 and 2 Bedroom Overwater Villas

           - With glass floor panels

           - Private plunge pools

           - Some with slides

1. Sting Ray Beach Inn

   - 20 total rooms

 Accommodations:

       - Garden Rooms - simple, budget rooms set amidst foliage 

       - Beachfront Rooms - upgraded rooms on the sand 

1. Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort

   - 130+ rooms

Accommodations: 

       - Deluxe Bungalows - thatched-roof garden view cottages

       - Lagoon Villas - overwater with glass floor panels 

       - Water Villas with Plunge Pool/Jacuzzi

1. The Acqua Beach

   - 50+ rooms

Accommodations:  

       - Garden View Rooms - bright, eco-friendly rooms

       - Beach View Rooms - contemporary rooms facing the beach

       - Sunrise View Suites - spacious suites, private balconies

When to Visit

As Maafushi lies outside the main atolls, it offers calmer waters and better opportunities for snorkeling during off-season months. The best times to visit Maafushi are the shoulder seasons of March-April and October-November. High season runs December-April when the weather is dry but hotel rates also peak.

Experience Local Island Life on Maafushi

For many first-time visitors, experiencing authentic local culture is just as attractive as sinking their toes into crystal white sand. By staying on lively Maafushi Island or an exclusive resort, travelers can immerse themselves in Maldivian daily life while enjoying tropical island scenery and aquatic adventures.

Whether you choose to relax on the beach sipping coconut water or dive into snorkeling Maafushi’s vibrant reef, a visit to the Maldives’ largest local island is sure to be the highlight of any trip to this Indian Ocean paradise. Let the best travel agency in Dubai handle the travel arrangements while you simply relax and enjoy being immersed in local culture.