Maafushi

EXPLORE MALDIVES
Maafushi is one of the biggest and most popular local islands in Maldives. It is located in South Male Atoll just 27 km away from Male. The size is 1.270 x 265 m. The island itself has an elongated form. 2.700 people live on the island. It’s amazing how so many people can live on such a small piece of land, but as on other islands, you won’t feel that the place is overcrowded. From year to year, there are fewer and fewer locals are living on the island. The reason is simple - they either open another hotel by themselves or lease land with a house and move to Male or Hulhumale.
Tourism has been started in 2012 by President Nasheed. In fact, this man did a lot of things to establish the budget segment of tourism in the Maldives, and he began with Maafushi. But still, why there are so many guest houses and hotels on Maafushi island? All because of prison. It turned out that they pay a very good salary. This place employs almost the entire local population that is not working in tourism.
It is easy to navigate on the island. The southern end of the island is a tourist area: bikini beach, guest houses and hotels, gift shops, and restaurants are located there. In the northern part of the island, there is one of the prisons in the Maldives. In the center of the island, opposite the jetty, a school, the administrative office, a playground, and a central mosque are situated. The eastern part of the island is mainly uninhabited; a noisy electric power plant is constantly in action there. That’s why you’d better stay in the south of the island, although guest houses are ‘scattered’ around the whole island. There are about 70 guest houses and hotels on Maafushi! 4-5 hotels with a total capacity of about 200 people.
Transfer to Maafushi
- Public ferry from Male (not available on fridey)
- Scheduled speedboat
- Private speedboat