The tourist beach
Shallow turquoise water.
Nadhuha Amir — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Saaremees — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Buiobuione — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Saaremees — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Buiobuione — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Buiobuione — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Buiobuione — CC BY-SA 4.0 · otterboris — CC BY 3.0
Maafushi is a local inhabited island in Kaafu Atoll, about 26 kilometres south of Malé, and it has become one of the best-known choices for travellers who want to stay on a local island rather than at a resort. In 2016 it already had more than 55 guesthouses, more than any other local island, and about 4,500 people lived there at the 2022 census. On inhabited islands, regular tourist swimwear is allowed only on beaches set aside for visitors. Maafushi's tourist beach, at the edge of the island, has white sand, shallow turquoise water, cafés and water-sports operators, and small blacktip sharks sometimes show up in the nearby shallows. Many day trips leave from the island per visitor guides: snorkelling on the reefs, sandbank picnics, dolphin watching and visits to nearby resorts, and there are dive centres too. Alcohol is not served on the island, as on all inhabited islands of the Maldives. From Malé, the public ferry takes about an hour and a half for a small fare (about 22 MVR) and does not run on Fridays; speedboats take 30 to 45 minutes for about 20 to 40 US dollars, per visitor guides. Away from the tourist beach, modest dress is advisable.
Shallow turquoise water.
Reefs, sandbanks, dolphins.
Guesthouses and sandy lanes.
Maafushi island, Kaafu Atoll, south of Malé
By public ferry in about an hour and a half for about 22 MVR (not on Fridays), or by speedboat in 30 to 45 minutes for about USD 20-40, per visitor guides.
Only on the designated tourist beach, as on all inhabited islands of the Maldives. Elsewhere, modest dress is advisable.