How to Travel the Maldives? Island Hopping & Public Ferry
Anyone who says the Maldives is only for luxury holidays hasn’t experienced island hopping on the local islands.
By exploring the best local islands in the Maldives, you can enjoy the country in a budget-friendly and adventurous way. Public ferries cost just $1–$10, while speedboats range from $20-$80. Here, you’ll find the updated public ferry schedule and speedboat schedule with prices.
Although traveling by public ferry can be challenging, with proper planning and this guide, you can create an amazing trip to the Maldives without breaking the bank.
For those on a budget or anyone looking to make the most of their Maldives adventure, don’t miss our 41 tips for traveling in the Maldives.
Why Choose Island Hopping in the Maldives?
1. A Unique, Authentic & Budget-Friendly Adventure
Island hopping in the Maldives is the perfect way to have an adventurous and authentic experience while staying on a budget. It allows you to connect with the locals and learn about their daily lives.
2. Discover the Diversity of the Maldives
The Maldives is made up of 1,200 islands spread across 26 atolls. While islands within the same atoll may be close to each other, each has its own character and offers a different experience. Check out the 12 best local islands in the Maldives.
Island hopping is undoubtedly the best way to make the most of your time and truly experience the diverse beauty of the Maldives. An adventure that offers a refreshing break from the typical tourist experiences of luxury resort vacations.
How to Travel Around the Maldives
After arriving at Velana International Airport in Male, you’ll need to arrange transportation to reach your final accommodation. From ferries to speedboats and planes, there are various ways to travel between the islands.
The options and prices will depend on your destination and budget, so make sure to check before choosing an island or booking accommodation.
Available transportation options in the Maldives include:
- Public ferries ($)
- Scheduled speedboats ($$)
- Private ferries ($)
- Seaplanes ($$$)
- Internal flights ($$$)
For a budget-friendly island-hopping experience, we recommend choosing between the slow yet very affordable public ferries, where you can travel alongside locals and observe daily life, and the quicker, more reliable scheduled speedboats.
Personal Experience: Based on experience, a good approach is to use speedboats for hopping between atolls and public ferries for traveling between islands within the same atoll.
Transportation Options in the Maldives
We will explain the five transportation options, focusing on the budget-friendlier options: ferries and speedboats.
Public Ferries in the Maldives
When traveling in the Maldives on a budget, public ferries, costing about $1–10 per trip, are your best option. These ferries offer a budget-friendly adventure with spectacular views and the chance to interact with locals. However, the journey can be uncomfortable and time-consuming.
Traveling to distant atolls and islands can take up to a day, with stops along the way. Moving between islands within an atoll is relatively straightforward, but traveling between atolls can be more complex.
Flexibility is key for two main reasons:
1. Services only run once daily, typically 2–6 times per week, with no service on Fridays. Schedules can change at the last minute, although the MTCC website timetable is usually up-to-date.
2. Ferry schedules can be affected by weather conditions. Delays or cancellations may require you to consider alternatives like speedboats or extend your stay by 1–2 nights.
The ferry system is operated by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). Check the ferry timetables here: MTCC Ferries Schedules
Tips for Using Public Ferries in the Maldives
- After arriving at Velana International Airport in Malé, you can take the airport ferry for $1 to the ferry terminal, where most public ferries depart.
- If no ferry is available on your arrival day, consider staying one night in Malé and catching the ferry the following day.
- If a morning ferry is canceled, they typically inform passengers about an hour before the scheduled departure. In such cases, return to the airport and inquire about available seats on a speedboat or seek assistance from your accommodation.
- Stay in one atoll. If you’re traveling on a budget, focus on exploring multiple islands within the same atoll. This saves time and makes public ferries much easier to use.
- Book guesthouses and homestays in advance. This allows you to ask your accommodation to confirm the public ferry schedule. If you’re unsure, book with free cancellation options.
- Bring cash. Credit cards are not accepted on ferries.
Overview of the 12 Best Islands + Where to Stay
Here are the top 12 local islands in the Maldives, each paired with a carefully selected and highly recommended accommodation.
- Dhigurah for Whale Shark Encounters – Best Hotel: Athiri Beach
- Mathiveri for Sandbank & Fishing – Best Hotel: Mystic Retreat
- Feridhoo for Peaceful Nature – Best Hotel: MAMELLO
- Thoddoo for White Beaches – Best Hotel: One Season
- Dharavandhoo / Maalhos for Hanifaru Bay – Best Hotel: Transit Inn
- Fulhadhoo for Romance – Best Hotel: Azoush Tourist Guesthouse
- Fulidhoo for Stingray Point – Best Hotel: Fulidhoo Ihaa Lodge
- Ukulhas: for House Reef Snorkeling – Best Hotel: SeaLaVie Inn
- Rasdhoo for Sharks Diving & Sandbanks – Best Hotel: Dhaankolh
- Thulusdhoo for Surfing – Best Hotel: Surf Trip Maldives
- Maafushi for Tours & Nightlife – Best Hotel: Alaika Maafushi
Scheduled Speedboats in the Maldives
Scheduled speedboat transfers are available from Velana International Airport to various atolls, islands and resorts at a cost of 30-80 USD per way.
They are more comfortable and faster than ferries. For instance, the same route took us 1 hour by speedboat compared to 3.5 hours by ferry.
For most of the best local islands in the Maldives, there are two daily speedboats, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Make sure to book your seat in advance online through 12Go or ask your homestay to make a reservation for you.
The scheduled speedboats can also serve as your Plan B if your Plan A was taking the ferry and it got canceled. Simply use the airport ferry to switch from the public ferry’s jetty to the airport speedboat’s jetty and hope they still have a seat available. This is what we did when our ferry was canceled at the last minute.
Private Ferries in the Maldives
You can find private ferries from Male to nearby islands. These ferries operate based on weather conditions and leave when they are full.
There is no information online about private ferries, which means you will have to go to the pier and ask. Not the best option, if you ask us.
Seaplanes in the Maldives
The most exciting way to reach your destination is by seaplane from the terminal at Velana International Airport. It’s a short ride with spectacular views and prices vary depending on the distance, typically ranging from 300 to 500 USD.
Usually resorts or travel agencies organize and book these flights, but you can also book directly through their website.
Domestic Flights in the Maldives
There are also domestic flights departing from Velana International Airport. You can book through Trip.com or have your resort/travel agency handle it for you. It’s a great choice if you plan to visit islands that are very far from Male.
Good To Know Tips
Flights to Malé International Airport
You can reach the Maldives by flying into Velana International Airport, the main international airport in Malé.
Flights to the Maldives are often expensive since the destination is known for luxury travel. However, you can find affordable options if you know the budget airlines and routes to Malé:
- From Southeast Asia: Kuala Lumpur to Malé with AirAsia, starting from $50.
- From Sri Lanka: Colombo to Malé, starting from $100. This makes it easy to add the Maldives to your trip if you’re already visiting Sri Lanka!
- From Europe: Fly with Wizz Air to Abu Dhabi, then take a connecting flight from Abu Dhabi to Malé, starting from $100.
Arriving at Malé International Airport
From Velana International Airport, you can choose from domestic flights, seaplanes or scheduled speedboats available at the airport jetty to reach your destination.
If you’re staying overnight in Malé, you can take a taxi, a bus or our favorite option: the short, $1, 5-minute ferry ride from the airport jetty to the ferry jetty. Your choice will depend on your hotel’s location.
If you plan to use public ferries, you’ll need to take the 5-minute, $1 ferry to the main ferry terminal, where most public ferries depart.
Can I choose which transport option to take?
Not entirely, it depends on the islands you want to visit. If you’re traveling on a budget, make sure to choose islands that are reachable by local ferry or speedboat.
Can you travel directly between local islands in the Maldives?
Yes and no. If the islands are within the same atoll, you can usually travel between them directly. However, if they are in different atolls, you’ll need to return to Malé first or arrange a private transfer, which can be very expensive.
This is why we recommend staying within one atoll to visit multiple islands instead of changing atolls for every transfer. It will save you both time and money. Check out our itineraries for 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-week plans!
Which local islands in the Maldives are the best?
Choosing a Maldivian island can be tricky since there are hundreds to pick from and many may seem similar at first. However, each island is surprisingly unique. We highly recommend these 12 best islands in the Maldives, especially in the South and North Ari Atoll, where many are located close to each other for an incredible island-hopping experience.
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