2025 Maafushi Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in February)

Maafushi is one of the most famous islands in the Maldives, attracting tourists from all over the world with its friendly local atmosphere and diverse activities. The island features beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and shops selling fresh fruits, juices, and various local snacks. Additionally, there are numerous activities for adventure lovers, such as deep-sea diving, coral reef viewing, and beach volleyball, allowing visitors to relax and fully enjoy nature. Maafushi is an ideal destination for a simple and warm vacation.

#coupletravel We celebrated our anniversary in style at Maafushi Island, and it was nothing short of perfection! Our stunning beachfront villa offered breathtaking sunset views, while crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs beckoned us to snorkel and dive. Delicious seafood and romantic beach dinners made every evening special. The warm, attentive staff ensured a seamless stay, making our anniversary truly unforgettable. Maafushi's tranquil atmosphere, pristine beauty, and exceptional hospitality exceeded our expectations. Book a beachfront villa for unparalleled views, explore hidden coves, and indulge in sunset cruises and local seafood. Maafushi Island is a true Maldivian gem for a romantic getaway.

#coupletravel The Maldives was our first stop on the world trip, and you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy it. For example, staying on local islands like Maafushi is a budget-friendly option. Maafushi is located in the Kaafu Atoll, about 26 kilometers (16 miles) south of the capital, Malé. It’s accessible by a 30-40 minute speedboat ride or a 90-minute public ferry from Malé. ▪️Local Island: Maafushi is a local island with guesthouses, offering a more affordable and culturally immersive experience compared to the resort islands. ▪️Pristine Beaches: While it’s a local island, Maafushi still boasts stunning beaches, especially the dedicated “Bikini Beach” where tourists can swim and sunbathe in swimsuits, as the rest of the island adheres to local customs. ▪️Water Activities: The island offers a range of water-based activities, such as snorkeling, diving, jet-skiing, and dolphin-watching trips. It's also a gateway to nearby sandbanks and resorts for day visits. #100waysoftravel #Maafushi #Maldives #LocalIsland #AffordableTravel #SnorkelingMaldives

#100WaysOfTravel #couplestrip #awesomepic #indianocean #beachy #maldives #maafushi Othen than Arena Beach Hotel, the hotel under Kaani group can be one of the top option for you to go for if you are travelling to the Maldives local Maafushi island. Same as Arena, this is a 4-stars hotel as well and also located in front of the bikini beach where you can just wear the bikini to swim here (the only place to wear bikini in Maafushi) and see the sunset directly. Reminder: - Do arrange with the hotel directly for the speedboat transfer at least 3 days in advanced as this is the only way for you to come. Overall Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

#100WaysOfTravel #couplestrip #awesomepic #deliciousfood #maldives #maafushi #indianfood This is one of the sought after Maldivian-Indian food in Maafushi island. This restaurant is just next to our Arena Star Beach Hotel, just a stone walking distance away. The waiter was so friendly and welcoming, even offer us a free drinking water since we just ordered food (actually we just done had a drink at a small stall and we are enough with drinks). We ordered Egg Briyani and Chapati, the taste was great and strongly recommend to come try it out if you are coming over to Maafushi!

#Sea travel Open the experience of going on a diving tour with sharks in Maldives. Ask how is it different from our home or other places? The tour here will allow us to swim and dive among Nurse Sharks Big nurse sharks 🦈 Take pictures with stingrays Close up If you're lucky, you'll see a large school of dolphins in the crystal clear sea! At an affordable price, starting at only 60 USD, including everything, such as Round-trip speedboat fare, staff care, complete equipment Mask, Snorkel and Fins, someone will take you underwater for free, and 1 lunch 🌟The guide will pick us up at the hotel early in the morning at 07.15. Our program today will be called Sharkbay Tour, will take us to Sandbank / Shark Point, a swimming point with nurse sharks / Take pictures with stingrays and have lunch on the island Fulidhoo / Go swimming with dolphins (depending on your luck) This price will include various swimming equipment, Snorkel mask / Fins / towel, lunch with drinking water and photography fee Underwater with free video!! ❤️If anyone wants a drone angle at any point and wants the team to take pictures for you, there will be an additional charge of 15 USD (550 baht) per person. But from what I've been to, I recommend Shark Point. It's the most worthwhile and the most beautiful. For those who have a drone and want to fly it yourself, there's no charge. 🏖️The first point we'll go to is Sandbank, a long white beach. Between the left and right seas, we'll have half an hour to take pictures. Then we'll take a boat for another 40 minutes to Shark Point. When we got there, even though we saw the real thing from the surface of the water, oh my, it's so big. But don't be afraid. The guide will advise us on how not to use our hands to swim back and forth because the fish will think that our hands are fish. Then we put on Fins and go down to the waiting point. 📸An easy way to get this picture for those who can't swim is to put on a life jacket and go down into the water. The guide will take care of us one by one. We'll have to lie on our backs in the same position as in the cover photo. Then he'll slowly pull us into the middle of the frame. Therefore, we won't see the fish. It's not scary at all. But you might be a little shocked at first because they will swim close to us sometimes. If we let them lie still, their bodies will be a bit rough. After a while, they will adjust. The team will fly the drone to take pictures for us until it's finished. The guide will come and swim back to the waiting point. 😝After everyone has finished taking pictures from the back angle, this time we will take some underwater pictures. Like Am who can't swim, she will float and snorkel instead. They will take us into the middle of the forest. 555 So close, skin to skin. They will circle into the frame and ask to take a selfie with us. So cute. After they're done, they will take us to Fulidhoo Island. When we get down They will take us to take pictures with the stingrays first. If you have a drone, you can take pictures yourself. After that, they will take us to eat. They will put it in a lunch box for us, which is rice and grilled fish, eaten with fruit salad. They will give us about 30 minutes to take pictures, swim on the island, and then take us back to the island to end the trip in a great way. If anyone comes to the Maldives and visits Maafushi Island, don't forget to try it! 🤩 #MaldivesReview #SwimmingWithSharks

#islandtours #100WaysOfTravel Maafushi island is nowadays a popular local island that the tourist will visit other than the private islands in Maldives!! No fancy resort here but you will get to enjoy the same Indian Ocean View and sunset with the same beauty level with a much more lower price. All watersports such as Parasailing, Jet Ski, Kayaking or the tour for Sunset cruise, Nurse shark tour, snorkelling tour and Dolphin cruise are available and definitely, the price is more and more cheaper making comparison with the private resort!! If you are coming to Maldives and you will be staying at least 1 week and above, do give a chance to Maafushi for a day trip OR stay for 1 night here👍🏻👍🏻 Mandatory transfer: Speedboat ( 25 min from Malé Airport) Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

#beachcheck #100WaysOfTravel Arriving Maafushi Jetty and continue to go straight for 2-3 minutes, you will see this small stall on the left side selling the juices and smoothies. Me and my husband love it so much as we can spend like the whole hour here chilling while looking at the sea view in front of the beach !! Surprisingly, they even provide FREE Wifi so that you could surf the internet with peace of mind !!!!! A must mention thing, the boss is a young guy who is very friendly and talkative!! Had a quick chat with him and got to know that he will be moving to Bali next year as he is getting married with his Bali girlfriend soon !!! For those who visit to Maafushi this year, do not miss out this stall 👍🏻👍🏻

#poolhotel #100WaysOfTravel 💰Average Price per room: starting from RM 450 🏖️Ambiance: 🌟🌟 - hotel is strategically located in front of the Bikini Beach where you can enjoy the view and swim over the beach. - Restaurant is spacious with a lot of outdoor seating….but there are alot ….alot…alot of cats inside, although they have put a signboard saying : DO NOT FEED THE CAT, it is still a lot of cats frolicking around, for those people with Ailurophobia, you might need to be aware of this as Im the one who got into the predicament where i cant literally eat any meals in the restaurant even my package is half board!! - There are construction on-going just right opposite of our balcony, super noisy if you stay in the room for the whole day. But if you plan to do outdoor activities, then it should be fine! 🏋🏽♀️ Facilities: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 - Rooftop swimming pool is the highlight of the hotel as it is direct facing the sea view!! However, the pool is rather small so not really for swimming purpose but to take instagrammable picture😆 - buggy is available. IF It is raining day and you are reaching to leaving the hotel, they will use buggy to pick you up or drop you off!! 😍 Service: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 - Initially i would give a low rating as i had a super bad experience in the restaurant (a lot of cats) and the staffs only allow me eating in the room but my husband had to eat in the restaurant. We ended up only take a plate of foods and share at the room even it is the buffet breakfast and buffet dinner!! However, good that the front desk service is super nice that they been helpful the whole stay and even helped us with our last min arrangement of the speedboat service👍🏻 Overall experience: 🌟🌟🌟

#beachcheck #bikinibeach #maafushi #maldives When everyone think of Maldives, it is all about the sun, the sea and swim with bikini !! But, do you know that Maldives is a 100% Islamic country and you will not be allowed to wear bikini at all if you are staying in their local island. Staying in Maafushi, tourism is evolving nowadays and more and more tourists worldwide visiting here to enjoy the beautiful Indian Ocean view and the sun. The only 1 Bikini Beach is then opened just right in front of the famous Arena Beach Hotel and Kaani hotel allowing the tourists to take a sunbath 👍🏻👍🏻 The sea, no doubt is super clear and clean but the sand is not really fine so it is hard to build a sand castle!! Personally i feel great enough as the sunset is super duper beautiful from the beach 👍🏻 Overall Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

#summerdestinations Looking for the perfect tropical escape? Maafushi in the Maldives is the place to be! With stunning beaches, clear blue waters, and a chill vibe, it's the ultimate getaway. 🌺 ✨ What to Do: 🏖️ Relax on the Beach: Kick back on the white sandy beaches and swim in the crystal-clear waters. Pure bliss! 🌊 Snorkeling & Diving: Check out the amazing coral reefs and colorful fish. The underwater life here is awesome! 🐠 Water Sports: Try jet skiing, windsurfing, or paddleboarding. Lots of fun activities for everyone. 🍲 Eat Local: Enjoy delicious Maldivian food at the beachfront cafes and restaurants. Fresh seafood and tasty curries are a must! 🌅 Sunset Cruises: Hop on a boat to catch the stunning sunset over the Indian Ocean. It's an unforgettable experience. 🏝️ Island Hopping: Explore nearby islands and get a feel for the local culture and way of life. 🗓 Best Time to Visit: November to April for great weather. Whether you want to relax or seek adventure, Maafushi has it all. Pack your bags and enjoy paradise! 🌴✨ #maldives #maafushi #maldivestrip #beautifuldestinations

#beachlife My trip to Maafushi Island in the Maldives was pure paradise! The island’s turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and abundant marine life made snorkeling and diving an absolute joy. The friendly locals and charming guesthouses offered a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Delicious local cuisine and serene beach walks added to the island’s charm. Highlights included a magical sunset cruise and swimming with manta rays. Maafushi’s balance of adventure and relaxation makes it a perfect getaway. For an unforgettable escape to tropical bliss, Maafushi Island is the place to be! My rating: 4.5 ⭐️ out of 5!

For me, Sri Lanka is a dream I've fantasized about for many years. On this small island in the Indian Ocean, mountains and tea gardens complement each other, stars and the sea keep each other company, and there are the stilt fishermen on the cover of LP... The impression of Lanka is always sunny, however, I just happened to hit the rainy season in Lanka, especially when I arrived in Nuwara Eliya, it was raining all the time, and I didn't have time to see this beautiful French-style town. Day 1, Shanghai-Colombo-Negombo, 1:50 pm flight, arriving in Colombo at about 7 pm, exchange money and buy a phone card at the airport, stay at Terrace Green Hotel & Spa in Negombo Day 2, Negombo-Sigiriya, visit attractions: St. Sebastian Church, fish market, Lion Rock, meals: breakfast, Sri Lankan meal in the hotel, lunch, a restaurant along the way, mushroom soup, shrimp and egg fried rice, total 1900 rupees, dinner, it started raining heavily outside, so we settled in the hotel, a serving of fried fish and chips, 1750 rupees, accommodation: Ekho Sigiriya Day 3, Sigiriya-Kandy, visit attractions: a small but solemn temple is the center of Sri Lanka, Temple of the Tooth, World Buddhist Museum, Temple of the Tooth Museum, Kandy town. Meals: lunch, burger king on the fourth floor of KCC in Kandy, dinner, a restaurant by the lake in Kandy, accommodation: kandy hills, the hotel is located halfway up the mountain, with unique scenery Day 4, Kandy-Nuwara Eliya, visit attractions: Kandy Lake, University of Kandy, Nuwara Eliya high mountain tea garden, visit the tea making process, taste Ceylon black tea, pink post office, meals: lunch, chill restaurant along the way, you can see the waterfall and lake, dinner, in the hotel, accommodation: very British style Firs hotel Day 5, Nuwara Eliya-Horton Plains-ella-Yala, visit attractions: Horton Plains trekking, about 9 kilometers in total, trekking for 3 and a half hours, Nine Arches Bridge, Tissa Lake, due to a landslide caused by heavy rain the night before, the high mountain tea garden train stopped, so we had to drive to ella, meals: lunch, cafe chill in the town of ella, seafood pizza, watermelon juice, 2300 rupees, dinner, Chef lady, seafood fried noodles, tomato egg drop soup, 2250 rupees, accommodation: Chaarya Resort & Spa Day 6, Yala-Mirissa, visit attractions: Yala National Park, meals: brunch, in the hotel, dinner, Bay Chinese Restaurant, 6300 rupees, accommodation: Randiya sea view Mirissa Day 7, Mirissa-Galle Fort, visit attractions: whale watching in Mirissa, Galle Old Town. Meals: lunch and dinner, Shuangxi Chinese Restaurant opposite the homestay, 2200 rupees/meal, accommodation: orchard house galle Day 8, Galle Fort-Colombo Airport-Male Airport-Maafushi Island, a day on the road, meals: lunch, airplane meal, dinner, found a sun beach cafe by the sea, grilled fish, chicken fried noodles, accommodation: Rehendhi Villa on Maafushi Island, stay for 3 nights, Day 9, snorkeling in the sea off Maafushi Island, I really experienced deep sea snorkeling, completely different from the snorkeling near the water house in the Maldives ten years ago. I only knew that the one ten years ago was called squat snorkeling, the water was very shallow, and people could stand in the water with their heads out, and this time was the real snorkeling. After the speedboat went to the deep sea, the boat boss said, this is the snorkeling area, there are many corals and fish, the people on the same boat all jumped down one by one, I was directly dumbfounded, hesitated for a long time and dared not jump, I had to obediently climb down the ladder, at first I only dared to float near the boat, the boat boss was super nice, took me to float, I was lucky to see turtles, nemo and so on, on the way I also encountered a group of dolphins, it was too perfect... Day 10, free activities on Maafushi Island, It rained in the morning, and the sky cleared in the afternoon. I went out to take pictures and stroll around, a very photogenic small island, Day 11, Male-Colombo-Shanghai

#beachvacation Maafushi is a picturesque island located in the Maldives, known for its stunning white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and vibrant coral reefs. 🤩 It's a popular destination for travelers seeking a budget-friendly Maldivian experience, with a range of guesthouses, water sports activities, and local shops and restaurants. 🤤 Maafushi offers opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and relaxation in a tranquil tropical paradise.🩴 Tips and Tricks ⁉️ 💸If your on a budget, then you still can visit Maafushi island as there are plenty of affordable hotels and guesthouses to stay in. Local shops will give you budget friendly food options to choose from. 💱Maldives accept USD and Maldivian Rufiya. If possible, do not exchange to local currency or if you do try to not exchange excessively. Local banks do not exchange the Rufiya to USD unless you have a receipt for vice versa exchange from that bank. 🛥️There are public and private shuttles that move between islands starting at $3 (1,5 - 2h boat ride) from Male island. 🤷‍♀️Choose your travel time wisely as during holy celebrations like Ramadan most of the places and public service come to a standstill. Enjoy! 💙💚❤️ #SpinTheWorld #maafushi #maldives #backpacking #budget

📸Attraction Name: Sandbank Boat tour 📍Location : Near Maafushi Island 🚏Best way to get there: boat transfer / boat tour If you are staying in Maafushi Island, make sure to contact your hotel for pick up from the airport. To reach this stunning sandbank, you can avail the bout tours offered in the island. When I was there, I think I paid around 20-25$ which include swimming with the dolphins and turtles, snorkling and lunch in this beautiful sandbank. The staffs set up the umbrella for each guest and and they provide the lunch. You stay for about an hour or so in the sandbank and you then head back to the island. #beachaholic

The Maldives, an enchanting tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean, boasts a rich history and diverse culture that has been shaped by various influences over the centuries. As you explore this stunning island nation, immerse yourself in its vibrant traditions, mouth-watering cuisine, and breathtaking natural beauty. The Maldivian culture derives influences from various sources, with Sri Lanka and South India having a particularly strong impact. #beachlife

💐🌊Maafushi Island, Maldives, is a stunning island in the Indian Ocean, known for its fine white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and abundant marine life.⁉️The island's overwater villas and ocean-view suites offer an unparalleled luxury experience.🌇⚡️Visitors can enjoy water activities such as diving and snorkeling, exploring the wonders of the underwater world.📸♦️In addition, the island offers a wide variety of delicious food, with seafood being particularly fresh.🌊Spend your vacation here and enjoy a leisurely time while experiencing the unique charm of the Maldives.✨🧩Whether for a family vacation or a honeymoon, Maafushi Island is the ideal choice.💯✅

Here are some important tips and suggestions for traveling to Maafushi Island: 1. Transportation: • From Male Airport to Maafushi Island, you can choose a speedboat (about 35–40 minutes, USD 25) or a public ferry (longer travel time, but only USD 5). We recommend choosing the right transportation based on your time and budget. 2. Accommodation: • Maafushi Island offers a variety of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to budget guesthouses. Kaani Grand Seaview and Arena are well-known hotels on the island, with excellent facilities and service. If you're looking for value for money, consider booking a guesthouse like Summer House. 3. Food: • There are many restaurants on the island. We recommend trying Western food at Moonlight and lobster at Sunbeach Cafe. Maladiva/Melon is also worth a try, with its signature Melon and steak receiving rave reviews. 4. Activities: • Snorkeling and diving are popular activities on Maafushi Island, allowing you to get up close to marine life. The Shark Bay day tour and whale shark manta day tour are not to be missed. Sunset fishing is also a fun activity. 5. Tips: • Book accommodation and activities in advance to avoid them being fully booked during peak season. • Bring your own toothbrush, toothpaste, and other personal items, as some hotels do not provide them. • Be sure to use sunscreen and stay hydrated, as the sun in the Maldives is very strong.

🏖️Ambiance/Facilities: 1000/10 💰Average Price per Person: 75-100 usd 💞Reasons to Recommend: water is really clear and the most blue i had seen

#getgoing2025 #hotel #travel #holiday #poolhotel It has been almost a week since we entered the new year, 2025. If you plan to travel to the Maldives, you should visit Maafushi Island, one of the tourist destinations. A hotel to consider at Maafushi is the Triton Prestige Hotel. I spent three nights there, and it made me consider coming again. The hotel has a spa, infinity pool, and tour package. The hotel room is clean with complete amenities. I chose a sea-view room to enjoy incredible sea views, sunset, and people playing water sports. Also, I tried outside dinner by the sea with friends at the hotel facility. That’s memorable

If you wanna experience paradise look nowhere else but mighty Maldives! You wont need any filter really! Life is too short if you can definitely you should travel to this country. Amazing people, food, culture and even just looking at the horizon will make it worth it. There are great deals here in trip.com app so keep an eye !!!#travel #couplestrip #beachlife #seascapes

#2024mapped #summervacation #summerdestination Maafushi Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Maldives, especially for those on a budget. This small island serves as the perfect getaway, where tranquil views blend seamlessly with local ambiance. There are many hotels offering sea views at reasonable prices, as well as numerous local tours that provide diverse water activities such as snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, and sunset fishing. I came here with my friends, and we had a lot of fun exploring local foods, enjoying the beach and the sea, doing some shopping, and joining local tours. Exploring beach is lovely during the summer.

#weekendgetaways Staying at Arena Maafushi was a delightful experience! This hotel offers a comfortable and cozy ambiance, with spacious rooms and modern amenities. The staff were friendly and attentive, making sure every need was met. It has a prime location near the beach and is perfect for exploring Maafushi’s vibrant local culture and enjoying water sports. The breakfast was delicious, they offered a taste of authentic Maldivian cuisine. Highly recommended for a relaxing and affordable stay in the Maldives!

Tuna with coconut n herbs

Maafushi full of colours,of joy and a wonderful people. We stayed in paradise. Perfect weather,perfect water,perfect rain,perfect sun... we consider that trip the best of our lifes. I never saw in my life such a wonderful colours in a sunset. We enjoy walk a lot, we love the food,we never thought that time can fly soo quickly. We have a fantastic room with a fantastic view :-)