Maldives Tour Guide
kaafu maafushi island

Island

Maafushi

Maafushi is an inhabited island in Kaafu Atoll, Maldives.

Location type
island
Inhabited
Yes
Atoll
Kaafu Atoll

Quick Facts

Location
Kaafu Atoll (South Malé Atoll)
Status
One of the Maldives' original and best-known guesthouse-tourism islands
Known for
Bikini beach, snorkeling and diving day trips, floating bar
Getting there
Shared or private speedboat from Velana International Airport, roughly 30-45 minutes; a slower public ferry also runs

About Maafushi

Maafushi, in South Malé Atoll (Kaafu), was one of the first local islands in the Maldives to open up to independent, guesthouse-style tourism after the rules changed around 2009-2010 — before that, staying anywhere outside a resort simply wasn't an option. It's grown since into one of the country's most visited local islands, with guesthouses now lining streets that were fishing-village lanes a little over a decade ago.

Like most inhabited local islands, Maafushi follows local dress and alcohol norms across most of the island — a designated "bikini beach" is set aside for swimwear, and a floating bar anchored just offshore is where visitors go for a drink, since alcohol isn't sold on the island itself.

Its real draw is the water around it: snorkeling and diving day trips, sandbank visits, and excursions to nearby reefs and resort islands all run from here, making Maafushi a practical, affordable base for exploring South Malé Atoll.

Where Maafushi is

Maafushi sits in South Malé Atoll (Kaafu), a speedboat ride from Velana International Airport.

Getting there

A shared speedboat transfer from the airport typically takes 30-45 minutes and is usually arranged directly with your guesthouse. A slower, cheaper public ferry also runs if you'd rather save on the transfer.

Things to do

Bikini beach, for swimming in Western-style swimwear; the floating bar, anchored just offshore, for a drink; and a full roster of water activities — snorkeling and diving trips to see reefs and turtles, kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing, parasailing, sandbank excursions, and day trips to nearby resort islands.

A one-day Maafushi itinerary

A morning swim at bikini beach, a late-morning snorkel or dive trip, lunch back on the island, an afternoon activity such as jet skiing or a sandbank visit, and an evening drink at the floating bar covers the essentials — though most visitors stay several days rather than just one, given how much there is to do on the water.

Good to know

Maafushi is a local island, so modest dress is expected outside bikini beach, and alcohol is only available at the floating bar, not on the island itself.

Maafushi Gallery

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  • Maafushi Island, Maldives

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On this island

  • kaafu maafushi island
    Maafushi Bikini Beach

    poi

    Maafushi's designated tourist beach in Kaafu Atoll, where Western swimwear is permitted on a local island.

Where to Stay on Maafushi

Attractions on Maafushi

  • kaafu maafushi island
    Maafushi Bikini Beach
    BeachMaafushi

    Maafushi's designated tourist beach in Kaafu Atoll, where Western swimwear is permitted on a local island.

Fishing on Maafushi

Diving on Maafushi

Surfing on Maafushi

Activities on Maafushi

Getting to Maafushi

Packages featuring Maafushi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is bikini beach?
A section of Maafushi set aside specifically for tourists to wear Western-style swimwear — elsewhere on the island, modest local dress norms apply.
Can I drink alcohol on Maafushi?
Not on the island itself — alcohol is served at a floating bar anchored just offshore, which is where most visitors go for a drink.
How do I get to Maafushi from the airport?
By shared or private speedboat, typically 30-45 minutes, usually arranged through your guesthouse; a slower public ferry is also available.
How many days should I spend on Maafushi?
Most visitors stay 3-4 days to make the most of the snorkeling, diving and other water activities on offer, though a shorter stay is possible.

Nearby Islands

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    Guraidhoo

    Guraidhoo is an inhabited island in Kaafu Atoll, Maldives.

  • kaafu Himmafushi island
    Himmafushi

    Himmafushi is an inhabited island in Kaafu Atoll, Maldives.

  • kaafu gulhi island
    Gulhi

    Gulhi is an inhabited island in Kaafu Atoll, Maldives.

Maafushi Travel Guides

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Destination content on this page is drawn from MTG’s own previously published Maldives guide.