Travelling between Velana International Airport, Malé, and Maafushi is straightforward once you know where to board and which transport option suits your budget. This guide covers public ferries, speedboats, boarding points, ticket prices, and important tips based on my visit in May 2026.
Pickup and Drop-off Points in Velana Airport, Malé and Maafushi
- Ferry boarding and drop-off point outside Velana International Airport for both public ferries and speedboats: Hulhule Ferry.
- Ferry boarding and drop-off point in Malé:
- Public ferry: Usually at the Henveiru Ferry Terminal but as of 1st June 2026, this has been temporarily moved to a jetty opposite the Maldives Police Service.
- Speedboat transfers: Opposite the Maldives Police Service.
- Ferry boarding and drop-off point in Maafushi for both public ferries and speedboats: Maafushi Pier
Comparison of the best transport options
Public ferry
| Route | Boarding point | Ticket purchase | Cost |
| Velana International Airport to Malé (15 min) | Near Hulhule Ferry | Ticket counter near Hulhule Ferry | 15 MVR ($1) per adult |
| Malé to Velana International Airport (15 min) | Usually at the Henveiru Ferry Terminal As of 1st June 2026, this has been temporarily moved to jetty point opposite the Maldives Police Service | Purchased on the boat | 15 MVR ($1) per adult |
| Velana International Airport to Maafushi | No direct public ferries available | N/A | N/A |
| Maafushi to Velana International Airport | No direct public ferries available | N/A | N/A |
| Malé to Maafushi | Usually at the Henveiru Ferry Terminal As of 1st June 2026, this has been temporarily moved to jetty point opposite the Maldives Police Service | Henveiru Ferry Terminal / On the boat | 22 MVR ($1.5) (please verify before travel) |
| Maafushi to Malé | Near Maafushi Pier | Purchased on the boat | 22 MVR ($1.5) (please verify before travel) |
Important information about public ferries,
- Ferries between Velana International Airport and Malé operate frequently throughout the day, typically every 10–20 minutes.
- For the latest public ferry schedules between Malé and Maafushi, check routes 309 K. Guraidhoo – Malé and 306 V. Rakeedhoo – V. Fulidhoo on the official ferry schedule page. Read the schedule from right to left, and pay attention to the operating days. K. Maafushi refers to Maafushi Island.
- Ferries usually depart exactly at the scheduled time and do not wait for late passengers. Arrive at the terminal at least 10–15 minutes before departure.
- Public ferries are generally not operated on Fridays and public holidays in the Maldives. Check the latest schedule before planning your journey.
Speedboat Transfers
Three operators currently provide regular speedboat transfers between Velana International Airport, Malé, and Maafushi: Escape Maldives, iCom Tours, and Maafushi Tours. Boarding and drop-off points are the same for all three operators, with the main differences being schedules and ticket prices.
Boarding and drop-off points for speedboats for all 3 operators are the same,
- Velana International Airport: Near Hulhule Ferry
- Malé: Opposite the Maldives Police Service
- Maafushi: Near Maafushi Pier
You can check the latest schedules and book tickets directly on the operators’ websites,
Typical prices are,
| Route | Escape Maldives | iCom Tours | Maafushi Tours |
| Velana International Airport ↔ Maafushi (45 min) | $20 | $30 | $40 |
| Male ↔ Maafushi (35 min) | $16 (via Gulhi) | $30 | $20 (verified at Maafushi tours office in Maafushi). If unavailable on website, contact them directly. |
Important information about speedboats,
- Escape Maldives is typically the cheapest of the three operators, often costing significantly less than iCom Tours and Maafushi Tours.
- Each departure has a limited number of seats. Booking online in advance is recommended, especially during peak tourist season.
- If you are not in a hurry, you may be able to board an iCom Tours speedboat without a prior booking for a lower price (around $5 less than the online fare), but only if seats are still available.
- Staff members at the boarding points are usually easy to identify by their operator T-shirts. At the time of my visit, Maafushi Tours staff wore orange T-shirts, iCom Tours staff wore red T-shirts, and Escape Maldives staff wore black T-shirts. This can be helpful when multiple speedboats are boarding passengers at the same time.
- Speedboat rides can be bumpy, especially during windy weather or rough sea conditions.
If you’re travelling on a budget, the public ferry is by far the cheapest option. For most visitors, however, speedboats offer a much faster and more convenient transfer between the airport, Malé, and Maafushi. Always verify schedules before travel, as routes, timings, and boarding locations may change. Prices above were checked in May–June 2026 and may change in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions about Maldives 🇲🇻 Ferries and Speedboats
Can I travel directly from Velana International Airport to Maafushi?
Yes. Shared speedboats operated by Escape Maldives, iCom Tours, and Maafushi Tours offer direct transfers between the airport and Maafushi.
Is there a direct public ferry from Velana International Airport to Maafushi?
No. You must first take the airport ferry to Malé and then board the public ferry to Maafushi.
What is the cheapest way to get from Malé to Maafushi?
The public ferry is the cheapest option, costing approximately 22 MVR per person.
Are public ferries available on Fridays?
No. Public ferries generally do not operate on Fridays and public holidays in the Maldives.
Can I buy public ferry tickets online?
Public ferry tickets are usually purchased at the terminal or on board, depending on the route.
What is the fastest way to get to Maafushi?
A speedboat transfer is the fastest option, taking around 30–45 minutes from the Velana International Airport depending on sea conditions.
Do I need to book speedboat tickets in advance?
Booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak tourist season, as each departure has a limited number of seats.
Which speedboat operator is the cheapest?
During my visit, Escape Maldives consistently offered the lowest fares for most routes.
How early should I arrive before departure?
Arrive at least 10–15 minutes before departure. Ferries and speedboats usually leave on time and do not wait for late passengers.