TravPa

Maldives

Snorkel turtle reefs and visit local islands from a Maafushi guesthouse, swim near whale sharks in South Ari Atoll, and see Malé's 17th-century Old Friday Mosque.

Best timeJan to MarMoneyMaldivian rufiyaa (MVR)Plugs[plug types], 230 VMain airportMalé (MLE)
Approved by TravPa Editors, Nov 7, 2026
Visa rules depend on your passport.
Choose the country that issued your passport to see what you need.

Overview

Most first trips land at Velana International Airport, beside Malé, and head straight out to an island. Shared speedboats reach Maafushi, a local island of about 2,400 people with 48 guesthouses and hotels, in about 45 to 50 min from the airport, and its excursion boats run to nearby reefs and to South Ari Atoll for whale sharks. Many resorts run their own boat or seaplane transfers, and Malé is a short public ferry ride from the airport for a morning before your flight.

The dry northeast monsoon from January to March brings 10 to 11 hours of sunshine a day. March and April are the warmest months, and the wetter southwest monsoon runs from mid-May to November, though rain usually falls in showers with sunny spells. Temperatures stay between about 25 and 32°C all year.

When to go

BestGo with a plan
janBestfebBestmarBestaprHotmayRainyjunRainyjulRainyaugRainysepRainyoctRainynovRainydecMild

Whale sharks are seen in the South Ari Marine Protected Area all year, and manta rays gather to feed at Manta Point in North Malé Atoll from May to October, during the southwest monsoon.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Maafushi]
Maafushi in 3 daysKuda Giri, Biyadhoo Reef, Guraidhoo, Embudu Reef, Gulhi, South Ari Atoll, Maamigili, Miskiyy MaguBalanced pace
[Photo: Maldives]
Maldives in 5 daysVelana Airport, Maafushi, Kuda Giri, Guraidhoo, Embudu Reef, Gulhi, South Ari Atoll, Old Friday Mosque, National MuseumBalanced pace

Where to stay

MaafushiMiskiyy Magu for cafés and boat departures; the Water Sports Beach area for swimming; the village lanes for quieter nights a few minutes' walk from both.Best areas to stay in MaafushiHotels in Maafushi
Show a map of hotels in Maafushi with live prices

Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.

MaléMalé for the mosque, museum and ferries; Hulhumalé for a calmer base beside the airport; Hulhulé, the airport island, for a night before an early flight.Best areas to stay in MaléHotels in Malé
Show a map of hotels in Malé with live prices

Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.

Getting around

  • Airport to Malé: Public ferries cross from the airport to the Hulhumalé Ferry Terminal in Malé every 15 min from 5:30 AM to midnight, and RTL buses link the airport, Hulhumalé and Malé.
  • To Maafushi: Shared speedboats reach Maafushi in about 30 min from Malé and about 45 to 50 min from the airport; the slower public ferry dhoni takes up to 2 hours.
  • Resorts and atolls: Travel between islands is by boat, seaplane or plane, and many resorts run their own transfers, so arrange yours when you book the room.
  • Taxis: Taxis and ride-hailing apps such as Avas Ride and Nala Taxi work in Malé and Hulhumalé, including over the bridge to the airport.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, then compare travel cover for your dates. Make sure it covers snorkeling and diving, as rescue services may not meet international standards.
Get a quote from World NomadsOpens World Nomads in a new tab. TravPa earns a commission from this partner; your price stays the same.
Phone dataMobile data keeps speedboat times, excursion pickups and your IMUGA declaration at hand between the airport, Malé and the islands.How a travel eSIM works
See Maldives eSIMs on AiraloOpens Airalo in a new tab. TravPa earns a commission from this partner; your price stays the same.