MAAFUSHI TRAVEL GUIDE: WHAT TO DO AND USEFUL INFO

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When the Government of Maldives decided to open the local islands to tourism and travelers from all over the world we had the opportunity to know that country "beyond the resorts", Maafushi was the island chosen to start the experiment. It was the year 2010. Since then, on this islet located about 25 km from Male, hotels, restaurants (there is even a beauty salon!) And almost all the amenities that travelers need. We made base on this island for a week on our second trip to Maldives, and we collected a lot of info for this guide to travel to Maafushi, where we tell you how to get there, where to stay, the recommended restaurants and how not, everything to do in Maafushi, the backpacking island of Maldives ... We hope this post is helpful!

If you want more information, visit our GUIDE TO A TRIP TO MALDIVES

During this week there with Lety's parents, far from what we believed, we have NOT been bored ... And that time has not been on our side. Mental note: the best months to travel to Maldives are January, February and March. But although we have had occasional cloudy days and it has rained several times, we were able to enjoy all that this island has to offer. But we go in parts.

1. Spend the hours at the bikini beach

Maldives is a Muslim country and as such, people don't show their bodies when they go to the beach to bathe. Maafushi is no exception, peeeeeero ... as in most of the local islands where tourism already arrives, a part of the beach has been dedicated so that non-Muslim visitors can sunbathe and take a good dip in a swimsuit: it is the call “beach bikini”.

You will not be surprised to see that practically all tourists who do not go on excursions will be there. Luckily it is quite large, although if in your head you have the image of the typical paradise beach ... we are disappointed: there are a couple of hotels (another under construction) that spoil the panorama quite a bit. The good thing is that the sea is beautiful and there are swings in the palm trees well photogenic.

2. Snorkel in the beach bikini

Ask for a mask at the hotel (usually free) and water duck! A few meters from the beach bikini there are rocks and some gray corals where you can see fish of all sizes and colors, and even reef sharks (harmless). Put on a shirt or a lot of cream, because the sun here hits very hard.

3. Take a snorkeling tour

Although everything is said: the best snorkeling we did was not in Maafushi. Spread throughout the island there are several agencies that offer daily tours: Icom, Moana, Shadow Palm and even small hotels like the Alaka organize excursions. All include transfer, mask and fins, towel, food and instructors.

We did a couple of tours with the Icom company and they were great. There is also an Italian girl, Martina, who speaks perfect Spanish and can advise you.

The first tour we did cost $ 25 per person and led us to make several stops: two snorkeling points, one near a private island and one with turtles (we saw two), dolphin watching (you can swim with them ... if you can swim with them ... you follow the rhythm, of course XD), and stop on a desert island to eat. The tour starts at 10 and ends at 14 approx.

These are the best excursions to do from Maafushi.

The second tour we did cost $ 20 and included: stop for snorkeling in an impressive coral garden, food in a beautiful sand bank and an hour on the beautiful island of Gulhi, which we will talk about later.

There are also tours that offer the possibility of swimming with nurse sharks, blankets, snorkeling with a shipwrecked ship, etc ... When you are in Maafushi, take a tour of the agencies and choose the tour that catches your attention. Take advantage because the prices are the lowest you will find in all Maldives: Maafushi location is very good and demand is high!

4. Swim with the whale shark

One of the most typical Maafushi excursions is the one that takes you swimming with the immense whale shark, the largest fish in the world! We did not do it, when going with my parents we prefer a quieter plan, but we do not discard it for the future! The price of the tour is $ 100 and they usually take you to an area near the island of Dhangethi.

5. Try the typical Maldivian snacks

Masroshi, gluttony, samositas and many more: in Maldives there are some small snacks (almost all with tuna and coconut filling) that you have to try. In addition to typical, they are very cheap: they only cost 3MVR (about € 0.15). They are spicy, but you can eat ... I promise you they are not terribly spicy. The truth is that with a beer they would be the glory, but you know, there is no alcohol in Maldives (unless you do not go to a resort or get on a bar-boat where your own law prevails, which by the way, in Maafushi there !).

In this post we tell you more about the cuisine of Maldives

6. Spend (at least) one day in Gulhi

Gulhi is another local island that is very close to Maafushi, just 10 minutes from speed boat. The most attractive thing about the island is its bikini beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in all Maldives, with its perfect swing for photos and crystal clear waters of thousands of blue shades. At the beginning we planned to divide our stay spending 4 days in Maafushi and 3 in Gulhi, but the truth is that in Maafushi there is more movement, restaurants, excursion options ... It depends a bit on what you are looking for.

We went on a tour, but route 309 of the local ferries connects Maafushi with Huraa (on the way to Male). It leaves at 07:25 in the morning and returns at 16:15. You can see the route in this link. Be careful because these ferries can change schedules or be canceled without prior notice. You can also arrive by speed boat, some companies that do not sell all the places to go to Malé can offer a seat and stop in Gulhi (and then obviously agree to the pick-up) for $ 5 the way.

7. Dive

We have never dived but it is no secret that the Maldivian marine world is one of the best in the world. There are several schools on the island (Maldives Passion Diving, Arena Dive Club, Maafushi Dive & Watersports), so if you want to dive you will have the opportunity to do so.

8. Take a tour of the island

Maafushi is a tiny island but you will be surprised to see how many shops there are: a good handful of souvenir shops (the hand-painted wooden dishes are beautiful!), Mosques, small but well-packed supermarkets, there is even a beauty salon and a barber! There is also a bank (with ATM), beaches where you can see how the locals do “water gym”, a cricket field, ice cream shop, pastry shop… Because there is even a jail. Walking through the sandy streets is an experience: the truth is that I do not exchange a local island for a resort (well, the same a couple of nights yes, if it cost the same XD).

At the ends of the island there is an area dedicated to the collection (and burning) of garbage. The problem they have here with waste management is very large, since the islands simply do not have the ability to deal with this. One solution is to burn the waste (when possible), another is the creation of landfill islands. We were already "prepared" since on our previous trip we had discovered what is often hidden from this paradise. It is clear that the problem is not going to be solved by us or by you ... but we can do something: try to generate as little garbage as possible.

9. Get on top of tuna

Unless you're not a vegetarian, eating tuna is almost mandatory in Maldives: it's rich and cheap and they don't just put it in the soup ... it's that the typical Maldivian breakfast is tuna with coconut and onion! In the post of where to eat in Maafushi we will already recommend more things, but for now point these two sites:

Grilled tuna in Mr Octopus (slash for about € 5)
Grilled tuna in Amigo's coffee (dish for € 2.5)

10. Don't miss a sunset

We have already verified that under the water Maldives hides lots of treasures, but when the sun goes down and the sky is dyed red and violet ... the show is not bad either. So during your stay do not miss a sunset! In addition, the island is full of cats and when the sun goes down, they also don't miss the show hehe.

One of the reasons that make Maafushi an excellent alternative to base on a trip to Maldives is the large amount of gastronomic and hospitality offer that exists throughout the island (beware, taking into account the country's limitations!). There are many restaurants and places to try typical local dishes, here are our 8 recommendations of places to eat in Maafushi, from dinner buffets to local places at a good price, and even a bakery with cupcakes 😉

You have two options: the fast and more expensive (speedboat) and the “slow” and cheap (local ferry). In this post we tell you more about how to get to Maafushi from Male, but in summary, if you want to get to Maafushi from the airport quickly, it is best to catch a speedboat for $ 20/25 (per person) that takes half an hour in get. There are several companies that cover the route (we hire you through our GH).

If you arrive on a Friday, it will be your only option since local ferries DO NOT circulate that day. If you arrive another day and the local ferry schedules fit, you can take a ferry from Male to Maafushi for about $ 2 (it takes an hour and a half to arrive).

We have stayed in the Kokaa Retreat and very well, really. Both the manager and the staff have been very friendly and have worried that we were comfortable throughout the stay. The double room (with breakfast) cost us about € 50. Clean, with bathroom, fridge, tv, two bottles of water daily and free coffee / tea at the reception. We had a small balcony overlooking the sea. It is on the beachfront (no bikini beach) and in 5 minutes walk you reach the port, the bikini beach and most restaurants on the island. They also give you beach towels and good masks for free snorkeling. It also has restaurant service.

If you have more budget or want to stay in front of the bikini beach, there are two big hotels that you might like more. Are the Arena Beach and the Kaani Beach. But if you want to be in a quiet, clean, cheap and with everything you need to be comfortable, the Kokaa Retreat seems like a very good place.

→ Here you can see other accommodation options in Maafushi

And finally a clarification: Maafushi is a perfect destination for both backpackers as for travelers in partner and in family…

Up to here our Maafushi guide, a backpacking islet that makes traveling to Maldives not a rich thing. So it's nice, huh! Do you know more things to do in Maafushi?