This article is packed with everything you need to know about Maldives speedboat transfer: private or public. What’s the difference? How much do tickets cost? Where can you find schedules? What are the alternatives? Plus, I’ll share tips, recommendations, and pitfalls to help you save time, nerves, and maybe even money.
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Table of Contents
Island Transfer in Maldives: general information
Here’s a concise overview of transportation between islands in Maldives.
- The Maldives is an island nation with around 1,200 islands. Any island larger than 2–3 square kilometers is considered “large.”
- Distances are vast. The stretch between the northernmost and southernmost islands exceeds 1,000 km. Traveling between islands is often time-consuming, expensive, and logistically challenging.
- Main transportation options:
- Air travel: Seaplanes and domestic flights. Details here.
- Public ferries: These operate only between Male and nearby atolls, with infrequent schedules (once daily at best), low speeds, and very low fares. Learn more about ferry transportation in Maldives.
- Private transfers and route-based speedboats: These are the middle ground—faster than ferries and cheaper than seaplanes—ideal for tourists.
Private Boat vs. Speedboat: What’s the Difference?
The difference is straightforward. A speedboat operates on fixed routes and schedules, while a private boat (also a speedboat) is rented exclusively for your use, with a custom route and departure time.
Good to know:
Speedboats in the Maldives travel at an average of 60 km/h, about four times faster than ferries (12–15 km/h).
Speedboats are the primary mode of transport for tourists in the Maldives. They’re available on every island, and even Male has emergency medical speedboats.
Advantages of speedboats in Maldives:
- Speed: For example, traveling from Male to Thoddoo takes: Ferry: 7 hours, Speedboat: 1.5 hours
- Frequent schedules: Speedboats run more often than ferries
- Convenient departures from the airport: Unlike ferries, which only leave from Male, many speedboats depart directly from Velana International Airport to resorts and islands.
Disadvantages of speedboats:
- Weather dependency: Speedboats don’t operate in rough seas, storms, or at night. However, in calm weather, some nighttime services are available to nearby islands like Maafushi or Guraidhoo.
- Reduced service on Fridays: While private speedboats are less affected, many routes have fewer departures. For instance, Thoddoo usually has 3 trips daily, but only 1 on Fridays. Public ferries don’t operate at all.
- Motion sickness: Speedboats are lighter and faster than ferries, leading to more noticeable rocking. Bring seasickness medication or use the provided motion sickness bags. In calm seas, speedboats offer a smooth ride, but ferries are steadier in rough weather.
Speedboats in Maldives: prices, routes, timetable, where to buy tickets
Now for the most useful information. Let’s go in order.
- Advance booking is essential, ideally at least 24 hours before travel. Tourists and locals both rely on speedboats, and space is limited. Locals often receive discounted fares.
Here’s a price comparison for popular routes:
- Male – Maafushi:
- Speedboat: $35 (40–50 minutes, 4–6 trips daily)
- Private boat: $180
- Ferry: $1.50 (2+ hours, 1 trip daily)
- Male – Thoddoo:
- Speedboat: $35 (70 minutes, 2–3 trips daily)
- Private boat: $500
- Ferry: $3 (7 hours, 3 trips weekly)
- Male – Dhigurah
- Speedboat: $60 (2 hours, 2 trips daily)
- Private boat: $700
- Ferry: $3.50 (7 hours with one transfer, 3 trips weekly)
- The local island of Dhigurah is very popular among independent travelers. Whale sharks and manta rays often swim right up to the house reef, and it’s all for free. For those areas where they are not found, excursions to Dhigurah cost $100 or more per person. Here’s an overview of the island of Dhigurah.
For groups of 8 or more, renting a private boat becomes cost-effective.
Below are the main resources for checking schedules, prices, and purchasing tickets for speedboats:
- 12go – A major transfer booking platform covering transfers in the Maldives, including small local operators
- https://icomtours.com/ – Specializes in the Male–Maafushi route, with private transfer options.
- https://odi.travel/ – Extensive network covering many local islands and resorts. Requires an app for booking.
- https://www.atolltransfer.com/ – Offers many private boat options but has a less user-friendly site.
Important:
If you pay for the speedboat ride in cash on site, they prefer dollars over the local rufiyaa currency. Card payment is not accepted here. Learn about currency in the Maldives.
Travel tips
I think you’ve already noticed that getting around between islands in the Maldives isn’t the cheapest thing. Tickets for speedboats to popular tourist islands near Male usually cost around $30–50 per person one way. That means $150–200 just for transfers from the airport to your hotel and back for a couple. And what if it’s a family of four? But that’s just how things work in the Maldives—you can take a ferry if the schedule fits.
- The biggest challenge in the Maldives is arriving late in Male. After 4 PM, there are no more ferries or speedboats to your island. This means you’ll either have to book a private transfer for $300–500–700, or spend the night in Male.
- It’s a good idea to book your speedboat in advance to guarantee a seat and avoid having to stay overnight in Male.
- Often, your resort or guesthouse can help with booking the speedboat. Don’t hesitate to contact them—they know all the companies, schedules, and can make a reservation for you. Then, all you need to do is find the right counter at the airport.
Important to know:
The Maldives has 26 atolls, and the farthest ones are more than 500 km away from Male. Speedboats and private boats don’t go that far—it’s too far. Only planes and seaplanes can reach those areas. However, speedboats are well-developed on islands and atolls within a 200 km radius of Male (6–7 nearby atolls). Even then, 200 km is already a long distance for a speedboat.
Useful article: Travel to the Maldives independently or how to rest cheaply. There are many practical tips for organizing a budget holiday.
In conclusion: Island transfers in the Maldives may seem complicated at first, but it’s really not that hard. The main challenge is for those who want to travel cheaply by ferry. If you’re okay with paying for a speedboat, there won’t be many problems. It’s fast and convenient overall, but you may feel seasick, just like on a ferry, or even more.
If you enjoyed the article and the content in this guide, you can buy me a coffee ^_^
Resources to help you plan your dream trip to the Maldives
- Flight tickets and the best deals
- Tour packages (from budget to luxury): Expedia
- Hotels and guesthouses on any island:
- 12go is the largest Asian transfer service. It gathers all Maldivian carriers, even the small ones that operate between local islands.
- Tours and excursions: Viator – a limited selection of excursions, but convenient and reliable.
- Comprehensive insurance: EKTA
- eSIM at the same price as in telecom office in Male.