The best and fastest (but not the cheapest) way to get around in the Maldives is by Public Speed Boat. Male Atoll’s Maldivian name is the Kaafu Atoll. It’s abbreviation is based off its Maldivian name, K. It is one of the more populated atolls in the Maldives.


ISLANDS SERVED



There are a handful of local islands with guesthouses in the North Maalhosmadulu (Raa – R) Atoll and several speed boat companies that stop at the islands.

For each island, we’ve also linked the Maldivian website Dhathuru which is an EXCELLENT resource for looking up schedules and buying tickets.

North
Kaashidhoo (Velaa Express)   [Schedule on Dhathuru]
Gaafaru (Velaa Express)   [Schedule on Dhathuru]

East-Far
Dhiffushi (Altec)   [Schedule on Dhathuru]
Schedule on

East-Near
Thulusdhoo   [Schedule on Dhathuru]
Huraa
Himmafushi   [Schedule on Dhathuru]

Male
Airport (VIA)   [Schedule on Dhathuru]
Male    [Schedule on Dhathuru]

South
Gulhi   [Schedule on Dhathuru]
Maafushi   [Schedule on Dhathuru]
Guraidhoo

We separate them by their distance from Male – Either “Near” or Far” and if they are on the East or West side of the Male/Kaafu Atoll.

Most of the Local Island are on the East side of the atoll.


SPEED BOAT COMPANIES



The companies that operate are:
Altec
Altec – Website
Altec – Facebook
+960 9555971 [Viber ok, Whatsapp ok]
+960 9163260 [Viber ok, Whatsapp ok]
Email: info@altecmaldives.com
Pickup/Dropoff Jetty Number in Male: 7
Cost Tourists (One-Way) $25USD
Cost Locals (One-Way) 175MVR
Cost Work Visa Holders (One-Way) 250MVR

Velaa Express
Velaa Express – Facebook
+960 9995724 [Viber ok, Whatsapp ok – Booking for Kaashidhoo]
+960 9995863 [Viber ok, Whatsapp ok – Booking for Gaafaru]
Email:
Pickup/Dropoff Jetty Number in Male: 7
Cost Tourists (One-Way): $
Cost Locals (One-Way):
Cost Work Visa Holders (One-Way):


Map of Male /Kaafu (K) Atoll
Map of Male /Kaafu (K) Atoll

Island Sandbar
Island Sandbar

Maldivian Island Life
Maldivian Island Life


TRAVEL TIMES TO ACCOMODATIONS / GUEST HOUSES
MALE (KAAFU) ATOLL


MALE (KAAFU) ATOLL – NORTH TIME FROM/TO MALE
Kaashidhoo
K Hotels [GH]
Palm Rest [GH]
1h30m
Gaafaru
Mariana Inn [GH]
Old Town Inn [GH]
1h30m

GH = Guesthouse; R = RESORT

MALE (KAAFU) ATOLL – EAST-FAR TIME FROM/TO MALE
Dhiffushi
Crystal Dhiffushi [GH]
Ohana Maldives [GH]
Ameera Maldives [GH]
Rashu Hiyaa [GH]
Araamu Holidays & Spa [GH]
Bibee Maldives [GH]
Ranauraa Inn [GH]
Crown Beach Hotel Maldives [GH]
Dhiffushi White Sand Beach [GH]
Veli Villa [GH]
Le Lagnaa [GH]
Dhiffushi Inn [GH]
Top Cruiser Dhiffushi [GH]
1h

GH = Guesthouse; R = RESORT

MALE (KAAFU) ATOLL – EAST-NEAR TIME FROM/TO MALE
Thulusdhoo
Reef Edge [GH]
Samura Maldives Guest House Thulusdhoo [GH]
Midsummer Thulusdhoo [GH]
Met House [GH]
Iru Maldives [GH]
Ithaa Stay [GH]
Silk Retreats Thulusdhoo Guest House [GH]
Palm Lodge [GH]
Dream Inn – Sun Beach Hotel [GH]
Cokes Surf Camp [GH]
Batuta Maldives Surf View [GH]
Amvoj Maldives Thulusdhoo [GH]
Season Paradise [GH]
Canopus Retreat Thulusdhoo [GH]
Golhaa View Inn By TES [GH]
Burunu Hiyaa [GH]
Eden Blue [GH]
Keyla Inn [GH]
La Due Thulusdhoo [GH]
OverviewMaldive By Canopus [GH]
Santa Rosa Village [GH]
Santa Rosa Thulusdhoo [GH]
Sea Retreats Thulusdhoo Hostel [GH]
The Warehouse Maldives [GH]
?h
Huraa
Kanborani [GH]
The Sunrise Huraa [GH]
Pearl Sands of Maldives [GH]
Beach Heaven Maldives [GH]
Sunset Holidays [GH]
Nalaveshi Inn [GH]
?h
Himmafushi
Hulhan’gu Lodge [GH]
Jail Break Surf Inn [GH]
Raalhu Lodge [GH]
Kanbili GH [GH]
EM Beach Maldives [GH]
Nature Inn Himmafushi [GH]
?h

GH = Guesthouse; R = RESORT

MALE (KAAFU) ATOLL – SOUTH TIME FROM/TO MALE
Gulhi
Sandy Heaven Maldives
Gurus Maldives at Gulhi Island
Tropic Tree Hotel Maldives
Hudhuveli Inn
Hibiscus Holidays
Island Side Gulhi
String Wave Maldives
?h
Maafushi
Liyela Retreat Maldives
Sunrise Beach
Triton Beach Hotel & Spa
Alaka At Maafushi
Ethereal Inn
Stingray Beach Inn
Arena Beach Hotel
More
?h
Guraidhoo
Kaafu Inn Guraidhoo
?h

GH = Guesthouse; R = RESORT

2024 ALTEC TIMETABLE / SCHEDULE
FAST PUBLIC SPEEDBOAT
MALE CITY <-> DHIFFUSHI

MALE -> DHIFFUSHI ISLAND/GUESTHOUSE/RESORTS DHIFFUSHI -> MALE
8:30AM (FRI)
4:30PM (SUN,MON,TU,WED,TH,SAT)
11:30AM (SUN,MON,TU,WED,TH,SAT via Airport)
8:00PM (FRI,SAT)
— MALE CITY — 8:00AM (FRI)
8:30AM (SUN,MON,TU,WED,TH,SAT)
2:45PM (SUN,MON,TU,WED,TH,SAT via Airport)
6:45PM (FRI,SAT)
X
X
11:45AM (SUN,MON,TU,WED,TH,SAT via Airport)
X
— MALE AIRPORT (15m) — X
X
2:30PM (SUN,MON,TU,WED,TH,SAT via Airport)
X
9:30AM (FRI)
5:30PM (SUN,MON,TU,WED,TH,SAT)
12:45PM (SUN,MON,TU,WED,TH,SAT via Airport)
9:00PM (FRI,SAT)
Dhiffushi (1h) 7:00AM (FRI)
7:30AM (SUN,MON,TU,WED,TH,SAT)
1:30PM (SUN,MON,TU,WED,TH,SAT via Airport)
5:45PM (FRI,SAT)

Note: Bold = Starting Point
Note: Check the latest timetable at: Altec – Website
Note: Speedboats often take longer than their posted times so plan accordingly. Allow at least 1h30m for delays if you have a same-day connecting flight.


2024 VELAA EXPRESS TIMETABLE / SCHEDULE
FAST PUBLIC SPEEDBOAT
MALE CITY <-> KAASHIDHOO & GAAFARU

MALE -> KAASHIDHOO & GAAFARU ISLAND/GUESTHOUSE/RESORTS KAASHIDHOO & GAAFARU -> MALE
X:XXAM *Varies By Day*
X:XXPM *Varies By Day*
— MALE CITY — X:XXAM *Varies By Day*
X:XXAM *Varies By Day*
X:XXAM *Varies By Day*
X:XXPM *Varies By Day*
KAASHIDHOO & GAAFARU (1h) X:XXAM *Varies By Day*
X:XXPM *Varies By Day*

Note: Bold = Starting Point
Note: Their times change quite a bit !!! Check the latest timetable and message them on Facebook: Velaa – Facebook or Whatsapp/Viber +960 9995724 [Kaashidhoo] +960 9995863 [Gaafaru]
Note: Speedboats often take longer than their posted times so plan accordingly. Allow at least 1h30m for delays if you have a same-day connecting flight.


Share Your Experience


How was your experience taking a Public Speedboat in the Male (Kaafu) Atoll of the Maldives ? Did you use a different company? Any tips to share? Leave your comments below and we would love to hear about your experience.