Male

Male': 

Maldives means The islands of Male, pronounced as Mah-lay. Capital city of maldives, built on a tiny island, almost rectangular shaped, surrounded by turquoise water and vast area of coral reefs all around. Male harbor, which receives massive number of imports arrive is the heart of Maldives. A packed city with establishment of banks,government buildings, markets, shops, hospital etc. though the streets are very clean. It is now inhabited by more than 1,00000 people. Male is divided into four administrative districts from west to east : Maafannu, Machangolhi, Galolhu and Henveiru.
 

Male' city

How to reach Male ?

• Please check here for how to reach Male from Hulhule Airport and Hulhumale. 
• Inside Male' you can hire a cab to go from any place to any other place. The charge is fixed and it is 25 MVR.

Where to eat:

• Sea House Cafe' Male', just above the airport ferry terminal is our best pick. It is affordable, clean and beautifully set. 
• If you want more cheap food, just go to Villingili Ferry terminal, where local eats. There are more budget options than anywhere else. 

Maasuni Roshi

What to see in Male ?

All  the places can be covered  within a short period by taking a taxi or even by walking only. Please check the map below for walking tour of Male'. It will be at most 1 km by walk.

Grand Friday Mosque & Islamic Centre : This is the biggest mosque in the country,  at Ameer Ahmed Magu, male,Maldives. Opened in 1984. Its golden dome can be visible to   anybody coming to Male. You can visit the Mosque between 9 am to 5 pm,but not during prayer times. It closes to all non Muslims 15 minutes before  prayers. Best time to visit between 2 pm and 3 pm. The main prayer hall can accommodate  up to 5000 people. The art  work on the panels and doors are simply beautiful. the Grand Friday Mosque also includes Islamic Centre.

Grand Friday Mosque

National Museum & Sultan's Park : National Museum, located in one corner of Sultan's park which was a part of the Sultan's palace rest was demolished  in 1968. This three- storey building has colourful pictures and more detailed descriptions of the exhibits. many of the exhibits are things once owned by the sultans-clothing,utencils,weapons and a throne.
National Museum -8am-6 pm Sun- Thu ,closed Fri & holidays.
The Park-8am-6pm Sun-Thu , 4-6pm.
Jumhooree Maidan :  serves as one of the most popular places for social gatherings,  was set up in the year 1989., known as the republic suare of Maldives. Flagpole  of Maldives are 
Mugleeaage  : Muleeaage is current presidential house.
Fish Market : If you want to feel the true spirit of Male' this is a must visit place.

Male' fish market

Artificial Beach : This beach was constructed for people of Male for swimming.

Male' map for reference:

Hulhule Airport & Hulhumale Island

Male' International Airport, Hulhule:
Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, located on Hulhule island, connected to capital city Male' by a short ferry ride.  MTCC operates ferries between different islands of Maldives. It also operates domestic flight to different islands in Maldives. Lagoon, located on the east side of the airport is being used for sea plane transfer to different resort islands.

In front of Male' international airport

Hulhumale':
Hulhumale often termed as "Future capital of Maldives" is a completely manmade island, claimed from sea. This is far from chaos of Male'.  

Hulhumale' island from top

Visa policy:
The website states the following: 

"To enter Maldives no pre-arrival visa is required.
A thirty day free visa is issued on arrival for all Nationalities, provided the following conditions are met:

• Should posses a valid passport and
• Have a valid ticket to continue the journey out of Maldives and
• Have enough funds to cover the expenses for duration of the stay in Maldives. (US$100 + $50 dollars per day) or a confirmation of reservation in a Tourist Resort or a Hotel

Caution:Full thirty day visa is not a right of the passenger to claim, but lies at the discretion of the Immigration to issue not more than thirty days and any period less than thirty days."

Please click the link for more details.

Currency:
Maldives local currency is Maldivian rufiyaa(MVR, Rf). It can't be purchased outside Maldives. So it is advisable to keep US dollars and exchange some amount of your money into Maldivian rufiyaa near the arrival gate of Airport at Bank of Maldives counter. Please keep the receipt of this exchange so that you  can sell it back to Bank of Maldives counter while returning. Though all the excursions,resorts,hotels are going to accept the US dollars, it is advisable to keep Maldivian Rufiyaa for expenses on shopping, transportation(other than your resort) and food.
The current exchange rate is as follows:
1 US$ = 15.40 MVR
1 MVR = 3.96 INR
1 MVR = 100 larri

Transportation  between Hulhule Airport, Hulhumale and Male':

Description	Frequency	Fare(MVR)	Web link
Hulhule Airport to Hulhumale bus	Every 40 - 50 minutes	16	Click here
Hulhumale to Hulhule Airport bus	Every 40 - 50 minutes	16	Click here
Hulhumale to Male' normal ferry	Every 20 - 30 minutes	5.5	Click here
Male' to Hulhumale normal ferry	Every 20 - 30 minutes	5.5	Click here
Hulhumale to Male' express ferry	Every 15 - 30 minutes	25	Click here
Male' to Hulhumale express ferry	Every 15 - 30 minutes	25	Click here
Hulhumale interisland shuttle bus*	Every 10 minutes	3	Click here, Click here
Hulhule Airport to Male' normal ferry	Every 10 minutes	5	Click here
Male' to Hulhule Airport by normal ferry	Every 10 minutes	5	Click here
Hulhule Airport to Male' express ferry	Every 15 - 30 minutes	25	Click here
Male' to Hulhule Airport by exprss ferry	Every 15 - 30 minutes	25	Click here

• *Hulhumale' inter island shuttle is a round trip bus services which starts from Hulhumale' ferry terminal and ends there. 

Where to eat:
Hulhule Airport:
There are a few restaurants outside airport arrival gate. Among them Aqua is good but costly.

Hulhumale:
Hulhumale have more options than Hulhule as it is inhabited island. Among them I-berry cafe is good.

Hulhule' and Hulhumale' map for reference:

Maafushi Island

South Male Atoll consists of three inhabited islands namely Maafushi, Guraidhoo and Gulhi. Maafushi, the biggest island by population is a dream destination for backpackers, who want to experience the charm of Maldives (one of the most expensive country in the world) with limited budget . A two hours ferry ride from Male' will take you to a complete different world from the hustle and bustle of capital. Out of three inhabited island Maldives Govt. started promoting Maafushi for tourism from 2011. You  can choose excursions and various kind of water sports according  to your budget.

Maafushi beach

Transportation:

Daily ferry services plying between Maafushi and Male except Friday. please find the ferry services below:

Male' to Maafushi Ferry Schedule
Day	Route No	Fair(MVR)	Departure time	Arrival time
Saturday	311	22	15:00:00	16:45:00
Saturday	Private ferry	30	15:00:00	16:30:00
Sunday	310	22	10:00:00	11:40:00
Sunday	311	22	15:00:00	16:45:00
Sunday	Private ferry	30	15:00:00	16:30:00
Monday	311	22	15:00:00	16:45:00
Monday	Private ferry	30	15:00:00	16:30:00
Tuesday	310	22	10:00:00	11:40:00
Tuesday	311	22	15:00:00	16:45:00
Tuesday	Private ferry	30	15:00:00	16:30:00
Wednesday	311	22	15:00:00	16:45:00
Wednesday	Private ferry	30	15:00:00	16:30:00
Thursday	310	22	10:00:00	11:40:00
Thursday	311	22	15:00:00	16:45:00
Thursday	Private ferry	30	15:00:00	16:30:00
1. There is no ferry on Friday
2. Private ferry & 310 is direct to Maafushi
3. 311 route is Male' - Gulhi - Maafushi
4. All ferries operating from Villingili ferry terminal, Male'

Maafushi to Male' Ferry Schedule
Day	Route No	Fair(MVR)	Departure time	Arrival time
Saturday	311	22	7:30:00	9:15:00
Saturday	Private ferry	30	7:30:00	9:00:00
Saturday	310	22	12:55:00	14:25:00
Sunday	311	22	7:30:00	9:15:00
Sunday	Private ferry	30	7:30:00	9:00:00
Monday	311	22	7:30:00	9:15:00
Monday	Private ferry	30	7:30:00	9:00:00
Monday	310	22	12:55:00	14:25:00
Tuesday	311	22	7:30:00	9:15:00
Tuesday	Private ferry	30	7:30:00	9:00:00
Wednesday	311	22	7:30:00	9:15:00
Wednesday	Private ferry	30	7:30:00	9:00:00
Wednesday	310	22	12:55:00	14:25:00
Thursday	311	22	7:30:00	9:15:00
Thursday	Private ferry	30	7:30:00	9:00:00
1. There is no ferry on Friday
2. Private ferry & 310 is direct to Male'
3. 311 route is Maafushi - Gulhi - Male'
4. All ferries operating from Villingili ferry terminal, Male'

For details click here.

Where to eat : 

All the guesthouses or hotels provide accommodation with  breakfast. Most of the guesthouses  have their own restaurants where buffet dinner is also available (price starting from 10 US$). There are a few private restaurants available. Among them Rehendi Inn is our best pick. It offers a wide variety of freshly prepared gourmet food at reasonable price but the service is a little bit slow.

Sunset dinner at beach

Activities :

Water Sports
Activities	Description	Rate	Website/Email
Scuba Diving	Maldives is a paradise for scuba diver. Its colourful coral reef, rich marine life, clear visibility inside water attracts scuba divers from all over the world. There are three scuba diving schools in Maafushi, who arranges daily trips for beginners to PADI certification for scuba divers.	Discover scuba : Single dive for beginners in Maafushi's lagoon. 80 US$. PADI certification : PADI certified divers course. 300 US$ approx.	Maldives Passions , Maafushi Dive
Snorkelling	Snorkelling trips to various coral reefs.	Startting from US$ 20 including material	Arranged from Hotel
Kayak		US$ 25 ++ per kayak	Arranged from Hotel
Wind surfing		US$ 40 ++ per hour	Arranged from Hotel
Catamaran		US$60 ++	Arranged from Hotel
Water ski		US$20 per person per round	Arranged from Hotel
Excursions
Package 1	Day Pass including BBQ lunch at Sunrise Island/Picnic Island	US$60 ++ per person	Arranged from Hotel
Package 2	Resort Hopping	Starting from US$150 per person	Arranged from Hotel
Package 3	Excursion to sand bank and sexy beach	US$30 per person	Arranged from Hotel

Snorkelling

Sand bank excursion

Maafushi Map for Reference: