Showing posts with label International. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International. Show all posts

Sunday, March 23, 2014

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':


DescriptionFrequencyFare(MVR)Web link
Hulhule Airport to Hulhumale busEvery 40 - 50 minutes16Click here
Hulhumale to Hulhule Airport busEvery 40 - 50 minutes16Click here
Hulhumale to Male' normal ferryEvery 20 - 30 minutes5.5Click here
Male' to Hulhumale normal ferryEvery 20 - 30 minutes5.5Click here
Hulhumale to Male' express ferryEvery 15 - 30 minutes25Click here
Male' to Hulhumale express ferryEvery 15 - 30 minutes25Click here
Hulhumale interisland shuttle bus*Every 10 minutes3Click here, Click here
Hulhule Airport to Male' normal ferryEvery 10 minutes5Click here
Male' to Hulhule Airport by normal ferryEvery 10 minutes5Click here
Hulhule Airport to Male' express ferryEvery 15 - 30 minutes25Click here
Male' to Hulhule Airport by exprss ferryEvery 15 - 30 minutes25Click 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:




Saturday, March 22, 2014

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
ActivitiesDescriptionRateWebsite/Email
Scuba DivingMaldives 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
SnorkellingSnorkelling trips to various coral reefs.Startting from US$ 20 including materialArranged from Hotel
Kayak US$ 25 ++ per kayakArranged from Hotel
Wind surfingUS$ 40 ++ per hourArranged from Hotel
CatamaranUS$60 ++Arranged from Hotel
Water skiUS$20 per person per roundArranged from Hotel
Excursions
Package 1Day Pass including BBQ lunch at Sunrise Island/Picnic IslandUS$60 ++ per personArranged from Hotel
Package 2Resort HoppingStarting from US$150 per personArranged from Hotel
Package 3Excursion to sand bank and sexy beachUS$30 per personArranged from Hotel

Snorkelling

Sand bank excursion


Maafushi Map for Reference: