Maafushi: The Easy Local-Island Day Trip

Maafushi, in South Malé Atoll, was one of the first local islands to welcome guesthouse tourism after the rules changed in 2009, and it has run with it. Today it's a busy, friendly island of guesthouses, cafés and dive shops — and still a working community with a school, a harbour and a fishing fleet. Get there by speedboat from Malé (under an hour) or by the cheaper, slower public ferry. Once you arrive, everything is walkable. Good to know: Maafushi is a local island, so dress modestly in the village. Swimwear is for the designated bikini beach, and resort-style drinking isn't available on the island itself.