Essentials
- City
- Maafushi, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives
- Population
- Approximately 3,000 residents
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps; fiber optics available in most guesthouses
- Currency & Banking
- Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR); 1 USD ≈ 15.42 MVR. USD is widely accepted.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; desalinated water. Use bottled or filtered water (approx. 10 MVR per 1.5L).
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British style) sockets
- SIM Card
- Dhiraagu or Ooredoo; Tourist plans cost approx. $35 USD for 17GB (Shop at Valuiedhivehi Street)
- Banking for Expats
- Bank of Maldives (BML) ATM available on the island; Revolut and Wise cards work for payments.
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses and Boutique Hotels; ranging from $50 to $150 per night.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, major hotels and dive centers accept cards; smaller cafes prefer cash (MVR).
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local guesthouses like Kaani Village & Spa ($90/night).
- Budget Accommodation
- Maafushi Village or Sunrise Beach and Spa (approx. $45-$60/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- North side of the island near Bikini Beach for easy access to swimming.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- East side near the Council Office; quieter and closer to local amenities.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking; Kaani Grand Seaview lobby offers a 'work-from-beach' vibe ($5/coffee).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Arena Beach Restaurant; reliable WiFi and comfortable outdoor seating (Miskiy Magu).
- Networking Events
- Casual meetups at Shali's Cafe; often frequented by diving instructors and local entrepreneurs.
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly beach BBQ nights hosted by Kaani Hotels (approx. $25/person).
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; the island is 1.2km long. Walking is the primary mode.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bicycles available at most guesthouses for approx. $5-$10 per day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Bikini Beach (North end); the only legal beach for swimwear/bikinis on the local island.
- Top Regional Airline
- Maldivian (National carrier) flying from Male' (MLE).
- Top International Airline
- Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines via Velana International.
- Highway Access
- Not applicable; accessible via boat only.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Maafushi Jetty; primary point for speedboats and the MTCC ferry.
- Public Transport Passes
- Public Ferry (MTCC); Maafushi to Male' costs 53 MVR ($3.50) one way.
- Regional Travel
- Speedboat transfers to Male/Airport via iCom Tours; costs $25 per person (45 mins).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Maafushi Health Center (Ziyaaraiy Magu); for emergencies, IGMH in Male' is 45 mins away.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Oak Spa at Kaani Village; offers holistic treatments and massage services (approx. $60/hour).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Rehendhi Fitness; a small local gym with basic weight equipment (approx. 50 MVR per session).
- Laundry Services
- Island Laundry near the Football Ground; approx. 20-30 MVR per kilo.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; call restaurants directly or use 'Aavun' local delivery service.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Mas Huni (Tuna/coconut breakfast) served at Moonlight – Food & Drinks.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Nero Cafe; offers pasta, salads, and vegetable curries (Bahaaree Hingun).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Fine Bake by Suzy; famous for chocolate cakes and cookies (Ziyaaraiy Magu).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- STO Maafushi Mart; local government prices for essentials.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- E-fas (local app) or ordering via Viber communities for delivery from Male'.
- Grocery Delivery
- Most local stores like 'Good Luck' provide free delivery to your guesthouse.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Maafushi is dry (alcohol-free). Floating Bars (Safari boats) anchored offshore provide alcohol.
- Local Brewery
- None (Alcohol is illegal on the island); non-alcoholic beer at Arena Beach.
- Wine Bars
- Only available on the Safari Boat 'Sharifa'; $10 speedboat transfer from jetty.
- Street Food Stalls
- Mobile carts near the Jetty selling 'Short Eats' (Hedhikaa) for 3-5 MVR each.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Hot Bite; popular for wood-fired pizzas and burgers (approx. $12-$18).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Maafushi Prison (Outer gates); a significant local structure on the south end.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Small local craft displays at the Maafushi Souvenir Street (Bahaaree Hingun).
- Historical Sites
- The Old Friday Mosque; traditional coral stone architecture in the island center.
- Religious Sites
- Masjidhul Al-Faaruq; the main mosque. Visitors must dress modestly nearby.
- Annual Events
- Maafushi Eid Carnival (July); features traditional Boduberu drumming and parades.
- Cultural Districts
- The Southern end of the island where local residential life is most visible.
- Theater Venues
- None; outdoor screenings sometimes occur at the Football Ground.
- Local Markets
- Daily vegetable market stalls near the jetty area (early morning).
- Music Scene
- Boduberu performances (Traditional drums) at Arena Beach every Friday night.
- Street Art
- Hand-painted marine murals on the walls of the local school and dive shops.
- Cooking Classes
- Organized upon request by 'Salt Beach Hotel' chefs (approx. $40/lesson).
- Art Galleries
- Traditional lacquer work shops on the main souvenir road.
- Historic Buildings
- Traditional Coral Houses (mostly replaced, but some ruins remain in the center).
- Local Heritage
- The 'Dhoani' boat-building heritage; small boat repairs visible on the shoreline.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Sandbank excursions; trips to 'Maavelaavaru' sandbank for isolation ($30/trip).
- National Parks Nearby
- South Male' Atoll Marine Protected Areas (accessible by dive boat).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Island Perimeter Path; a scenic 30-minute walk around the entire island.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- East side cliffs; perfect for sunrise watching over the reef edge.
- Birdwatching Locations
- The marshy area near the prison; frequented by Grey Herons (Maakanaa).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated areas near the public beach (South end) with permit/hotel assistance.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- RedBox Maldives; services Maafushi daily from Male'.
- Tech Repair Services
- Maafushi Phone Tech; small shop near the pharmacy for screen repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- The Local Sports Center (Maafushi Youth Center) has tables.
- Language Classes
- Inquire at the Maafushi School for Dhivehi language tutors.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Maafushi School Library (limited public access); Kaani Grand library corner.
- Community Centers
- Maafushi Council Office Community Hall.
- Gaming Lounges
- Small PS5 lounge near Nero Cafe (approx. 30 MVR per hour).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Strictly prohibited by law in the Maldives.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Not applicable; land/property ownership is restricted to Maldivians on local islands.
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A (Leasehold models occasionally exist for $200k+ for 50-year periods).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A
- Corporate Tax
- Income Tax Act: 15% on profits exceeding MVR 500,000.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for non-residents.
- Tax System
- Territorial and Residency-based; residents taxed on worldwide income.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 15% for income over MVR 2,000,000 annually.
- VAT
- TGST (Tourism Goods and Services Tax) is 16%; Green Tax is $3/day.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None.
- Property Tax
- None (Rent tax exists for commercial leases).
- Property Transaction Tax
- None. (Only lease registration fees).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific Digital Nomad visa; most work on 30-day (extendable) tourist visas.