Dharavandhoo, 7th August 2025
Many people think the hardest part is getting to the Maldives, but actually the real trouble can start after you land at MLE airport.
Most visitors don’t realize that getting to their hotel or guesthouse on a local island is not always easy, especially if they don’t plan their speedboat in advance. We are working in tourism in the Maldives for many years, and we have seen so many tourists miss their boat, get stuck in Male’, or lose a whole day of their holiday and all because they didn’t book their speedboat ahead of time.
Why you must book your Speedboat Seats in advance in the Maldives
So if you are planning a trip to the Maldives and staying on one of local islands, please don’t wait until the last minute to book your speedboat. This is one of the most common mistakes we see from tourists. Many people think, “It’s the Maldives, how hard can it be to find a speedboat?” But the truth is, it can be very difficult, especially during high season or on weekends.
Speedboats in the Maldives get Full even on less touristy Islands
Many visitors are surprised when we tell them that speedboats are already full. They think the local islands are empty, or that only a few tourists are traveling. Even Speedboat to Local Islands like Fenfushi, Maamigili, Mahibadhoo, or Dhidhdhoo get full fast for example. Theses speedboats are not only used by tourists: they are full of local Maldivians too. Locals travel between islands often for work, family, or medical reasons. So even if an island is not very touristy, the speedboat can still be full.
If you don’t book in advance, you might arrive at Velana International airport and discover there are no more seats. Then what happens? You are stuck in Male’ (the capital) or Hulhumale’ or at the airport, and you may need to spend one night there.
One Night in Male’/Hulhumale’ = $65 or More
Even the cheapest hotels or guesthouses in Male’ or Hulhumale’ usually start at $60 to $70 per night (including all mandatory 3 taxes GST/Service Charge and Green Tax), and that does not include food. So, trying to save $5 or $10 by not booking the boat in advance can end up costing you much more in the end.
And of course, losing one day of your trip because you couldn’t find a speedboat is frustrating. You came to relax, enjoy the beach, and swim in crystal clear water and not to sit in a city hotel waiting for the next day’s speedboat.
Speedboat Travel in the Maldives Is Not for Gamblers (Walk-in Customers)
Another problem we often see is people who say, “I don’t want to book online. I’ll pay cash when I arrive.” But that doesn’t work in the Maldives. Most speedboats only confirm your seat after online payment. If you wait and try your luck after arrival, it’s usually too late. This is not like some countries where you can just walk up to the bus or train station and buy a ticket on the spot. In the Maldives, things are different. Boats have limited space and must be booked early. If you don’t, you may miss the boat. Literally.
We need to speak honestly: too many travelers especially from certain regions, try to save just $1 or $2$ by refusing to book online. In the end, this small saving often costs them a whole day or two of their vacation. We have repeated this more than 100 times: We do not accept Cash for guaranteed seats + We cannot hold your seat without online payment. But If you still insist on paying cash, you can try your luck as a walk-in customer. But please understand:
No payment = No confirmed reservation.
We do not “hold seats” for anyone without payment.
If the speedboat is full, we will not be able to help you after, even if you message us at the last minute. So if you want a guaranteed seat, pay in advance that’s very simple. If not, good luck my dear but don’t blame us later. And we don’t force anyone to book with us, you can always book your transfer with your guesthouse if you want.
If You Don’t Book in Advance, Your Backup Plan Is Expensive
If the speedboat is already full, because you didn’t book in advance, and you are stuck in Male’ City, your second option might be to take a domestic flight and, it’s much more expensive. Also, only a few islands in the Maldives have domestic airports. So in many cases, flying is not even possible.
For example, the speedboat from Male’ to Dharavandhoo (120 min trip) costs only $60 per person one way. But if you miss it, because you didn’t book in advance, the domestic flight for the same route is around $250 per person one way : more than 4 times the price! Imagine you are family of 5, so you will end up paying for 1250 USD just for one way to Dharavandhoo in Baa Atoll. So this is why booking your speedboat in advance is the smartest and cheapest option. Don’t take the risk.
Private Hire Charter Is Your Third Option: But Not Available Last Minute
If you miss the shared scheduled speedboat and domestic flights are too expensive or not available, the third option is to hire a private speedboat. But please understand: Private hire is not possible at the last minute.
Why?
Because the boat has to come from another island empty, and most boats have a tight schedule. Organizing a private transfer takes time, planning, and availability. We are not magicians. Boats are not sitting at the airport waiting for you.
For example, a shared speedboat to Thoddoo costs just $45 per person. But a private hire to Thoddoo can cost around $750 one way, depending on boat size, fuel price, and other factors. So yes, it’s possible but it’s expensive and very hard to arrange on the same day. Don’t count on this option unless you’re prepared to pay a lot and have already planned it in advance.
Don’t Book Your Flights Before Checking the Speedboat Schedule: Very Important!
Based on our long experience, we strongly advise: Do not book your flight to or from the Maldives before checking the scheduled speedboat timings first. We see this mistake too often. Many guests book their international flights, without checking with us, and later realize that there are no speedboats available to match their arrival or departure times.
Let us give you some real examples:
Emirates EK657 – Departure 09:15 AM from Male’ to Dubai
Some guests stay in Gulhi Island for example, where the first shared speedboat departs at 07:45 AM and reaches the airport around 08:15 AM. This is very risky, and some guests have missed their flight, even though we warned them. In this case we always recommend: Stay the last night in Hulhumale’, next to the airport. Or hire a private speedboat, which can leave earlier (around 06:30 AM, or anytime you want, from Gulhi)
FlyDubai FZ1025 – Departure 07:30 AM from Male’ to Colombo
Some guests stay in Maafushi, and the first speedboat leaves at 06:30 AM, arriving at the airport around 07:05 AM : too late. It’s not possible to make the flight on time. Many people have missed this flight, and since FlyDubai tickets are usually non-refundable, they lost their full ticket price. This happens a lot with travelers who do Maldives + Sri Lanka combos. They try to fly between the two on early morning flights without planning the boat timing first.
SriLankan Airlines UL103 – Arrival in Male’ at 07:50 PM from Colombo
If you arrive in the evening like this, you must know: You will be forced to spend one night in Male’ or Hulhumale’ because most shared speedboats stop running after 4:00–4:30 PM. Only some boats to very nearby islands (like Himmafushi or Gulhi) or Maafushi may run later. But to far local islands ilike Dhigurah, Dhangethi, or other South Ari atoll islands, there are no boats after 4 PM.
So even if your guesthouse is booked, you will lose one night’s stay and pay extra for a hotel in the crowded Capital city, just because of bad planning. Many guests end up crying or angry, not because of us, but because they didn’t consult with a local expert before booking their flights. We know every details in the Maldives and we know how the system works.
Please check the speedboat schedule first, then book your flight. That way you avoid stress, delays, missed flights, and losing money.
Allow at Least 1 Hour After Landing at MLE Airport to Catch Your Speedboat
When you arrive in the Maldives, always allow at least 1 hour between your flight arrival and your speedboat departure. This is very important, especially during high season. Even though the airport jetty is just a 2-minute walk from the arrival exit, it still takes time to:
Pass through immigration (which often has long lines, especially in high season) + Collect your checked luggage
Many guests arrive only 30 minutes before the speedboat departure, thinking it’s enough. But then they get delayed inside the airport and come out 45 minutes later, and of course they miss the boat. Please don’t be stubborn. Follow our advice. Shared speedboats have a strict schedule. They don’t wait for anyone. The boat needs to return to the local island and bring other guests back, so there is no room for delays. If you want a boat to wait for you, then the only option is to hire a private charter, not a shared scheduled transfer.
So once again: Check the speedboat timing before booking your international flight, and make sure to allow minimum 1 hour after landing before your boat departure.
Public Slow Ferries Are Not Reliable and Not Available for Long Distance Islands
Some travelers tell us, “I will just take the public ferry. It’s cheaper.” Yes, public slow ferries exist, and yes, they are cheap. But they are very slow, and many of them are easily canceled during bad weather (Only strong speedboats survive on rough seas in the middle of Ocean). Also public ferries they don’t run from Airport and they don’t run on Fridays and often run only once per day or a few times per week on certain routes only, usually between the islands of same Atoll. For example you can get Public ferry from Male’ to Maafushi because Male’ and Maafushi are in same Atoll : Kaafu Atoll. But you can’t get at all Public ferry from Male’ to Fulhaadhoo or Male’ to Fehendhoo or Male’ to Dhigurah… Your only option is Speedboat in this case. We suggest you read this article about the nightmares of public ferries in the Maldives here. And trust us, Public slow ferries and Fast Speedboats are absolutely incomparable: Many people they never see the outdated wooden public ferry of Maldives : Not safe at all for travel, not comfortable, and it’s waste of time.
We had guests who didn’t listen to our advices. They said they would take the ferry. But then, the ferry was canceled because of rain and wind. They called me many times asking if I could find them a speedboat seat at the last minute. We really wanted to help, but we had to say no: it was full. They were stuck in Male’ for one full day.
Important Notice About Speedboat Booking Policy in the Maldives !
We receive many last-minute messages from travelers, sometimes even when they are already at the boarding gate in their home country Airport !! Honestly, we don’t understand why people wait so long to book their speedboat and how these people think ! But this is not a good idea. Please understand that our booking policy has a strict cut-off time: Hala Maldif do not accept same-day bookings. The latest time to book is midnight before the travel date.
We strongly recommend booking your shared speedboat transfer 5 to 7 days in advance. This is how we work, and this is how we guarantee your seat. If you wait too long, we cannot promise availability.
However, if you are booking a private charter, and your trip is still 3 to 12 months away, there is no need to contact us now. You can contact us about 1 month before your travel date, and we will pre-book the boat and confirm everything within 1 week of your trip.
Some people don’t understand how the speedboat business works in the Maldives. Let us explain clearly: This is not like booking a flight. We depend on many different factors : especially the sea and weather conditions. We have long experience, and our number one priority is your safety, not your money. We care about you and your safety more than anything else.
Some people ask, “How can I book my hotel if I don’t have the boat confirmed yet?” Please relax : you don’t need to panic. Speedboat services operate 365 days a year. You can book your guesthouse anytime, and we will always help you reach your island. We can confirm your seat within one week before your arrival. So don’t worry. There’s no need to be rude or stressed. We are very professionals and we know what we’re doing.
Don’t Make Duplicate Bookings : One Seat, One Reservation
Dear travelers, please understand this very carefully: Never make a double booking for your speedboat transfer.
We’ve seen this happen in the past: a Guest books a seat with us, but later contacts their guesthouse (and we don’t understand why honestly), and another booking is made for the same person. Then, when you board the speedboat, the crew finds two seats booked under your name. Speedboat transfers work with limited seats: every seat counts. If you booked twice, you are responsible,and then you will be asked by the Crew to pay again for the second seat.
So please, choose only one option: Either book directly with us (which is more cheaper and flexible), or let your guesthouse arrange it, but not both.
Also, if you gave us your name and asked us to hold a seat, don’t change your mind later or cancel without reason. This is not a game. Be serious and responsible. If you already contacted us then there is no need to contact your Guesthouse, very simple : have trust in yourself and in the people you are booking with. Respect the process. This avoids confusion, stress, and extra charges.
Hala Maldif is the only Speedboat Service in the Maldives that offer Free of Charge Date/Time Change of the Speedboat transfer (in same route), in case your flight is delayed. While most of Guesthouses will ask you to buy new Speedboat Ticket.
What You Should Do (Our Honest Advices) :
- Don’t book your international flights to/from Maldives before checking the speedboat schedules.
- Always book your speedboat in advance, especially if you are coming in the afternoon or evening.
- Pay online to confirm your seat. Without payment, your seat is not guaranteed.
- If you’re traveling during peak season (December to April), booking early is even more important.
- Don’t try to save a few dollars by waiting. Saving $1 or $5 is not worth losing a day or two of your holiday or spending $70 on a last-minute hotel in Male’.
Traveling smart in the Maldives means understanding how transport system works. Don’t assume you can always find a speedboat when you need it. Don’t be stubborn or take unnecessary risks. We’ve seen too many people lose time, money, and even their patience just because they didn’t book ahead. So, make your life easy. Book your speedboat in advance, and your enjoy your holiday in the Maldives stress-free.