Getting here
From the airport to Maafushi
Driftwood is on Maafushi in Kaafu Atoll, about 27 km south of Velana International Airport (MLE). Most guests reach the house within an hour of landing.
Transfers
Three ways across
Approximate crossing times and prices. We confirm the exact time and fare when we book it for you.
Shared speedboat
- Crossing
- 35 to 45 minutes
- Price
- about $30 per person, each way
- Departures
- Several scheduled departures a day, roughly 10am to 6pm
- Suits
- Most arrivals in daylight
- Leaves from the airport jetty, a short walk from arrivals
- We meet the boat at Maafushi jetty with a trolley for bags
Private speedboat
- Crossing
- About 30 minutes
- Price
- about $220 per boat, each way, up to 6 people
- Departures
- Any time, including late arrivals
- Suits
- Late flights, families and small groups
- Waits for you if your flight is delayed
- Runs direct from the airport jetty to Maafushi
Public ferry
- Crossing
- About 1.5 hours
- Price
- about $2 per person, each way
- Departures
- Usually once or twice a day, Saturday to Thursday. No Friday service.
- Suits
- Travellers on a budget with a flexible day
- Leaves from the ferry terminal in Malé, not the airport
- Allow time for the airport ferry or taxi into Malé first
Booked on the day at the Malé ferry terminal. We send the timetable before you travel.
The island
Where the boats come in
The jetty is on the harbour side. Driftwood is five minutes away on foot, on the reef side.
Walking times from the house
- DriftwoodYou are hereTwelve rooms on the south side of the island. Breakfast on the terrace from 7 to 10am.
- The house reef2 minutes on footWhere the lagoon drops to the reef wall. Turtles feed here most mornings.
- Bikini beach6 minutes on footThe beach where swimwear is permitted. Loungers, shade and a juice bar.
- Ferry and speedboat jetty5 minutes on footArrivals by speedboat and ferry. We meet every boat with a trolley for luggage.
- Island center3 minutes on footSchool, mosque, shops and the football pitch.
- Island tea shop4 minutes on footSweet black tea and hedhikaa, the late-afternoon fried snacks. Cash only.
- Garden café3 minutes on footIced coffee and fresh juice in a shaded garden.
- Sunset café12 minutes on footGrilled reef fish at the western tip of the island, facing the sunset.
- Sandbank, this way15 minutes by boatA strip of white sand that changes shape with the tide. The picnic trip goes here.
Before you travel
Arrival notes
Before you fly
Complete the Maldives online traveller declaration within 96 hours of departure, and keep your Driftwood booking reference to hand for immigration.
At the airport
Velana International Airport is on its own island. The speedboat jetty is a short walk from arrivals; follow the signs for boat transfers.
Late arrivals
Shared speedboats stop at around 6pm. If you land later, book the private speedboat, or stay a night near the airport and take the morning boat.
On arrival
We meet every boat at Maafushi jetty with a trolley for your luggage. The house is a five-minute walk along a sand street.
Money
Cards are accepted at Driftwood and in most cafés. US dollars in small notes are useful for tea shops and tips.
What to wear
Cover shoulders and knees on the jetty and around the island. Swimwear is fine on the bikini beach, the sandbank and boat trips.
Send us your flight time on WhatsApp and we will suggest the best boat.
The lagoon, 6pm
Book the room and the boat together
Add a shared or private speedboat in the booking flow. We confirm the time with you on WhatsApp and meet you at the jetty.