Speed Boat Vs Slow Boat in Maldives

Last updated on January 28th, 2024 at 03:18 am

Today we will write speed boat Vs public boat in Maldives. So you will know what to expect with both of them.

If you want to move around local islands in Maldives you will have the option of speed boat vs slow boat. But if you are staying in luxury resorts you can only have a speed boat or seaplane.

You can also take a domestic plane in Maldives and combine it with a speed boat as we did to visit Hadahaa Island on the South of Maldives. Or speed boat as we did to Kuramathi Island. For the local islands we did by slow boat and we used only once the speed boat coming back from Omadhoo Island.

Read here Maldives tourist sim card, what to wear in Maldives and things to know before visiting Maldives! 

Read here travel guide of local islands in Maldives: Dhiffushi, Thulusdhoo, Maafushi, Gulhi Island, Male, Hulhumale and Omadhoo Island.

Speed Boat Vs Slow Schedule

Let’s go first of all with the slow boat. The schedule of the slow boat is inconvenient in Maldives. There is only one daily public boat going from Male to the local islands.

It’s usually first thing in the morning leaving from Male if the journey is 3-4 hours. Or around 2-3 pm in the afternoon going to island like Maafushi and Thulusdhoo.

The speed boat has a better schedule leaving Male 2-3 times per day depending the island that you are visiting. Sometimes your guest house can arrange the transfer from the airport.

But most of the time the departure and arrival is in Male port. No worries from Male port you just need to walk 5 minutes to get another ferry to the airport which will take 10 minutes. And they are leaving very often.

If you want to book places to stay in Maldives, click here to see what works better with your budget and comfort!

Speed Boat Vs Slow Boat Price

Prices of the slow boat in Maldives are so cheap. You will pay around $2-4 USD for 3-4 hours journey. Yes the government take care of it that’s why it’s so cheap. Remember the official currency in the country is the Maldivian Rufiyaa and the exchange rate is around $1=15.4 Rufiyaas.

Click here to know the exact exchange rate before you visit.

Speed boat in Maldives prices are expensive. Especially if you are traveling long term and you have time to organize yourself. Expect to pay $25-30 USD going to local island for journey. Even island like Omadhoo Island which is 5 hours by public boat and 1 hour 30 minutes with speed boat they keep the same price.

Read here luxury resorts Vs local islands in Maldives!

Speed Boat Vs Slow Boat Travel time

If you are taking the slow boat to local islands like Maafushi and Thulusdhoo expect to take 2-3 hours with the public boat. There are islands like Dhiffushi and Omadhoo island that it will take you 3-5 hours with the slow boat. Public boats make a few stops during the trip that’s why it takes so long.

With the speed boat traveling to local islands the trip will take 45 minutes to 1 hour to island like Maafushi and Thulusdho. Sometimes they make a few stops on the way to pick up more people. For a trip like Omadhoo Island with the public boat was 5 hours and by speed boat was 1 hour 30 minutes. Sometimes the speed boat can reach in 40 minutes if they don’t stop on the way to Male or if it’s going direct to the airport.

We mentioned that going to the luxury resorts you can only go by speed boat and not by public boat. Prices for the speed boat to a luxury resort can be really expensive. And some of the resorts include in their packages. You have to check properly because a speed boat to a luxury resort can be $100-140 USD one way per person. Yes you read properly Maldives when going to luxury resorts things are really expensive. Read here Maldives itinerary!

Speed Boat Vs Slow Boat Comfort

Slow boat is more simple than Speed Boat but it was comfortable for us. Sometimes is empty and you can lay down as locals do when there is space. I like travel slow and I felt more comfortable in the public boat.

Speed boat you will have a seat that’s comfortable enough for the trip. The problem sometimes is wavy. And you feel the waves haha. The boat will be jumping and it will be like an amusement park but no worries is totally safe for both o them. In Maldives there aren’t usually big waves.

Hope it’s useful this travel guide Speed boat Vs Slow Boat in Maldives. Share with your friends and family going to Maldives. And let us know in the comments below if we are missing something in our Speed Boat Vs Slow Boat in Maldives. Which one would you choose Speed Boat Vs Slow Boat? Let us know in the comments below.

If you want to book places to stay in Maldives, click here to see what works better with your budget and comfort!

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Happy Travels!