Kosupa Travel

This article explains how to book and use “speed boats,” a means of transportation in the Maldives. It also provides a detailed guide on how to get to Dhidhdhoo Island, with specific examples.

※There are two islands named “Dhidhdhoo” in the Maldives. The one introduced in this article is “Dhidhdhoo” in the South Ari Atoll or the one near “Maamigili.” Please be careful not to confuse them!

If you want to know more about Dhidhdhoo Island, check out this article!

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Don’t struggle to book speedboats on your own; rely on guesthouses or hotels

The transportation system in the Maldives is significantly different from other countries. In other countries, it’s common to research schedules and routes for trains, buses, airplanes, etc., and book tickets on your own, or simply tell a taxi driver your destination. However, these methods are not common in the Maldives.

Due to being an island nation with almost no land routes, and the need to travel between islands, the Maldives has a system where direct bookings for flights or speedboats by foreigners are considerably more expensive. Backpackers, in particular, might find it challenging, but it’s essential to understand that it’s almost impossible to move freely within the Maldives on your own.

Speedboats are considered a public transportation system, similar to trains or buses in Japan

Instead, a common practice in the Maldives is to arrange transportation from Male Airport to accommodation such as hotels or guesthouses through delegated reservations. In the case of resort hotels, some offer packages that include round-trip seaplane transfers from Male Airport as part of the accommodation cost. Surprisingly, even small guesthouses make proper arrangements for round-trip transportation.

However, for smaller guesthouses, instead of charter flights, shared speedboats are often used. When we traveled to Dhidhdhoo Island in the Ari Atoll, we requested delegated reservations from the local guesthouse “White Tern Maldives” and they arranged seats for us on a shared speedboat round-trip from Male.

Travel Time and Cost from Male to Dhidhdhoo

As a reference for using a speedboat, let’s take a look at the estimated travel time and cost from Male to Dhidhdhoo. Using public ferries would take a whopping 8 hours one way, but with a speedboat (referred to locally as a Jetty), the time can be shortened to 2 hours. The cost for a speedboat is approximately 110 US dollars round trip (subject to change based on exchange rates). However, for those who want a quicker option, there is the possibility of using domestic flights. Still, considering the cost of around 290 US dollars round trip and the need for a boat transfer from another island with an airport, the time-saving effect may not be significant, so it’s not highly recommended.

Booking and Using Speedboats

Now, let’s go through the process of booking and using a speedboat, using the case study of traveling from Male to Dhidhdhoo as an example.

1. Contact your accommodation via email or WhatsApp to reserve round-trip seats

www.booking.com

To book a speedboat, you need the cooperation of your accommodation. First and foremost, secure your accommodation. In our case, we made a reservation at White Tern Maldives via Booking.com and contacted them through email or WhatsApp (a global version of LINE, a messaging app) using the contact information +960 949-8300. Using WhatsApp for communication with hotels is common in many countries worldwide, including the Maldives, so it’s good to learn how to use it in advance.

Provide your name, dates of stay, etc., and express your request for shared speedboat arrangements, and they will provide information on the cost, departure, and arrival times. In our case, we used a departure at 9:45 AM from Male and arrived around 12 PM at Dhigurah Island. However, these times may vary depending on the day, so it’s recommended to confirm in advance. As all communication is in English, if you are not proficient, consider using translation tools while trying.

2. Obtain a SIM card locally

Although it deviates a bit from the topic of using speedboats, once you enter the Maldives, it’s a good idea to get a SIM card before boarding the speedboat. This is essential for contacting your accommodation, communicating on the day of travel, and for emergency contact in case any issues arise.

We have a separate article explaining how to get a SIM card, so please refer to it for more information.

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3. Head to the designated port (Jetty Port) with ample time before departure

On the day of departure, boats leave from Male’s port (Jetty Port). There are Jetty Ports from No.1 to No.7. Since the staff from the guesthouse won’t come directly to Male to pick you up, it’s recommended to ask any questions or address concerns in advance to avoid last-minute confusion.

By the way, although we were supposed to depart from “Jetty No.1,” the port area of “Jetty No.1” was surprisingly wide, causing some confusion. Be sure to carefully observe not only around the sign of “No.1” but also the wider area to check if the boat you should board has arrived.

4. Confirm your name on the list and board the speedboat

Once you find the speedboat, inform the boat crew of the name of your guesthouse. They will check the list, and if everything is in order, they will instruct you to board the boat. If you have large luggage, you can leave it with the staff at this point.

By the way, there are plenty of 500ml mineral water bottles inside the boat, so feel free to take them and stay hydrated. If available, the seats near the rear window are recommended for enjoying the breeze and the scenery to the fullest.

Once all passengers are on board, off you go. The intermediate stops (ports) on the way to Dhigurah are Velana Airport and Mahibadhoo Island. The 2-hour water trip can be quite bumpy due to the waves, so there’s not much time for a comfortable nap. Take advantage of the journey by admiring the emerald green atolls, searching for dolphins lurking beneath the water surface, and enjoying the surroundings.

5. Wait for White Tern Maldives staff to pick you up at Dhigurah Island

After the 2-hour water journey, once you arrive at Dhigurah Island, disembark. During disembarkation, make sure to check that all your belongings have been unloaded onto the land.

Soon, the friendly staff of White Tern Maldives will come to pick you up with their private speedboat. It takes about 15 minutes by boat from Dhigurah to Dhidhdhoo. Finally, the long-awaited vacation on the local island is about to begin.

How was it?

In this article, we explained the use of speedboats using the example of traveling to the local island “Dhidhdhoo.” While there may be some variations depending on the destination, the basic process is the same, so we hope you find it useful.

In the next article, we will share more specific ways to spend time on Dhidhdhoo, as well as the charms of the island’s only guesthouse, White Tern Maldives.

This is the guesthouse I stayed this time!