Local island •Gaaf Alif atoll, see all its islands
Maamendhoo
- Population
- 1,201
- as of 2022
- Area
- 0.52 km²
- land area
- Distance to airport
- 386.9 km
- Velana Airport
Overview
Maamendhoo is a local island in Gaaf Alif, 386.9 km from Velana International Airport. About 1,201 people live here.
On the island
- Health centre
- ATM
Not on the island
- Clinic
- Hospital
- Bank
- Airport
Access points
Getting to Maamendhoo
386.9 km from Velana International Airport
Public Ferry
From Kooddoo Airport (GKK)
10 min • $2.27 per person
Daily except Friday
MTCC's RTL route links the airport island directly to Maamendhoo with no change of boat, but runs only once a day in each direction: Kooddoo 16:55 arriving Maamendhoo 17:05, and Maamendhoo 07:20 back to Kooddoo 07:30. Plan on the morning or midday Malé flight and a wait at the airport. The afternoon flight lands five minutes before the boat goes. There is no service at all on Fridays, and no direct ferry from Malé to anywhere in this atoll. The same boat continues north to Villingili, the atoll capital, 25 minutes on. Fare is the fixed per-person one-way public rate.
Not suited to late arrivals
Private Speedboat
From Kooddoo Airport (GKK)
10 min
Daily
Arranged privately through the guesthouse or speedboat operator. There is no walk-up transfer desk at Kooddoo Airport, so book it before you fly. It is the only way across on Fridays, when the scheduled ferry does not run, and the only option if your flight lands in the evening. This is a charter fare, not a fixed per-person rate.
Not suited to late arrivals
Domestic Flight
From Velana International Airport (Malé)
1 hr 5 min • $223.21 per person
Daily
Maldivian is the sole operator into Kooddoo Airport, the atoll's airport island. Kooddoo is not Maamendhoo and it sits 2 km across the lagoon with no road link, so this flight is the first of two legs and must be followed by the Public Ferry or Private Speedboat. Book the morning or midday departure if you want the same-day ferry onward; the afternoon departure lands too late for it. Fare is priced per person for one-way.
Works with late arrivals
Guest guidance
Good to know before you arrive
- No bikini beach
- No alcohol
Who it's for
Travellers wanting a working fishing island with beaches on most sides, ten minutes by boat from the atoll airport, and reef snorkelling without crowds.
Who it's not for
Nightlife and bar seekers, luxury-resort travellers, anyone needing hospital-level care, and visitors who can't plan around one ferry a day.
Dress code
Modest dress throughout the village — shoulders and knees covered. Swimwear only on a resort or sandbank excursion.
During Ramadan
Local cafés and restaurants may close or limit service during Ramadan daylight hours; guesthouses generally still serve guests.
Location
Where Maamendhoo is
- Distance from Velana Airport
- 386.9 km