Maafushi
Right after landing, my friend and I rushed to the public ferry to get to Male City. Since we didn't want to rent a speedboat to get to Maafushi directly, we had to get to Male City to catch the last public ferry ride to Maafushi. The ferry from the airport to Male City costs $1 USD and the ferry from Vilinghili Terminal to Maafushi costs $2 USD, the price is cheaper if you have Maldivian Rufiah. The ferry ride to Maafushi took around two hours.
The island of Maafushi reminded me of the province back home, very laid back and simple. Since Maldives is an Islamic country, the women were covered from head to toe.
Arena Beach
Arena Beach
We went to Maafushi's only beach to catch the sunset. Island life here was slow and relaxed. Most of the budget travelers stayed here and just day toured the resorts nearby. The island is also home to a prison. A lot of 'budget' accommodations are being developed on this island. Thankfully, the Maldivians are now allowed to construct their own hotels and guesthouses rather than just foreigners and foreign companies buying islands and building resorts.Male City
The city was quite small and can be explored on foot within a few hours. Most people used bikes and motorcycles instead of cars. Taxis are also a common form of transportation for tourists. Taxis cost $1 to $3 USD to anywhere in the city.
Hulhumale
I went to another beach on another island, Hulhumale. The white sand was not as fine in the resort I visited, but the waters were the same.
There was a lot of construction being done on this island. More apartments, guesthouses, hotels, and restaurants are being developed.
I was able to taste this spicy Maldivian dish while on Hulhumale, I don't remember what it was called but it was fish.