How to Get from Male to Hangnaameedhoo Island, Maldives

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Hangnaameedhoo is a small local island located in the Alifu Dhaalu Atoll (or Southern Ari Atoll) in Maldives.

There are many ways to get to Hangnaameedhoo island from Male, including public ferry, speedboat, chartered speedboat and seaplane.

In this article, I will explain each of the three options.

1. Public Ferry

To get from Malé to Hangnaameedhoo, you can take the public ferry from Villingili Ferry Terminal in Malé (also known as the west jetty).

I know it can be confusing because there are many ferry terminals in Maldives. In Malé alone, there are 2 main ferry terminals: the north jetty and west jetty.

The north jetty is where Airport Ferry Terminal and Hulhumale Ferry Terminal are located. Here, you can catch ferry to the airport, Hulhumale, and Hulhule.

Meanwhile, the west jetty is also known as Villingili Ferry Terminal. Here, you can take ferry to Villingili, Rasdhoo, and Hangnamedhoo, Mahibadhoo, Omadhoo and Hangnaameedhoo. This is where you should take the ferry to Hangnameedhoo.

You can travel between north jetty to west jetty, or vice versa, by taking a taxi for a flat rate of MVR 25, plus additional MVR 5/bag.

It is not possible to make advance booking for the ferry between Male and Hangnameedhoo. You need to pay them on the spot (either at the counter or on the boat). Food and drink are sold on the boat with reasonable price, so you don’t need to worry about being dehydrated or hungry. A toilet is available on the boat.

Since the public ferry goes to many islands, you need to inform the staff where you’re going to, so that they’ll let you know when it’s time for you to alight. There will be a transit at Mahibadhoo to change ferry, you don’t need to purchase a separate ticket, your original ticket is sufficient to bring you to Hangnaameedhoo.

Malé to Hangnaameedhoo:

Depart from: Villingili Ferry Terminal in Malé.
Schedule: every Saturday, Monday and Wednesday, at 9 am.
Ticket: MVR 53/person.
Duration: approx. 5 hours.
Transit and change ferry at Mahibadhoo. From Mahibadhoo, stopover at Omadhoo, then Hangnaameedhoo.

Hangnaameedhoo to Malé:

Depart from: Hangnaameedhoo North Harbour.
Schedule: every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, at 9:30 am.
Ticket: MVR 53/person.
Duration: approx. 5 hours.
From Hangnaameedhoo, stopover at Omadhoo, then Mahibadhoo. Change ferry at Mahibadhoo.

2. Speedboat Ferry

Speedboat ferry is the fastest option to travel between Malé and Hangnaameedhoo. The journey takes only 1.5 hours.

However, it is also a bit expensive and there is a risk of throwing up if you are prone to motion sickness.

To ride speedboat ferry from Hangnaameedhoo or Malé, you can enquire your guesthouse/hotel. They will be able to advise you the latest timing, price and location of departure.

Malé to Hangnaameedhoo:

Depart from: Petrol Jetty / T-Jetty, further south from Villingili Ferry Terminal.
Schedule: Saturday – Thursday at 4 pm; Friday at 9 am.
Ticket: USD 30/person.
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours.

Hangnaameedhoo to Malé:

Depart from: Hangnaameedhoo North Harbour.
Schedule: every day, at 7:30 am.
Ticket: USD 30/person.
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours.

Please note: Tickets can be purchased on the spot. Check with your guesthouse owner for the latest information on schedule, price, etc.

3. Chartered Speedboat

Chartered Speedboat must be booked in advance through your guesthouse. Different guesthouses will quote different prices. The advantage of a chartered speedboat is that you can decide your preferred departure timing instead of following the public speedboat timing. The disadvantage is, of course, the exorbitant price.

Price: depends on the guesthouse (est. USD 750/way per boat).
Duration: approx. 1 hour 15 mins.

4. Seaplane

Seaplane is the fastest transportation mode to get to any islands in Maldives. Similar to a chartered speedboat, seaplane must be booked in advance through your guesthouse.

Price: depends on the guesthouse (est. USD 300/way per person).
Duration: approx. 40 mins.

My Preferred Transportation to Hangnaameedhoo

I took the public ferry from Malé to Hangnaameedhoo, and the speedboat ferry from Hangnaameedhoo to Malé. Here’s my verdict: I prefer the 5 hours public ferry than the speedboat.

In the speedboat, there was hardly any air circulation inside the cabin, and my hubby and I ended up vomiting during the 1.5-hour ride, it was a traumatic ride for both of us.

If you are not prone to motion sickness, or if don’t have a budget constraint, or you just want to save time, speedboat would be a better choice than the public ferry. As for chartered speedboat and seaplane, they are out of my league at the moment!

Disclaimer: schedules and prices are correct based on time of writing, they are subjected to change in the future. 

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This is Part 4 of my “Maldives Trip in 2017” series. Read other posts in this series:

• Part 1: 8 Days Maldives Trip with Budget of SGD 900 (USD 660) – Itinerary and Cost
• Part 2: Male Airport Guide: What to Do When You Arrive at Velana International Airport in Male, Maldives 
• Part 3: Hulhumale – The Perfect Transit Between Airport and Other Islands in Maldives
• Part 5: Hangnaameedhoo, Maldives – An Island So Small You Can Walk from One End to The Other in 15 Minutes
• Part 6: Should You Visit Maafushi Island in Maldives?
• Part 7: Day Trip to Olhuveli Beach & Spa Maldives
• Part 8: A Walk in Male
• Part 9: 5 Stories We Will Always Remember from the Maldives Trip

To see all articles I’ve written about this archipelago, visit my Maldives page.

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