Vaavu Atoll

How you get to and from Vaavu Atoll is very much dependent on where you are staying and your budget.

If you are staying at one of the resort islands, your resort will pick you up directly from Malé airport as part of the package. We’ll help reserve this transfer when making your booking.

If you are staying on the local island of Fulidhoo, a speedboat is the most convenient way to get to the island. A one-way ticket from Male will cost about US$50 and the journey will take just over an hour. Speedboats leave at 11am every day except Friday, normally from the jetty called Muizzu Neru near Mary Brown Restaurant. Let us know when making your booking and we can help you reserve a seat on a speedboat.

If you are on a budget, a government-run ferry leaves Malé from Vilingili terminal three times a week, taking 3.5 hours to reach Fulidhoo. It costs approximately US$4 for a one-way ticket and stops in Maafushi Island in South Male Atoll along the way. Departures are on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. If you can, time your flight arrival at Malé airport prior to 8am or, if you are in Malé the day before, you can buy a ticket when they go on sale at 3pm. It is worth pre-purchasing a ticket to ensure a spot.  The return ferry from Fulidhoo to Malé leaves at 11am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, also stopping in Maafushi.

The Maldives experience a tropical monsoonal climate, with two distinct seasons; the northeast monsoon (dry season) and southwest monsoon (wet season). Temperatures can range from 25-31°C, with an average year-round temperature around 27°C. Water temperatures are also relatively constant throughout the year at 26-29°C.

Like most places in the world, with the ever-increasing impact of climate change, the seasons and transitions in the Maldives have become less predictable in recent years and more prone to shifting slightly, however the two monsoons still follow similar patterns whenever they arrive: 

Northeast monsoon (January – April)

The dry season usually brings blue skies and calm winds - perfect weather a topical holiday. The season runs from January to April with the transition shoulder periods arriving earlier in December or continuing into May. The change to the wet season is usually signified by a wet spell of three or more consecutive days of rainfall along with a shift in wind direction.

Southwest monsoon (May – November)

The wet southwest season generally means more cloudy skies, stronger winds and a greater chance of rough seas. However, you would be unlucky if you had to endure anything other than a few hours of dramatic rain, as most of the storms are relatively short lived and soon blow themselves out.

As is the way in the tropics, rain can occur with little warning however the resorts are normally very good at providing sufficient warning and planning any alternative activities or events accordingly. 

From a diver’s perspective, the monsoons dictate the migrations of the large pelagics such as manta rays and whale sharks. With tidal strength and wind direction affecting the movement of plankton, filter-feeders naturally follow the food, so at certain times of the year you are more likely to encounter these animals in specific locations. 

We have accounted for these changes in our search tool, but feel free to contact us directly for further insight and assistance in arranging your perfect Maldivian experience at the best locations and at the best time of year.

Vaavu was for many decades the domain of liveaboards only, as the local islands were closed to tourism. However, following the government of the Maldives decision to open up all of the atolls, a number of small resorts have sprung up around Vaavu, offering an alternative to boat tours. Most are small and are located in the north or northeast of the atoll. We would recommend Fulidhoo Dive, located on Fulidhoo Island in the north of the atoll.