Velana International Airport to Dhangethi
Speedboat transfers from Malé's international airport to Dhangethi — a quiet local island in South Ari Atoll with a house reef you can reach from the beach.
- Duration
- 1h
- Distance
- 90 km
- Frequency
- Two daily departures
- From
- USD 60 / person
Next ferries on this route
Live schedule for Velana International Airport → Dhangethi.
Velana International Airport → Dhangethi
The Velana Airport → Dhangethi speedboat crosses to South Ari Atoll in about an hour, with two departures a day from the airport, so you don't need to go into Malé first. The public ferry, by comparison, leaves from Malé, involves a change at Mahibadhoo and takes around six hours. Book online at least two calendar days before you travel and your e-ticket is confirmed instantly.
Welcome to Dhangethi
Dhangethi is a small local island in Alif Dhaal (South Ari) Atoll, about 88 km from Malé and roughly 10 km from Dhigurah. Home to around 940 people, it's a quiet place of sandy streets with a small guesthouse scene, and it feels less touristy than its better-known neighbour. Its marked bikini beach has a shower and toilet, and the house reef can be reached from the shore, with turtles, rays and sharks to look out for. Whale sharks are seen all year near Maamigili, about 30 minutes away by boat, and well-known dive sites such as Kudarah Thila and Broken Rock are close by.
Getting around
Dhangethi is small enough to explore on foot, with sandy streets and the bikini beach a few minutes' walk from the village. Some guesthouses lend bicycles to their guests.
Things to do
- 1Snorkel the house reef from the beach — go in the morning, as tidal currents can be strong
- 2Take a whale shark trip towards Maamigili, about 30 minutes by boat
- 3Dive Kudarah Thila, Broken Rock and Dhangethi Corner
- 4Take a 5–10 minute boat ride to a nearby sandbank
- 5Go night fishing or dolphin watching
- 6Try kitesurfing or windsurfing, or spend a day at a nearby resort
Frequently asked questions
- About 1 hour on the current schedule. Allow a little extra in rough weather, especially during the southwest monsoon (roughly May to November), when boats can occasionally be cancelled.
Ready to book your transfer to Dhangethi?
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