Crystal Sands

Maafushi


This three-storey building is right opposite the port where you arrive on Maafushi, and it's very much a sleek hotel rather than a guesthouse. The 18 large, bright and impressively designed rooms, complete with rain showers and walk-out balconies with sea views, are a glamorous and comfortable place to relax. There's also a fabulous roof terrace for sunbathing.

Downstairs the Symphony Lagoon restaurant has a big menu with international cuisine and does a buffet dinner each night.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Maafushi attractions

1. Guraidhoo

3.22 MILES

Guraidhoo enjoys good anchorage and is a busy port used by both fishing dhonis and passing safari boats. Sultans from Male sought refuge here during…

2. Gulhi

3.47 MILES

The island of Gulhi, north of Maafushi, is not large but is inhabited by around 900 people. Fishing is the main activity, and there’s also a small…

3. China-Maldives Friendship Bridge

15.95 MILES

This incredibly impressive piece of engineering connects Male to the airport island of Hulhule, but unlike most of the causeways connecting islands…

4. Artificial Beach

15.97 MILES

A sweet little crescent sand beach has been crafted from the breakwater tetrapods here where locals can swim and enjoy a day on the beach. There’s a whole…

5. Tomb of Mohammed Thakurufaanu

16.03 MILES

In the backstreets in the middle of town, in the grounds of a small mosque, is the tomb of Mohammed Thakurufaanu, Maldives’ national hero who liberated…

6. National Museum

16.1 MILES

Maldives' National Museum may be a ferociously ugly building gifted by China, but it nevertheless contains a well-labelled collection of historic…

7. Rasrani Bageecha

16.13 MILES

Previously known as Sultan's Park and once part of the grounds of the now-demolished sultan’s palace, this former green lung of Male was redeveloped and…

8. Muleeaage & Medhu Ziyaarath

16.15 MILES

Muleeaage was built as a palace for the sultan in the early 20th century, though he was deposed before he could move in and the building was used for…