Vehicles

1. ދޯނި

   dhoni

   Dhoni (traditional boat)

   Usage

   The Maldives' signature wooden boat, originally sailed and now engine-powered. Still the workhorse for island hops, fishing and diving. Not the same word as dhooni, a bird

2. ސްޕީޑްބޯޓް

   speedboat

   Speedboat

   Usage

   The main resort transfer. Faster than a dhoni but rough in a swell; if you get seasick, sit mid-boat rather than at the stern

3. ސީ-ޕްލޭން

   sea-plane

   Seaplane

   Usage

   How you reach distant atolls. It only flies in daylight, so a late international arrival means a night near the airport. Baggage limits are strict

4. ފެރީ

   feree

   Ferry

   Usage

   The public boat locals use: cheap but infrequent, and some routes do not run on Fridays. Check the timetable first if you are island-hopping

5. ލޯންޗް

   launch

   Launch (small fast boat)

   Usage

   A chartered or small-group boat; the way to move when no ferry is running

6. ބޯޓު

   boatu

   Boat / vessel

   Usage

   The general word for a vessel, including cargo and larger ships

7. ބަސް

   bas

   Bus

   Usage

   Routes link Malé, Hulhumalé and the airport island; buses run only on the larger islands

8. ޓެކްސީ

   taxi

   Taxi

   Usage

   Operates in Malé and Hulhumalé at fixed per-zone fares

9. ކާރު

   kaaru

   Car

   Usage

   Small islands have barely any roads, and many have no cars at all

10. ސައިކަލު

    saikalu

    Motorcycle / scooter

    Usage

    The most common vehicle in Malé. The streets are narrow, so listen for them coming up behind you on foot

11. ބައިސްކަލު

    baiskalu

    Bicycle

    Usage

    Local islands are small and flat, which suits a bike; guesthouses often lend them

12. އެމްބިއުލެންސް

    ambulance

    Ambulance

    Usage

    "Ambulance geney" = call an ambulance. From an outer island, evacuation goes by boat or seaplane and takes time

Browse all TravelPhrases languages