The Sinamalé Bridge: linking Malé, the airport and Hulhumalé

The bridge spans the channel between the south-east corner of Malé and Hulhulé, where Velana International Airport sits. On the Hulhulé side it joins the airport road and the highway that runs north to Hulhumalé. In practice that gives the Malé area three islands joined by road:

• Malé – the capital, crowded and busy, with the government offices, markets and the main ferry terminals. See our Malé city guide.
• Hulhulé – the airport island. Read arriving at Velana International Airport for what happens after you land.
• Hulhumalé – the large reclaimed island to the north. Our Hulhumalé guide covers its beach and stopover options.

The neighbouring island of Villimalé is not on the bridge network; you still reach it by ferry from Malé (see the Villimalé guide).

Before 2018, the only way between Malé and the airport was by boat, and a trip to Hulhumalé meant a longer ferry ride. A bridge became one of the major pledges of the government of the day.

The bridge was built as a joint project of the governments of the Maldives and China, under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. China provided most of the money as grant aid and loans, with a smaller share from the Maldivian state budget. Reported totals differ between sources, from around USD 200 million to USD 300 million, so treat any single figure with care.

The two ends were joined in July 2018. That same month, the then Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, Dr Mohamed Muizzu (now President), announced the official name: Sinamalé Bridge. The name joins *Sina*, the Dhivehi word for China, with Malé. You will still see “China–Maldives Friendship Bridge” in older articles and some official Chinese material.

The President’s Office says the bridge was inaugurated on the evening of 30 August 2018 by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and a special envoy of the Chinese government, who then made the first crossing to Hulhulé. It opened to general traffic about a week later. The bridge was part of a wider plan to ease crowding in Malé by tying it to Hulhumalé, where new housing was being built on reclaimed land (see land reclamation in the Maldives).

Malé is crowded and there is little room left to build. The bridge turned Hulhumalé from a ferry ride away into a short drive. Edition reported on its fifth anniversary that a trip that used to take about 30 minutes by ferry now takes around 10 minutes by road.

Today people commute across it to work and school every day, and goods move by lorry. For residents it is less a landmark than everyday infrastructure.

By bus

Public buses run by RTL (the state-owned transport brand of MTCC) link Malé, the airport and Hulhumalé across the bridge. Check the current routes, times and payment options on RTL’s official channels before you travel, as they change.

By taxi

Taxis from Malé and Hulhumalé cross the bridge to the airport. Confirm the fare before you set off.

By scooter or car

Most Maldivian traffic is motorcycles, and the bridge has a lane for them. Key rules for anyone riding:

• Helmets are compulsory for riders and passengers on the bridge. The rule took effect on 10 March 2019 and covers any road with a speed limit above 30 km/h, which includes the bridge and the Hulhumalé highway.
• Keep to the posted speed limit. Limits are signposted on the bridge and its approaches.
• Stay in your lane. The Maldives Police Service has warned drivers about speeding and unauthorised lane changes on the bridge, and has said it is installing speed cameras there.

Visitors should not ride without a licence that is valid in the Maldives. Our driving and scooters guide explains the current position on foreign licences.

On foot

When the bridge opened, the Transport Authority said the fenced lanes on both sides are for walking and running. Walking across is a good way to see the harbour, best early or late when it is cooler. Bring water; there is no shade and the sun is strong (see sun safety).

By bicycle

The original design included a bicycle lane, but we could not confirm the current rules for cycling across the bridge. If you plan to cycle, ask locally or check with the police first.

Is there still a ferry?

Yes. The airport ferry to Malé still runs and many people prefer it, especially with luggage and when it rains. Ferries also link Malé with Hulhumalé and Villimalé. See public ferries in the Maldives and getting around the Maldives.

The bridge gives a fine view of Malé’s skyline: tightly packed buildings rising straight out of the sea, with boats moving in and out of the harbour. From the walkways you can watch aircraft over Hulhulé.

A few tips:

• Go early or late. Light is softer and the heat is easier in the first hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset. Our sunrise and sunset guide has typical times.
• Stay on the walkway. Don’t stop on the road or in the motorcycle lane to take photos.
• Drones need permits. Flying near the airport is tightly controlled; read flying a drone in the Maldives first.
• Be respectful. Ask before photographing people up close. Our photography guide covers etiquette.

The bridge is lit at night. Lighting can fail now and then: in September 2025 police asked people to take care after lights on the bridge went out during rain, so watch your step after dark.

The bridge is exposed to the wind. During the southwest monsoon (mid-May to November), squalls can bring strong gusts and heavy rain that make riding a scooter across unpleasant and slippery. If the Maldives Meteorological Service issues a weather alert, consider taking the bus or ferry instead. Our weather hazards guide explains the alert colours.

In an emergency, call 119 for police or 102 for an ambulance; 911 is the single national emergency number.

If you are heading to a local island, you may not need to cross the bridge at all. Many shared speedboats leave from the airport jetties on Hulhulé, while others leave from Malé. Ask your guesthouse which jetty your boat uses; that tells you whether you’ll cross the bridge.

Take Dhiffushi, about 37 km north-east of Malé: shared speedboats take around 40–50 minutes from Malé or the airport, and the public ferry leaves from Malé and does not run on Fridays. If you land late, spending a night in Hulhumalé and crossing the bridge to Malé in the morning can work well. See how to get to Dhiffushi and the route 308 ferry page for details.