I stayed at Octave once. Was supposed to be picked up and helped all the way from the airport. Escort wasn't at airport when I arrived (flight was on time). Airport help desk called and he arrived about 30 minutes later.
I arrived at about noon. Hotel is a decent distance from Ferry, but traffic was light. Left about 8pm, and traffic was a nightmare. Taxi's don't come to side street where hotel is. But a bellboy walked me to the main street and hailed a taxi for me.
Now that I've done it once, I realize there isn't much to it. Buy a ticket on the pier, then take next ferry to Male. Ferry handlers help with heavy bags such as dive gear. Taxi's are then waiting by the pier. Not difficult, not unsafe.
That said, Male isn't a tourist destination. Octave doesn't have food but they advised me of a few nearby places. Had an awesome pizza at one place about a 5 minute walk away.