The best ways to get around the Maldives

25.02.2024 - 17:51 / lonelyplanet.com / Airlines

Velana International Airport in Male is the gateway for most visitors to the island-nation of the Maldives. As you disembark, take in a delicious blast of salty sea air and glimpse the tantalizing turquoise waters.

The small arrivals hall is almost always packed with representatives from the various resorts, who’ll be holding signs bearing guests’ names, ready to whisk you away via internal flight, seaplane or speedboat. 

The Maldives has 26 atolls and over 1000 islands, so visitors need to consider not only which island they’re heading to, but how they’ll get there and get around. Here’s our guide to help you figure out all things transportation.

For many visitors to the Maldives, a flight in a seaplane is one of the most spectacular modes of transport when it comes to getting around the islands (although some resorts will require you to hop on a scheduled flight).

The seaplane terminal at Velana International Airport is in a separate building to the international arrivals and departures halls. You’ll be transferred to and from this area by shuttle bus. It’s seriously swanky – it was constructed in 2022 and the four-storey building has private lounges for the majority of resorts requiring seaplane transfers.

Typically, seaplanes have room for around 10 people. Luggage is placed at the rear and passengers will be able to see straight into the cockpit, where the captain will almost certainly be piloting the plane barefoot. Seaplanes are cramped, hot and noisy (you’ll be provided with earplugs), but since they fly at a lower altitude than scheduled routes – the stunning views make these minor discomforts worthwhile.

Bear in mind that seaplanes can’t fly at night. If your resort is near an island with a domestic airport you’ll be transferred onto a scheduled flight to the nearest domestic airport free of charge (you’ll then hop on a speedboat for the remainder of your journey). Depending on the location of your resort, expect to pay between $290 and $700 for a roundtrip seaplane flight. The operator you’re most likely to fly with is Trans Maldivian Airways, which owns the world’s largest seaplane fleet.

If your resort refers to a speedboat transfer (which will always be included in the nightly resort rate) erase any images of tiny boats bouncing across the waves as you struggle to stay upright. The majority of these vessels bear more resemblance to yachts, with large, covered areas, kitted out with sofas, a television and food and drink stations. You’ll likely be presented with a welcome drink and cold towel upon boarding. And bonus: many resorts use the journey as an opportunity to get the check-in paperwork out the way!

Transfer times vary depending on your resort’s location, but can be between 20 minutes and