How to get around the Maldives
So, youve landed in the Maldives and are eager to explore the country. But how do you get around? Learn about transportation in the Maldives in this article and find out the best ways to get to your destination.
The Maldives is an island nation. Comprising a total of 1,190 islands and over 150 private resorts, the country is one of the world's most popular destinations. While most travellers choose and stay at one resort throughout their visit, if you are in the Maldives for longer, you may want to explore the country in detail.
When you fly into the Maldives, you will land at Velana International Airport located on Hulhule Island. From here on, you can get a quick a ferry transfer to Male, the country's capital city. But how to travel to more remote areas? Here, you will have a choice of several modes of transport: seaplane, speedboat or cargo boat.
Seaplane
Travelling to your destination by a seaplane is a unique adventure in itself. As you soar above the islands and the ocean, you get to enjoy breathtaking views and take panoramic photos and videos. A seaplane is the quickest ' and, sometimes, the only ' way to get to the country's furthest islands. However, it does come a price: roundtrip transfers start at over $400 and can be as high as $1000, depending on the resort you are staying in. Transfers are often either included in the price of your hotel booking or arranged by the resort itself ' make sure to check with the property about transportation method and cost.
If you are flying solo, you can book a seaplane transfer with one the main operator in the country ' Trans Maldivian Airways. A trip to the furthest islands in the country will take about an hour and a half ' but note that seaplanes do not operate at night and your luggage may need to travel separately.
Speedboat
Speedboat transfers are typically available to closer islands and are also significantly cheaper than the seaplane option. You can hop on a speedboat on any major island like Male or
Hulhule and get to your destination ' these usually take travellers to the resorts in the North and South Atolls.
Dhoni
Dhoni is a traditional cargo boat used by the locals. Even though dhonis are much slower than a speedboat, they are by no means any less exciting ' you will get to enjoy your voyage at a more relaxed pace and discover an authentic mode of getting about. You can find dhonis waiting in the harbour by the airport ferry jetty and hire the boat for a quick transfer or for a day of island hopping. Note that bargaining for the best price is acceptable and may help you land a better deal. You can also book a dhoni through a travel agent or consult your hotel for help with arranging the transfer.
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