Transfer costs in the Maldives: boat, seaplane, domestic airlines

Flying to the Maldives? Think about how to get from the airport to your hotel. You can’t just take a bus or taxi to your resort. The islands are scattered across hundreds of kilometers in the Indian Ocean and can only be reached by water or air.

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The Maldives stretches almost 800 km from north to south. This includes 26 atolls and thousands of islands! There are three types of transfers in the Maldives - by boat or seaplane, or domestic airline plane. The choice of transport depends on the airport-resort distance. Depending on the atoll, it can be 25 km or 130, or 400 km from the airport to your resort. In this article, we’ll look at pricing based on transport type, distances, and hotel category.

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1. Speedboat in the Maldives

This is the most popular and affordable transfer type. But it suits resorts located near Malé. The trip from the airport takes 10-25 minutes to an hour. For example, to resorts like SAii Lagoon or Hard Rock, you can take a speedboat, saving on transfer costs. But for resorts like Soneva Jani, a seaplane transfer is required, which is much more expensive.

Cost: Group transfers average $200-400 per person round trip. Some hotels offer it for free.

On Wiotto, prices include transfers, and for any questions, contact our manager via online chat.

Below are examples of speedboat prices per person round trip:

Dhawa Ihuru (ex. Angsana Ihuru). Group transfer: free. Private transfer: $1,060.
Varu By Atmosphere. Group transfer: free.
Oblu Select Sangeli. Group transfer: free.
Kurumba Maldives. Group transfer: $228.
Centara Ras Fushi. Group transfer: $360. Discounts available.
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. Group transfer: $2,316. Private yacht: $9,008 (max. 8 guests).
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands. Private boat (16 guests): $3,800. Private yacht (15 guests): $7,600.

Costs as of summer 2025.

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How It Works

To book a transfer? Nothing to do. The resort organizes it after you provide your international flight details.

Upon arrival at Velana International Airport in Malé (MLE), a hotel representative meets you and escorts you to the pier, just a couple of minutes' walk. Resorts offer combined transfers with other guests based on international flight times. Expect to wait 2-4 hours for other tourists at the airport. Some resorts provide lounge services, others don’t.

Advantages:

Boats run 24/7, ideal for late arrivals.
The fastest way to your resort after a long flight.

Disadvantages:

Motion sickness is possible, especially in rough seas.

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What Speedboats Look Like

For airport-resort transfers, Gulf Craft motor speedboats (e.g., Touring 36, 38, or 48 models) are used, accommodating 8-50 passengers. Choose covered or open decks. Inside, comfortable soft seats await, often in both the cabin and open deck. Closed boats have air conditioning to beat the heat. Baggage is stored in a special compartment. On board, water or soft drinks are often offered to refresh after your flight.

Private Boat Rental

Group transfers mean sharing a boat with other hotel guests. For privacy, book a private transfer from the airport, costing $200-2,000 depending on distance. Premium hotels elevate the experience with cool towels, exclusive boats, leather sofas, and quiet modern engines. For example, One&Only Reethi Rah offers luxury yachts with lounges and champagne.

Consider resorts offering convenient locations and private boat transfers:

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2. Seaplane Transfer

A seaplane flight is not just a transfer but an exciting excursion. You’ll fly low over the Indian Ocean, admiring panoramic views of coral atolls and sparkling blue lagoons.

Cost: This is not the cheapest treat in the Maldives. The flight costs $400 to $2,000 per person. For example, a round-trip to Lhaviyani Atoll can cost about $900. But it also depends on the resort class.

Examples of seaplane transfer prices:

Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives - $850.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island: standard - $1,360, private seaplane: $13,514.
Niyama Private Islands Maldives: standard - $1,560 - $1,700, private seaplane (up to 15 guests): $17,000. VIP (up to 8 guests): $19,000.
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands - one way $1,700.

Asad Photo Maldives

How It Works

The resort representative will meet you upon arrival with a sign with the resort name. If you don’t see it immediately, ask any airport representative. You’ll be escorted to the airline check-in (Trans Maldivian Airways or Manta Air), where baggage is weighed (20 kg checked + 5 kg carry-on), and taken by minibus to the seaplane terminal. Expect a short wait for passengers from incoming international flights - it’s worth it. Relax and grab a snack meanwhile. When departure time arrives, you’ll be led to the dock for the 15-seat plane. Keep your camera and water bottle handy, as carry-on may need to be left at the back of the cabin.

Advantages:

Stunning views that set the tone for your entire stay.
The only way to reach many exclusive, secluded resorts.

Disadvantages:

Cost is not budget-friendly.
Seaplanes don’t fly 24/7.
Flights can be canceled in bad weather.
Flights may include stops at other resorts for passenger disembarkation.

Seaplanes fly only during daylight hours (roughly 6:00 to 16:00) for safety. Your international flight must arrive in Malé no later than this time. If arriving later, you’ll need an alternative to the seaplane or stay overnight in Malé. In that case, book a hotel near the airport in advance. Hulhulé island, where the airport is, has good options for this.

Private Flight

For maximum comfort, private seaplanes are available, costing $7,500 to $15,000 one way. For example, $12,000 for up to 9 people on a private Soneva seaplane, or $7,500 for up to 12 on a Manta Air seaplane.

Soneva Fushi

3. Airlines and Airports in the Maldives

The third transfer option is domestic flights. Convenient and comfortable for many resorts, especially those 15 minutes by boat from an island with a domestic airport. Maldivian is the country’s main airline, flying to 10 domestic islands and international routes. You can fly with it to:

Dharavandhoo (DRV) - Baa Atoll
Fuvahmulah (FVM) - Gnaviyani Atoll
Hanimadhoo (HAQ) - Haa Daal Atoll
Ifuru (IFU) - Raa Atoll
Kaadedhdhoo (KDM) - Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll
Kadhdhoo (KDO) - Laamu Atoll
Maamigili (GKK) - Gaafu Alif Atoll
Thimarafushi (TMF) - Thaa Atoll

Also, FlyMe is a private airline. From Malé, it flies to two destinations: Maamigili island (VAM), Ari Atoll, and Dharavandhoo island (DRV), Baa Atoll.

Cost: Round trip costs about $250-600 per person. But factor in the boat cost. Before choosing, weigh all options. For example, round-trip flight to Hurawalhi Island Resort is $730, while seaplane is $940. Exceptions exist where domestic flights are pricier than seaplanes, so plan ahead.

Examples of domestic flight transfer prices:

Reethi Faru Resort. Flight + boat - $624.
Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences. Flight + boat $1,420.
Niyama Private Islands Maldives. Flight + boat: $1,040.
Anantara Kihavah Villas. Flight: $1,700.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. Flight + boat: $1,780.

Advantages:

Reach even the most remote Maldives corners.
Fly at any time of day (weather permitting).

Disadvantages:

Longer than seaplane.
Limited aerial views.

How It Works

The domestic terminal is 200 meters from the international one. Hotel representatives meet and escort you. Inside, resort lounges are available for free to many hotel guests. General lounge entry is $25. At Malé airport, check in at the domestic terminal. Upon regional airport arrival, a resort representative meets and escorts you to the boat.

Asad Photo Maldives

Traveling with Children

Children under 2 fly free without a separate seat. Kids aged 2-11 need a child ticket. Adults from 12 pay adult fares. If your child is noise-sensitive, bring headphones or earplugs - they help.

How to Get to Local Island Hotels

If you choose a Maldives local island holiday, located relatively close to each other, you can use public MTCC ferries or speedboats independently. Don’t expect luxury, but with a limited budget, fares are appealing. Public speedboats are booked through guesthouses or online via iCom Tours, Coral Speed, Atoll Transfer. Ferries and public boats run daily, but Fridays may be off - check the schedule in advance.

Read: Maldives Ferries: Prices, Routes, Schedule

Costs:

Malé - Himmafushi / Thulusdhoo: speedboat (local, regular): 25-30 minutes, about $20-30.
Malé - Maafushi: speedboat 35 minutes - $20-25; ferry about 2 hours - $2.
Malé - Guraidhoo: speedboat 40-45 minutes - $25-30; ferry 2 hours 15 minutes - $2-3.
Malé - Rasdhoo / Ukulhas: speedboat about 2 hours - $35-50.
Malé - Thoddoo: speedboat about 2 hours - $35-50.
Malé - Dharavandhoo: speedboat 3-4 hours, $50-70.

More details on Maldives transport in our article.

Asad Photo Maldives

What to Know About Transfers in the Maldives

Transfers are one of the "hidden" expenses in the Maldives. Tour costs don’t always include this. Check when booking: some resorts and agencies offer packages with included transfers or discounts. For example, on Wiotto, all payments are included.
Choose resorts near Malé: for limited budgets, boat-accessible hotels are the most cost-effective.
Consider arrival time: late arrivals may require an overnight near the airport if using seaplanes, adding costs. Most hotels won’t reimburse missed nights or extra expenses for flight delays. Plan arrivals with buffer for delays.
Transfer booking: For domestic or seaplane transfers, submit a request to the hotel at least 48 hours before arrival.
Transport choice: Seaplanes are great for remote islands but pricier. For economy, consider domestic flights plus speedboats. For night arrivals, seaplanes aren’t an option - only domestic flights or a Malé night stay.
Return transfer: Resorts typically arrange return to the airport 2-3 hours before departure. For early flights, expect pre-dawn departure.
Check transfer time and type when booking your hotel.
Verify domestic flight and boat schedules - they’re not always daily.
Bring cash in dollars - some islands don’t accept cards.
For domestic flight transfers, baggage may be delayed for hours - keep essentials in carry-on.