Transportation in the Maldives: all about internal transfers around the islands

Maldives has 26 atolls and more than 1000 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. Travel between them by boat, seaplane and domestic flights. Learn how to understand the intricacies of traveling between the islands of the Maldives.

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Getting around the Maldives

When traveling on your own, the hardest part of planning is transportation. But if you fly to a resort, it will take care of all the transfer worries and send detailed instructions. You can learn more about it in online chat with our manager.

The optimal transportation option depends on the island you are traveling to. Among the options are seaplane, speedboats, internal flights and even public ferry.

• There are hotel islands on almost every one of the 26 atolls, but most of them are in the central part of the Maldives - in South and North Male, which together form the Kaafu Atoll. If your resort is located in North or South Male, the road will not take long, and transfer by speedboat will cost the cheapest.
• The most remote atolls are Haa Alifu in the north, Addu (Siena) in the south. These can only be reached by air.
• Transfers to and from the resorts are usually included in the price of your stay (although some resorts charge this as an additional fee after booking). Prices vary depending on distance. Transfers are booked by the resort staff.

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Speedboat to the resort

Island resorts that are relatively close to the capital Male offer speedboat transfers. This is usually already included in the price of your accommodation. Most of these vessels are more like yachts with large covered rooms. They are equipped with sofas, TV and buffet. Many VIP hotels have their own speedboats.

• Travel time depends on the location of your resort. Generally, transfers take anywhere from 20 minutes to 1-2 hours.
• Upon boarding, you will be offered a welcome drink and a cold towel.
• Many resorts use the ride as an opportunity to complete all paperwork on board so you don't have to spend time checking in upon arrival.
• Cost: $35 to $195 per person one way. Prices depend on the distance from the resort and the services provided.
• To rent the entire boat is about $2,000 dollars.

Be sure to enjoy the view from the deck - there's a good chance you'll encounter a variety of marine life, especially dolphins, often frolicking in the waves near the Velana International Airport. Keep in mind, if you are an independent traveler, you will not be allowed on such a boat: you must show your hotel reservation.

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Seaplane flight

For many visitors to the Maldives, a seaplane flight is an incredibly exciting adventure. After all, the turquoise of the Indian Ocean is revealed from up high! The seaplane will take you directly to the pier of your resort.

• Seaplanes only fly during the day (6am to 4pm). If you arrive in the Maldives at night, you may have to spend the night in Male' or take a domestic flight.
• Seaplanes seat about 10 people.
• Most seaplanes are operated by Trans Maldivian Airways as well as Manta Air. Seaplane flights can be booked through the resort or through the company itself.
• May land at one or two other resorts along the way. If you want to guarantee a direct route, you can pay extra for a charter transfer.
• Seaplanes are cramped, hot and noisy (you'll be provided with earplugs).
• They fly low, which allows for stunning views.
• You are allowed 20 kilograms of luggage and 5 kilograms of hand luggage. There is a $5 surcharge for each extra kilogram. Luggage is placed in the back of the seaplane.
• Cost: $350 to $1400 per person for a two-way trip. Prices vary depending on the remoteness of the resort. Children under 12 usually get a 50% discount, and transfers are free for children under 2.

Where to find seaplanes: the seaplane terminal at Velana International Airport is in a separate building, near the arrival and departure halls for international flights. You will be shuttled to it by shuttle. It is a new building constructed in 2022 with all modern amenities.

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Domestic flights

The islands of Maldives are scattered over a vast distance. Many atolls simply cannot be reached by boat - the journey would take too long.

Therefore, some islands can be reached only by air. The most budget option in this case - regular flights of local airlines. Most tourists arrive at the main airport in Male, where they make a change to a domestic flight. There are only three airports in the Maldives that accept international flights:

• Velana International Airport (MLE) is the country's main airport with an extensive network of international flights from Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
• Gan International Airport (GAN) - receives international flights, mainly from South Asian countries such as Sri Lanka and India.
• Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ) - serves the northern part of the country and has scheduled international flights from Trivandrum, India.

Domestic airports include:

• Dharawandhoo (DRV) Baa
• Fuvahmulah (FVM) Gnaviyani
• Kaadedhoo (KDM) Gaafu-Daalu
• Kadhoo (KDO) Laamu
• Kododdoo (GKK) Gaafu-Alif
• Thimarafushi (TMF) Thaa
• Ifuru (IFU) Raa
• Hoarafushi (HRF) Haa-Alif
• Kulhuduffushi (HDK) Haa-Daalu
• Funadu (FND) Shaviyani
• Maavarulu (RUL) Haafu-Daalu
• Madivaru (LMV) Laviyani

Upon arrival at one of the domestic airports, you need to transfer to a speedboat to reach your resort.

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The main airlines in the Maldives are Maldivian Airlines and Manta Air

Domestic flights are the cheapest way to reach the outer islands. The average cost of a flight is between $150 and $550 round trip, depending on your destination. Flight times range from 20 to 90 minutes.

Airplanes have a small capacity, usually around 70 people. A flight is the only option if you arrive in the Maldives after sunset. The resort will book your own transfers. If you are vacationing in a guesthouse, check with the owner or book your own ticket on airline websites.

Tip: you can usually choose to get there by seaplane or combine a domestic flight with a boat trip. Scheduled flights are often cheaper, especially when it comes to traveling around the Maldives with your family.

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Sea transfers: yachts, boats and safaris

Once they arrive at a resort, most travelers stay at it throughout their vacation. After all, each resort has its own restaurants, bars and entertainment. But you will have the opportunity to travel by sea. More and more resorts are offering excursions to nearby islands.

• Some resorts even have yachts that guests can rent for multi-day excursions to other atolls.
• Cruise companies offer trips around the Maldives: you can go to different resorts that offer day use passes.
• A great way to explore the islands is by boat safari with accommodation on board. Divers often choose to spend a week or two exploring remote atolls where there are few resorts.
• If you don't want to spend your entire vacation on one island, consider booking a multi-resort tour or splitting your vacation between the Maldives and neighboring Sri Lanka. This will help you pick a tour package with minimal transfer costs.
• Dhoni boats are traditional wooden boats used for sightseeing, fishing and snorkeling. They are rented for trips to reefs and uninhabited islands. Prices vary depending on the itinerary and operator.

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Getting around the island

Most of the islands in the Maldives are quite small: you can easily walk around them in less than an hour. However, many resorts offer guests chauffeured bicycles or golf carts. A buggy reservation can be arranged by calling the front desk. Or simply stop a passing golf cart.

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Travel around Male'

You can find a car, bus or hire a cab in the capital Malé. But few people seek a vacation on these busy islands. Usually transportation is needed to get from the airport to the ferry, or to the city center if you have a couple of free hours between flights.

• Cabs in Male and Hulhumal cost about $2-3 per trip. Distances are short - you can get from one side of the island to the other in 5-10 minutes.
• Buses run in Male and Hulhumale from 6:00 to 15:00. The fare is about 3 Maldivian rufiya ($0.20).

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Public Ferry

There is an inexpensive way to travel around the islands in the Maldives - ferries used by locals. It does not run to all islands, and the main disadvantage is the speed. But it is the best option if you are staying on a local island, which can be reached by ferry in a couple of hours. Those wishing to experience the local flavor (and save money on a flight or speedboat) should know a few rules.

• Public ferries do not run to the island resorts. They can only be used to get to local islands. They do not stop at resort islands, even if they pass by them.
• The ferries are based on the traditional wooden boats of the Maldives.
• They run on a schedule.
• The slower ferries are less seasick than the speedboats.
• The ferry has an average capacity of 80-100 passengers.
• Ferries run to many islands several times a week. It is rare which island can be reached every day.
• There are no ferries on Friday. The exception is the Male to Hulhumale ferry.
• The ferry does not run in bad weather. It may even turn around halfway and return to Male if a storm hits.

Cost: Most itineraries usually cost only a few dollars. For example, you'll be charged less than $5 to Digura Island, while a speedboat will cost $50-65. It takes 6 hours to sail to Toddoo Island and the price is only $4.

You can also find cargo ferries, also called fruit ferries, in the Maldives and arrange to board. There is no clear schedule or price, but a sea of exoticism amidst coconuts and bananas.

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Regular speedboats

The Maldives has regular speedboat or fast ferry transfers between local islands. These are provided by local operators. You can find the schedule at Atoll Transfer. These boats are usually long and narrow to allow for high speeds. They can be distinguished by their white and blue coloring, sometimes with the name of the route or operator on board. With a capacity of 30 to 50 people, they have fewer amenities than hotel boats, but are cheaper and faster.

Where to find a boat: the MTCC terminal is the most convenient and is close to the pier where most ferries depart. Also look for the harbor between the fish market and the MTCC terminal in Male'. There are more itinerary options here and prices are lower. The boats often have the destination written on them. The approximate cost is $20 to Maafushi and $40 for Rasda. You can haggle and it's best to check the price with the locals so you don't get cheated.

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Tips and tricks

• Choosing an island for a vacation, it is worth paying attention not only to the comfort of the hotel and infrastructure, but also to the remoteness of the place from the airport Velana. Think about how long it will take to get there and how much it will cost. It may be optimal to choose a hotel close to the airport, 20-30 minutes by boat from the airport in Male.
• Opt for a private speedboat transfer if you are vacationing in North or South Male resorts.
• A seaplane is the best option if your resort is on other atolls. But it is only suitable if you are flying in during the day.
• Domestic flight - a more economical transfer option to the outer islands.
• A public slow ferry is your option when traveling independently and staying on local islands not so far from the capital.
• Always have enough extra money on you in case the weather turns bad and you have to urgently look for another transfer option.

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