This archipelago has five international airports: Malé (Velana International Airport), Gan International Airport, Hanimaadhoo International Airport, Villa International Airport Maamigilli, and Maafaru International Airport. Malé and Gan are the most frequently used by international travelers.
As the islands are spread across approximately 90,000 square kilometers, it is important to choose flights strategically.
Travel Recommendations:
- Choose a flight to the international airport closest to the property that the customer selects.
- Upon arriving at these airports, you can choose the following modes, depending upon the distance to the resorts –
Air: Some resorts require a domestic flight from the international airport. The Maldives has fourteen domestic airports. From these, travelers are typically transferred to their resorts via speedboat or seaplane, depending on the resort's offerings.
Speed Boat: The most cost-effective way to transfer within the islands. The jetties are located at a short walking distance from the airport. The cost is generally included in the resort package. One needs to visit the resort chain’s concierge desk, and they will guide the visitor accordingly. They may be private or shared, depending on the number of visitors to the resort, arriving around the same time. It can operate at all times but can be used only for a certain distance.
Seaplane: A seaplane is a much quicker way of transportation within the country. It is a small airplane that can land on water, usually on the resort's shore. An incredible aerial experience in itself, a seaplane comes with some limitations. A seaplane could be very noisy compared to a regular aircraft. It operates only during daytime, i.e.during the sunshine hours. Also, it cannot cover very long distances due to limited fuel capacity.
Every resort will have a predefined mode of transportation from the nearest international airport. Some will have only speedboat options, some only seaplanes. Select resorts offer a choice of both.