Hello, this is the editorial team. Are you planning a Maldives trip and wondering about transportation options to your resort island?
In the Maldives, there are primarily two types of transportation from the capital Malé to various resort islands: “speedboat” and “seaplane.” At first glance, you might think it’s just a matter of “time and cost differences,” but each option actually has distinct characteristics and charms that can significantly impact your Maldives travel experience.
Today, we’ll provide a thorough comparison based on past travel experiences!
Seaplanes Are Overwhelmingly Expensive, But…
First, let’s organize the basic information. Using Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, which we’ve featured on our site, as an example, let’s compare per-person transfer costs.
| Transportation | Price (Round Trip) | Duration | Operating Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speedboat | About $220 | About 2 hours | 24-hour operation |
| Seaplane | About $430 | About 30 minutes | Daytime only |
Looking at this table alone, you might think, “It’s wasteful to pay an extra $210 (or $420 for two people = about $420!) just to save 90 minutes.”
When using seaplanes, you actually need to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare, and you must account for buffer time before and after travel. Additionally, since they may make stops at other resorts to pick up additional passengers or refuel, the total net travel time should be considered as 2-3 hours in some cases.
Thinking this way, seaplanes seem like quite an expensive option. But wait! Did you know that seaplanes offer special experiential value that goes beyond being just a means of transportation?
Below, we’ll introduce the merits and demerits of both seaplanes and speedboats that go beyond just cost and travel time.
Three Charms of Seaplanes
1. Special “Takeoff from Water” Experience Like a Movie Scene
Unlike regular aircraft, seaplanes don’t use runways but take off directly from the sea. The moment of “takeoff from water” – boarding the aircraft from the sea and flying straight into the sky – is an extraordinary experience like being in a movie scene.
While regular aircraft “take off,” seaplanes “take off from water.” This unique floating sensation and excitement will undoubtedly become a wonderful memory of your Maldives trip!
2. Breathtakingly Beautiful Aerial Views of Atolls
Seaplanes fly at much lower altitudes than commercial aircraft. Therefore, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Maldives’ blue lagoons, atolls, and islands from above without being obstructed by clouds.
While the Maldivian sea is beautiful from ground level, the panoramic view from above provides a completely different kind of emotion. Being able to see colorful coral reefs, scattered islands, and crystal-clear emerald green seas is a privilege only seaplanes can offer.
Also, when your resort island comes into view, it’s photo time! This is a precious opportunity to photograph your resort from above. You’ll get Instagram-worthy shots too.
3. Significantly Shorter Travel Time
A major advantage of using seaplanes is the overwhelmingly shorter travel time. Generally, you can cover the same distance in about one-quarter the time of a speedboat, eliminating the need for boring travel time.
However, when departing from Malé, you need to be at the airport more than an hour before boarding, so the total net travel time isn’t much different from speedboats. But the airport has various shops and observation decks to explore, so you surely won’t be bored.
Speedboat: Merits and Demerits
Speedboats are more focused on their role as a “means of transportation,” and honestly, you can’t expect much special experiential value like seaplanes offer. However, there are practical advantages that can’t be overlooked.
Merits
1. Reasonable Pricing
The biggest appeal is the low cost. In the example above, there’s a $210 difference round trip (that’s $420 for two people!), but depending on the resort, seaplanes can cost over $500, making the gap even larger. This represents significant savings, especially for family trips or group travel.
2. Night Operations Possible (Depending on Resort)
While seaplanes basically don’t operate after sunset, speedboats can operate at night. However, not all resorts operate 24 hours, and many have designated departure times, so confirmation is needed. Still, when arriving on night flights to Malé, speedboats may be your only option.
3. Flexibility During Bad Weather
In the Maldives, especially during the rainy season, sudden squalls and poor visibility can occur. Under such weather conditions, seaplanes often suspend operations, but speedboats usually continue operating in moderately bad weather.
Demerits
1. High Risk of Seasickness
This is a point I want to emphasize. When sea conditions are rough, speedboats rock quite violently. I myself am generally resistant to motion sickness, but I experienced nausea during the latter half of a journey on a day when the sea was rough. Those prone to seasickness need special attention, as it could ruin the travel mood (though as mentioned earlier, seaplanes may not fly at all when sea conditions are bad, so it’s a trade-off).
2. Fatigue from Long Travel Times
For distant resorts from Malé, it can take over 2 hours, and combined with the rocking motion, it can be quite exhausting. This is especially important to consider when visiting resorts in distant atolls where travel distances are long.
3. Just Feels Like Transportation
While seaplanes feel like a special experience that’s “part of the journey,” speedboats undeniably give the impression of being “just transportation.” Beautiful coral reefs can’t be seen as clearly from inside the boat as they can from above. Compared to seaplanes that offer excitement and Instagram-worthy photos, the experiential value is limited.
Which Are You? Selection Points
So, which should you actually choose? Please refer to the following points.
Seaplanes Are Suitable for…
- Those who think “I want the journey itself to be part of my travel memories”
- Those who want to enjoy photography and aerial scenery
- Those who want to minimize travel time and maximize resort stay time
- Those planning special commemorative trips (honeymoons, anniversary trips, etc.)
- Those seeking special experiences thinking “since I’m coming to the Maldives”
- Those worried about seasickness (speedboats rock quite a bit on rough sea days)
- Cases where flight arrival times connect well
Speedboats Are Suitable for…
- Those who want to travel efficiently while keeping costs down
- Those using night arrival/departure flights
- Those with anxiety about aircraft
- Those staying at resorts close to Malé (generally within 40km)
- Those who want to allocate as much budget as possible to resort accommodation costs
- Maldives repeat visitors who have already taken seaplanes multiple times
- Cases where speedboat departure times are more convenient for the itinerary
Tips for Using Seaplanes
When choosing seaplanes, pay attention to the following points:
- Advance booking required: Best to arrange more than one week before resort arrival
- Watch baggage restrictions: Usually limited to about 20kg per person
- Allow time buffer: Delays can occur during peak periods
- Weather dependent: Possible cancellations during bad weather
- Flight times: Usually operate from sunrise to sunset (around 6:00-18:00)
- Connections: Allow 2-3+ hours buffer for same-day international flight connections
Tips for Using Speedboats
Points to note when choosing speedboats:
- Distance and duration: The farther from Malé, the longer the journey and greater the fatigue
- Weather and wave effects: Rough weather can cause severe rocking. From my experience, even those resistant to motion sickness can feel unwell when the sea is rough
- Motion sickness prevention: Those prone to motion sickness should definitely prepare motion sickness medication. Recommended to take 30 minutes before departure
- Connections: 1.5-2 hours buffer with international flights provides peace of mind. Even if you miss your scheduled boat, alternative arrangements are easy to make
- Check operating schedules: Not all operate 24 hours – some resorts only run at specific times. Always confirm when booking
Conclusion: An Important Choice That Determines Your Maldives Experience
Resort transportation in the Maldives isn’t just about choosing transportation – it’s an important element that affects your entire travel experience.
Having actually experienced both transportation methods myself, I found that seaplanes truly are a special experience that remains memorable as “part of the journey.” On the other hand, while speedboats undeniably feel like “just transportation,” their economic benefits are significant. Repeat visitors to the Maldives might feel “after taking a seaplane once or twice, speedboats might be fine next time.”
For those who can’t choose between them, using each “one way” is also recommended. Many resorts happily accommodate one-way bookings for each transportation type.
Ultimately, I recommend making your choice based on a comprehensive assessment of “what kind of experience you’re seeking in the Maldives,” “budget,” “itinerary,” and “health considerations.” Please choose the transportation method that suits your style and enjoy a wonderful Maldives trip!
Disclaimer
- The information in this article is current as of March 2025. Prices and travel times may vary depending on season and booking status.
- Transportation options provided vary by resort. Please always check the latest information before booking.
- Weather and sea conditions may prevent operations as scheduled.
- Individual experiences and perceptions may vary. Please use this article as reference information only.
