Seaplanes or Speedboats in the Maldives – which is better?

Should you get a seaplane or a speedboat in the Maldives?

We get asked all the time about which is better – a seaplane or a speedboat in the Maldives? Well, there is no easy answer, but our handy guide will help you decide as each resort is different.

Some resorts are only accessible by seaplane, whilst others require you to take a speedboat. Some even require you to take a separate domestic flight to another airport before then getting a speedboat.

Seaplanes in the Maldives are indeed a very fun way to travel, though each journey will cost several hundred dollars. Taking off on a Maldives seaplane is a really interesting experience. It can be quite noisy, so make sure you use the earplugs that are provided. It can also be relatively bumpy, but compared to a speed boat it’s smooth! En route, you’ll see small island atolls, remote deserted islands and beautiful blue waters. Seaplanes tend to be used for resorts that take longer than 45 minutes by speedboat.

It’s also worth pointing out that seaplanes can only operate during daylight hours in the Maldives and so if you have a late flight you may want to opt for a speedboat.

Seaplanes: the iconic transfer

A seaplane transfer is, for many travelers, one of the highlights of a Maldives trip. Forty-five minutes above a scatter of atolls and turquoise lagoons, watching the Indian Ocean from a low altitude, is an experience that has no equivalent. It is noisy, so use the earplugs provided, and it can be bumpy, but compared to a speedboat in choppy water it is considerably smoother.

The practical constraints matter though. Seaplanes in the Maldives only operate during daylight hours, which means if your international flight lands late in the afternoon or evening, a seaplane connection may not be possible on the day of arrival. This is more common than people realize, particularly on certain routings from the US via Middle Eastern hubs. If your arrival time is tight, we factor this into the resort recommendation before you book rather than after.

Seaplane transfers typically cost several hundred dollars per person and are reserved for resorts that sit beyond 45 minutes by speedboat from Male.

Speedboats: faster and more flexible

A speedboat transfer can operate at any time of day or night, which makes it the more flexible option for late arrivals. Some resorts are reachable in as little as 20 minutes from the airport, which means you can be off a long international flight and at your resort before the seaplane terminal has even opened for the day.

The quality of the speedboat experience varies considerably by resort. Some operate large, comfortable vessels with air conditioning and proper seating. Others are smaller and more basic. We know the difference and factor it into recommendations accordingly.

The honest caveat is seasickness. Open water transfers at speed can be rough depending on conditions, and if you are prone to motion sickness a speedboat journey of 45 minutes or more in choppy seas is worth preparing for. Anti-sickness bands work well and are worth packing. The crew can usually provide medication if you ask in advance. If you are seriously prone to motion sickness, a seaplane-access resort is often the better recommendation regardless of other factors.

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What this means for your booking

For same-sex couples traveling with Out Of Office, transfer type is one of several factors we consider when recommending a resort. If you are arriving on a late flight, we will steer you toward a speedboat-accessible property or arrange an airport hotel overnight so your seaplane transfer happens in daylight. If you are prone to seasickness, we will recommend accordingly. If the seaplane experience is something you specifically want, we will make sure your routing and arrival time make it viable.

These are not details you should be figuring out after you have booked. They are details we sort before you do.

Can you do both?

Yes, and for clients staying at two resorts we often arrange it that way. A speedboat transfer to your first property and a seaplane between resorts gives you both experiences without the logistics working against you.

Ready to plan your Maldives trip? Talk to one of our specialists and we will handle every transfer detail from the moment you land.