The Maldives: a little bit of heaven on earth. Everyone that visits falls in love with this amazing country. Famous for incredible blue seas, white sand beaches, coral reefs that are a diving and snorkelling dream – and also their seaplane transfers.
Located close to the equator in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives consists of 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls. International flights arrive into Male – this is the main gateway to paradise for tourists. But with the islands spanning close to 90,000 square kilometres, there are various transport options to get you – and your luggage – from your international flight to your chosen resort. This includes transfers by boat, domestic transfer, and seaplane.
PackThePJs recently visited the idyllic Kandima resort, in Dhaalu Atoll. This is 170 km from Male and there are two transfer options:
- Option 1 is a domestic transfer, which consists of a 30 minutes flight to an island near Kandima, followed by a 20 minutes speedboat transfer.
- Option 2 is for a seaplane transfer from Male straight to the resort, which takes around 30 minutes. The seaplane option is a ‘premium’ option, at extra cost.
We were really fortunate in that we travelled to the resort by seaplane and then back to Male at the end of our visit by domestic transfer.
So let me tell you about each one in turn.
Seaplane transfer (Male to Kandima resort)
After an extended stopover in Abu Dhabi (we missed our connecting flight), we landed in Male early in the morning. We were met in arrivals by a Kandima buddy who escorted us to the Maldivian Airways seaplane check-in where our bags were tagged. We then hopped into an awaiting mini bus for the short 5 minutes drive to the seaplane terminal.
From here we could watch the seaplanes land and take off 🙂
The terminal building was comfortable, quiet, cool and relaxed. When it was time for our flight we were led to the plane, where we could pick our seats. The seaplane – a DHC-6 Twin Otter seaplane – holds 15 passengers in a 1 : 2 seat configuration. Once comfortable with seatbelts fastened we were all given ear plugs. The seaplane IS noisy – but that added to the sense of adventure (and to us it wasn’t noisy enough to require the ear plugs).
Take off was really smooth and the route flew us over some amazing island scenery. Here’s my favourite photo – the start of the Kandima resort as we came in to land!
Arriving at Kandima was beyond exciting. From the sky it looked incredible. The only slightly discerning moment was when the pilot started his descent … he basically tipped the nose down. A very weird sensation indeed! Landing on water was quick and quite soft. Taxiing to the pontoon, to meet up with Kandima’s transfer boat, was probably the noisiest part of the whole journey. From there we were quickly whisked the short 100m to the landing jetty at Kandima resort. We were met by lots of smiling faces and a lovely cold flannel to freshen up with. It was then that I truly acknowledged the clear blue lagoon water, and I realised that I was living my dream 🙂
We have SO much to write about our stay at Kandima. Please keep a look out for our next Maldives post soon!
Domestic transfer (Kandima to Male, via Dhaalu Airport, Kudahuvadhoo)
Leaving Kandima was incredibly emotional. Basically, I didn’t want to leave! I had adapted to, and was loving the laid-back island life (I should still be there now). When our high speed transfer boat arrived to whisk us away, I could easily have turned around and run back to our villa! But as Huw pointed out, we had a plane to catch (as a we missed one on the journey out, we didn’t want to do it again).
As it turned out, the boat journey was amazing! Comfortable seating and amazing views as we sped around islands – some inhabited, some not. We saw lots of flying fish skimming over the water around us and we were all looking in case the spinner dolphins came by to check us out. It was a 20 minutes adrenaline rush – it was a fast ride! At journey’s end, we alighted in the harbour on the island of Kudahuvadhoo) and hopped into a mini-bus for the short drive to the airport.
Dhaalu Airport, Kudahuvadhoo
Dhaalu Airport, like Kandima, is brand new. The first plane landed there on 1 June 2017. The airport, which has two boarding gates, is built entirely on 63 hectares of reclaimed land. The runway is 1,800 metres long, allowing Dash-8, ATR-72 and large private jets to land/take off.
Upon arrival we were quickly checked in. As we sat in the small departure lounge we watched the staff load our bags into aircraft. This was a Maldivian Dash-8(300) aircraft that seats 50 passengers.
When ready to board we walked out to the plane and settled into our seats. The passengers were a lot of fun: The local Kudahuvadhoo football team travelled with us, and they were all in high spirits!
The flight took 30 minutes and was very smooth. Cabin crew served juice and a small packet of snack biscuits mid-flight. The views out the windows were, again, amazing …
In no time at all we arrived at Male Airport. We were met by a Kandima buddy who escorted us to the international flights check-in area. And then we started our journey home 🙁
So – Seaplane or Domestic transfer?
Gosh, this is a tough one! The truth is, you’re in the Maldives. It’s a beautiful, amazing place. It honestly doesn’t really matter which mode of transfer you choose – we liked both equally. So long as you have a window seat, you’ll be able to see all the islands as you fly over. The seaplane is ‘different’ (in that you land on water), and is a little quicker – but there’s a premium price to pay for this. The domestic transfer gives you a tiny glimpse into the ‘real’, non-resort, Maldives which we found fascinating.
So to summarise – if you can’t afford the seaplane, DON’T WORRY! The only negative about the domestic transfer it that you’ll arrive at Kandima ever so slightly later than if you fly by seaplane. Every second at this ‘anything but ordinary’ resort is special, you see … X
Wow Transfer through seaplanes is much more enjoyable because of lovely views of island and blue waters. Landing over water must be quite adventurous as it must be scary for first timers. If I get good deals then I would prefer seaplanes as I have never had an this kind of experience.
Hi,I am visiting the Maldives in December, flying to male airport from Gatwick London then getting a domestic flight to dhaalu airport,can anyone tell me is the procedure when you arrive at male the same as normal ie do I have to collect my baggage then go through the check in again as normal,and if so is this all quicker than a huge busy airport like Gatwick
Hi Darren, I can’t really advise you for certain as we transferred to the seaplane when we landed in Male. The airport is small for an international airport, so not too far to walk from plane to luggage reclaim etc. On our RETURN journey we flew from Dhaalu airport to Male – we had to collect our bags from the domestic flight to then check in for the international flight. Based on that I would guess you’ll need to claim your luggage first. But other people on this thread might know for certain? Anyone?
My friend visited Maldives for her honeymoon and wouldn’t stop raving about the islands! I’m yet to visit. So thanks for this detailed post on the transfer options. Domestic transfer view looks like any other island view but seaplane view and experience sounds fantastic! What’s the approx price difference?
It probably depends on the distance the resort is from Male, but in our case I worked out that to choose the seaplane (return) was approximately $1000 more for the 4 of us (2 adults, 2 children).
I’ll be honest when I say, I’m quite nervous of riding in a seaplane, but the Maldives may be an exception! I’ve never yet had the pleasure of visiting, but have only heard good things. Those views over the islands are sensational, and only something you ever see in photos!
What is amazing though is that the views are JUST like you see in brochures. I had half expected to realise that a bit of photoshopping had been going on over the years, but no – the sea really is that blue and the sand that white. It’s amazing. The seaplane was rather smooth really … just like any small plane, just noisier!
The seaplane looks like so much fun! We’ve been to quite a few places with really small planes and short runways (most recently in the Cook Islands) but they still don’t use seaplanes. I’d love to experience this!
Sounds like you can’t lose when it comes to getting to the Maldives! It would be pretty fun to land in the sea plane. And a boat ride is always a good time. I’d be happy with either!
Thanks for weighing up these two options for travel in the Maldives. I have personally never experienced flying on a seaplane but I can imagine how cool it is landing on the water! If it’s too expensive, then I wouldn’t mind doing the other option.
I’ve heard about this water airport before. It seems like quite the experience, the Maldives look amazing, and thanks for the advice on the flight choices!
Maldives has been on my bucket list for years! I would probably have the same emotions as you did about leaving. I wouldn’t want to leave behind that place called paradise! Thank you for providing about each option; hopefully, I can try them out soon when I go to Maldives!
We are dying to visit the Maldives! It sounds like you had an absolutely amazing time. The views over the islands look incredible! You have convinced us to take a Seaplane whenever we make it to the Maldives. It definitely sounds like it would be worth the extra cost especially since you mentioned that the views are JUST like you see on the brochures and NOT photoshopped.
The key is window seats to get full access to those stunning views 🙂 Seriously though, your pictures are beautiful and making me want to book a ticket to the Maldives right now. Thanks for the rundown on both methods of transportation! I think I’d want to try both, like you did — just to see it from both ways. Great post!
I have a terrible sense of direction in most places I visit, including in my hometown. I feel like this post really speaks to me on a weird level. I have visited and looked a loads of travel blogs and this particular post was super useful for someone like me. It takes the anxiety away from ‘trying to find the right place’ without getting utterly and hopelessly lost & then crying in the corner feeling like the world is going to blow up at any second. Maybe its the fact that its the Maldives, and looks like a completely amazing trip that was the epitome of relaxation, lol, but I will def be saving this post for my trip there in the future.
I have never been on a seaplane so that would be my choice. The views of the Islands whilst taking the seaplane look incredible. I’m visiting The Maldives next year and I didn’t know about the seaplane option so will definitely look into it now.
Great and informative article! My husband and I are planning for a Maldives getaway and we were already fixed with plane transfers. Now that there’s a domestic option, we will have to look into this. Great views, by the way!
Both experiences sound amazing. I would love to go in a seaplane. It must be so strange to land on the water. However I like the sound of the boat too. I would mostly likely do as you did and experience both.
I haven’t been to the Maldives. Your photos are amazing.
Wow transfer through a plane? That’s crazy.you must have had alot of fun with those amazing views on your way . Am saving this for future use and last but not the least, your pictures are beautiful <3
We have tried both the modes too. If you can afford, I guess the sea plane sure is stunning and a great experience. How ever, I personally found the domestic plane more comfortable,
Hi Tracey, which of the two options was cheaper? I got the sense sea plane is costlier compared to domestic flights, however, upon including the price of domestic flights, sea plane turns out to be cheaper.