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.
A speedboat on the other hand can operate at any time of day and is a very quick and convenient way to get to and from your resort. They are predominantly reserved for resorts nearer the mainland of Male. You can be off your international flight and onto a speedboat to your resort in as little as 20 minutes and there is usually far less waiting around than if you are getting a seaplane.
Speedboats in the Maldives are not all equal though! Depending on the resort you’re staying at you may be on a large boat, or it could be a very small one. Some are equipped with luxurious sofas, others are more like a ferry. This means that your experience can be very different depending on the resort you stay at.
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Having said that, getting a speedboat in the Maldives can be a slightly traumatic experience for those who get seasick or have bad motion sickness.
The waters can be choppy and the high speed of the boats may mean the ride isn’t very smooth. In those instances, the crew onboard can usually help you if you ask in advance for a seasickness tablet or for motion sickness bands to help the journey. We’ve found that anti-sickness bands work well on speedboats in the Maldives.
Some people will combine two resorts in the Maldives and stay at more than one island. This can allow you to experience both a seaplane and a speedboat.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience in the Maldives, then our expert team can provide you advice on the best Maldives resort for you as we have extensive experience of visiting the Maldives. From luxurious private villas to overwater bungalows and even whole islands, resorts in the Maldives offer some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Plus, many of them include sumptuous amenities such as spas, pools, and fine dining establishments. If you’re ready to relax and appreciate some of nature’s best features and prefer to get to your resort quicker than waiting for a seaplane, then there are plenty of incredible speedboat-accessible Maldives resorts.
Each of the Maldives resorts is carefully placed over some of the clearest lagoons and breathtaking coral reefs in the world, so getting from one resort to another is incredibly easy and convenient. The powder-white beaches of the Maldives are some of the most pristine in the world, and that’s why so many visitors flock to this dreamy destination.
View Maldives Island Hopping Collection
If you are particularly prone to seasickness, we would thoroughly recommend opting for a resort that you can access by seaplane instead! On the other hand, if you are a nervous flyer then a speedboat may be the better option for you. If neither of those appeals to you, then it’s probably better you look at a destination like Mauritius or French Polynesia.
And of course, if you book your trip with us we’ll take care of all the finer details like the seaplane or the speedboat. Speak to one of the team today or enquire now and we’ll get the perfect itinerary to the Maldives planned for you.
