Transfers
Speedboat vs. Seaplane: The Simple Explanation
This is the question we get asked more than almost any other. The short version: it depends entirely on how far your resort is from Male, not on price or luxury tier.
The one-line version
Close to Male (roughly under an hour by boat) → speedboat. Farther out → seaplane, or sometimes a domestic flight plus a short boat ride.
Speedboat
- Cheaper — typically $40–$150 per person round trip
- Runs day or night
- 15–90 minutes depending on distance
- Can get choppy in rough weather, worth knowing if you're prone to seasickness
Seaplane
- More expensive — typically $300–$550 per person round trip
- Daylight hours only — no exceptions
- 25–45 minute flight, with genuinely stunning aerial views of the atolls
- Often involves a wait at the seaplane lounge for your group's flight to be ready
Seaplanes don't fly after dark. If your international flight lands in the evening, a seaplane-only resort isn't reachable that night — check this before you book.
What about domestic flights and public ferries?
Domestic flight + boat is common for resorts in far-out atolls like Addu or Fuvahmulah, where a seaplane wouldn't be practical. Public ferries are the budget option for reaching inhabited local islands — slower and less frequent, but a fraction of the cost of a speedboat.
| Type | Cost (round trip, pp) | Runs at night? |
|---|---|---|
| Public ferry | $5–$20 | Rarely |
| Speedboat | $40–$150 | Yes |
| Domestic flight + boat | $150–$320 | Limited |
| Seaplane | $300–$550 | No |
Not sure which one your dates and destination need? We'll check your flight time against transfer cutoffs before you book anything.
See the full Transfer Guide