How to Get to and Around the Maldives – Travelling in Paradise

 Tipped to be among the world's most popular honeymoon destinations, the Maldives welcomes travellers from across the globe annually. Often described as one of the last remaining beach paradises on the planet, the pristine natural beauty of the archipelago is the main reason most tourists flock to this island nation. From getting into and travelling around in style, here are some tips on how to manage transport options in the Maldives.

Getting In

Travellers heading to the Maldives must first secure a visa to enter the country as tourists. But one should keep in mind that the Maldives offers a free 30-day visa upon arrival for those hailing from specific countries. The most convenient and efficient way to enter the Maldives is via a flight from any one of the neighbouring nations that offer direct flights to the country's main airport, Velana International Airport, on Hulhulé Island. Located next to the nation's capital Male, there are direct flights available from countries such as Sri Lanka, China, Dubai, and India through a plethora of airlines for those who are visiting the Maldives from European nations or the Americas. Although it was a possibility in decades past, it is no longer possible to enter the Maldives via boat or any water-bound method.

Find a Convenient Hotel

                                      Img via OZEN Life Maadhoo

One aspect that can make travelling around the Maldives a hassle-free experience is finding a base at a luxury resort in Maldives that is centrally located. Those who base themselves in far-flung atolls and remote corners of the country will find that reaching the capital, the airport, and other islands in the archipelago is both a time consuming and an expensive task. So, whether it's the OZEN Life Maadhoo or any other venue, ensure the locale offers easy access to the main points of attraction around the country.

Airport Transfers

Tourists arriving in the Maldives should be aware of the fact that most resort islands are located away from Hulhumale Island and can only be reached via seaplane or boat transfer. Both of these transfer options cease operations at the end of the workday, which means those who arrive in the Maldives past 6 pm will have to spend a night in Male before heading to the resort of their choice in the morning. Making a reservation at a Male hotel for an overnight stay is a good idea even if one is scheduled to arrive during the daytime; this is to avoid being stranded in Male without a room for the night as delays may leave one in such circumstances.

Exploring the Capital

As the only cosmopolitan space in the Maldives, traditional transport methods such as buses and three-wheelers are only accessible to tourists in the nation's capital. Those who are going on sightseeing tours in Male will find that most attractions in the city are within walking distance of one another and can be easily explored on foot. This is especially true for those who plan on touring the Grand Friday Mosque, Sultan Park, and the National Museum.

Travelling Around Elsewhere

Apart from explorations in Male, all other excursions in the Maldives are conducted via water bound transport methods or boat transfers. Travelling between atolls, island hopping tours, and scuba diving experiences are all carried out on yachts, ferries, speedboats, or catamarans. Most of these tour packages are organised by local tour operators or the resort base, so the cost of travel to and from a certain location will all be included in the cost of the experience. This also includes dolphin watching safaris, sunset cruises, and other sailing expeditions although travellers can hire a speed boat or kayak and explore the surrounding of their own accord as well.