What to expect from a seaplane transfer in the Maldives
- Henna Shah
- Mar 31
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 25
What is a seaplane? A seaplane is a unique type of airplane designed to take off and land on water. For many travellers, especially those visiting the Maldives for the first time, the experience of boarding a Maldivian seaplane—transiting from Velana International Airport in Male to their island resort—is truly one-of-a-kind and unforgettable.
We have covered our trip to the Maldives in 4 Chapters from the lens of travelling from India, experiences to include in your itinerary, adventure activities to include in your travel plan, availability of vegetarian food in the Maldives and a complete tropical holiday packing list for the Indian traveller.
You are reading Chapter 2.
Chapter 3: Vegetarian food in the Maldives
Table of contents
How to book a seaplane in the Maldives?
Most resorts offer seaplane transfer bookings directly, often bundled with your accommodation package. The transfer fee can be prepaid or settled at checkout as part of your resort bill. While the majority of resorts partner with Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) for seaplane services, a few have their own seaplane arrangements.
You can also book transfers independently through the TMA website. However, the prices are generally the same, and booking via your resort tends to be smoother and more convenient, especially when coordinating arrival and departure logistics.
Maldives seaplane cost
While round-trip flights from major Indian airports to Male can be quite affordable, the seaplane transfer itself is a significant additional expense. For Indian travellers, seaplane fares can range from $250 to as high as $900 per person round trip, depending on the distance to your resort.
For instance, our transfer to Thilamaafushi Island in the Lhaviyani Atoll cost $600 per person for a round trip. Although pricey, the aerial views and convenience might justify the cost for many travellers. We’ll discuss whether it’s worth it towards the end.
Seaplane luggage restrictions
Upon landing at Male’s Velana International Airport, there was a Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa representative at Arrivals, waiting to receive us.
He then escorted us to the Trans Maldivan Airways check-in counter where we checked-in all our suitcases, including the cabin bags since there is no stowage on a seaplane. The baggage allowance is 20 kg of check-in and 5 kg of cabin luggage. While we were well within the limit with a total of 4 suitcases that had to be checked in due to no stowage, the staff was friendly and not very rigid about the rules.
We were only left with our backpacks and we got our boarding passes for the seaplane transfer.
Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa Lounge at the seaplane terminal
We then boarded a coach to get to the seaplane terminal to wait for our seaplane transfer at the Le Meridien Lounge. This was a shared lounge between Le Meridien & Westin guests in the Maldives. If your resort does not have a dedicated lounge then there is a common waiting area for you to relax in till you board your seaplane.
The Le Meridien lounge smelled of baked goods that were spread across the countertop beside a coffee machine. You could also request the lounge staff for some sandwiches or wraps based on your dietary preference. Maldives being an Islamic country, there was no alcohol available in the lounge.
The lounge was also equipped with a plush washroom with an automated WC with a warm seat, sensor based opening technology followed by flushing & closing.
We spent a good 3.5 hours in the lounge, waiting to board our seaplane before we were again escorted to the seaplane jetty.
Are seaplanes safe in the Maldives?
We boarded the seaplane, buzzing with excitement for our first-ever takeoff and landing on water — truly a unique experience. Maldivian seaplanes are small and cosy, seating about 12 to 15 guests, which makes the journey feel intimate but very different from your typical commercial flight.
The crew takes passenger safety seriously and provides clear instructions on seating arrangements to ensure proper weight distribution throughout the aircraft. For instance, children are usually advised to sit in the middle seats rather than on the edges to maintain balance. Before take off, there is a concise but thorough safety briefing covering all essential procedures, followed by handing out earplugs — trust me, you’ll definitely need them once the engines roar to life.
Flying can understandably raise safety concerns, especially in times when many of us are more wary of air travel. It’s important to know that seaplanes operating in the Maldives are extremely well-maintained and undergo regular safety checks in line with international aviation standards.
The aqua runway, essentially a stretch of calm ocean, allows the seaplane to smoothly taxi, take off, and land on water. Even for those who might be anxious about flying or have a fear of heights, the take off and landing are surprisingly gentle—particularly in the dry season and clear weather, when conditions are optimal. Their schedule maybe interrupted during the wet season in the Maldives owing to weather conditions.
Flights are relatively short, generally lasting between 30 and 45 minutes, making them less stressful than longer flights. Sometimes, the seaplane serves multiple resorts and may make brief stops to drop off other guests, with the crew skillfully re-arranging seating to keep everything balanced and safe throughout. Overall, seaplane travel in the Maldives combines the thrill of flying with robust safety measures, providing peace of mind while delivering breathtaking views and a memorable journey.
Arrival at the Thilamaafushi Island in the Lhaviyani atoll
After soaking in all the breathtaking aerial views of the Maldivian atolls, we landed at the Le Meridien Resort & Spa on the Thilamafushi Island in the Lhaviyani atoll. We could see the resort staff wave to us even from up above as they warmly welcomed us to our home for the next one week.
After we deboarded, the staff also took out our luggage and brought it to the reception area as we waited for our check-in.
Alternative to a Maldivian seaplane: Ferry transfer
The alternative to a Maldivian seaplane transfer is to reach your resort by ferry. Any resort with a ferry ride above 90 mins is best accessed by seaplane. You have to choose between waiting for a couple of hours in the lounge or spend more time in a ferry on the water.
If you are claustrophobic, travelling with a young infant or are overweight, you may find the seaplane ride to be uncomfortable, especially the boarding and deplaning through the narrow stairs may cause you discomfort.
Departure from the resort to the airport via seaplane
Return seaplane transfers are coordinated by resort staff, who communicate timing details the evening before departure. Staff kept us informed of our seaplane’s arrival and any delays. Upon arrival back in Male, a coach took us from the seaplane terminal to Velana International Airport, with staff assisting with luggage. From there, it’s a straightforward check-in at your airline counter for your onward journey.
Last word: Is the seaplane transfer worth the price?
Our seaplane ride was an unforgettable experience and worth every penny for a first-timer. The stunning aerial views alone make it special. That said, the long waiting time at the lounge—about 3 to 4 hours—was a downside.
Next time, we might choose a resort accessible by ferry to save on transfer costs and waiting time. Still, if it’s your first trip to the Maldives, splurging on the seaplane transfer can be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure worth having.
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