Maldives 10 days
Discussion
If you were going to the Maldives for 10 days would you pick a closer island to Male to cut down on the sea plane transfer ?
Also do the boat transfer islands have later check outs compared to the sea plane islands ?
Lastly would you fly out direct (virgin) or go with emirates/singapore air but have a stop over ?
Also do the boat transfer islands have later check outs compared to the sea plane islands ?
Lastly would you fly out direct (virgin) or go with emirates/singapore air but have a stop over ?
I wouldn’t pick an island based on if it’s sea plane or boat transfer, not sure it really matters too much. The seaplanes are probably faster than the boat transfer so not sure about the early checkout. The times I’ve been I’ve only done boat transfer.
In terms of flights I’d personally fly direct as it’s just easier.
My tip would be to pick an island with a good coral reef, as they do vary. If you like snorkelling definitely worth researching the reef.
In terms of flights I’d personally fly direct as it’s just easier.
My tip would be to pick an island with a good coral reef, as they do vary. If you like snorkelling definitely worth researching the reef.
Sea plane is a brilliant experience if you haven't done it already. The transfers are expensive however.
Booked 8 nights couple of weeks ago and got 1/2 price transfers. We used destination2.
Snorkling and wildlife is amazing.
Food is great. Especially if you like asian influence.
Also, not many Americans ! Having said that, lots of Russians. Aeroflot fly to Male.
Booked 8 nights couple of weeks ago and got 1/2 price transfers. We used destination2.
Snorkling and wildlife is amazing.
Food is great. Especially if you like asian influence.
Also, not many Americans ! Having said that, lots of Russians. Aeroflot fly to Male.
I've flown direct and done both plane and boat...I like both, the flying fish and eagle rays leaping about when traveling by boat were very cool to see but it was glassy flat calm. View of the atolls' from the planes are great, was in twin otters with Canadian pilots wearing flipflops...
Been to the Maldives twice.
First time was a speedboat transfer, stormy both directions, but that was due to the time of year, unfortunately.
Second time was Jan 2020, and we had to use a seaplane as the island resort was a long way south of Malé. We had to land at 2 other islands en route for drop offs. It’s a cool experience, all the TO and landings.
(Just had to look it up, recommended: Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives)
Please don’t book based on close proximity to Malé. The closer you are, the more likely you’ve large jets on approach or take off, which will ruin any idea of a peaceful island holiday!
First time was a speedboat transfer, stormy both directions, but that was due to the time of year, unfortunately.
Second time was Jan 2020, and we had to use a seaplane as the island resort was a long way south of Malé. We had to land at 2 other islands en route for drop offs. It’s a cool experience, all the TO and landings.
(Just had to look it up, recommended: Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives)
Please don’t book based on close proximity to Malé. The closer you are, the more likely you’ve large jets on approach or take off, which will ruin any idea of a peaceful island holiday!
We have been on a speedboat transfer & a seaplane, both are unique and great fun, don't worry about the distance from Male in my view.
We have been to
1. Chaaya Dhonveli
2. Ellaidhoo
3. Bandos
All are fabulous though... We aren't rich & when we went Dhonveli was the cheapest. One thing I would say though go all inclusive.
- Pete
We have been to
- Chaaya Dhonveli
- Bandos
- Ellaidhoo
1. Chaaya Dhonveli
2. Ellaidhoo
3. Bandos
All are fabulous though... We aren't rich & when we went Dhonveli was the cheapest. One thing I would say though go all inclusive.
- Pete
We’ve spent a lot of time in the Maldives. Flights have changed a lot since the first time we went, you can now fly direct from the UK to Male. Once there it used to be transfers by seaplane, speed boat or dhoni. Note that now a lot of islands are accessed by domestic flights and then a speedboat.
In recent years it has become very popular with Russians. Especially since Ukraine kicked off - you’ve been warned. Also very popular with Germans - the majority of the Germans love their diving and are very pleasant to be around on the dhonis and dive centre.
In recent years it rains a lot, and even the usual low monsoon months of late Nov to early March are seeing much heavier and more frequent rain bursts - which ruins the water clarity (and can be frustrating given its mostly a chill out on the beach or by the pool type of holiday). Also note that there is an increased level of erosion there so you will see quite a bit of sand bags and man made solutions to reduce the impact.
Some of the islands can be very different experiences from one side to the other (even the real small ones) depending on what direction the wind blows and where they are positioned within certain atolls and lagoons. Water villas can be noisy throughout the night if there are waves and it can make it difficult to sleep. Also note some islands are now quite wave whipped - this attracts surfers (being a diver, snorkeler and surfer it can be good and bad for me), what is strange is that when we started going 20years ago you rarely saw waves - certainly nothing worth surfing on but climate change has already impacted that.
If you get the chance, go to see the local islands - the people are lovely - unbelievably welcoming - so much so it’s been almost a second home for us over the last 20years.
There is a great variation in price, the level of service and the quality of food, accommodation and environment. If you are interested and have narrowed down to a few islands then feel free to PM me as we’ve visited over a dozen (some we go back to, some we don’t).
Also consider flight arrival times - if you get there late then sometimes you have to stay in Male and will then transfer to your island the next morning, same at the end of the holiday for departing on very early flights. This is more of a problem for seaplanes.
One visit resulted with us returning for the domestic flight on a speedboat in pitch black at about 4am - with young kids it was terrifying as we could easily have struck floating debris. Made sure that would never be repeated!
In recent years it has become very popular with Russians. Especially since Ukraine kicked off - you’ve been warned. Also very popular with Germans - the majority of the Germans love their diving and are very pleasant to be around on the dhonis and dive centre.
In recent years it rains a lot, and even the usual low monsoon months of late Nov to early March are seeing much heavier and more frequent rain bursts - which ruins the water clarity (and can be frustrating given its mostly a chill out on the beach or by the pool type of holiday). Also note that there is an increased level of erosion there so you will see quite a bit of sand bags and man made solutions to reduce the impact.
Some of the islands can be very different experiences from one side to the other (even the real small ones) depending on what direction the wind blows and where they are positioned within certain atolls and lagoons. Water villas can be noisy throughout the night if there are waves and it can make it difficult to sleep. Also note some islands are now quite wave whipped - this attracts surfers (being a diver, snorkeler and surfer it can be good and bad for me), what is strange is that when we started going 20years ago you rarely saw waves - certainly nothing worth surfing on but climate change has already impacted that.
If you get the chance, go to see the local islands - the people are lovely - unbelievably welcoming - so much so it’s been almost a second home for us over the last 20years.
There is a great variation in price, the level of service and the quality of food, accommodation and environment. If you are interested and have narrowed down to a few islands then feel free to PM me as we’ve visited over a dozen (some we go back to, some we don’t).
Also consider flight arrival times - if you get there late then sometimes you have to stay in Male and will then transfer to your island the next morning, same at the end of the holiday for departing on very early flights. This is more of a problem for seaplanes.
One visit resulted with us returning for the domestic flight on a speedboat in pitch black at about 4am - with young kids it was terrifying as we could easily have struck floating debris. Made sure that would never be repeated!
Edited by W12GT on Friday 29th December 19:25
We got back from the Maldives a few weeks ago.
Our resort was about 20 mins away from Male by speedboat which the resort arranged based in arrival times. 6 of us of the same plane as had been on a tour of Sri Lanka.
It is the departure that you need to consider imo, some people we were talking at the airport had a 45 minute seaplane trip which had involved an early start to get to Male - you need at least 3 hours to get through the airport. They also said that they still were worried about getting the flight!
We flew with Qatar with a change in Doha which went very smoothly both ways - if they think they connection may be tight, your bags are flagged up accordingly (saw other people having theirs done).
Depending on how much you like to dive and snorkel then 10 days May be too long. Hire of equipment at our resort was very expensive and our friends who are qualified to dive but hadn’t done for a while were told they would have to do another course at further expense. They didn’t bother.
Our resort was about 20 mins away from Male by speedboat which the resort arranged based in arrival times. 6 of us of the same plane as had been on a tour of Sri Lanka.
It is the departure that you need to consider imo, some people we were talking at the airport had a 45 minute seaplane trip which had involved an early start to get to Male - you need at least 3 hours to get through the airport. They also said that they still were worried about getting the flight!
We flew with Qatar with a change in Doha which went very smoothly both ways - if they think they connection may be tight, your bags are flagged up accordingly (saw other people having theirs done).
Depending on how much you like to dive and snorkel then 10 days May be too long. Hire of equipment at our resort was very expensive and our friends who are qualified to dive but hadn’t done for a while were told they would have to do another course at further expense. They didn’t bother.
I’ve done the Maldives a few times, all by seaplane, rarely any long delays, apart from a dodgy landing once in rough seas where we needed two goes to land with a few alarms going on the flight deck. Those pilots are awesome.
I get bored quickly and I love the place, I stick a snorkel on and turn into a fish whilst the better half relaxes.
I get bored quickly and I love the place, I stick a snorkel on and turn into a fish whilst the better half relaxes.
We went to the Maldives last year for our honeymoon, our seaplane transfer was around 45 mins but we loved every minute of it, we stopped at 2 resorts en-route but each stop was only 5 mins or so. A couple of hours in a stay of 10 days is nothing, plus you can rarely check into your villa as soon as you arrive anyway.
Word of warning however, you may be allowed 23kg of baggage or more if Business etc but TMA allowance is only 20kg so you will almost certainly have excess baggage fees at the seaplane terminal. It's not a lot but they don't tell you this when booking.
Word of warning however, you may be allowed 23kg of baggage or more if Business etc but TMA allowance is only 20kg so you will almost certainly have excess baggage fees at the seaplane terminal. It's not a lot but they don't tell you this when booking.
We went this this year and last and stayed at the same place “you & me Maldives”. Was stunning and loved it both times.
Will go back. We went by seaplane. I wouldn’t want to be near male, no reason other than might hear/see the planes and where we was was paradise, we also had no problem with timings although went in Jan both years so weather great.
It’s a wonderful place.
We stayed for 10 nights both times and was the right timing. I get bored easily but this place taught me to relax. I truly didn’t want to come home and never get like that.
We flew direct the first time (BA) and with Etihad the second (3 hours in Abu Dhabi each way).
Direct was better but indirect was £1500 cheaper this year (only £500) last year so we made the right choice both times.
Will go back. We went by seaplane. I wouldn’t want to be near male, no reason other than might hear/see the planes and where we was was paradise, we also had no problem with timings although went in Jan both years so weather great.
It’s a wonderful place.
We stayed for 10 nights both times and was the right timing. I get bored easily but this place taught me to relax. I truly didn’t want to come home and never get like that.
We flew direct the first time (BA) and with Etihad the second (3 hours in Abu Dhabi each way).
Direct was better but indirect was £1500 cheaper this year (only £500) last year so we made the right choice both times.
Edited by interstellar on Friday 29th December 23:25
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