17 of the best · the Maldives, Indian Ocean
Velana and the regional airports, the seaplane airlines, domestic flights, ferries and liveaboards, the entry rules, and our guide to choosing a transfer.
Our 17 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love the Maldives.
The gateway, and the seaplane hub
The main international gateway, with a 3,400 m runway, flights to more than 40 destinations and the Noovilu seaplane hub.
Velana International Airport, Hulhulé 22000, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
The world’s largest seaplane fleet
The world’s largest seaplane operator, flying from the Noovilu Seaplane Terminal at Velana International Airport.
Velana International Airport, P.O. Box 2023, Malé, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Seaplane, flight or speedboat?
The back story
How transfers work in the Maldives: speedboats for nearby resorts, seaplanes in daylight, domestic flights to a dozen airports, public ferries and the entry rules to know before you fly.
Entry rules.
No pre-approval needed
Tourists receive a visa on arrival, provided they meet the entry requirements set by Maldives Immigration.
Fill it in within 96 hours of arrival
The official traveller declaration every foreign arrival must submit online, within 96 hours before landing.
The gateways.
Fly to the one-island atoll
Fuvahmulah’s domestic airport, which makes the one-island atoll an easy flight from Malé.
Fuvahmulah, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
The gateway to the south
Addu’s airport on Gan, built by the British as an RAF staging post in the 1950s and handed to the Maldives in 1976.
Gan, Addu City, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Private jets to Noonu
An international airport in Noonu Atoll used by private jets, a seven-minute seaplane hop from Velaa.
Maafaru, Noonu Atoll, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
The world’s largest seaplane hub
The seaplane terminal at Velana International Airport, which the airport operator calls the world’s largest seaplane hub.
Velana International Airport, Hulhulé 22000, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
The gateway, and the seaplane hub
The main international gateway, with a 3,400 m runway, flights to more than 40 destinations and the Noovilu seaplane hub.
Velana International Airport, Hulhulé 22000, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
To the atolls.
Domestic flights and seaplanes
The national carrier, with domestic flights to regional airports, its own seaplane service and charters.
4th Floor, H. Gadhamoo Building, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Malé 20066, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Twin Otters to the resorts
A Maldivian airline flying DHC-6 Twin Otter seaplanes to resorts across the atolls.
Kaneeru Villa (4th Floor), Orchid Magu, Malé 20212, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
The world’s largest seaplane fleet
The world’s largest seaplane operator, flying from the Noovilu Seaplane Terminal at Velana International Airport.
Velana International Airport, P.O. Box 2023, Malé, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
By sea.
Two or three days through the atolls
The adventurous way south: a cargo boat from Malé to Addu, stopping at local islands along the way.
Sail the atolls
Liveaboard boats that cruise between atolls, popular with divers who want to cover several regions in one trip.
The country’s biggest ferry network
MTCC’s Raajje Transport Link, the country’s biggest fast-ferry network, which reached its fifteenth atoll in April 2026.
Buses and ferries around Addu
MTCC’s Southern Transport Link, which Visit Maldives recommends for planning travel around Addu Atoll.
Taxis and link roads.
The longest link road in the country
The causeway road that links Addu’s islands from Hithadhoo to the airport island, Gan, the longest in the Maldives.
Addu City, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Straight to the capital
If you are staying in Malé, Visit Maldives says you can take a taxi from the airport.
Velana International Airport, Hulhulé 22000, Republic of MaldivesExplore View on map
Seaplanes fly in daylight only. If you land after dark you may need a night near the airport.
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