With over 1200 islands making up the 26 atolls of the Maldives you can easily lose track of time on its pristine white sand beaches and turquoise blue waters. Travelling around this paradise can be done in many different ways. From seaplanes to ferries and speedboats there are many ways to travel between the different islands and each one provides a unique and different experience that can be quite enjoyable. Let us take a look at these different methods of getting around the Maldives.

Seaplanes - Photo by Peter Rolland on Unsplash

Travelling to the Maldives is frequently done by air, although also accessible by boat. If you are flying into the country, you will land at the Velana International Airport in Male. From the airport, you will need to decide on how to get to your final accommodation, and this will mostly depend on where you are planning on staying. Resorts such as OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO are close enough to be reached by a speedboat and offer 24-hour speedboat services that are scheduled according to the flights of the guests. There are also internal flights, seaplanes, private ferries and public ferries.

Internal flights are the ideal way to travel to the more remote islands or atolls. There is an extensive network of domestic airlines that make it quite easy to travel to even the furthest parts of the country. A few companies that operate internal flights are Maldivian Airlines, Trans Maldivian Airways, FlyMe and Manta Air. You can book your tickets online from the companies' websites. If you are staying in a resort they would be able to arrange everything for you, and payments to be arranged beforehand or at departure. If you have booked your Maldives trip with a travel agency, they will provide you with all the reservation details.

Seaplanes are a more luxurious and romantic way to get from one island to another as they offer a fantastic view of the islands as you fly by. They make for a very picturesque mode of transport, and they will take you to your destination in the least amount of time in most cases. The seaplanes leave from the special terminals of the Velana International Airport and usually take around 20 to 45 minutes. The price will vary depending on the distance between the islands, so it is important to check before making your bookings. Seaplane transfers can be arranged by your resort or your travel agency. Do note that seaplanes generally do not operate after sunset, so you may need to spend a night in Male City.

Speed boats are a fast and exciting way to cruise around Maldives at a fairly reasonable price. The main drawback is that they tend to get a bit cramped, so it is important to book your tickets well in advance. There are many scheduled speedboats operated by several companies in the Maldives. These companies also offer day trips to nearby islands, while if you are headed to a resort island the resort will take care of the bookings for you. Charter speedboats are also available, and they are faster than public ferries.

These are a cheaper alternative to speedboats and are a better option for groups of travellers if you are willing to rent the boat or charter one for a few hours to enjoy a slower cruise out on the water with your family or a group of friends. There are also public ferries that are mostly used by the locals. The drawback to these is that they are slow and can be uncomfortable to travel on, but you will be able to mingle with the locals and have the time to appreciate the sights.