Getting Around Maldives

Air

Internal flights in the Maldives are operated by Maldivian (tel: +960 3335 544;www.maldivian.aero), linking Malé with provincial centres including Dharavandhoo, Fuvahmulah, Hanimaadhoo, Kaadedhdhoo, Kudahuvadhoo, Kooddoo and Thimarafushi.

Trans Maldivian Airways (tel: +960 3312 999;www.transmaldivian.com) and Maldive Seaplane Transfer (tel: +960 7973 501;www.atolltransfer.com) operate seaplane transfers from Malé airport to individual resorts. These services are also available for charter trips around the islands.

Road

Only a few islands are large enough to accommodate automobiles. There are roads in Malé, and a couple of other islands support small tarmacked strips. Dirt roads on other islands are often kept in good condition by resorts. Travel on individual islands does not present any problem since few of them take longer than half an hour to cross on foot. Overland transport on resort islands is by golf buggy.

Side of the road

Taxi

On some of the bigger islands, including Malé, Hulhumalé and Fuvahmulah, it is possible to take taxis.

Bike

A lot of resorts and guesthouses offer bike hire free of charge.

Coach

The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) (tel: +960 3326 822) operates bus routes on Malé and Hulhumalé. Buses are a cheaper alternative to taxis but can get very crowded, especially during the rainy season from May – October.

Documentation

A local driving licence is required when driving a car in the Maldives. An international driving licence is not sufficient.

Rail

There are no rail services in the Maldives.

Water

Visitors generally remain on their resort island for the duration of their stay, although island-hopping trips by dhoni charters are widely available. High-speed boats usually meet arrivals at the airport, supplied by the resort they are booked with.

There are ferries operating between some of the islands, and private boat hire is available as well but should be booked ahead of arrival. Operators include Atoll Transfer (tel: +960 7973 501;www.atolltransfer.com) and Partmarine Maldives (tel: +960 7776 017;www.partmarinemaldives.com).