Most people travelling to Maldives land at Male’s Velana International Airport, but chances are that if you are heading to Maldives, the City of Male isn’t your final destination. In this post I want to talk about what happens when you arrive in Male and how you make your way to that long awaited resort paradise.

Although my own experience is specific to the St Regis, the process will more or less be similar no matter which resort you are staying at.

On Arrival

As you collect your luggage and exit the secured airport area, you will most likely be met with a resort representative in the arrival hall holding a sign with your name. In my case, the St Regis Airport butler (that is how he introduced himself) lay waiting.

Majority of resorts in Maldives are accessible either through the speed boat or the sea-plane. If you are making a sea-plane transfer, expect the rep to take care of your luggage and escort you to the nearby Trans Maldivian Airways check-in desks.

Sea-plane Transfer Check-in Area

Map of Resorts where Trans Maldivian Airways fly

You do not need to get in the queue to check-in, simply handover the passport to the rep who will do this for you. Now, some people might be a little apprehensive about parting with their passport, rest assured, mine was delivered back to me safely a little while later. From this point on, the resort and the sea-plane staff will co-ordinate to transport your bags directly to your room at the resort.

Before the airport butler went for check-in, he passed me on to one of his other colleague who would drive me to the sea-plane terminal. The terminal is about 5 minutes from the International Airport and I was whisked away in a St Regis branded air conditioned limousine, which besides other things came fitted with wifi.

Expect limousine transfers to the Sea-plane Terminal

As we alighted from the limo, I took a peek at the terminal building which was impressive. I was informed by the staff that the terminal was brand spanking new and had opened just a couple of months ago.

External View of the Sea-plane Terminal

Once inside the glistening new terminal looked pretty empty, but other than that not very different from a regular airport terminal.

Sea-plane Terminal Hall

Sea-plane Terminal Hall

The staff advised me that while the sea-plane was prepared for departure, I am welcome to wait around in the lounge. On the way to the lounge, I passed what looked like a Trans Maldivian Airways Check-in area which wasn’t operational. My feeling is that at some point in future, this is where guests will be checking-in for their transfers.

Trans Maldivian Airways Check-in at the new sea-plane terminal

The lounge is located 1 level up and had a fresh, new look about it. It was huge with tonnes & tonnes of seating.

Lounge at the Sea-plane Terminal

Lounge at the Sea-plane Terminal

Lounge at the Sea-plane Terminal

Lounge at the Sea-plane Terminal

The lounge has an outdoor terrace with more seating and views of the parked sea-planes. Toilets and showers are located back near the entrance and looked in great condition.

Terrace Seating at the Sea-plane Terminal

Toilets & Showers at the Sea-plane Terminal

Toilets & Showers at the Sea-plane Terminal

There was light breakfast on offer at the lounge, unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of the buffet. The offering wasn’t substantial and mainly consisted of pastry items such as cakes, croissants, fresh fruits and juices. Tea and coffee could be ordered with the staff who brought it to your table.

While I was having my cappuccino, the airport butler arrived and handed me back my passport and the boarding pass.

Boarding pass for my sea-plane transfer to The St Regis Maldives

At this time, the butler advised me that boarding was due to commence in 10 minutes. He also advised that enroute to the St Regis, the sea-plane would make a stop and drop-off passengers at another resort.

Soon after, I made my way through the departure gate into the waiting area inside.

Signs to the Departure Gate at the Sea-plane Terminal

Flight display board at the Sea-plane Terminal

At this point the butler farewelled me, with the promise that he will see me again in few days when I depart Maldives. A few minutes later, the passengers were led away to the waiting sea-plane by Trans Maldivian Airways staff. And thus started a new adventure.

Aerial View of the City of Male from the Sea-plane

In Conclusion

Getting to Maldives is one thing, but the holiday in earnest only begins once you jump onboard the sea-plane or your speed boat. Depending on which resort you are heading to, the sea-plane ride can take anywhere between 30-60 minutes.

Maldives has become a very popular destination in recent years and as a result commands eye-watering prices, thankfully there are tonnes of resorts where you can redeem points.

Note that there is an additional (very substantial) cost for sea-plane transfers which cannot be paid with points. I will talk more about it when I publish the review for The St. Regis Maldives in few days time. Keep an eye out for it.