Here’s What’s In and Around Maldives Airport

There is only one international airport in The Maldives, and the name of that airport in the Maldives is Velana International Airport. Also known as Malé International Airport, it’s located at a 10-minute taxi or ferry ride from Malé, the capital of The Maldives. The airport is compact but highly functional with 3 terminals, for local as well as well international travels. Since it’s the airport through which all international tourists visit The Maldives, it is well-equipped with all facilities to meet the needs of international travellers. It also has hotels and resorts nearby for stays.

Everything You Should Know about Velana International Airport

Velana International Airport is the main airport of The Maldives. It has 3 terminals: the Domestic Terminal, the International Terminal, and Seaplane Terminal for resort seaplane and inter-island transfers. Checking in at any hotel or resort in the vicinity is quick and easy.

Parking

If someone is picking you up from the airport, the airport has a parking facility. Before the construction of Sinamalé Bridge, there was no connection between Malé and the airport. The only way to reach it was via a ferry ride. The construction of the bridge has connected the two islands and made them accessible. Now a parking facility is available at the airport.

Public Transportation

There are no car rental firms in The Maldives. You will have to use public transport to travel to various destinations. As such, there are various public transport services available from The Maldives international airport. They are:

1. Ferry:

For travelling from Velana International Airport to Malé and back, ferries are available for a low price from 24 hours a day and 6 days a week. These ferries operate at a gap of 10 minutes from 6 am to 2:30 am, 30 minutes from 2:30 am to 4 am, and 15 minutes from 4 am to 6 am. Despite these being official times, the schedule is dependent on various uncontrollable factors and your ferry might be early or late.

2. Taxi

Now that the construction of Sinmalé Bridge finished in 2018, its operation has begun. At present, it is the only road that connects Hulhulé Island (the island where the airport is located) to the capital city of Malé. Before 2018, there was no road and people had to rely on ferries and speedboats to travel from Malé Island to the airport and vice versa.

3. Speedboats

Another great public transport service available is speedboats. Whether you want to travel from the airport to Malé or any other island in the North or South Malé atolls, speedboats will take you there in no time. The price for a speedboat is dependent on the distance you are travelling.

4. Seaplanes

The Maldives has the largest fleet of seaplanes in the world. They operate from sunrise and sunset and are a common means of transport between the airport and Malé. Even the locals use it.  However, tourists do not need to book seaplanes for travelling. The price for a seaplane ride is included in the hotel room cost. When you reach the airport, you will have a seaplane waiting for you to take you to Malé and from there to the airport. Please note that not all resorts and hotels provide this service. Inquire about it from the resort or hotel you have booked if they offer this service.

Places to Eat and Drink

Unlike you might imagine, Velana International Airport is not open 24 hours.  It is usually closed between 12 am and 6 am. As a result, even the eateries at the airport close at night. Nevertheless, there are plenty of eateries at the airport, including Thai Express, Burger King, the Coffee Club, The Pizza Company, and more at the International Terminal. There are small and simple café at the Domestic Terminal, too.

Places to Visit in The Maldives

Now that you know everything you need to know about the main airport of The Maldives, let’s take a look at the best places to visit when you’re there. You will obviously not be visiting The Maldives only to visit the airport. The Maldives is a popular honeymoon destination and people book good Maldives honeymoon packages to commence their married life. But it’s visited by solo and family tourists. Since India has good diplomatic relationships with several Asian countries, there are several visa-free countries for Indians and countries with visas on arrival. The Maldives is one of the countries in the latter category. Let’s take a look at some of the places to visit when you’re travelling to The Maldives.

1. Malé Atoll

Malé is the largest city of The Maldives and also its capital. So whoever visits the country, the first place they visit is Malé Atoll. Here, you can partake in plenty of water sports like scuba diving, diving, snorkelling, and more. If you are not into water sports and want to visit some tourist destinations, Malé has plenty of them, including Tsunami monuments and Malé’s National Museum.

2. Maafushi Island

The Maldives is an archipelago and one of its most popular islands is the Maafushi Island. Here, not only can you enjoy fancy beaches and indulge in a galore of water activities, but also enjoy authentic Maldivian dishes. Here, you can meet with the sharks and manta rays. But if you prefer to keep it simple and do café hopping, Maafushi Island has a lot of cafés for you to visit and try new food.

3. Banana Reef

As its name suggests, it’s a reef in the shape of a banana.  Here, you can experience exquisite marine life that people visit the Maldives for. The Maldives is known for its diverse marine life in the sea surrounding the islands. You can most of them here at the Banana Reef. In addition to exploring the sea life, it is also one of the most colourful and beautiful islands in the Maldives. Every second spent here will be worth it. You will never want to return home from the Banana Reef.

4. Alimatha Island

Another great island to visit in the Maldives is the Alimatha Island in Vaavu Atoll. Located on the edge of East Maldives, the island is perfect for diving enthusiasts. Whether you like to play volleyball at the beach or like to do boating, you can enjoy all of them on this island. In addition to this, there are plenty of bars and spas on the island that you can visit to relax.

5. Artificial Beach

The Maldives does not only offer water activities and places to relax. If you are a carnival person, even then the Maldives is a good location for you. Located in North Mal-Atoll, Artificial Beach is visited mostly by the young crowd who wish to unwind at the shore amidst the rising waves. There are plenty of places where you can sit and have a good drink. Artificial Beach will offer you the perfect staycation.

The list of places to visit in the Maldives is endless, but these 5 places should be a good starting point to explore the country. Now you know everything there is to know about the international airport of the Maldives and the best places to visit there. So book a good Maldives tour package for yourself today.