Joanna James
On the topic of transportation in the Maldives, one will be confronted with a slew of choices with each offering its own unique experiences. Have a look at these 4 ways to commute through these isles.
To the unsuspecting vacationer or newbie holidaymaker in this part of the world, the words ‘Maldives’ and ‘Cycles’ may sound a tad too ambitious for one’s liking given what is generally associated with travelling through the island nation. However, this form of transport is one of the sought-after ways of getting to know the islands and especially, the larger ones. Imagine peddling along under the shade of coconut palms as the refreshing sea breeze coaxes you towards stunning sunrises or dreamy sunsets. Since this mode of transport is limited to the big islands, it is prudent to query your hotel or resort on the availability of the same. In the event you still want to give cycling a go in these paradisiacal environs, then think on your feet and pack in a folding bike in your suitcase.
Ferry travel in the Maldives brings with it a host of benefits and value additions. Not only is this mode of transportation the most affordable in these parts but from an operational point of view, the ferry service is known to run for a major part of the week beginning from as early as 6 am up until 6 pm. Generally, fares tend to hover between the ranges of MVR 30 to MVR 60 per head for a duration that can even exceed 5 hours based on the fact that some of the atolls are nestled well away from the capital of Male. Also, accessing public inter-island ferries will incur a per-head cost of between MVR 30 to MVR 75 while the ferry ride from the local airport to Male will see to it that you pocket out a mere MVR 40. Where you happen to be staying on a budget, ferry transportation will be your perfect tonic but it does arrive with a sole caveat which is that these vessels do not stop at popular resort islands.
An excellent way to signal your arrival in the Maldives is to schedule a speedboat transfer that will soon have you beelining for your lodging at a rate of knots. Booking this mode of transport can be done on your own or you can rely on the staff of your hotel or resort Maldives has to offer such as Kuramathi Maldives to do the needful. Although noted for their hassle-free nature, speedboat transfers are not the most cost effective and can have you paying a fee as high as MVR 3,500. Depending on the exact location of your accommodation, it is best to ponder your options carefully before committing to a particular facility as when in the Maldives, one must always look forward to investing as much time and money as getting to know the nation’s culture and its spectacular outdoors.
Renowned for affording guests unmatched levels of comfort, convenience and pampering, chartering the services of a private yacht will appear worthy of one’s attention and further action. Though it would make sense to opt for such a vessel if you are holidaying as part of a large group, smaller contingents of travellers should never shy away from associating themselves with a luxurious cruise to remote islands and isolated reefs. Overall, the price will be influenced based on the nature of the yacht, the facilities provided and the number in your group but in a general sense, a motor yacht with a crew of 3 for a group of 6 will carry a daily price tag of MVR 55,000.
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