Airports in the Maldives

Most Maldives holidays start at one airport: Velana International Airport, next to the capital, Malé. The country also has a few other airports with international status, and a network of small domestic airports that link the atolls.

This guide covers both. It walks you through a typical arrival at Velana, explains where the other international airports fit in, and shows how domestic airports work as part of your resort transfer. Entry rules and flight routes can change, so always check the official sources before you travel.

International airports

The Maldives Civil Aviation Authority lists a handful of airports with international status. For most visitors, though, only one matters, because nearly all international flights arrive there.

Velana International Airport, the main gateway

Velana International Airport sits on Hulhulé, an island linked to Malé by bridge. It has separate terminals for international flights, domestic flights and seaplanes, so every type of resort transfer starts here. Arrival is usually straightforward: a short walk from the plane, immigration, baggage and customs, then a resort representative to take you on to your transfer.

Before you fly: the traveller declaration

All foreign visitors must complete a free online Traveller Declaration on IMUGA, the official Maldives Immigration portal (imuga.immigration.gov.mv). The form asks for your passport, flight and accommodation details.

• Timing. Submit it within 96 hours before your flight. Earlier submissions aren't accepted.
• Everyone needs one. Each traveller, including children, submits their own declaration.
• It's free. Use only the official portal. Other websites may charge a fee.
• Keep the confirmation. Save it on your phone, in case immigration asks to see it.

Immigration and the visa on arrival

Tourists don't need to apply for a visa in advance. A free tourist visa, usually for up to 30 days, is granted on arrival if you meet the basic entry requirements:

• A passport with a machine-readable zone, valid for at least one month. Children need their own passport.
• A confirmed return or onward ticket.
• A confirmed booking at a registered resort or hotel, or proof of enough funds for your stay.
• The completed Traveller Declaration.

Entry is always decided by the immigration officer. Requirements can change and some depend on nationality, so check the Maldives Immigration website before you travel.

Baggage and customs

After immigration, collect your luggage and pass through customs. A few things are banned or restricted:

• Prohibited. Narcotics, pornographic material, religious material offensive to Islam, idols for worship and live pigs.
• Alcohol. You can't bring alcohol into the Maldives, including duty-free. It will be held at customs. Alcohol is served at resorts.
• Pork. Pork products are also restricted.

If you take prescription medicines, bring them in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription, and check the rules for any controlled medicines before you travel.

Meeting your resort team

In the arrivals hall, resort representatives and tour operators meet their guests, either at a counter or holding a sign. Your resort knows your flight details in advance and will guide you through the next steps. When you book with us, we confirm who will meet you and how your transfer works.

Onward transfers from Velana

How you reach your resort depends on its location:

• Speedboat. Resorts near Malé use speedboats, which leave from jetties close to the arrivals area.
• Seaplane. Your representative helps you check in, then takes you on a short drive to the seaplane terminal on the other side of the airport. Many resorts have lounges there for waiting guests. Seaplanes fly only in daylight.
• Domestic flight. For more distant resorts, you take a domestic flight from the airport's domestic terminal, usually followed by a short speedboat ride.

If you land after dark and your resort uses seaplanes, you may need a night near the airport. Our transfers guide explains each option, including luggage limits on seaplanes. With time to spare, you could see the capital: our Malé guide has ideas.

Other international airports

A few other airports also have international status. They mainly serve the far north and south of the country, and their international routes are limited:

• Gan International Airport. In Addu City, in the far south. At the time of writing, it has a small number of scheduled flights to Colombo in Sri Lanka, as well as domestic flights.
• Hanimaadhoo International Airport. In Haa Dhaalu Atoll, in the far north. At the time of writing, it has a few scheduled flights to southern India, as well as domestic flights.
• Maafaru International Airport. In Noonu Atoll. It mainly handles private jets and charter flights, along with domestic flights, rather than scheduled international routes.
• Villa International Airport. On Maamigili, in South Ari Atoll. It has international status but is used mainly for domestic flights.

Routes at these airports change often, so check with the airline before you plan around them. Wherever you land, the same entry rules apply, including the traveller declaration. Unless you tell us otherwise, we plan your transfer from Velana.

Domestic airports

Domestic airports are small regional airports spread across the atolls. Domestic airlines link them with Velana's domestic terminal, and resorts in more distant atolls use them for the first part of the transfer.

Examples used by resort guests include Dharavandhoo (Baa), Ifuru (Raa), Kudahuvadhoo (Dhaalu), Kooddoo (Gaafu) and Kadhdhoo (Laamu). The Civil Aviation Authority publishes the full list of aerodromes. For guests, a domestic transfer usually works like this:

• Your resort books it. The domestic flight is usually arranged by your resort as part of the transfer, timed around your international flight.
• You connect at Velana. After arrival, your representative takes you to the domestic terminal and helps with check-in.
• A speedboat finishes the trip. At the regional airport, the resort team meets you for a short speedboat ride to the island.
• Check the luggage limit. Domestic airlines set their own limits, which can be lower than on your international flight.

Many domestic routes also operate into the evening, which can help on a late arrival. Schedules vary by route, so confirm yours when you book.

Tips for a smooth arrival

• Have documents ready. Keep your passport, return ticket, booking confirmation and declaration confirmation together.
• Dress for the heat. It's hot and humid all year, so wear light layers on the plane.
• Keep essentials in your hand luggage. Pack swimwear, sun cream and any medicines, in case your bags take a while on seaplane days.
• Share your flight times early. Transfers are planned around them, especially seaplanes.