Best Maldives resorts with speed boat transfers

Are you looking for the best Maldives resorts with speed boat transfers? The Maldives is a country that is spread out across many small islands and atolls. Some of the further away islands can only be reached by seaplane. However if you want a Maldives resort close to Male, then you will need to find one with speed boat transfer. In this guide we will round up all the best Maldives resorts accessible by speed boat to help you plan the perfect vacation. 

The Maldives is an amazing bucket list location and is perfect for those looking for a honeymoon, babymoon, or just wanting a special idyllic island getaway.

Along with places like Bora Bora and other French Polynesian islands, it is one of those once in a life time destinations.

We didn’t manage to go to the Maldives until we had a baby which completely changed what we wanted when looking for our paradise Maldives resort.

As when we traveled to the Maldives, we had a one year old with us it was important to find a resort close to Maldives that could be reached via speedboat. 

In this post we look at why you might want to stay at a resort with a speedboat transfer, the pros and cons of Maldives resorts accessible by speedboat and then round up the best Maldives resorts with speed boat transfers to give you plenty of options to plan your dream Maldives vacation. 

Why stay at Maldives resorts with speed boat transfers

Maldives Resorts with speed boat transfers

Everyone traveling to the Maldives will arrive at Male International Airport. As tourism is the main industry of the Maldives the airport, despite being small is quite well organized.

And once you arrive there are two options for transfer to your island resort paradise – seaplane or boat. 

Pros of staying in Maldives hotels with speed boat transfer 

So why would you want to stay at a Maldives hotel that has a speedboat transfer? Well: 

The Maldives speedboat transfers are generally quicker that the seaplane ones. Instead of having to get a bus to the local airport and then a seaplane transfer there, you have a simple walk to the speedboat transfer jetty across the way from the main airport.  

It literally takes minutes. From there you take your Maldives resorts speedboat from Male directly to the island you are staying on.

And if you are short on time in the Maldives, you can potentially maximise more of your time on your chosen island rather than waiting to transfer to it. 

Also, there are many people, and I count myself amongst these people who do not like taking small rotar planes. For people in this ground taking the boat can take the stress out of transfers. 

It is also worth noting that if your flight arrives in the Maldives boat transfer is a much better choice. That is because seaplanes can not leave during darkness so you can potentially get to your resort much quicker.

Note: not all speedboats may offer a 24 hour service so please check your flight time with the resort of your choice to work out how long your transfer will take. 

And finally, the cost of Maldives speedboat transfers is much cheaper than seaplane transfer. So if you are trying to visit the Maldives on a budget then a speedboat transfer is a better choice. The OBLU SELECT Lobigili even has complimentary speedboat transfers. 

Cons of staying in a Maldives resorts with speedboat transfers

For me the pros by far outweigh the cons of staying in a Maldives resorts with a speedboat transfer. However it is important to understand what you compromise by staying at one of the resorts closest to Malé international airport.

For me there is one major con when staying at a hotel in the Maldives with private speedboat transfer and that is the closeness to the main airport of the Maldives which means there is both light pollution and some noise issues. 

When we stayed in the Maldives we were at the resort closest to the airport, Bandos. When we stayed here we found the appointment of the accommodations on  island means that we rarely heard noise from the planes or indeed noticed any flying overhead. 

However on one side of the island we noticed it more, and certainly could see still see Male Airport and the lights from the island which meant we didn’t feel truly remote. 

On top of that we found that the marine life and reefs around the island were not as pristine as we had hoped. In fact we found the reef had some damage. Probably because of people and boats passing. Therefore if snorkelling and scuba diving are the main reason you are visitng the Maldives you may want an island that is further away from Male.

Best Maldives resorts by Speedboat Transfer

So now you know the pros and cons at staying at a resort in the Maldives accessible by speedboat,  we will round up the top 10 most beautiful Maldives resorts that are accessible by private boat.

Note: when we visited the Maldives we stayed at Bandos Maldives. The other suggestions in this list are based on research that we conducted when we were looking for Maldives resorts reachable by speedboat. 

It is worth checking with the resorts transfer times, prices and availability before booking to ensure speed boat transfers are still available and all related details are correct.

Bandos Resort Maldives – one of the best Maldives resorts for families

Bandos Accomodation

Bandos is the resort we decided to stay at when we visited. We chose this one as we were traveling to the Maldives with a baby and wanted to be close to the capital city of Male.

Bandos is what I would call a mid range resort by Maldives standard and is perhaps one of the best value resorts for the budget conscious traveller in the Maldives and also one of the best Maldives resorts for families.

Some of the best features of Bandos Maldives resort include a lovely resort pool, kids club and good all inclusive options. 

Bandos Maldives – Family Friendly places to Stay in the Maldives – maldives family friendly

There is also a dive center on the island which is a great feature for those who love water sports however I was slightly disappointed by the reef immediately around the island.  

Also I would say that the island is not quite as luxurious as some of the other resorts in the Maldives. And let’s face it there is a lot of stiff competition in the Maldives luxury category which this probably doesn’t meet. And this island does not have any overwater bungalows. Therefore it the overwater bungalow is an integral part of the Maldives experience for you, then this is not the right resort. 

You can read our full review of Bandos here!

About the Bandos Maldives Transfer

Speedboat transfer Details: $93 USD per adult, round trip.

Time: 15 minutes

You can read more reviews and check prices online HERE 

Kurumba Maldives

The Kurumba Maldives Resort is a beautiful resort that is a short ten minute speedboat ride from Male and is one of the best Maldives resort for family vacations.

This beautiful resort offers some stunning beach front bungalows with bathrooms to die for. These accommodations are perfect as you get to step right from your bed straight onto the beach without having to pay the price of an overwater bungalow.

The resort also has a range of seven restaurants on the island which offer great choice especially for an island of its size.

For a full Kurumba Maldives Resort Review please check out this post!

Speedboat transfer Details: $45USD per adult one way, $22.50 per child  (shared transfer)

You can check reviews and compare prices HERE

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort

What I love about the Sheraton is there are options to have guest rooms with private plunge pools. There are also options to have beautiful over-water bungalows that many people crave in their Maldives experience. 

On top of this there are plenty of dining options with 7 restaurants on site and a beautiful spa.

You can also choose whether you want an all inclusive option or room only rate. I personally recommend going all inclusive in the Maldives as things are expensive and the bill can soon add up.

And if you are traveling to the Maldives with kids it is worth pointing out that there are plenty families rooms and a kids club on site.

Speedboat transfer Details: $136 – children under 12 are free

You can check other reviews and compare prices online here

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives

The Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives may not be a brand that associate with a Maldives paradise island however this is a great option especially for families as it frequently has offers such as kids eat free.

The resort boasts six dining options as well as an amazing infinity pool.

Speedboat transfer Details: $229 return

You can read reviews and compare prices  HERE

Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa

The Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa is a tropical paradise. It is a beautiful garden style resort based on a Maldivian village. It takes 30 minutes from Male to arrive in paradise.

Traditionally the Four Seasons are one of the best respected luxury hotel brands in the world and this resort lives up to the traditional Four Seasons reputation.

On top of this, this resorts offers some truly unforgettable experiences such as the Four Season Shark Safari. 

Speedboat transfer Details: 300USD return trip, 30 minutes, from Male.

You can read reviews and compare prices online HERE

Taj Exotica Resort and Spa

With 24 hour speedboat transfer options, this hotel appeals to those traveling from further afield. This hotel proudly boasts that it was the first hotel in the Maldives to offer the overwater bungalow concept.

The resort also offers a personal butler service. This is truly one for the luxury lover.

Speedboat transfer Details: 50USD, 15 minutes from Male

You can read reviews ONLINE HERE

OBLU SELECT Lobigili – adult Maldives resorts with speedboat transfers

One of the things we appreciated about the Oblu Select Lobigili resort is that there were free speedboat transfers available which means you don’t have to calculate the costs of the transfer on top of your accommodation which I liked. 

However if you are visiting with children this is not the resort for you as this is an adults only resort making it one of the best adult resorts near male airport .

Cocoa Island by Como

This hotel has some of the more unusual accommodation with the Dhoni Suites being modelled after traditional Maldivian boats.

Speedboat transfer Details: 300USD Return transfer, 40 minutes from Male

You can read reviews online HERE

Meeru Island Resort and Spa

I know that you go to the Maldives for the beach but I also always love a pool. Meeru Island Resort  has not one but two fresh water pools on the island and a highly rated spa which makes it one of the best resorts to stay in in the Kaafu atoll.

Speedboat transfer Details: 55 minutes from Male.

You can read more reviews online HERE

Anantara Veli Maldives Resort

I know this is a family travel blog so I rarely recommend adults only places, but Anantara is a brand I love and if you are able to sneak away from the kids for a weekend or don’t have any yet, then Anantara may be the resort for you with guaranteed tranquility.

You can read more reviews online HERE

Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives

Another adults only resort. This resort is absolutely perfect for honeymooners and those looking for a romantic Maldives getaway.

This beautiful resort is only 20 minutes away from the airport but you arrive in complete serenity.

You can read more reviews online HERE

Transfer: 20 minutes by boat

Frequently Asked Questions 

Are these Maldives Resorts Near Airport and are they noisy?

I can’t speak of the noise at each of these resorts but can tell you our experience at Bandos. This resort is close to Male Airport but the accommodation is on the opposite side of the island to the airport.

We didn’t notice any airport or airplane noise during our stay but it is always worth checking other recent reviews to make sure flight paths have not changed.

Are these Maldives Resorts close to Male?

The resorts in Maldives with speedboat transfer are the resorts closest to Male.

Is there a difference between Maldives Resorts and Maldives hotels with boat transfers?

From our research it seems that the words Resorts and Hotels are used interchangeably. All hotels listed above are resort style with ample amenities.

What are the typical Maldives Speedboat Transfer Costs?

There really are no typical Maldives Speedboat Transfer Costs – it really depend on the resort! Costs can start at 100USD and rise to 300USD per adult for a round trip. This is cheaper than Maldives transfer prices by seaplane.

Which Maldives islands are accessible by speed boat?

• Bandos Maldives 
• Kurumba Maldives
• Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort
• Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma
• Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa 
• Taj Exotica
• Oblu Select Lobigili
• Cocoa Island by COMO
• Meeru Island
• Anantara Veli
• Centara Ras Fushi
• Hard Rock Hotel Maldives
• Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives

Which of these paradise Maldives Resorts with speed boat transfers would you most like to visit?