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| Home :: Maldives Information :: Arriving in the Maldives |
Arriving in the Maldives |
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| Arriving in the Maldives |
 What should you expect on arrival?
The first surprise: Male' International Airport is an island by itself! Next, your holiday starts right there. A 30-day tourist visa is granted on arrival. If Port Health is satisfied that you have not been through any countries with serious contagion, you are in.
After luggage retrieval, do note that there is no Green Channel. All passengers' luggage is screened, normally electronically. Keep the keys handy in case a manual inspection is called for. You may be asked whether you have any movies or CD's. Answer all questions in a straightforward manner.
 After Immigration and Customs proceed to Arrivals. Our representative will receive you.
After reception, a quick boat or seaplane will take you to your adventure in the Maldives. |
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| Transport in the Maldives |
You would expect plenty of boats in the Maldives..
 Rightly so! The Maldives cannot survive without boats and there are many. Let us first look at a few.
The star performer is the traditional and ubiquitous dhoni. Each traditional dhoni is a unique vessel h-and-built by a master craftsman even though a mass-produced fiberglass version has recently been introduced. Built of strong wooden planks, shaped round a strong wooden frame, the dhoni is built to sail in all seas. They are used as fishing vessels and as inter-island ferries throughout the Maldives. Traditionally sporting a versatile lateen sail, the dhoni has also married well with the marine diesel engine and has become the workhorse of even the tourism industry.
 Then there is the powerboat. In a country where the international airport is on an island all by itself, where the entire tourist resorts are on separate islands, the speed-boat reigns king. It also performs well in recreation.
Getting around in the Maldives is not restricted to a boat though. Sea planes offer an even faster and scenic alternative, especially to distant resorts.
On some of the bigger islands, especially on the capital island of Male the latest sports cars compete with motorcycles, scooters and the sedate taxi.
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| TRANSPORT |
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| SEA |
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| Speedboats: |
Airport to
hotel transfer.
Recreational (including water-skiing) |
| Passenger Ferries: |
Larger vessels, often fast and
air-conditioned. |
| Cargo Vessels: |
Normally diesel-powered,
slow. |
| Dhoni: |
Versatile and adaptable
workhorse of the sea.
Very seaworthy. |
| Wind Suffers: |
Special mention. Inter-island
travel banned. |
| AIR |
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| Helicopters: |
Inter-island passenger ferry.
Fast, comfortable. |
| Float planes: |
Inter-island passenger ferry.
Fast, comfortable. |
| Airplanes: |
Restricted to where runways
are available. |
| LAND |
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| Cars: |
On larger islands. Taxis
available. |
| Other light vehicles: |
On larger islands. Often
available for hire. |
| Trucks: |
Normally used for heavy-duty
work. |
| Motorcycles/Scooters: |
Used as a convenience.
Normally not available for
hire. |
| Bicycles: |
Ubiquitous. Normally not
available for hire. Some
models sold for as
Cheap as US$ 60.00 |
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| Communication |
| When on holiday at paradise, you are still expected to remain in touch. Communication remains vital. |
 When in the Maldives, communication with the rest of the world is very easy. All resorts have everything from international direct dial phone and fax service and access to the Internet. Most cruising vessels offer wireless phone service. The mobile telephone network is fast expanding. Prepaid kits and roaming service is also available.
On the sea, most cruising vessels offer wireless phone service. VHF radio fills in for the rest. |
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