From Hulhumale to Male

We have a 2 ways of leaving the island if we want to travel to Male, I am fortunate enough to have a fairly easy access to the sea planes, but otherwise we have boats leaving a few times per month - early morning and coming back late afternoon.

So the trip starts with waiting for the sea plane's departure time; we only get that confirmed the evening before and then we wait to see if the plane is on time or not! it is often that the schedule is changed in the morning. It happens also that we transfer by boat to another resort to catch the famous twin-otter. Obviously both kids absolutely love the travelling part of our island life! Don't tell anybody, but so do I...

Sea Plane landing at our resort. Credit for this picture goes to my little 4 year old paparazzi!  

After the awesome 25 minute flight to Male airport, we transfer to the pier where the boats to Male leave from. That happens right in front the departure hall of the International Airport. There are minibuses going from the sea plane terminal to the main airport. It only takes about 5 minutes, well depending if they are closing the road because a plane is landing or not. I was told that before the cars/vans/buses were crossing the runway... until a bus got stuck and there was a plane was landing! I don't know the rest of the story, but I suppose it ended well, but thankfully they decided to build another road that goes behind the runway.

The pier, view from the boat

Back to our trip. We bought our tickets from a little booth, for the price of 10MVR (Maldivian Rufiyaa - 1USD = 15MVR) per person we went from Hulhumale, the airport island to Male. It is possible to pay is dollars as well, i guess the price in $1. For that matter, in absolutely all shops, restaurants they take US$. 

The ticket booth

our boat

and the inside

The crossing takes about 10 minutes, it goes very slowly - the kids thought it was much fun! They leave about every 15 minutes. We were the first on board, but 5 minutes after it was buzzing with locals, tourists, expats from all over the world and full of luggage and noodle boxes as well.

A boat crossing

View of Male from the sea

And finally here is a picture of the pier in Male as well as the booth where we bought the ticket to go in the other direction.