Seaplane flight

TMA Seaplane Terminal, Velana International Airport (Hulhulé)

30–40 minutes over atolls laid out like rings

⚠ No flights after dark

Hours

Daylight hours only

Tickets

Booked via your resort, e.g. Conrad Rangali return $700 net per adult, under-12s half. Varies by resort and season.

Address

Seaplane terminal on the east side of Velana International Airport

It's really just transport to far-off resorts, but plenty of people call it the best moment of the trip. A Twin Otter of about 15 seats races across the water by the airport and lifts off, and below you coral islands and sandbars ringed by turquoise lagoons string out like rings. It's a small plane with the cockpit in full view, so the propellers are loud and it bumps around. The highlight is touching down in a spray of water by the resort's floating platform.