Private jet to South Malé Atoll

South Malé Atoll is the second ring of reefs in Kaafu, lying south of the capital and separated from North Malé Atoll by open water. Its resorts are between 15 and 40 minutes from Velana International Airport by speedboat or yacht, Taj Exotica stands on a wide lagoon, and three Anantara resorts form a group of sister islands. No seaplane is needed to reach any of the resorts described here, so the timing of a private flight can follow the guests rather than the daylight.

There is no airport in the atoll itself. A private jet lands at Velana, the passengers clear immigration in the VIP/CIP building, described on the page about private jets at Velana airport, and the resort's boat or yacht takes them south. Maldives Private Jet charters the aircraft from a certified operator and keeps the resort informed of the arrival time and the names on board, so that its transfer team is ready.

How South Malé resorts collect private jet guests

Boats are the rule in this atoll; the differences lie in the booking terms. The resorts state them on their own websites:

On shared transfers the wait at the airport adds to the crossing: Waldorf Astoria warns of 30 to 60 minutes before its shared yacht leaves. After a private flight the group normally takes a private boat or yacht, which leaves when everyone is on board, and at Ithaafushi it is the only option.

One jet, two resorts

A private jet often carries more than one household: grandparents, parents and children, or two families travelling together. South Malé has a useful arrangement for such groups. Anantara Veli takes only guests over 18, while its sister resorts Dhigu and Naladhu welcome families. Veli lies just a minute's pontoon ride from Dhigu, and Dhigu guests can use the dining outlets, spa and recreation facilities at Veli, where access is limited to guests over 18 and families with a dinner reservation.

For the flight, this means one aircraft, one arrival at Velana and two boats leaving at the same time for neighbouring islands about 30 minutes away. We give both resorts the passenger list and the landing time.

Evening landings and the way back

Because every transfer here runs by water, an evening landing is not a problem. Anantara Dhigu offers round-trip transfers 24 hours a day, and the crossing time it gives, about 30 minutes, depends on the weather. A long flight from Europe or East Asia can therefore be timed for the most comfortable departure at home rather than for a seaplane cut-off, which governs most transfers from the airport to the outer atolls.

• Tell the resort the departure slot of the jet as soon as the operator confirms it; the boat back to Velana is planned from that time.
• Allow a margin for the sea: in rough weather a 30-minute crossing takes longer.
• Leaving the Maldives on a private jet costs each foreign passenger US$480 in departure tax and the same again as airport development fee.
• Adults and children alike fill in the IMUGA traveller declaration, at the earliest 96 hours before landing.

Lagoons and local islands

Taj Exotica on Emboodhu Finolhu describes its lagoon as one of the largest in the Maldives, and the resort is also the closest of those listed here, 15 to 20 minutes from the airport.

Three inhabited islands of the atoll, Maafushi, Guraidhoo and Gulhi, have guesthouses and public ferry links to Malé. They show everyday village life, but alcohol is not sold there and visitors dress modestly; the rules are on the page know the rules. Guests who mainly want manta rays or whale sharks should look at other atolls: Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll draws mantas from May to December, and whale sharks gather all year in South Ari, described on the page about private jets to Ari Atoll.

South or North Malé

Both halves of Kaafu are reached from Velana by boat, so the flight, its price and the arrival formalities are identical. The differences lie in the islands and in the crossing: the resorts on this page are 15 to 40 minutes away, while in the northern atoll the boat takes from about 25 minutes to Baros to about 55 minutes to Meeru. North Malé also has the manta sites closest to the capital, described on the page about private jets to North Malé Atoll.

Since the aircraft and the price do not depend on the atoll, a request can name two or three candidate resorts in either half. We quote the flight once and confirm the transfer details with whichever resort you choose.

Prices from Europe: with a fuel stop or nonstop

Guide prices to Velana, for the entire aircraft on a one-way flight; passenger taxes and fees appear separately in the quote. A Challenger 350 seats up to 10 passengers and a Gulfstream G650 up to 16.

The nonstop jet costs €40,000 to €49,000 more and shortens the journey by about two and a half hours. Shared by twelve passengers, the G650 from Paris comes to €10,800 each. The route pages for private jets from Paris and from Zurich to the Maldives list other aircraft classes.

Prices from the Gulf and Asia

From these cities both aircraft fly nonstop. Guide prices to Velana, one way, for the whole aircraft:

Eight passengers in the Challenger 350 from Riyadh pay €4,800 each before taxes. From Hong Kong the G650 is 40 minutes faster than the Challenger 350 but costs €38,000 more, which matters less when the cabin is full. More options are on the pages for Riyadh to the Maldives and Hong Kong to the Maldives.

Aircraft returning to the Gulf after dropping guests in Malé are often sold as Empty Legs, at prices 30 to 60 % under the usual charter rate. Jet Sharing sells single seats on a flight once the group is complete.

Questions about private jets to South Malé Atoll

• • Which South Malé resort is closest to the airport?

  • Of the resorts listed here, Taj Exotica on Emboodhu Finolhu, about 15 to 20 minutes by speedboat. Anantara Dhigu and Veli are about 30 minutes away, COMO Cocoa Island and Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi about 40.

• • Do South Malé resorts use seaplanes?

  • Not as the normal transfer. Guests arrive by speedboat or yacht; Anantara Dhigu and Veli offer a private seaplane on request.

• • Can we arrange our own boat from the airport?

  • Usually the resort arranges it. Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi does not allow outside providers and makes its private yacht compulsory for guests arriving by private plane.

• • How early must the transfer be booked?

  • Taj Exotica asks for a call at least 24 hours before arrival, Anantara Dhigu for a booking at least 48 hours ahead. We send the details as soon as the flight is confirmed.

• • Can a family with older and younger guests stay on neighbouring islands?

  • Yes. Anantara Veli is for guests over 18, and its sister resort Dhigu, a minute away by pontoon, welcomes families. One jet and two boats cover the arrival.

• • Can we land at night?

  • Yes, at resorts that run boats after dark. Anantara Dhigu offers transfers 24 hours a day, weather permitting.

• • Can we fly nonstop from Europe?

  • Yes, in a large cabin jet. A Gulfstream G650 flies from Paris Le Bourget in 9 h 42 min, from Zurich in 9 h 10 min and from London Farnborough in 10 h.

• • Does the flight cost more than to North Malé?

  • No. Both atolls are reached from Velana, so the guide price is the same: for example €130,000 for a Gulfstream G650 from Paris Le Bourget, one way for the whole aircraft.

• • Is South Malé a good choice for mantas and whale sharks?

  • For those, Baa Atoll, with Hanifaru Bay from May to December, and South Ari, where whale sharks are seen all year, are the better known areas.

Name the resort, the dates and the size of the group in the form below; our reply lists suitable aircraft with guide prices: