The Maldives are one of the most isolated groups of islands in the world. It’s actually much easier and less expensive to get to the Maldives than even just 10 years ago. Direct flights from Europe are available to Malé, the capital of the Maldives, and once landing at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, the journey to your resort island is completed with either a boat or seaplane transfer. When I learned that we’d be flying in a seaplane over the Maldives to complete our transfer to Anantara Kihavah Villas, I was met with a mix of excitement and nerves.
I didn’t know what to expect with the seaplane and I was nervous the experience was going to be like the one time I flew in a Cessna. Let’s just say that flying in a Cessna in June in Arizona was the most miserable flying experience of my life. I feared a repeat of needing an air sickness bag. It turns out my fears were completely unfounded and flying in a seaplane over the Maldives turned out to be an extra treat as we got a bird’s eye view of the islands, sandbars, and lagoons.
Relaxing in the Anantara Resorts Lounge before our seaplane transfer
A representative from Anantara Kihavah Villas met us as soon as we cleared customs and escorted us to the seaplane terminal. We enjoyed the Anantara Resorts lounge as we waited for for our bags to be transferred and the seaplane to be readied. After flying all night, relaxing in the lounge with juice and tea, freshening up, and recharging our iPhones at the docking station was a welcome way to kill the time.
Tim boarding the seaplane
I had to giggle as the pilots stepped out onto the floating platform…barefoot! Our media group all climbed aboard and I’m surprised we didn’t exceed the weight limit with our loads of camera equipment. The pilots fired up the engine, the twin propellers hummed to life, and the pilots worked the pedals with their barefoot feet. Take off was smoother than any other I experienced and we were soaring like a bird above turquoise lagoons sparkling in the sun in no time.
Flying low over the islands, we could see the shapes of the reefs and colors of the shallow water around the islands. Round circles of pristine white sand with centers of thick mangroves dotted the horizon for as far as we could see. Sand bars and brilliant streaks of turquoise were stark contrasts to the deep blue of the Indian Ocean. We flew over resorts and uninhabited islands, getting more and more excited for our first glimpse of Kihavah Huravalhi Island.
Anantara Kihavah Villas
A buzz rose as we all checked our watches and iPhones, seeing that Anantara Kihavah Villas would be coming into view at any moment. We started flying just a bit lower and suddenly there it was! The picture Tim and I had ogled online for four months was before us, the thatched roof of the Samurai Edo helmet standing tall at one end of the island and the rows of over water villas stretching out like legs from the other. We descended and I braced myself for the landing; the bracing was for nothing though because it was so smooth I had to ask if we had even landed.
Our first glimpse of the over water villas
We cruised by the pool and white sand beach skirting the island. And then there were the over water villas! “Welcome to Anantara Kihavah International Airport!”, the pilots said as we pulled up to a tiny square floating platform. A boat waited to take us the last couple of hundred yards to the island.
Can you spot the dolphin?
As we bounced over the water to the island, we turned to wave goodbye to the pilots just in time for a dolphin to jump out of the water and chase our boat. Welcome to paradise!
Would you like to fly in a seaplane over the Maldives?
Jennifer Dombrowski
Jennifer Dombrowski is a location independent globe trotter and bases herself in Prata di Pordenone, Italy. She works as a social media and innovation strategist in higher education and is a regular contributor on johnnyjet.com. Her website, jdombstravels.com, is the 2012 Destinology Travel Bloggy Best Newcomer award winner. Google+
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We’re Jennifer and Tim and we love traveling! We are just one ordinary couple who have found that travel brought us closer together, taught us patience, the art of compromise, and how to truly appreciate the diversity of this extraordinary world. So far, we've visited 37 countries, lived in the United States and Italy, and Tim has lived in Korea. And we do it all while both holding down full time jobs. 
Greece 
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Andi of My Beautiful Adventures
February 7, 2013 at 4:04 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Oh my goodness how awesome!!!!!! I would totally do this!
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted..Buenos Aires, Argentina: Parque Tres De Febrero
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 9:10 pm
It was definitely awesome to see several of the atolls as we flew over and have a view of the beautiful colors of water and reefs!
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Sand In My Suitcase
February 7, 2013 at 5:07 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Lucky you visiting the Maldives! Some day for us, hopefully
Seeing the dolphin right as you left the sea plane? Nice…
Sand In My Suitcase recently posted..What a Fluke! Whale watching in Cabo San Lucas
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 9:11 pm
We were surprised at how many dolphins come so close to the island. More dolphins coming in tomorrow’s post!
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Christy
February 7, 2013 at 6:34 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
I’ve always wanted to ride in a seaplane and over the Maldives would make it even better! I’m extremely jealous.
Christy recently posted..Maui Video: Living in the Moment
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 9:40 pm
It was very cool! Despite the long overnight flight, being exhausted, and just wanting to “get there” already, it was pretty hard NOT to be excited for the seaplane.
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memographer
February 7, 2013 at 8:13 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
How cool! and with a dolphin!!
Just can’t wait for my summer vacation!!!!!
memographer recently posted..On My Shelves. My Travel Bring-back Collection. Season 5
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
February 7th, 2013 at 9:54 pm
We hear you! We’ve got a serious case of the wintertime blues at the moment. Bring on summer!
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Get A Car Hire
February 8, 2013 at 7:51 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Who wouldn’t want to do this? Seriously I would give anything for views like that!
Now I am back to saving big bucks so that I can go for such expensive tours. =)
Get A Car Hire recently posted..13 HOT Travel Destinations of 2013 (Part II)
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Sofie
February 8, 2013 at 1:40 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Sounds like the perfect way to arrive, being greeted by a dolphin:)
I think it would feel so crazy to arrive at a place that for most people will remain a picture in travel magazines.
Sofie recently posted..A place I love: Antwerp
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
February 9th, 2013 at 5:26 pm
Definitely, Sophie. It was like it was straight out of a magazine and a dream come true.
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D.J. - The World of Deej
February 9, 2013 at 4:11 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Yeah…anytime you have to arrive to a resort by air, you know it’s gonna be a good time.
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island – Picture of the Week
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
February 9th, 2013 at 5:27 pm
Just wait until we give you the photo tour of our villa and the island, Deej. Definitely your kind of place!
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Laurel
February 9, 2013 at 1:40 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Looks like fun and love that there was a dolphin on the landing!
Laurel recently posted..The World’s 10 Most Romantic Hotels
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
February 9th, 2013 at 5:30 pm
The dolphins were really active and very curious. We had a pod playing just in front of our villa. And we saw a lot of dolphins on the boat going out to snorkel too.
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Ready for Adventures
February 9, 2013 at 6:57 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Absolutely gorgeous! I think one more place has just made in onto my bucket list
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Cathy Sweeney
February 9, 2013 at 9:49 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
First of all, I can’t wait to go to the Maldives someday. I get so jealous seeing pics of that gorgeous place. I’ve never flown in a seaplane, but I think it would be pretty cool. Great pics of your experience.
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 10:42 am
It was a dream of ours to visit the Maldives for 10 years. And the Maldives were even better than we had ever dreamed they would be. Now we want to go back!
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Andrea
February 10, 2013 at 1:32 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Flying in small planes and helicopters freaks me out too – I can manage short trips though…I just try not to think about it when in the air.
Andrea recently posted..Smart And Affordable: The MAve Boutique Hotel, New York City
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 10:46 am
Tim was actually in flight school before our Cessna flight in Arizona. Our friends let him fly for a bit and I tease him that both times I needed my air sickness bag was when he was in control. In reality, it was probably because it was so hot in the tiny plane.
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raymond
February 11, 2013 at 9:44 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
it’s an awesome experience…
you can try your new adventure here: http://www.manado-hotels.asia/Minahasa_Highland_One_Day_Tour
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 10:53 am
Thanks, Raymond! We’re definitely interested in exploring more of Asia this year. Such a beautiful part of the world.
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Cole @ FourJandals.com
February 11, 2013 at 10:35 am (UTC 2) Link to this comment
What a dream introduction to your resort! So jealous right now.
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 1:45 pm
It definitely was, Cole! We still can’t believe this trip actually happened. We wanted to visit for so long and the Maldives definitely did not disappoint.
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Petite Adventures
February 13, 2013 at 8:22 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Such an amazing way to see the Islands – I can’t wait to do this one day!
Kate xo petite-adventures.blogspot.ca
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:42 pm
It definitely was, Kate! We feel blessed to have visited the Maldives.
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Far East Flashpacker
February 14, 2013 at 12:28 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
We were in the Maldives about 9 years ago in the Atoll south male Velassaru, this was an exceptional experience!
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 6:13 pm
Amazing! I wonder how the Maldives have changed in the last 10 years?
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Javier
March 5, 2013 at 5:56 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
Memories!!! We spent there our honeymoon 9 years ago, and looking forward to going back!
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 1:30 am
What a fantastic place to spend a honeymoon and congratulations on 9 years!
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Annie of TravelShus
March 5, 2013 at 5:59 pm (UTC 2) Link to this comment
AMAZING. This is definitely on the list now!
Annie of TravelShus recently posted..Appreciating the Desert
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Jennifer Dombrowski Reply:
March 6th, 2013 at 1:32 am
The entire nation of the Maldives just became a marine biosphere reserve. Such an incredible place to go. Definitely visit if you have the chance!
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