What time should I leave my Maldives resort to catch my flight (boat/speedboat transfer timing)?

For departures from Riu, a domestic-flight transfer means leaving at night or very early in the morning; with a seaplane transfer, departure may be after 6:00 AM.

Don't worry if the boat ride takes 40 minutes instead of the advertised 20 — the sea can be rougher than expected and it'll shake you around, but it's generally fine.

If you have a domestic connecting flight before an early morning international departure, be ready for a boat pickup as early as 3 AM. Also note that not all beach areas on an island are equally good — some stretches may be poor quality, and paths around the resort can be concrete rather than sand.

The usual cutoff for leaving the resort is around 3:00-3:30 PM, but if your resort includes a domestic transfer, you can depart later. The exact time depends on the specific island.

Best to confirm transfer schedules directly with your guesthouse/hotel. Besides the boat, there may be a daytime speedboat option. Don't rely on the public ferry — it's unreliable and doesn't run in the evening; the app shows departures around 7:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 5:45 PM, but always double-check locally.