Seaplane experiences?

[Purpleseaside]

I'm going to the Maldives for my honeymoon and we have to take a seaplane transfer.

I'm very nervous! How have other people felt? I find it crazy that they will be able to carry the weight of the passengers and all of their luggage.

[whenwillthemadnessend]

I've done it twice. It's fine. It's very noisy. But only a dozen passengers in each plane. It's beautiful views seeing the islands form above. It's like a peacocks tail.

[whenwillthemadnessend]

Pic we took

[Purpleseaside]

Looks beautiful! Do they give you ear plugs on the flight or should I take my own?

[cjpark]

Ive done it in Alaska and Iceland. Really noisy - we were given headphones which were plugged into each seat. Also very hot - no AC so layers.

[notagainnotagain]

The seaplane I went in carried the pilot and 5 passengers. It was like being in a big car in the sky. I'm a nervous flyer but absolutely loved it. They have floats, they can land anywhere on the sea. Not claustrophobic at all as I could see out all the windows from my seat.

[Zodlebud]

They also don’t go as high in the sky as regular aeroplanes. I was very nervous before my first flight but I actually really enjoyed it.

[coolpattern]

My memory is being weighed before take off! They weighed all passengers and baggage to ensure even weight distribution

[Onechance551188]

Loved it! It feels safer then a plane because they can land on the sea. You will be weighed before take off so they can distribute the weight correctly. Much nicer experience then a helicopter. Have fun!

[ohmygod1]

It was great! The most beautiful plane ride and as posters have said I was happy knowing they could land wherever as it's a sea plane!

You will be given ear plugs, can't hurt to pack some though!

Look forward to travelling with your (and the other passengers) luggage netted/ strapped at the back of the cabin, and also the pilots fly bare feet!!

Also if you're nervous at flying, I will warn you there is a shrill siren that goes off for a second when the plane is about to touch down, even in the perfect landing at the hotel island it will go off (I think it detects the sea is x meters below) but that's all that may worry you!

Enjoy! I'm so jealous and desperate to go back! Xx

[ExtremelyDelighted]

I've been on one in Scotland. I love flying normally but absolutely hated it, bumpy, noisy and it made me feel seasick. If I ever have to do it again I will take seasickness tablets. Helicopter was a breeze by comparison.

[wantmoretravel]

We've just come back from Maldives and luckily had a seaplan transfer.

They use Twin Otters which are workhorse small airpcraft around the world, and are safe and reliable.

Our bags were weighed at the International airport and the transfer from the airport is a short ride to the seaplane 'airport', and you can sit and watch the arrivals and departures through the big picture windows while having coffee and biscuits and hopefully realxing into your holiday. We had just 5 of us on our outward flight which was great and we had a great choice of seats.

They do distribute ear plugs as they are noisy so dont worry about that. Remember they have 'water skis' on the planes so anywhere that is watery (ie almost anywhere) is a potential place to land in the unlikely event anything goes wrong.

I too am envious of your trip and would love to go back! Have a fabulous time!

[MrsBungle]

Our transfers were seaplane in the Maldives. We were all weighed as were our bags and told where to sit accordingly. The noise didn’t bother me at all. Beautiful views. I felt quite ill. On the way back I was actually sick (this may have been aggravated by a hangover )