Maldives airports · live intelligence
Dharavandhoo Airport (DRV)
Baa Atoll.
Dharavandhoo · Baa Atoll
Dharavandhoo Airport is the main domestic gateway for Baa Atoll, connecting guests between Velana International Airport (MLE) and resorts around Baa Atoll.
Live FIS data · atoll resorts · transfer guidance
At a glance
Dharavandhoo Airport
Domestic airport
ICAO
VRMD
Operator
Island Aviation Services Ltd
Location
Dharavandhoo island, Baa Atoll
Timezone
UTC+5 (Maldives Time)
Elevation (approx.)
2 m AMSL
Coordinates (ARP)
5.156°N, 73.130°E
Opened
2012
Runway (approx.)
1,189 m
Typical MLE flight time
about 30–40 min
Distance from Velana (approx.)
116 km
Common operators
Maldivian · Manta Air
- Primary domestic gateway for Baa Atoll — reduces reliance on long seaplane sectors from Velana.
- Opened 17 October 2012; runway about 1,189 m — among the most established domestic airfields in the central-north Maldives.
- Maldivian and Manta Air typically serve MLE ↔ DRV; schedules vary by day and season.
- Commonly used for resort connections in Baa with onward speedboat transfers (Hanifaru Bay manta season is a major draw).
Baa Atoll is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, known for Hanifaru Bay manta aggregations (seasonal). Domestic access via DRV is often paired with boat transfers to north-central Baa resorts.
Seaplane alternative
Many Baa resorts also offer seaplane transfers direct from Velana — compare total journey time and cost with your resort or DMC.
Reference data verified against public airport sources (2026). Live schedules on this page override typical timings.
Location
Dharavandhoo Airport on the map
5.156°N, 73.130°E
Elevation about 2 m above mean sea level
About 116 km from Velana (MLE) as the crow flies — domestic block times are typically longer.
View on mapLive schedule
Today's MLE ↔ DRV flights
| Time | Flight | Airline | Route | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:30 | Q2 224 | Maldivian | MLE → DRV | On Time |
| 14:10 | Q2 224 | Maldivian | DRV → MLE | On Time |
| 17:00 | Q2 228 | Maldivian | MLE → DRV | On Time |
| 19:24 | Q2 228 | Maldivian | DRV → MLE | On Time |
Resort connections
Baa Atoll resorts connected through Dharavandhoo Airport
Kihaa Maldives
Baa Atoll
~4 km from airport
Transfer: Seaplane
4.2
Dreamland Maldives
Baa Atoll
~7 km from airport
Transfer: Seaplane
4.7
SonevaFushi
Baa Atoll
~8 km from airport
Transfer: Seaplane
4.8
Dusit Thani Maldives
Baa Atoll
~8 km from airport
Transfer: Seaplane
4.7
Amilla Maldives
Baa Atoll
~9 km from airport
Transfer: Seaplane
4.8
Royal Island Resort & Spa
Baa Atoll
~9 km from airport
Transfer: Domestic Flight + Speedboat
4.7
NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort
Baa Atoll
~11 km from airport
Transfer: Seaplane
4.6
Milaidhoo Maldives
Baa Atoll
~12 km from airport
Transfer: Seaplane
4.9
Planning
Transfer guide
International guests usually arrive first at Velana International Airport (MLE).
They then commonly connect by domestic flight to Dharavandhoo Airport (DRV) — the domestic gateway for Baa Atoll.
Resort transfer may continue by speedboat depending on the property and island location.
Confirm final transfer arrangements with your resort or travel agent. Schedules vary by day and are subject to weather.
Atoll context
Baa Atoll
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where the world's largest reef manta aggregations gather each monsoon season at Hanifaru Bay.
Explore Baa AtollExplore further
Related links
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which resorts use Dharavandhoo Airport?
Dharavandhoo Airport (DRV) serves as the domestic gateway for Baa Atoll. Many Baa Atoll resorts are commonly reached via MLE → DRV domestic flights followed by boat transfer. Specific routing depends on the property — check your resort confirmation.
Is Dharavandhoo Airport in Baa Atoll?
Yes. Dharavandhoo Airport is on Dharavandhoo island in Baa Atoll (IATA: DRV). It is widely used as a domestic hub for resorts in the atoll and surrounding central-north Maldives routes.
Are there flights from Malé to Dharavandhoo today?
Domestic MLE ↔ DRV schedules vary by day. This page shows today's live board when flights are scheduled. For the full Velana schedule, see /fis or /maldives-domestic-flights.
How do guests transfer from Velana Airport to Baa Atoll resorts?
Guests typically fly MLE → DRV on a domestic carrier (commonly Maldivian), then continue by resort speedboat. Some properties also offer seaplane alternatives from Velana — confirm with your resort which option applies to your booking.
What happens if my domestic flight to DRV is delayed?
Contact your resort or DMC as soon as you know of a delay. Boat meet times are usually coordinated around domestic arrival schedules but can be adjusted subject to operations and weather.
Is Dharavandhoo the same as DRV?
Yes. Dharavandhoo Airport's IATA code is DRV. Both names refer to the same domestic airport in Baa Atoll.
How long is the flight from Malé to Dharavandhoo?
Scheduled nonstop services typically block about 30–40 minutes from Velana (MLE) to DRV, depending on aircraft type and operator (Maldivian or Manta Air). Today's live times may differ — see the schedule strip above.
Which airlines fly MLE to Dharavandhoo?
Maldivian and Manta Air both operate scheduled MLE ↔ DRV services on selected days. Check today's live board for active flight numbers and status.
For travel trade
Travel agents & partners
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