Velana International Airport has several facilities for physically disabled and vision-impaired travellers. However, there is no air bridge, so passengers disembark the planes via boarding stairs then take a short walk across open tarmac.

Those with physical disabilities may request from their airline the use of the wheelchair lift to exit the plane. The rest of the international airport is on one level (ground floor).

Visually impaired passengers may wish to request a member of staff to assist them with disembarking the plane via the boarding stairs and escorting them across the tarmac to the Immigration building.

After exiting Immigration, an Amilla airport representative will be waiting to meet you with a sign bearing your name. If you are visually impaired and need assistance in locating this representative, please inform us and we will coordinate with airport staff to ensure you are assisted with locating the greeter.

Those who are hearing-impaired may be interested to know that flight arrivals and departures are streamed live on screens at the airports. There is also an airport information desk (although it does not have a hearing aid loop).

There are accessible toilets at the international airport, domestic airport, CIP (VIP Lounge) and seaplane terminal.

Accessible vehicles are available to book and may be required between the international airport and the seaplane terminal. This requires advance booking at mapdmv /+960 7709181/+960 7959181/admin@mapdmv.org

A domestic transfer between Velana International Airport and Dharavandhoo airport in Baa Atoll is a 15-minute flight, followed by a 10-minute speedboat ride.

Dharavandhoo Domestic airport does not have wheelchair lift. Flights are accessed via stairs. If you require assistance with boarding we will advise the airline at the time of booking.

Seaplane flights are just 35 minutes, sometimes flying directly to the resort but often passengers are dropped off on a small floating platform adjacent to the island, which creates inherent challenges and could be uncomfortable due to the motion of the sea. A beach landing in front of Amilla’s Emperor Beach Club is preferred as the mid-ocean pontoon can be unsettling for some, but we have no control over the private seaplane operator’s choice of landing location, which depends upon the weather and sea conditions.

Seaplanes are small and restricted in terms of space, with just three small seats in each row, no space to stand up straight and a very narrow aisle which is not wide enough for wheelchairs and buggies to be wheeled down.

However, an Evacuation Chair is available for our guests to embark and disembark from seaplanes or domestic flights. We are also working on getting approval for a pontoon with gantry linked directly to the resort jetty. If you require any additional transportation assistance, just let us know

After your domestic or seaplane flight from the international airport, it’s just a short 2-10 minute speedboat ride to Amilla Maldives.

The resort team assists all guests with getting on and off the speedboat. This involves stepping up and onto the side of the boat. If necessary, our team members manually lift guests and use of the Evacuation Chair or sling would be required.All the paths at Amilla Maldives are made from sand but we do not have any hills or inclines to navigate.

We have beach wheelchairs which are perfect for moving around our sandy island. Some differently-abled guests may bring their own mobility scooters or wheelchair attachments that can work well in most areas.

There is a certain amount of ambient lighting, but we also provide torches in all our accommodation to help illuminate the paths.

You can ask your Katheeb for a pick-up and drop-off in a buggy when you’re out and about.

All of our restaurants and other amenities, including the spa, are ground-floor only. In some cases there may be a couple of steps at the entrance to the indoor areas, but all our dining venues also have al fresco dining areas with no steps.

As yet, we do not have rooms created specifically for guests with disabilities, however many of our
Villas and Residences have accessible features.

With sufficient notice, we can organise a bed lift and lift for pool access.

All Villas, except the Tree Top Villas, are on ground floor level, for easy access. We can add ramps where required as well.

The showers (indoor and outdoor) are walk-in; however the bathtubs and private pools are not. Shower seats are available.

The Residences are two-story, with stairs accessing the upper level. There are ground floors
bedrooms in each residence however.

All our Villas and Residences are extremely spacious, making it easy to move around with a wheelchair.

The phones in our villas flash at the same time as ringing, for the hearing impaired.

Fire alarms are equipped with flashing lights

The smart TVs inside all our Villas and Residences have subtitles and other accessible functions.

We are happy to assist you getting on and off boats, and you’re welcome to try our range of excursions which include sunset cruises and fishing. Please note, however, that the toilet on the boat is not accessible. There is a ramp on the main marina near our delivery dock, making access to dhonis (wooden boats) more practical.

Wheelchair users would require manual lifting with a sling to board and disembark from excursion boats.

Our team of professional scuba divers at Dive Butler have experience of working with divers with a number of disabilities. The dive centre has easy access. We can arrange a chat with the instructors if you have any questions.

Snorkelling excursions are available with a dedicated guide. We provide floating gear and recommend exploring the marine life on our house reef.

Snorkelling or Diving with a Seabob may be option for some guests.

Ramp at the entrance to the building and a range of activities for all abilities.

Recreation Area and Art Studio – Easy access.

Retail Shop & Jewellery Shop - Ramp at the entrance.

Shutter Fish Studio is accessed via stairs however the majority of photography is completed around the resort