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MLE → KDM
Which side of the plane to sit from Malé International Airport (Male) to Kaadedhdhoo Airport (Kaadedhdhoo)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a superior vantage point for the eastern chain of atolls, offering a continuous parade of turquoise lagoons and ivory sandbanks as you fly south toward the equator.
South Malé Atoll
View of the luxury resort islands and the famous local island of Maafushi surrounded by clear lagoons.
Vaavu Atoll
Observe the thin, crescent-shaped reefs of the eastern rim, often cited as one of the most beautiful atoll shapes.
Meemu Atoll
A stunning look at the perfectly formed circular coral rings that look like gems scattered on the ocean floor.
Laamu Atoll
Aerial perspective of the long eastern islands like Gan, connected by narrow causeways and vibrant reefs.
One and a Half Degree Channel
The deep blue expanse of the Huvadhu Kandu, the wide channel separating the central atolls from the southern ones.
Book an early morning flight for the best lighting; the sun will be behind the aircraft, saturating the blues of the water. Avoid the left on late afternoon flights as the sun can be quite intense on this side. Keep a lookout for pods of dolphins or whale sharks in the deep channels between atolls.
Thaa Atoll
Glimpse the expansive central lagoon and the small, uninhabited islands dotting the western interior.
Open Indian Ocean
On clear days, the western horizon provides a sense of the Maldives' isolation in the vast ocean.
Gaafu Dhaalu Reefs
As the plane begins its descent, you get a close-up view of the intricate reef architecture of the southern Huvadhu Atoll.
KDM Approach
Depending on the wind, the plane often banks right, providing a low-altitude view of the Kaadedhdhoo island runway.
This is the preferred side for afternoon flights to capture the sunset over the Indian Ocean. The glare is significantly reduced compared to the left side during later hours. During the final 10 minutes of flight, keep your camera ready for the complex coral formations as the aircraft lowers its altitude for Kaadedhdhoo.
Distance: 416 km (258 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 42 min
Departure: MLE (4.1918301582336435, 73.52909851074219)
Arrival: KDM (0.4881309866905213, 72.99690246582031)
Route Type: Domestic
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