UPDATED VERSION - JANUARY 2024
Enjoy the total freedom to set sail and wake up directly at the best diving spots in the Maldives Islands, ready to make the most of your next underwater adventure.
Eliminate the worries of carrying and assembling equipment, transfers between hotels and dive centers. Our boats are a fusion of modern hotels and floating dive centers, equipped with all the comforts, from air conditioning to hot water showers and spacious common areas with large diving platforms. Simply eat, sleep, and dive without worries. Discover total freedom in the crystal-clear waters of the Maldives.
All passengers must have a passport valid for at least six months after arrival. 30-day tourist visas are issued upon arrival at the immigration counter of the Maldives international airport for all nationalities and are free. All visitors must have a return ticket to their country of origin.
Transfers and Check-in and Check-out Times
All our cruises include transfer for check-in and check-out. We leave for the boat at 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM, and both options are free! If you choose the midday transfer, keep in mind the boat will still be getting ready, but don’t worry, they will offer you a snack like a sandwich.
No problem, there are taxis for about $15, and our airport representative will give you a hand. However, boarding may have to wait until after 1:00 PM.
If you are already in the Maldives, head to the airport for the 4:00 PM transfer! Our boats stay overnight at the port the day you arrive and set sail early the next day after check-in. They also return to the port the day before sailing and stay overnight there until you disembark.
Check-out is at 7:00 AM and we drop you off at the airport at 7:30 AM. If you continue your trip elsewhere, like a resort or liveaboard, arrange your own transport from the airport. Direct transfers from the liveaboard to resorts are not managed, but if you want a nap in Hulhumale, the boat manager will help you with that. Relax, in the Maldives everything is arranged on the go!
Your insurance is much more than a lifeline
So your only worry is to dive, rest, and enjoy, to travel to the Maldives you must have different insurances that offer you total guarantees. We make it very easy for you through travel, assistance, and cancellation insurance or special insurance for diving. Keep in mind that on board they will ask you for:
Guarantee your peace of mind underwater! Make sure you have insurance that covers everything: costs, expenses, and risks that may arise if you get injured while diving. This includes treatments in decompression chambers, air evacuation, and any loss or damage to your belongings. It is essential that this insurance is international and covers all diving activities or water sports you plan to do during your trip. Don’t take risks and dive with total confidence!
Total support from the moment of booking! When you book, make sure your insurance covers everything: cancellations, changes of plans, luggage issues, everything! It is crucial that the insurance fits your personal needs, addressing pre-existing medical conditions, cancellation expenses, medical assistance, repatriation… If you decide to venture out without proper insurance, keep in mind that we are not responsible for losses that could have been avoided with insurance. Better safe than sorry!
Welcome to the gateways to the underwater wonder of the Maldives. Upon your arrival at the southern atolls, you can choose between two exciting starting points: Malé International Airport and Gan International Airport depending on the route you take with us. Both offer unique experiences and, no matter which you choose, we guarantee you a warm welcome and a smooth transition to your onboard adventure. Below, we provide you with a brief overview of what to expect at these key points before diving into the crystal-clear waters of this aquatic paradise. Get ready for an exceptional dive from the moment you land!
So your adventure starts smoothly, we suggest arriving 120 minutes before the domestic flight! If you book the early flight to the boat departure city or arrive a day before, even better! This way, you are covered against possible delays or changes in the flight schedule. Check the luggage rules with the airline to avoid surprises and extra charges. Remember, the boat cannot delay departure because of flight delays. Let’s get ready to set sail without setbacks!
In the Maldives, the depth limit during dives is 30 meters, as long as you have your dive buddy by your side. The maximum depth will depend on your training level and experience, so make sure to carefully check what your insurance covers before starting the adventure. Here, currents are like surprise guests, so get ready for some action, especially during new and full moons. We advise you to have your certification up to 30 meters and feel at home with drift dives. But, attention, no decompression, solo diving, or advanced techniques. Let’s enjoy diving responsibly!
To make the most of your underwater adventure, we recommend being an Open Water Diver or having an equivalent certification. On some dives, the fun is beyond 18 meters, so if you want to explore those depths, we suggest advanced training or Deep Diving certification. For details on the minimum number of dives and other information, take a look at each itinerary. If you are an experienced diver, go ahead, dive with a buddy without a guide. But if you are new to this, some dives can be quite challenging. Don’t worry, our Cruise Director will guide you to enjoy to the fullest and, if necessary, suggest skipping some of the more advanced dives. Let’s dive in!
For all the dive sites visited, our dive guides will give you a detailed and complete briefing before entering the water, and a minimum of two guides will accompany you on board. When the guide is in the water, they will stay with the group to navigate the reef and look for interesting marine life to show you. The dive guide will not provide any dive training during the dive, and you and your buddy will dive together at your own risk. The guides may decide, based on each diver’s ability, not to enter the water on all dives and will remain on board providing surface support.
As qualified divers, you are expected to dive according to the standards established by certification and experience requirements. You alone are responsible for your own safety and that of your buddy during the dive, and for planning your dive and executing your plan using a personal dive computer. You will start and end the dive alongside your dive buddy. If you are a solo diver, a buddy will be assigned to you on board. There will be no diving on arrival and departure days, and 17 dives will be offered per week (2-3 dives per day). All divers must ensure to leave a minimum of 18/24 hours between their last dive and their return flight.
All cabins accommodate two guests, either in a cabin with a double bed or in a cabin with two bunk beds. Cabins are sold and assigned before arrival.
All bathrooms are equipped with a shower, sink, and toilet. Be especially careful in the bathrooms to avoid slipping and always use the shower curtain/door. Throwing toilet paper into any toilet on board is not acceptable. This not only risks blocking the system but can also reach the delicate reef systems causing irreparable damage.
Towels and bedding: You will be provided with a bath towel and hand towel, plus an additional towel to use on the deck in the sun. Diving towels are available on the dive dhoni and are changed daily. The housekeeping staff will clean your cabin daily, usually after your first or second dive of the day.
Towels and bedding are changed once a week. For any additional cleaning or towel changes, please talk to the guides who can assist you.
Trash bins are provided in all bathrooms and are emptied regularly.
Hot water: Short showers are the norm on liveaboards, as hot water is scarce. We ask guests to shower at different times to ensure everyone enjoys a hot shower.
UK 3-pin electrical sockets using 220V AC at 50Hz. We recommend traveling with adapters and power strips to charge all your electronic devices.
All liveaboards have cabins with air conditioning and a fan. Air conditioning consumes a lot of energy, so we kindly ask you to be environmentally friendly and not leave the air conditioning on in your cabin when you are elsewhere on the boat.
Meals on board are usually buffet-style with a variety of local and international dishes to suit everyone. Local food is traditionally a bit spicy; fish is available on board, mostly frozen, with some fresh catches along the way.
Water, tea, and coffee are free of charge. Soft drinks, fresh juices, and alcohol (cocktails, spirits, wine, and beer) are available for purchase. For any special dietary requests, such as vegetarian or allergies, please inform us before arrival. We source products locally, so items such as, but not limited to, whole wheat pasta or flour, gluten-free products, or soy substitutes are generally not available.
The import of alcoholic beverages is prohibited by law. Bottles containing alcohol will be confiscated at customs upon arrival and returned to you upon departure. Alcohol is available for purchase on board. Diving after consuming alcohol or while under its influence is not allowed, as it seriously impairs judgment and increases the risk of decompression sickness.
If the guides determine that you are unfit to dive, you will be asked to refrain from the dive. Your safety and well-being are paramount, so this request from the dive guides will be made solely to prevent accidents.
There is a variety of evening entertainment ranging from night dives (excluding Deep South itineraries), a barbecue on a local island (subject to weather conditions and the route), watching movies, or relaxing on the sun deck. Shore visits can also be arranged at some locations upon request.
Internet: All our liveaboards are equipped with Wi-Fi and internet access is available when there is a mobile signal present. Data packages via a code are available for purchase on board and can be used on one device at a time. There are days when no signal is available on most itineraries.
An important man! He will decide, along with the dive guides, where to go and when. Often, dive sites may look like a pond on the surface and, to the untrained eye, seem perfectly fine for diving. However, if the captain and guides say no, please accept their decision. Safety is the main concern for our experienced captain and dive guides. The sea is a dangerous place when not respected, so accept the alternative plan as best you can.
All itineraries and dive sites are subject to various unpredictable changes, including weather conditions and changes in approval from the Maldives government. In adverse weather conditions, the dive guides and boat captain will have the final decision on which dive sites to visit to ensure the safety of guests, staff, and boats is not compromised in any way. In the unfortunate event that dives are missed or dive sites are not reached due to weather conditions or other unpredictable changes, no refunds or compensation will be offered.
We have DIN tanks and INT adapters available on board. We strongly recommend divers with M26 regulators who have adapters to fit DIN tanks to remember to bring their own adapter.
Our boats are equipped to offer Nitrox fills (usually at 32%) free of charge, subject to demand and availability.
All environmental taxes, as well as port fees, are included in the price of your diving or liveaboard package. For any service or purchase made locally, a 16% sales tax and a 10% service charge apply.
All local prices are in US dollars; however, we accept cash in euros, British pounds, and US dollars. Only new and undamaged bills are accepted; coins are not accepted. Visa and Mastercard are accepted, with a 4% surcharge. Check with your bank about international fees and exchange rates.
Tips should be voluntary and depend on the quality of service provided by the guides and crew. You will find an envelope in your cabin, and the general recommendation is about 10% of the price paid. Feel free to leave what you consider appropriate, and it will be shared equally among the guides and crew.