Liveaboards in the Maldives: FAQs

How much deposit is needed to secure my booking?
Do you take credit cards?
Will I receive a confirmation of my booking?
Do I need a Visa?
Do I need insurance?
What about my flights?
Will I be met at the airport?
Are the transfers included in the holiday price?
Do I need to change any money to Rufia?
What sort of clothes should I pack for the liveaboard?
What are the air and water temperatures?
What sort of food is served on board?
What type of drinks are available on board?
What communications are available on board?
What kind of electricity supply is there on the boats?
Are towels supplied?
What sort of wet suit should I bring?
What diving equipment is available for hire on board?
What type of tanks do you have aboard?
Do the boats have a set itinerary?

How much deposit is needed to secure my booking?

We ask for a deposit of £250/US$500 per person. The balance is then payable 10 weeks prior to departure.

Do you take credit cards?

We take most credit and debit cards but we do not accept Diners Club. There is no charge for deposits paid by credit card but for balance payments in Pounds Sterling there is a 2% charge (please note 3% for Amex). For US Dollar payments there is a charge of 3% for Amex cards and 3.75% for all other credit cards.

Will I receive a confirmation of my booking?

Once you have decided on your holiday we will ask you to pay a deposit and fill in a booking form which gives us full details of your departure dates and dietary requirements etc. We will then send you a confirmation invoice which shows your holiday itinerary. Included with this is a book of general information on the Maldives and the specific boat or island you have booked.

Do I need a Visa?

You will be given your entry visa, which will be valid for 30 days, on arrival to the Maldives. If you need to extend your visa you need to make an application to the government and we can help you do this.

Do I need insurance?

We do ask that all guests staying on our liveaboards hold a valid insurance policy that covers them for scuba diving. We would recommend that you also have insurance for cancellation as well as general accident, medical and baggage cover.

What about my flights?

If you are travelling through or from the UK we can arrange flights on either award winning Emirates or Sri Lankan Airlines at a very competitive fare. Emirates have a flexible schedule of departures from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow via Dubai. Sri Lankan airlines offer direct flights from Heathrow on certain days of the week or go via Colombo. If you arrange your own flights, you need to arrive in Male the day of the sailing departure. You will be able to join the boat in the morning or afternoon. Your departing flights needs to leave on the last day of the sailing date in the morning or afternoon. If you cannot arrange flights to tie up with the sailing dates, we can arrange hotel or resort accommodation and transfers for you until the start of the trip.

Will I be met at the airport?

On arrival in the Maldives you will be met outside the arrivals terminal by a representative from the boat. They will also take your airline tickets for reconfirmation. If you need any assistance during your holiday, the representatives are there to help you.

Are the transfers included in the holiday price?

You will be transferred to the boat when you arrive and the cost of your transfer is included unless otherwise stated.

Do I need to change any money to Rufia?

We would recommend that you do not change any of your money into Rufia. All the resorts and all the tourist shops accept US Dollars and it is better to take all your travelling money as US Dollars.

What sort of clothes should I pack for the liveaboard?

Life on board is very informal. All you really need are a couple of swim suits and some shorts and T shirts. The evenings are usually quite warm but we would recommend you bring a light sweater and a light waterproof. For your excursions to the inhabited islands you need to dress modestly. We would suggest that you pack your clothes into a soft bag that can be folded up and easily stored on board. And don’t forget to bring a hat and plenty of sun tan lotion to protect you from that tropical sun.

What are the air and water temperatures?

The air temperature in the Maldives is usually around 30 º and the water temperature is around 28º.

What sort of food is served on board?

The menu offers a variety of international cuisine with a touch of local style. The food can sometimes be quite spicy but if you do not like spicy food, there is always an alternative. Salads and fresh fruit are served with most meals. Please remember that the Maldives is a remote destination and all food has to be imported. Please let us know prior to you arrival if you have any special dietary requirements.

What type of drinks are available on board?

Soft drinks, tea and coffee are available free of charge on the MV Sea Queen and the MV Sea Spirit. In the bar we stock beer, red or white wine and a limited range of spirits.

What communications are available on board?

Communications in the Maldives are generally very good with telephone on all the resorts and many of the fishing islands. We do carry a mobile ‘phone on board the boat for emergency use. If your family need to contact you, the best way is for them to call us in the office in the UK on 01284 748010 and we will contact the boat.

What kind of electricity supply is there on the boats?

The MV Sea Queen and the MV Sea Spirit have 220v supplies. Plug sockets are 3 pin square. If you are used to 110v supply you will need to bring a transformer.

Are towels supplied?

Towels are supplied for use in the cabins but we do recommend that you bring your own towel to take aboard the dive support boat for after your dive.

What sort of wet suit should I bring?

We would recommend a 3mm full suit or equivalent

What diving equipment is available for hire on board?

We have regulators, BCDs and dive Computers available for hire at a charge of US$8 per item per day. We do not have wetsuits available for hire.

What type of tanks do you have aboard?

On the MV Sea Queen and the MV Sea Spirit we have international fitting, aluminium 11.8L tanks.

Do the boats have a set itinerary?

We do not have a set itinerary. We know the best dives in the Maldives and we want to ensure that our guests enjoy the very best diving – a set itinerary would not achieve this. We plan each itinerary based on local weather conditions, the season and over 11 years operating world class liveaboards.