Maldives liveaboard diving is a must-do for every avid scuba diver! REEF has arranged for this trip to follow one of their southern itineraries, which is perfect for fish enthusiasts. The South Ari, South Male, Vaavu, and Meemu Atolls are dreamy tropical oases above and below. The Maldives atoll offers world-class diving experiences, wowing with an abundance of marine life. Made up of nearly 1,200 islands, the inner and outer reefs of the atoll are a haven for wildlife.
Project Focus: The purpose of this trip is to conduct fish surveys to support REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Click here to learn more about participating in fish surveys on a REEF Field Survey Trip!
Best Suited For: Divers
Accommodations: Emperor Explorer's four decks easily accommodate nine spacious and well-appointed en-suite staterooms and four suites, all of which offer air conditioning and a mixture of comfortable king, queen, and twin beds. Stateroom and Suite differences
Diving: The trip package includes 9 days of 3-4 dives a day with the opportunity for night dives. The diving will be done on large spacious tenders with ample space for all divers, cameras, and gear. Nitrox is included for certified divers. Strong currents can be prevalent during this time so divers should be comfortable diving in currents and using an SMB.
Pricing, Inclusions, and Other Fees
| Staterooms 1-8 | Staterooms 13-14 | Suites 11-12 | Suites 9-10 | |
| Double Occ. |
$4,076 |
$4,131 | $4,219 | $4,395 |
| *Single Occ. | $6,522 | - | - | - |
*Single Occupancy is based on availability.
Rates may adjust at any time in the event of a change in local taxes.
Your Package Includes: 10 nights of accommodation on Emperor Explorer, all meals, snacks, 3-4 dives daily based on location, tanks, weights, weight belt, Nitrox for certified divers, and roundtrip airport transfers.
REEF Program Fee: A REEF Program Fee of $350 will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminar, and REEF survey materials. The REEF Program Fee applies to all divers and any attendee age 18 or older.
Additional Fees - Not Included: The following costs are not included in the price paid to REEF. All flights, alcoholic beverages other than the house wine served with dinner, optional rental, and equipment. A fuel surcharge may be added to each person's onboard bill. If applicable, the fuel surcharge amount will be determined approximately 30 days prior to the start of the trip. Gratuities for the crew are not included in the cost of the charter and are at each individual's discretion.
Registration
To reserve your space, email trips@REEF.org or call 305-588-5869. A $1,000 per person deposit will be due to confirm your reservation. Visit our Trip Policies page for more information on deposit and payment schedules.
Maldives Travel Info
Insurance: Travel insurance is not included. REEF strongly recommends that each participant purchase adequate dive travel insurance to protect you from unforeseen circumstances. REEF partners with both DiveAssure and DAN to offer travel insurance packages specifically for divers. REEF will receive a portion of the proceeds from travel insurance purchases when you click on the following affiliate links for DiveAssure or DAN. Dive accident insurance (DAN, DiveAssure or equivalent) is required.
How to Get There: Participants should make arrangements to fly into Male, at Velana International Airport (MLE), arriving in time to board the boat Sunday, January 12. Participants should book their return trip departing MLE on January 22. It is recommended that participants arrive in Male at least one day before departure to allow for travel delays. There are plenty of hotels in the downtown Male area.
Transfers: Round-trip airport transfers to and from the airport on the day of arrival and departure are included. There will be two transfer times on arrival and departure.
Passports, Documentation and Visas: Visitors to the Maldives must have a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months, and a return ticket or an onward ticket to another country. Please note these may change and participants are responsible for making sure they meet entry requirements.
COVID-19 Considerations: It is the participant's responsibility to ensure that they understand and comply with all local requirements (for entry and visit as a tourist) of the host destination, and for exit and entry requirements for their home country. Be prepared for your plans to change. Be sure your travel insurance covers COVID-related issues. No travel is risk-free during the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries may further restrict travel or bring in new rules at short notice, for example, due to a new COVID-19 variant. Please be aware that REEF is not a travel agent. We are doing our best to interpret the information provided by our trip vendor and the host country’s government COVID-19 webpages. We encourage everyone to do their own research, interpretation, and due diligence. Please see REEF’s COVID-19 Considerations and Vaccine Policies section in our REEF Field Survey Trips Policies page for more information