How to get there
(Last updated July 2010)
From Australia and Asia
Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines offer great connections from major Australian and Asian cities.
From Europe
Many European Charter Airlines offer direct flights to Male. Often these flights include additional allowances for dive luggage.
Alternatively, we recommend you travel with Emirates, Qatar Airways and Sri Lankan Airlines, which offer not only good connections and good service, but also up to 10 kg additional diving equipment.
From America
Maldives is pretty much halfway around the globe if you start your travel in North or South America. In all cases you will either travel via Europe or via Australia/Asia and then connect from there.
Domestic Transfers/Flights
Once landed in Male it is a short transfer to the harbour to catch your transfer boat or live aboard cruise.
Seaplanes are a fast and scenic option to reach your more remote island resorts. Luggage is restricted to 20 kg check in and 5 kg hand luggage. Each additional kg excess baggage is charged locally at about 3 USD/KG for the roundtrip.
Seaplane transfers to the islands are only possible during daylight hours.
Airfares
As part of your travel plan we will happily assist you in finding the most suitable flight connections to your dive destination. In many cases we can issue the tickets on your behalf.
Air taxes are subject to strong fluctuations and can change daily and until your flight ticket has been purchased. Taxes generally include local airport/security fees, departure taxes, ground handling fees and fuel surcharges.
Should the most convenient route involve instant purchase airfares we can still issue them with your authorisation. All airfares issued by us will attract a small service fee and might be slightly more expensive then the cheapest offers online.
In general, airfares available for purchase online depend on day of departure and time of travel. Those instant purchase airfares require full payment at time of booking. If you choose to arrange your own flights online, we won’t be able to provide any services for seat reservations, schedule or itinerary changes.
Baggage
Most airlines have restricted the amount of baggage to be checked in free of charge.
Airlines are strictly enforcing their checked baggage limit and can charge excess baggage fees for additional checked pieces and dive gear.
Regulations can vary from airline to airline and with each tariff booked. Please let us know your specific requirements so we can advise you of the options at time of booking.
The following airlines offer special concessions for dive gear:
Visa & passport requirements
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Maldives for the most up-to-date information.
The Maldives currently offers a free 30-day visa on arrival for passport holders of all nationalities, provided that you have a valid travel document, a ticket out of the country and proof of sufficient funds, defined as either a confirmed reservation in any resort or US$100 + $50/day in cash.
Importing alcohol, pork or pornography (very broadly defined) into the Maldives is forbidden and all luggage is X-rayed on arrival. On the way out, note that exporting sand or seashells is also forbidden.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of departure from Maldives. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Australians: Please contact the
Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka for detailed Visa information.
Links to more information
