Dive the Best of the Maldives on Emperor Voyager

Includes:

• 7 Nights’ accommodation on Emperor Voyager Liveaboard
• 6 Days Diving
• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• All Tea, Coffee, Bottled Water & Afternoon Snacks
• 1 Glass of Wine with Dinner
• 17 Dives (incl. 1 Night Dive)
• Separate Diving Dhoni
• Tanks & Weights
• Free Nitrox fills
• 1 BBQ night on a local island (subject to route & weather)
• All Fees & Green Tax
• Return Airport Transfers

 

Excludes:

• Return flights & airport taxes (JNB - DXB - MLE approx. R19,500.00 pp)
• Travel & Diving insurance (Approx. R1,085.00)
• Soft drinks & alcoholic drinks not specified
• Wi-Fi (5GB package at approx. $30)
• Hire of dive equipment other than tanks & weights
• Tips/Gratitude’s ($150 pp – divided amongst the crew)
• Maldives Departure tax: $30 pp
• 13.2L Tank Hire - R1,575.00 per week

Where is the Maldives?

Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives is an island country and archipelago in the Indian Ocean. It lies southwest of India and Sri Lanka in the Laccadive Sea. The chain of twenty six atolls stretches from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll, to the Addu Atoll. The capital and largest city is Male, traditionally called the ‘Kings Island’.

EMPEROR VOYAGER - AVAILABLE CABINS

Upper deck: 2 Cabins with Twin Beds that can be changed to Doubles Main deck: 1 Cabin with Twin Beds Lower deck: 3 Cabins with Double Beds | 4 Cabins with Twin Beds   A welcoming modern, spacious liveaboard built to a high standard, Emperor Voyager is a 30 metre boat accommodating 20 guests in 7 twin (choice of decks) and 3 double cabins, all en-suite with air-con and a fan.  

LANGUAGE

The official language is Dhivehi. English is widely spoken by Maldivians and visitors can easily make themselves understood

TIME ZONE

3 hours ahead of South Africa

CLIMATE

The Maldives has a tropical climate with an average temperature of around 30 °C during the day throughout the year.

WATER TEMPERATURE

The sea in the Maldives is warm all year round, the water temperature ranges from 28 °C to 30 °C

POWER SUPPLY

Electricity supply is 220V to 240V, 50Hz AC. The standard socket is the UK-style three-pin, although there are some variations, so an international adaptor will be useful.

DEPARTURE TAX

An Airport Development Charge of USD 25 is levied on passengers embarking on international flights in the Maldives. (This departure tax is payable in USD at the airport).

Tipping

Emperor Maldives believe that tips should be on a voluntary basis depending on the quality of your service from the guides and the crew. You will find an envelope in your cabin and the general recommendation is $150 per person. Please feel free to leave what you think is acceptable and it will be equally shared between the guides and crew.

Inoculations

Compulsory: None

STAYING IN CONTACT

The liveaboards are equipped with Wi-Fi and internet is available when a mobile signal is present, usually only nearby or in port. This service is for limited internet browsing and to connect with communication applications. Upload/download is very limited. Please Note: MTN roaming is not available in the Maldives.

WHAT PAYMENT METHOD IS ACCEPTED

The Maldivian currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa Liveaboard accepts payment in USD or Euro or Credit cards Visa and MasterCard only. Credit cards are charged in USD plus a 4% surcharge. ATM’s are available. Banking Hours: Sun-Thu 07:30-14:30.

WHAT TO BRING

• Proof of dive insurance and dive certification card.

• Passport valid from 6 months from the time of entry

• No visas are required by SA passport holders. A visitor’s permit is issued on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days.

• One full empty page in your passport in which to put the Visa on Arrival sticker.

• Dress is generally casual. T-shits and cotton clothing are most suitable. In Malé, the capital island and other inhabited island it is recommended that women wear modest clothing without bearing too much.

• Hat and polarised sunglasses.

• Reefsafe sunscreen

• Rechargeable batteries.

Alcohol

• NO Alcohol will be allowed through customs on arrival in Maldives, any alcohol will be confiscated. Alcohol is available to purchase on board; a beer is around 5 USD, spirits between 6-10 USD and a bottle of wine between 30-50 USD.

DIVING

• You don't need a minimum number of dives but you should be comfortable with drift dives, as currents can be unpredictable and strong. If you are an Open Water Diver, some dives are below 18m therefore we recommend having advanced experience or taking your PADI Advanced Open Water course on board to maximise your enjoyment from the trip. Inexperienced and beginner divers may find some dives challenging and may be asked by the Cruise Director to skip dives that are not suitable for their diving experience. All diving is made from dhonis to give precise entry and exit points. This is the Best of the Maldives - and it delivers exactly that. This is where you dive the best and most famous dive sites of the Maldives in a week of wonderful liveaboard diving across Male and Ari atolls.
• Wetsuit: 3mm or 5mm long or shorties are suitable for most of the dive sites.
• Certification must be presented as well as a log book and dive insurance
• Safety: Every diver needs to be equipped with a diving computer, SMB and drop line which is to be deployed at the end of each drift dive after completing the safety stop
• Alcohol Consumption: If alcohol is consumed in between dives by an individual then they will be required to refrain from diving for the remainder of the day
• Flying After Diving: A minimum surface interval of 18 hours must be allowed prior to flying or going to altitude
• Decompression Chamber: There are several chambers are available in the Maldives. The largest and longest operating chamber is on Bandos Island (15 minutes by speedboat from Male).