Typical Itinerary Male Atolls surf charter

Transcription

1 Typical Itinerary Male Atolls surf charter DAY 1 You will be met at the airport by The Perfect Wave representative wearing TPW s blue polo with a logo. When everyone has arrived, you will be transported by dhoni (local Maldivian transfer vessel) to the charter boat which is located in the Hulhule harbour about 20 mins from the airport. Male International Airport Un packing the board bags in anticipation for the first session The Perfect Wave surf charters Cobia, Hamathi and Haira normally start their trips at night (22:30 in front of Burger King at Male Airport) and end at 18:00. Therefore the first day of your trip is non surfing, and the last day is surfing. In case you arrive in Male earlier in the day and you have a few hours to spare before you meet The Perfect Wave crew in front of Burger King at 22:30, there are some options for you to spend your time. Our representative will greet you if you arrive early and afterwards the time until 22:30 is at your own leisure. You will sleep on the boat in the harbour on the first night and your first surf session is the next morning. Please note that Carpe Diem trips start at 12:30pm and end at 8am and Carpe Vita trips start at 14:30pm and end at 9am. However, the same information as per below applies if you arrive with time spare before your trip starts: General info: No US dollars available in Maldives, only local currency. Make sure you bring USD with you, and note that they do not accept old USD with small head anymore. Airport island is separate from Male' and Hulhumale, no other facilities except for airport terminal The only airport place that serves alcohol is the airport hotel There are 4 options for you if you arrive in Maldives early and have a few hours to spare 1. Stay at airport terminal (no wifi and no internet facilities available) Burger King, Thai Express and Coffee Club (all with air conditioning) ATM providing local currency only pharmacy information desk

2 2 phone company offices for local SIM card purchases baggage storage room: 6 USD per bag and 12 USD per board bag 2. Take local ferry to Male' pay to store extra bags at airport 1 USD one way to/from Male' restaurants, shops and sights one surf break: Towns (local surfers not always welcoming to visitors) 3. Purchase day package at Hulhule Island Hotel the only airport hotel free shuttle to/from airport day packages for pool use, showers, wifi access, baggage storage, etc. (various prices) full service restaurants and bars 4. Book hotel room for the day (before arrival is recommended) hotels are available on the islands of Male' and Hulhumale ferry transfers required for Male' hotels land transfers required for Hulhumale hotels most hotels allow maximum of 4 people per room for day booking (policies vary for each hotel) contact us for list of suggested hotels (some of the ones we recommend are Surf View Raalhugandu and Hotel Octave in Male, or Sunny Suites Hotel in Hulhumale). DAY 2 onwards (charter lengths vary in the Maldives between 7 nights 14 nights). This is your opportunity to ask the surf guide questions and express your interests and what you want to do for the trip. The guide will probably tell you how the waves have been and what s expected over the course of your stay so make sure to ask as many questions as possible so you are aware of what s happening on your charter. The surf guide will determine where the best surf will be to start off with but most of the time you head to the North Male atolls to begin the charter. In this area you can expect to surf waves like Tombstones, Jailbreaks, Sultans, Honkey s, Cokes, Ninjas and Chickens. Take a dhoni to surf breaks Sultans Midway through your charter or maybe earlier depending on conditions, your guide will offer the opportunity to head south or stick with North Male if the waves are good. It s up to you and the surf guide won t push you unless he knows the waves will be good for certain or the waves in the North can t get any

3 worse. The waves you can expect to surf in the South Male atoll are also world class are: Foxys, Riptides, Natives, Kates, Tucky Joe s & Quarters. Riptides Tucky Joes FINAL DAY On your last day, you might be able to surf for the day, unless you booked a flight that leaves Male earlier. The boats in the Maldives aren t allowed to sail at night so they need to be back in port by about 6pm before it gets too dark. This means if you have a flight departing Male at 10:30pm you will have a few hours wait before you need to check in for the flight. We can arrange for the boat to take you to the Hulhule Hotel where there is a nice bar and restaurant or you can have a look around Male for a few hours. Again, this is completely up to you. If you have an earlier flight, we will make sure you are back to the airport in time on the last day to check in and board your flights. Group airport transfers are at no charge, but if your flight leaves earlier in the day and the rest of the group stays on the boat until 6:30 checkout, you will have to pay for individual airport transfers. The fee is between US$ , depending on the location of boat and can be shared between more people. It is customary, and very much appreciated by the staff, to tip on surf charters in the Maldives. The Perfect Wave recommends that if you are happy with the service you received and had a great experience, you should leave a small tip. For charters, $70 per person per week ($10 per day) given to the captain to distribute, is a good amount.

4 Typical Itinerary Maldives Central and Southern Atolls surf charter DAY 1 You will be met at the airport by The Perfect Wave representative wearing TPW s blue polo with a logo. The typical check in time on The Perfect Wave charters that start in Male is 22:30. The first day is hence a non surfing day. Male (Velana) International Airport Unpacking the board bags in anticipation of the first session Perfect Wave surf charters Cobia, Hamathi and Haira normally start their trips at night (22:30 in front of Burger King at Male Airport) and end at 18:00. Therefore the first day of your trip is non surfing, and the last day is surfing. In case you arrive in Male earlier on the day and you have a few hours to spare before you meet The Perfect Wave crew in front of Burger King at 22:30, there are some options for you to spend your time. Our representative will greet you if you arrive early and afterwards the time until 22:30 is at your own leisure. Please note that Carpe Diem trips start at 12:30pm and end at 8am and Carpe Vita trips start at 14:30pm and end at 9am. However, the same information as per below applies if you arrive with time spare before your trip starts: General info: No US dollars available in Maldives, only local currency. Make sure you bring USD with you, and note that they do not accept old USD with small head anymore. Airport island is separate from Male' and Hulhumale, no other facilities except for airport terminal The only airport place that serves alcohol is the airport hotel There are 4 options for you if you arrive in Maldives early and have a few hours to spare 1. Stay at airport terminal (no wifi and no internet facilities available) Burger King, Thai Express and Coffee Club (all with air conditioning) ATM providing local currency only pharmacy

5 information desk 2 phone company offices for local SIM card purchases baggage storage room: 6 USD per bag and 12 USD per board bag 2. Take local ferry to Male' pay to store extra bags at airport 1 USD one way to/from Male' restaurants, shops and sights one surf break: Towns (local surfers not always welcoming to visitors) 3. Purchase day package at Hulhule Island Hotel the only airport hotel free shuttle to/from airport day packages for pool use, showers, wifi access, baggage storage, etc. (various prices) full service restaurants and bars 4. Book hotel room for the day (before arrival is recommended) hotels are available on the islands of Male' and Hulhumale ferry transfers required for Male' hotels land transfers required for Hulhumale hotels most hotels allow maximum of 4 people per room for day booking (policies vary for each hotel) contact us for list of suggested hotels (some of the ones we recommend are Surf View Raalhugandu and Hotel Octave in Male, or Sunny Suites Hotel in Hulhumale). If the trip starts in Male, you will be transported by dhoni (local Maldivian transfer vessel) to the charter boat which is located in the Hulhule harbour about 20 mins from the airport. If the trip starts down south in Laamu or Gaafu Dhaalu, you will be escorted to the domestic terminal where you will board a domestic flight from Male to Laamu or Gaafu Dhaalu. The flight arrivals vary but are after midnight. You will arrive on the boat between midnight and 2am local time. You will sleep on the boat in the harbour on the first night and your first surf session is the next morning. Domestic flights in Maldives Maldivian Airlines cannot accommodate surf boards longer than 8ft with board bag. Luggage allowance is 25kg. Check in will commence 2 hr prior to departure and will close 1 hr prior departure. Please do report for check in on time. DAY 2 onwards (charter lengths vary between 7 nights & 14 nights). This is your opportunity to ask the surf guide questions and express your interests and what you want to do for the trip. The guide will probably tell you how the waves have been and what s expected over the course of your stay so make sure to ask as many questions as possible so you are aware of what s happening on your charter. The surf guide will determine where the best surf will be to start off. Itineraries for safaris cannot be guaranteed as weather can cause delays to boat movements in and out of harbors and crossing between Atolls in the Maldives. These decisions are at the discretion of the safari boat captain in conjunction with the guide and will be made considering the safety of the guests, crew and the boat.

6 If your trip is in Southern Atolls (Gaafu Dhaalu), you will surf within that Atoll. The surf breaks include Beacons, Castaways, Five Islands, Blue Bowls, Tiger Stripes or Love Charms and the program depends on your surfing level and surf guide s recommendation. If your trip includes Central Atolls, the number of waves is large but they are spread around 4 Atolls Laamu, Thaa, Meemu and Dhaalu. The itinerary is highly influenced by the weather, your willingness to spend time on the boat doing the crossings between Atolls, and the time you have on your trip. 5 Islands Beacons FINAL DAY On your last day, you might be able to surf for the day, unless you booked your international flight departure earlier than 10:30pm on your last day. The boats in the Maldives aren t allowed to sail at night so they need to be back in port by about 6pm before it gets too dark. The standard check out is 17:30 if your trip ends in Gaafu Dhaalu or Laamu and it is 18:30 if your trip ends in Male but it may vary if your flights are earlier. If you have an earlier flight, we will make sure you are back to the airport in time on the last day to check in and board your flights. Group airport transfers are at no charge, but if your flight leaves earlier in the day and the rest of the group stays on the boat until 6:30 checkout, you will have to pay for individual airport transfers. The fee is between US$ , depending on the location of boat and can be shared between more people. It is very important for us to know your international flight details if you have not booked them with us, so please do supply them as early as possible. If we book your flights we cannot guarantee that the flight that leaves Male late at night will be available. If you leave earlier you may miss some surfing time, unless you decide to leave Maldives a day later. In that case, please ask as for assistance to book a hotel in Male for your overnight stay. It is customary, and very much appreciated by the staff, to tip on surf charters in the Maldives. The Perfect Wave recommends that if you are happy with the service you received and had a great experience, you should leave a small tip. For charters, $70 per person per week ($10 per day) given to the captain to distribute, is a good amount.

7 Maldives money & currency information Maldivian banks and currency exchanges are no longer accepting the old design style USD where the picture of a person is small and within an oval shape. They are only accepting the new bills with a big head. For payment of any incidentals (drinks, tips souvenirs etc) these new USD notes have to be brought from your home country. You cannot get USD once you arrive in Maldives. Only local currency is available from the ATMs. ACCEPTED, LEFT ( BIG HEAD ) NOT ACCEPTED, RIGHT (SMALL HEAD)

8 ACCEPTED, LEFT ( BIG HEAD ) NOT ACCEPTED, RIGHT (SMALL HEAD)

9 Maldives domestic flights (Central and Southern Atolls trips) Domestic flights in Maldives Maldivian Airlines cannot accommodate surf boards longer than 8ft with board bag. Luggage allowance is 25kg. Check in will commence 2 hr prior to departure and will close 1 hr prior departure. Please do report for check in on time. Prohibited Items Please note that the import of firearms, liquor, drugs, dogs, pigs, pork products and pornography in to the Maldives is strictly prohibited. Alcohol may be imported only with an official license. Idols of worship, certain animal products, explosive and weapons and alcoholic beverages are not allowed into the Maldives. Drugs are strictly prohibited and the penalty of importing drugs for personal or other use is life imprisonment. Personal pets apart from dogs can be brought with a special permission and all animals require veterinary certificate. The following, among other things, may not be exported in any form: black corals, stony corals, Triton shells, Pearl Oysters, lobsters, Turtles and Turtle shells. Please also note that following animals are prohibited for collection and fishing: Black corals, Conches, Giant Clams, Berried and small lobsters, turtles, napoleon Wrasses, Dolphins, Whale sharks and Whales.

10 Electric sockets (plugs) in the Maldives Power is volt at most resorts & boats in the Maldives. Electric sockets are UK or European type. Most places supply adapters, but we recommend you always take at least one of your own. Round pin plugs are used, although square pin plugs are now becoming more common.

11 Frequently Asked Questions Will we be able to recharge camera batteries on the boat and if so what if any adaptor will be required? A: Yes, most of the boats have power adaptors with multiple country sockets. It is always safe to bring your own just in case the adaptors on board don t work or there aren t enough. The standard plugs in Maldives are UK and Europe types. What time do the charters depart? A: Cobia, Hamathi and Haira trips normally start at 22:30 in front of Burger King at Male International Airport. Carpe Vita trips start at 14:30 and Carpe Diem trips start at 12:30 at Male International Airport (arrivals hall). What is the usual schedule on board? A: Generally it depends on the surf conditions and the amount of crossings between atolls required. A typical day would go like this: Wake up at 6am and check out the surf, have coffee. First morning session at am. Breakfast around 10am, then surf again until 1pm. After lunch, you can take a nap and go surfing again until it gets dark at 6pm. Have a couple of beers, then dinner at 7 8pm. Afterwards more beers, watch DVDs, go fishing and plan for the next day. What do we do if we are not surfing A: If the surf is not good enough or if the group decides to move on to another spot, the boat is cruising (it can be between 30 minutes and 8 hours daily average is about 2 hours). You can also visit local islands (inhabited or uninhabited), go snorkelling, play beach volley, fish or dive (if the boat has the facilities). What food is on board? A: Mix of Maldivian and western food. What happens if I miss my flight or my flight is arriving later than expected? A: Look at your voucher and call the emergency number on that. If you can t get through, call The Perfect Wave number also on your voucher. Is there a surf shop nearby? A: There are no surf shops on local islands in the Maldives, so you need to assure you bring everything you need for the trip. Is there fishing equipment available? A: Basic hand lines are available. If you are a keen fisherman, we recommend you bring your own rod. Spear fishing is illegal in the Maldives. It s best to bring your own fishing rod (short, sturdy, big reel). Thick lines, lures and hooks for potential kingsize fishes 2kg / 40kg. Are there any additional costs? A: Drinks, tips for the crew (usually about $10 per day), individual airport transfers, diving (if available on your boat) and time spent at your own leisure in Male or the airport. How much are beers? A: About $4 per beer depends on the boat. We do not control the prices of alcohol on boats. Can we bring alcohol on the boat? A: No, you cannot bring any alcohol into the Maldives. How many boards are we allowed to bring? A: As many as you can carry but you might get stung by airlines for having any more than 4 boards. Most boats also only like you to bring 3 4 boards due to space restrictions.

12 Is there mobile phone service? A: Most places in Maldives have signal apart from more remote areas and crossings between atolls. Does the boat have internet capabilities? A: The best internet access now is a data SIM for a smartphone. You can the set your smartphone as a hotspot to service any tablet or computer. The data SIMs that The Perfect Wave Maldives offers for rental ($20 for the trip) have 1.6 GB available and if you want more data, you can recharge anywhere in Maldives. Groups can also use one SIM if they are low users and are willing to share. Carpe Vita and Carpe Diem also have a WiFi internet access. Do I need to get medical needles or take any medicine for malaria or other infections I could get? A: We aren t legally allowed to offer medical advice so we recommend talking to your doctor. offer you to purchase a First Aid Kit specifically built for surfers please ask your consultant. What s the currency used? A: US Dollar only new bills with big heads are accepted in Maldives these days. What wax do I use? How many leg ropes should I bring? A: Tropical wax. 2 or 3 leggies, depends on how big the surf is and what thickness you like. What do I need to bring? A: Please refer to our passenger checklist in this booklet. Is there any things prohibited? Yes, there are several prohibited items. Please do not bring: alcohol, spear gun or pork products. Upon arrival, your luggage will be X rayed and prohibited items will be confiscated What happens if I get cut? Is there a first aid kit? A: Yes. Most boats have first aid kits but they might run out of supplies so we recommend bringing your own personal first aid kit. We

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