The Republic of the Maldives Trip Information Embarkation: Gaafdhal Disembarkation: Hule male (or vice versa) Arrival airport: Kaadedhdoo airport (KDM) Departure airport: Male airport (MLE) (or vice versa) Flights, Hotels, Transfers, Excursions and Insurance Advice on International Flights We recommend that you book your international flight to and from Male airport. For this itinerary, a short domestic flight to or from Kaadedhdoo airport is required, which we are happy to book for you. If the liveaboard safari begins in Gaafdhal, we recommend booking an early arrival into Male. If the safari ends in Gaafdhal, we recommend booking a late departure from Male. Upon arrival at Male airport you will be greeted by a representative from Voyages Maldives. Please look out for them in the arrivals hall. They will have a sign displaying the Master Liveaboards logo. Voyages Maldives will advise and assist you with your onward domestic flight transfer. They also have a counter (No. 34) located in the arrivals hall. If your domestic flight is scheduled to leave within 2 hours of your arrival into Male, the representative will escort you to the domestic terminal for your flight to Kaadedhdhoo, from where your liveaboard departs. If your domestic flight is scheduled to leave more than 2 hours from your arrival into Male, please check in at the Voyages Maldives counter, and then the following options are available to you: Use the facilities of the airport hotel (Hulhule Island Hotel) - there are a number of packages available ranging from USD 25 USD 150 pp Put your bags into storage for a couple of hours ($5 USD per bag/$10 USD per oversized bag/heavy item) and explore the island prior to your flight. To put your bags in the luggage room, please go to the information desk in Arrivals Take advantage of the shopping and refreshments available at the airport The domestic departure terminal is a short walk from the international arrivals area and is clearly marked. Upon leaving the arrival hall, turn right and walk for approximately 100 metres, the ocean will be on your left side and the domestic terminal will be on your right. The domestic flight takes 45 minutes; baggage allowances are as follows: Hand luggage: 5kg per person Checked luggage: 20kg per person* *Divers are allowed 25Kg checked luggage but must be carrying diving equipment for this increased luggage allowance to apply. Additional checked luggage can be bought at check-in for about MVR16 per kg (approximately 63p/kg), subject to availability on the day. Check-in closes about 1 hour before the scheduled departure time. On arrival into Kaadedhdhoo airport, you will be met by one of the Maldives Master staff, who will show you to your transfer to the vessel.
Insurance Master Liveaboards strongly recommend that all guests carry full travel and cancellation insurance as we cannot be held liable for delays which occur during the cruise, nor any delays or cancellations of the flights, accommodation, tours and transfers we organise on your behalf. General Information Visa and Passports Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the Maldives and citizens from most Western countries can obtain a 30-day tourist visa upon arrival. Some nationalities may be required to purchase a visa prior to arrival; please consult the consulate of the Maldives in your country for more details. Local time is GMT +4 hrs in wintertime, GMT +5 hr in summertime. Money Matters The local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa: (MVR). Most visitors may never see or use the local currency as US dollars and Euros are accepted everywhere and any extras are billed to your hotel room and you settle the bill at the end with your credit card. Health Medical facilities in the Maldives are limited; there are 2 hospitals in Male. There are health centres on most of the atolls. It is recommended to take the usual precautions with uncooked food and refrain from drinking tap water. Check with your doctor about which vaccinations are currently advised. Please make sure you use insect repellent and cover exposed skin to prevent any insect borne diseases. Language and Religion The local language is Dhivehi. Islam has been declared the state religion in the Republic of the Maldives since 1997, and it is prohibited to publicly practise another religion. Climate and Weather The Maldives enjoy a warm, tropical climate all year round. The dry season with lots of sunshine lasts from January to March. Wet season is from approximately mid-may to November. Year round temperatures do not vary much: around 23C (73F) at night and 31C (88F) during the day. Water Temperature and Exposure Suits Not surprisingly, water temperatures in the Maldives are fairly constant over the year: 26-29C (78-84F), except in the far south where it can drop to 24C (75F). Most guests are comfortable in a 3mm or 5mm full wetsuit.
Life on Board Food and Drink All Master Liveaboards vessels provide guests with a choice of international and local cuisine, served buffet style in the outdoor dining area. We cater to special dietary requirements to the best of our abilities; please inform our reservations team prior to your trip to ensure we have plenty of dishes to suit your needs. A range of black, green and herbal teas and drinking water are commonly available as well as instant coffee. A huge bunch of bananas are available all day long and a selection of fresh fruit is available at breakfast and lunch, as well as some naughty treats should you feel peckish in between meal times. Guests may also select soft drinks, juices, beer, wine, or spirits from our cocktail bar for an additional fee. Please note that it is illegal to take alcohol in to the Maldives so please do not purchase any in duty free. Clothing and Footwear Dress on board our vessels is very casual and most guests feel comfortable in little more than swim wear, shorts and t-shirts. A sweater is advised for cooler nights, particularly after multiple dives. We do request that guests respect the wishes of others by donning clothing for meal times. Most guests prefer bare feet on board the vessels; however island visits may require sturdy sandals or crosstrainers. Electricity UK 3-pin is standard across Maldives. On board the Maldives Master we have mostly UK 3-pin but cabins and common areas feature USB sockets and combo of European two-pin sockets/uk 3-pin, 230V. Smoking Smoking on board is permitted in designated outdoor areas. Safety on Board Emergency Management All Master Liveaboards crew members undergo rigorous training in emergency management procedures. A thorough boat safety briefing will be provided by your Cruise Director at the start of your trip. Practice scenarios may be performed during your cruise to assist our crew in keeping their skills sharp. Emergency Equipment The Maldives Master is equipped with modern safety features such as automated life rafts, EPIRB, satellite communication and emergency pumps. The newest fire safety features are installed as well, including a CO2 Engine Room Fire control system. First Aid Master Liveaboards vessels are equipped with a fully stocked medical first aid kit for treating minor injuries and ailments as well as for assisting trained medical professionals in remote locations. Each
yacht has a full complement of medical grade oxygen, which can be administered to divers through portable kits and a large O2 fixed station. You will also find on board an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) which has been proven to greatly increase the survival rate in the eventuality of cardiac fibrillation. Our dive teams are all qualified emergency responders. Should you feel unwell at any point during your cruise, please seek the advice of your cruise director who will be able to assist you. Staying connected The Maldives Master has been kitted out with wireless internet access. The Wi-Fi on board can be used free of charge and will be available wherever there is a signal for email and web browsing. Please note that internet here is not Western standard and access will be limited (mainly available when closer to land). Payments on Board Optional Extras Master Liveaboards offer a range of services to make your stay on board even more enjoyable. We offer the following services for an additional fee: Soft drinks Nitrox Beer Wine (750ml bottle) Dive equipment rental Exclusive Master Liveaboards merchandise: T-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies, Fish ID books, logbooks, SMB, reels, toys, jewellery, etc. The main currency used on board and the preferred currency we are able to accept as cash is USD. We can also accept GBP and EUR cash, debit cards and all major credit cards with the exception of American Express; however a surcharge will apply for credit card payments. The exchange rate for other currencies will be based on the current rate at the time of settling the bill. Please be aware that the chargeable GST tax rate will be added to your on board bill. Currently, this is 12% but may vary at short notice. Guests are advised to bring from 250 400 USD (or equivalent currency) for any Optional extras. Tipping At Master Liveaboards we believe that tipping is a matter of personal choice. Should you feel that your crew has made your holiday extra special; then they will certainly appreciate a tip. Please note we are only able to accept tips in cash. An envelope will be provided for your convenience by your cruise director and gratuities then divided equally amongst all the crew, including the captain and dive guides. Diving Information Guests Level of Diving
Master Liveaboards welcomes everyone from non-divers to seasoned divers. Each destination has different diving conditions based on the season and time of the trip. Depth limits given by the Cruise Director must be followed. Whilst most of our trips are suitable for each and every experience level, there may be some dives offered that are not suitable for beginners. Your cruise director will be able to advise you whilst on board, however if you have concerns regarding the conditions of the destination you wish to visit then please contact us. Scuba Equipment Since some of the domestic airline carriers in the regions we operate have strict check- in luggage limits, all Master Liveaboards vessels provide rental equipment for an additional fee, including: Aqua Lung Wave BCD not weight-integrated Aqua Lung Calypso Regulator - complete with alternate air source and depth/pressure gauge console Wetsuits 3mm shorty Mask Fins - full foot or open heel and boots depending on destination Underwater torch 15 litre tank SMB (safety sausage)* Dive computer* * Please note that the use of a dive computer and SMB is compulsory on our vessels. For your safety, Master Liveaboards asks all guests to always dive within the limits of their dive computer and make a safety stop at the end of each dive. 12 litre tanks, weight belts and weights are provided free of charge. Underwater Photography and Videography Our vessels offer specialised features for underwater photographers and videographers. These include: Indoor work stations for the preparation and maintenance of cameras Individual storage drawers for cameras and peripheral items Large rinsing tanks with fresh water changed frequently Our crews are thoroughly trained in the handling of delicate camera equipment and will bring your cameras to/from the tenders for you. Diving Health Flying after Diving Current studies show that you should wait at least 24 hours after multiple repetitive dives before you fly. Please bear this in mind before you book your onward international or domestic flights.
Diving Insurance Diving insurance is mandatory aboard all Master Liveaboards vessels, irrespective of destination. Your insurance must cover all of your scuba diving and snorkelling activities, including the costs for recompression chamber treatment and emergency air evacuation. Whilst many general travel insurance companies will cover scuba diving activities, they often fall short on recompression treatment or evacuation Diving Emergencies In the unlikely event a dive accident occurs, there are 5 hyperbaric facilities available in the Maldives. The largest and longest operating recompression chamber is on Bandos Island (15 minutes by speedboat from Male). The others are located on Cinnamon Alidhoo Resort, Villingili Resort in Addu, Kuramathi Resort, and Kandholhudhoo Islands. A specially trained emergency team is constantly standing by. We strongly urge that all guests dive well within recognised limits, follow Dive Guides advice and, of course, purchase specific dive insurance before their trips.