If you are a group, how does it work?
Most difficult part is choosing a same date with your mates, sooner the better. Check out the availability with your travel agent or tour operator, decide a date which everyone agrees.
1 ) Make a list of potential guests and determine a budget.
2 ) Decide best dates and number of cruising days for instance 7, 10, 12 or 14 days depending on budget.
3 ) Check flight availability with an airline or tour operator and book a flight.
4 ) send an email to your travel agent in Male’ stating your travel dates and flight number.
5 ) Your agent will send you an official quote
6 ) Send a list of passenger with names, nationality, passport details
7 ) Your agent will normally send you an invoice with booking terms.
8 ) deposit a payment as stated in the contract.
9 ) Your local representative will meet you at Male’ International Airport.
What is a usual schedule on board during the surf trip?
Usually it goes like this:
1 ) cruise to a popular surf spot.
2 ) wake up, have a drink,
3 ) have a look at the surf report
4 ) Dhoni or Dinghy departs for session one
5 ) Have breakfast
6 ) Dhoni or dinghy departs for session two
7 ) Have lunch
8 ) Dhoni or dinghy departs for session three
9 ) Evening tea
10) Dinner
11) planning for next day
12) Enjoy some board games, watch movies or perhaps some fishing.
What to do if you are not surfing?
If the surf is not good enough alternative is to cruise, visit a village for some basic shopping or play football or volley ball with the locals, do some snorkeling or enjoy some fishing.
How many boards do I bring to Maldives?
2 or 3 boards suited for 3-8ft hollow but not super powerful waves, better bring a fish than a gun, especially in summer season (March-April). Plan to share boards with your friends. Beginner boards and body boards can be fine. Long board is ok but not that convenient for hollow waves and longboard wave hogs can alter wave sharing. Don’t forget your leashes (2 short 6ft and 1 midsize 8ft).
Is there an extra tax for board bags?
Not really. Emirates, Qatar, Sri Lankan and Singapore are surfer friendly airlines but don’t exceed 30 Kgs. for your check-in luggage. Domestic flights are small Dash-8 Turboprop which have room for board bags even 10ft longboard bags but if you hold a big board bag with 9ft+ longboards, please let your travel agent know before hand. No more than 30kg for your board bag.
What are the most essential accessories?
At least 1 tropical wax bar every 3 days ! Water is 27-30°c and base coat wax sticks even better ! De-wax your board before arriving if you have winter wax. Don’t forget your long sleeve lycra (+surf hat even better) and your reef booties (not essential but it’s better to have and not use them than vice versa).
Is there snorkeling equipment onboard?
No, please bring along with you the fins, mask and snorkel.
How strong is the sun?
During summer (March-April), it’s sunny almost every day so be prepared with heavy duty sunscreen (SPF 45), skin repair and water sun hat or cap. In winter (May-October), it’s often overcast but sun can still be strong and skin damage can ruin your trip. Bring a pair of caps and sunglasses.
Is the reef dangerous?
Seldom there is a beach break so you always surf on reef with indoor standards. Reef is rather smooth and flat with less wave power so it’s much safer. But waves can be really shallow so you really need to know how to handle the reef properly (don’t dive head first, always land flat on wipe-outs, avoid stepping on the reef). Most of the injuries are minor reef cuts. Bring Betadine and some dry wound dressing.
Will people I get seasick?
Most probably not because cruising inside the atolls is mostly calm sea. However, if you’re subject to seasickness, bring your own pills. Don’t forget to rinse your ears after each session as ear infection do occur on such humid premises. Bring ear plugs in case you need them, ear drops.
Are there mosquitoes and Malaria?
Mosquitoes are rare and getting them aboard almost never happens. Sometimes, there can be few (very few) in the villages but malaria is non-existent! Bring a mosquito repellent maybe handy incase going to a local village.
Is there fishing equipment on board?
There will be a handling or 2 but if you are keen fishing enthusiast, it is best to bring along with you the fishing rod (short, sturdy, big reel). Thick lines, lures and hooks for potential kingsize fishes 2kg / 40kg.
What else should I bring along with me?
Take sport shoes (if soccer with locals or reef walks), Films DVD, Books. I-Pod + small speakers, guitar, group games, massage oil. Boat plugs have adaptors (both 110 and 220 V). Bring additional food if you’re afraid to be hungry despite 5 meals a day : cereals, candy bars, chocolate, dairy products (sometimes available from the villages).
Do mobile phones work and can I get e-mail?
There is mobile coverage in the Central atolls and the rest of the Maldives. (Time +3h to France, +12h to California) so it’s easy to stay tuned with the world and it is possible to check e-mail onboard in most of the boats or in the villages. Bring condensation salts for electronic appliances (temperature difference outside / AC).
Is there anything prohibited?
Yes, do NOT bring : alcohol bottle, speargun, porn mag, pork products. Upon arrival, your luggage will be X-rayed, prohibited items will be confiscated and you’ll get them back on your way home. NO DRUG SMUGGLING !!! Immediate conviction and long time jail (no restitution on your way home).
Do I need local money?
There is ATM machine right at the airport (US$1.00 = 15 Rufiyaa), though US cash is accepted every where in the Maldives. You may need some local money incase if you wish to buy something in the village or eating out at a local cafe’.
Do I need to tip the boat crew?
Generally, tipping is accepted in the hospitality industry in the Maldives. There is no specific guide line how much though. A token of recognition is always appreciated in return of a good service.
When do I arrive in Male’ to join the trip?
Ideally a day before the boat trip starts. Most International flights that are coming from West via Dubai or Doha are arriving early morning while flights via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur arrive in the late evening. incase, if you are supposed to catch a domestic flight to join the boat in surf destination such as Laamu Atoll, then it is always better to arrive a day before the trip to avoid any possible delays of the international flight. If you have ample time before the following day trip to domestic destination to Laamu, you could also enjoy some surfing in Male’. Male’ is only 15 minutes from airport by dhoni and it cost US$1 each way. Accommodations in Male’ in not expensive, you can expect to pay ranging from US$85.00 for a double room. Luggage can be kept at the airport paying a small charge like US$5 – 8US$ for a bag. Surf spot is not crowded before 3pm in Male’. its good to stop by a day or two in Male’ to rest and get ready for boat trips.
Where to stay in Male’?
Number of Hotels and simple cosy boutique hotels located in quieter part of Male’ are available on request, it comes with nice local Cafe’s which caters international and local dishes. If you choose to stay in airport island then, we have access to many hotels in Hulhumale Beach
at a very reasonable price.
