Frequently asked questions

Full-board dining (buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner), airport meet & greet with transfers, unlimited bottled water, tea and coffee, and the week's dive, cruise or surf programme. Prices are pre-tax and include the 10% service charge; the Maldivian TGST (17%) and green tax ($12/guest/night) are mandatory surcharges collected on board on arrival, shown separately on your quote. A few things are optional extras, billed only if you choose them: Wi-Fi ($30pp), a Vahmaafushi sandbank bonfire ($35pp), nitrox, and — on dive and surf weeks — snorkelling, a night-fishing trip or an island BBQ.

Per cabin, pre-tax (taxes payable on board) — cabins are sold whole at their preset berths (Standard two, Family up to four, Sea View two). It's shown as an indicative “from” figure until our team confirms it for your dates. Pick a cabin type on a departure's page to see its price; email us for a firm quote.

Absolutely. Cabins are sold whole, so a solo guest books a cabin and it's entirely yours — no sharing with strangers. A Standard cabin is priced for two; if you'd like a third guest to join later, they can be added for a supplement. Email us and we'll set it up.

All certification levels are welcome, and there's a dive guide who knows the reefs. Nitrox is available. Tell us your certification and rough dive count when you enquire so we can plan the week around your group.

Payment is handled offline — by bank transfer or email arrangement, not online card payment on this site. A 30% deposit confirms your booking, and the balance is due 30 days before departure. We invoice you directly with the payment details — nothing is taken online, and requesting a quote costs nothing.

Yes — couples, families and small groups all book cabins on the same set weeks. Our overnight trips are for guests aged 7 and over; a Standard cabin can take a third guest for a per-night supplement, at a reduced rate for children. If your group is large enough to want the whole vessel, ask us about chartering the boat for your own dates. Tell us your numbers and we'll suggest the best fit.

MV Explorer has eight cabins across three decks. Seven are sold to guests — up to sixteen in all: the four Standard cabins take two guests each (a third berth can be added on request for a supplement), the Family cabin sleeps up to four, and the two Sea View cabins take two. The eighth cabin is reserved for the tour leader, so it isn't bookable.

Two mandatory Maldivian surcharges are collected on board on arrival: the 17% TGST and the green tax ($12 per guest per night). We show them as a separate “payable on board” line on your quote, so you know the amount up front — nothing is hidden. The 10% service charge is already included in the cabin price; nothing else is added.

Light tropical clothing, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and any personal dive kit you prefer (masks, computers). Tanks, weights and the dive dhoni are provided on dive weeks. We'll send a full packing note once your week is confirmed.

Changes are possible depending on timing and availability — the earlier you tell us, the more we can do. Cancellations 30 days or less before arrival, no-shows and early departures are charged in full (100%); for earlier cancellations, let us know in writing and we'll confirm what applies. Email us for the exact terms for your dates.