Maldives Surf Boat Trip
Malé to Central Atolls
9th – 18th July 2023
300 km of the Maldivian Archipelago
The expedition will start from Malé where we will start sailing with our boat.
We will head South, exploring and surfing different waves across Central Atolls. The wind and swells will be dictate the itinerary.
Malé Atoll and Central Atolls (Meemu, Dhaalu, Thaa & Laamu), Maldives
9th - 18th July (10 days / 9 nights)
Check in: 9th July 10:00 am; Velana International Airport, Malé Maldives
Check out: 18th July 18:00 pm; Velana International Airport, Malé Maldives
Maximum 11 surfer guests
Intermediate surfers
Mix of pumping powerful with more easygoing waves
Shared cabin 2680 USD per person
What is Included
- Private luxurious sailing yacht with crew, captain, skipper and chef (plus a team of 10 experienced staff members) offering a delightful stay;
- Accommodation (10 days, 9 nights) in shared or private cabin, with full board (3 delicious healthy meals, afternoon snack, plus water, tea/coffee);
- Itinerary from Malé to Central Atolls;
- World-Class surf breaks for intermediate surfers onwards;
- Three boats (main boat, auxiliary boat the dhoni & dingy);
- Local experienced surf guide;
- Professional photographer on board;
- Daily restorative surf yoga during sunset;
- Snorkeling & fishing in crystal clear waters;
- Visit uninhabited islands/beaches;
- The Ocean Spell goodies;
- Lifts to airport/charter/airport (as a group);
- Domestic flights from Malé International Airport to Central atolls and back to Malé, checked in luggage up to 20kg (excess luggage 2 USD/kilo);
- All current applicable taxes included.
What is not included
- International flights;
- Beverages, softdrinks & alcohol (to be payed on board);
- Photo package (250 USD);
- Surf travel & health insurance with cancellation;
- Surfboards on domestic flights.
Our Home in the Indian Ocean
We will sail across the Indian Ocean on this spacious 33m yacht. Each of the 12 cabins have ensuite toilet with hot/cold shower and a/c.
All dietary requirements can be catered, prior notice.
This boat allows a smooth and cruisy sailing journey. You will enjoy stunning sunrises and sunsets. Not to speak about the yoga on the top deck as the stars fill up the sky.
Much More Than a Trip
Yoga
Plenty of Surfing
Exploring
New Surfing Familia
Fishing
Wild Life
PRICING
Do I need to bring my own surfboard?
Yes its a must, we are going to have an adventure exploring the remote Indian Ocean, nowhere to rent a board.
We recommend you to bring at least two surfboards, in case something happens. You know how boards are sometimes handled at airports, also things happen in the water too.
If this is a problem, please notify our team with time, so we can arrange an alternative solution with our local partners.
What else do I need to bring regarding surfing?
Note: we highly recommend you to bring reef booties, no matter your level. Its good to have them with you, just in case.
Are there any pre-requisites to join?
If you just want to join us, cruise, enjoy, go with the flow…you are more than welcome to come along.
If you are a beginner or low intermediate, keen to join, and you are aware that possibly the waves will be big, and you will have to either sit wide open or on the boat; if you feel comfortable with this, you are welcome to join this adventure. We will encounter lots of different type of waves, however beginner/low intermediates will not be able to surf most days. If you are comfortable with that, happy with sailing, swimming, snorkeling, chilling, hanging out with like-minded women and keen to have a blast, and listen to our recommendations regarding surfing…then we are stoked to have you on board.
Is there an age limit/requirement?
Minors are welcomed on our family trips, or on our kids surf coaching trips. Please contact us for more information.
Am I too old to join?
Most of our guests range between 30 and 55 years old.
I do not have with who to travel...is it a problem?
If you are waiting for a friend to join you, our recommendation is “just go”, the people joining our trips are with similar circumstances to you.
If I do not surf...can I join?
We will sail, cruise, relax, snorkel, visit uninhabited islands, practice yoga, meditation…and while we are surfing, the guests who do not surf but want to be close to us, can snorkel around or hang at the dhoni (the auxiliary boat that will be anchored beside the surfbreak).
Shortboard? Longboard?
Everyone is welcome to join! We have both longboarders and shortboarders on board. Some of our guests bring different kind of boards to play around with.
Is there WIFI?
Can I work from my laptop?
Dietary Requirements
Do I need to bring snorkel, mask and fins?
Fins are available on the boat. This means you won’t have to try and find room for them in your bag and leaves you space for other essentials!
Do I need to arrive one day early?
If you decide you want to arrive early in order to rest and become acclimatized to the weather, we can help you book a hotel close to the airport with pick up and drop off.
When & where do we meet on the first day?
We will meet at Malé Velana International Airport, at 10 am on the 11th of June.
When & where do we finish on the last day?
We will finish at Malé Velana International Airport, in the afternoon on the 20th of June.
How much cash do I need?
Almost everything will be covered: accommodation, meals (water, tea, coffee), airport transfer to the boat (as a group).
Here are some things you might need cash money for:
– alcohol, softdrinks;
– bottled water (we recommend to refill for environmental reasons);
– photo package (300 USD);
– tips (10 USD per day);
– SIM card (50 USD for 30 gigs)
On the boat you will be able to pay with credit card. Tips should be given to the captain and crew in cash.
Local Currency and Banking in the Maldives
One US Dollar is equivalent to aprox 15.5 Rufiyaa. The US Dollar is accepted as legal tender. All major credit cards can be used.
The national bank, Bank of Maldives has a branch and an ATM in Male’ International Airport.
The banks in the Maldives are very particular about the condition of bank notes and will refuse deposits of old style USD$, even though still an active currency, damaged notes, badly creased or well-worn notes will also be rejected. Therefore, if presenting such a note as form of payment you may be requested to change to a note of better condition. Please do not take offence, it is purely that the note will have no worth to the individual to whom you are paying. Also, note that small bills .i.e. $1 and $5 have a lower exchange value, as the Bank of Maldives charges for small notes to be deposited.
Tipping
If you are happy with the services provided by the boat crew a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels and inspires excellent service. The amount to tip is always subject to your satisfaction with the service provided, and your budget. As a rough guide, we recommend you budget $10 a day extra for the duration of the holiday which you can use as tipping money at your discretion.
Time
Note some resorts operate Island Time, which is 1 hour ahead of Maldives standard time.
Travel Insurance
You can buy an insurance package to suit you and your travel plans, allowing you to depart on your holiday confident that you are covered. We recommend our clients to get quality travel insurance with a well-known company: Blue-Cross, Manulife, Escapade, RBC, TravelGuard, etc. You should check the small print in the policy to make sure activities like surfing, snorkeling are covered. You need to be covered for medical expenses abroad and any emergency repatriation that may be required due to your illness/injury. We also recommend that you take out cancellation cover and baggage cover.
IMPORTANT: We must have your travel insurance details (policy number, issuing company details, and emergency telephone number) before you depart or you may not be allowed to join the trip.
Booking Information
A video-call must be organized with the team, in order to be invited to book your space in this adventure. To fully confirm your spot, a non-refundable deposit is needed.
Private and shared rooms availability are on a first-come, first-served basis. Please book your reservations early to receive your preferred accommodation.
Travel & Flight Information
If you decide to extend your stay, we can assist you to book your desired vacation in our luxurious resort recommendations.
Travel Documentation & Insurance Policy
Maldives Entry Requirements with Covid-19
Citizens/residents from most countries are currently allowed to enter Maldives by air. Passengers traveling as tourists arriving from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan or Sri Lanka are not allowed to enter.
Quarantine not required.
Specific entry requirements that must be met:
1) Mandatory Maldives PCR Test for Entry
All tourists traveling to Maldives in COVID-19 must take a mandatory PCR TEST (nucleic acid nasal & throat) taken no more than 96 hours before the departure time of the first ticketed flight to Maldives, counting from the first port of embarkation en-route to the Maldives. If the tourist makes a transit during the journey, the initial PCR test will be valid if the transit does not exceed 24 hours. If the tourist makes a transit exceeding 24 hours, the passenger must repeat the PCR test within 96 hours prior to embarkation at the port of transit.
Maldives Immigration requires the Negative PCR test results to show the name of the passenger (name as in passport), name & address of testing laboratory, testing officer & testing officer signature, type of test stated as a PCR test, date & time of sampling, result.
Tourists who have completed the full vaccination process and hold a valid vaccination certificate for a vaccine approved by the World Health Organisation are still required to take a mandatory PCR test for entry to Maldives when traveling to Maldives in COVID-19.
The PCR test result should be submitted through the IMUGA portal within 24 hours prior to departure to Maldives. In addition, the lab result should be presented in paper or electronic format during the airline check-in.
2) Pre-fill Online Health Declaration Form
The Health Declaration Form must be pre-filled 0-24 hours before traveling to Maldives. The Negative PCR Test results must be attached.
Recommended to take a screenshot of the form’s QR Code upon completion.
A separate form must be pre-filled 0-24hrs prior to your departure from Maldives . Take a screenshot y of the new QR code again upon departure as it’s required to enter the departures hall for flight check in.
3) Confirmed Reservation & Return Flights
Travelers must have a confirmed reservation at our licensed accommodation facility when traveling to Maldives (including a resort, liveaboard, guesthouse, that is approved by the Ministry of Tourism in conjunction with safe tourism guidelines).
4) Passport Validity
Passport must have 6 months validity from departure date for entry.
Exit Requirements
Cancellation Policy due to Covid-19
We want to make the booking process as re-assuring as possible.
In the extenuating circumstances that the entire group trip needs to be rescheduled to new travel dates, due to international border closures and/or restrictions due to Covid-19, all funds paid will be rolled over to the new travel dates. New dates will be discussed with all attendees before being confirmed. If attendees are unable to attend on new proposed group travel dates, existing booking payments will become credit for other The Ocean Spell signature group trips (value to exclude any group fees previously utilised to a third party supplier). Credit not redeemable for refund.
It is mandatory to purchase travel and health insurance with cancellation cover, that in the event of individual attendee tests positive for Covid-19 in the days prior to the trip departure, the insurance provider will refund the credit, always with the proper evidence and proof. The Ocean Spell or our providers cannot refund the money, that is why it is mandatory to be covered for such circumstances. We do know various good insurance providers and we also work with some excellent products, please get in touch with our team.
Non-Covid related refunds. If you cancel 90 days or less before the trip departure date, we will reimburse any payments made to us (excluding admin fee and any non-refundable monies paid to third party suppliers), as long as we are able to resell the place(s) that we have been holding for you. The reimbursement can be either in the form of a refund or held in credit for a future booking. Either way, we will retain a $200 admin fee per person. We will be able to offer a partial refund (excluding admin fee and any non-refundable monies paid to third party suppliers) only if we are able to resell the place(s).
Please note that fear to travel due to Covid is not a valid reason for cancellation or for any insurance provider.
