Good to Know

Climate

The Maldives has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round and enjoys a great deal of sunshine. The temperature varies very little throughout the year and typically ranges between 25° and 32°C. Although the weather pattern is determined by the monsoons, the Maldives sits on the equator, so the monsoons aren't as defined as in neighboring countries. Severe storms are very rare.

 

Currency

The local currency is Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), and it is possible to change money at the airport upon arrival. The exchange rate varies roughly between 15 MVR and 15.42 MVR to 1 USD. Only licensed shops are allowed to accept foreign currencies, and USD is the most commonly accepted.

 

Dress Code

The Maldives is a Muslim country, and visitors are expected to respect this by adhering to a certain dress code when visiting local islands. In Malé, it may seem that a dress code doesn't exist as many tourists ignore it despite being informed at welcome meetings and by their tour guides. Although things in Malé appear to be slightly more relaxed than on local islands, the dress code still reflects the modesty expected by Muslim culture. Appropriate dress for women would be to cover their shoulders and knees, whereas shorts are acceptable for men.

 

Electricity

The electric current in the Maldives is 220V, 50HZ AC. The most common standard for power outlets is the British system. It is always wise to bring a travel adapter as you may occasionally find yourself in need of one in some hotels. We use British power outlets onboard both yachts; please note all suites are equipped with universal plug adapters.

 

Import restrictions

Import of the following is strictly prohibited:

• Alcohol
• Food items containing pork meat
• Narcotics
• Objects of religious character
• Pornographic material
• Weapons

PLEASE NOTE that all luggage is scanned upon arrival.

 

Apparel

Recommended onboard clothing is holiday casual. A strict "no shoes" policy applies to all Scubaspa vessels. For lounging on the sun decks, the use of proper sun protection and sunglasses is advisable.

 

Check-in and Check-out

Check-in:
Airport transfers are scheduled for 12:30 PM, 3 PM, and 5 PM on Saturdays. Guests are kindly advised to book their flight tickets accordingly. Please note that the provided schedule offers an estimated transfer time, and delays may occur. Later arrivals might be accepted but must be discussed with the Reservations Team at hello@scubaspa.com. Please note that Saturdays are solely dedicated to collecting all guests from the airport, so no sailing or activities like diving, snorkeling, or spa treatments are scheduled or organized.

Check-out:
For 7-night holidays, we have two standard airport transfers scheduled for Saturday: the first at 7 AM and the last one at 8:45 AM. The dive boat will transfer all guests to Velana International Airport near the capital Malé. For 4-night holidays, disembarkation is scheduled at 1:45 PM after lunch, and guests will be transferred to the local airport in Maamigili, located in South Ari Atoll, 80 miles from Malé. The 4-night holiday package DOES NOT include a local flight ticket back to Malé.

 

Environment

Trash must be properly disposed of in containers provided throughout the vessel or in waste bins provided in suites. Trash or other foreign objects must never be flushed down the toilet, and guests are prohibited from disposing of or throwing any items overboard.

Scubaspa is equipped with a state-of-the-art RWO biological sewage treatment plant to eliminate any pollution to the environment. Plastic use is minimized by providing mineralized purified water produced onboard, reusable tumblers, and glass drinking straws.

 

Payments Onboard

We accept cash in USD and EUR, as well as Visa, MasterCard, and Amex credit cards. Please note that credit card payments are subject to an additional 4% processing fee.

 

Packages

Exchanging dives for spa treatments within a package is not available.

The Scuba Holiday Package is only available for certified divers. Guests who wish to complete the PADI Open Water Course are required to take the Scuba & Spa Holiday Package. This course is only available during 7-night holidays due to its length and intensity. Clients who booked the Spa Holiday Package can request a payable Discover Scuba Diving Course. Those who have selected the Scuba Holiday Package may book chargeable spa treatments, depending on availability.

 

Internet Onboard Vessels

Scubaspa Maldives provides free 5 GB Wi-Fi per cabin. Once your data is used, you may upgrade your internet package.

Please note, we provide 4G speed data (up to 15mb/s). The yachts are covered with hot spots, and you can log up to 4 devices at once. The range depends on the proximity of broadcasting transmitters located on local islands. Good reception is available most of the time, except when the yacht crosses open ocean (a few hours throughout the week) and in more remote areas in Vaavu Atoll.

 

Flying Drones

Areas where drones can be flown are very limited in the Maldives, as much of the country consists of islands with sea-plane ports, restricting the use of drones. To fly a drone in the Maldives, you must obtain approval from the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and a permit from the MCAA.

Please use the link DRONE PERMIT. It must be submitted to the MCAA by emailing ans@caa.gov.mv.

General Rules to Fly a Drone in the Maldives
• Fly only during daylight hours and in good weather conditions.
• Do not fly above 400 feet above ground level.
• Do not fly over people.
• Do not fly near military installations, power plants, or any other area that could cause concern among local authorities.
• Do not fly near airports or in areas where aircraft are operating.

Scuba

SCUBA DIVING IN THE WARM TURQUOISE MALDIVIAN WATERS IS A UNIQUE AND TRULY MAGICAL EXPERIENCE, AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCUBASPA IS TO BRING THIS "MAGIC" TO EVERY SINGLE DIVE YOU TAKE WITH US. OUR EXPERIENCED TEAM OF INSTRUCTORS AND DIVE MASTERS HAVE IN-DEPTH LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, WHICH IS VITAL IN TAKING YOU TO THE BEST DIVE SITES. THEIR MISSION IS TWOFOLD: FIRST, YOUR SAFETY—NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT. SECOND, YOUR TOTAL PLEASURE.

 

What do I Need to Bring if I Want to Dive?

If you are a certified diver, you must bring your diving license and log book. All divers need to sign a self-declaration form.

Medical Certificate
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions and/or will be taking any medication while on holiday, we will ask you to look over the attached medical form. If you answer one or more questions on the medical statement with a "yes," we will need a medical certificate from a doctor stating that you are fit to dive. Please keep in mind that we will not be able to take you diving without the release if any of the conditions mentioned in the form apply to you.
Download Medical Statement

 

Do I Need to Bring my Own Dive Gear?

It is advisable but not necessary. We have all the necessary equipment for rent onboard. Please note that a diving computer is mandatory while diving in the Maldives.

 

What Is the Maximum Depth You Dive To?

We strictly follow the Maldivian dive regulations, which limit dives to a maximum of 30 meters without exception. This limit applies to all divers, even those at the Advanced level and those training in deep diving.

An Open Water diver is certified to dive down to only 18 meters. Night and deep dives are available only to divers with advanced diver certification. If guests wish to upgrade their level, a PADI Advanced Open Water course is available onboard.

 

Do I Need a Minimum Number of Dives to Dive with You?

No, this isn't necessary. We have a team of experienced dive professionals who are used to leading groups of mixed abilities and different levels of experience. Groups will be divided according to their skills to ensure maximum enjoyment for all our guests.

Spa

WELCOME TO A UNIQUE SPA EXPERIENCE WHERE TRADITIONAL ASIAN THERAPIES AND THE LATEST NATURAL HOLISTIC TREATMENTS ARE CREATED TO EMBRACE YOUR WHOLE BEING. EACH SPA TREATMENT IS DESIGNED TO BRING DEEP RELAXATION, OPTIMUM WELL-BEING, AND REJUVENATION. LET ALL TENSIONS DISSOLVE WITH THE EBB AND FLOW OF THE INDIAN OCEAN, AS THE MIND AND BODY ARE RESTORED TO A NATURAL STATE OF PEACE, HARMONY, AND BALANCE.

 

How Can I Make a Reservation for a Spa Treatment?

You can meet our spa team during the first reception at 17:00 on embarkation day, arranged in the Lagoon bar area. If you have a series of treatments as part of your holiday package, treatments can be booked during your holiday at Reception on the Spa Deck. If available, extra spa treatments in addition to those you have already booked can be purchased at Reception on the Spa Deck.

 

Can I Have Access to the Spa Outdoor Lounge If I Am Not Receiving Any Treatments from the Spa?

We allow all guests to have access to the spa outdoor lounge. Please note this is a designated 'whisper zone,' offering a calm space for relaxation after all treatments. In the evenings, the area may be used for movie nights, lectures, or private dinners.

 

What If I Have Special Health Considerations?

We appreciate that each guest requires individual attention, and we take great care in choosing the right treatment for every guest who visits our spa. However, if you have any concerns about a medical condition or are taking any medication, we strongly advise that you consult your GP before booking a treatment.