Travelling to the Maldives in 2022? What American Surfers Need to Know!
It’s fair to say that travelling in 2022 is not the same as what used to be pre-pandemic. The good news is that travel is very much possible, it can be done safely, and we can now access most of those wonderful ocean experiences this beautiful planet has to offer!
Summary:
- Maldives does not require testing or vaccination for Covid 19 to enter the country
- All travellers must complete a declaration prior to travel – IMUGA website
- USA no longer requires testing for Covid 19 to either depart or return
- There may regulations when entering other countries as a stop over, but not if just in transit
- All other travel regulations still apply – its up to the traveller to make themselves aware and ensure they comply
How It Works
Whilst the host communities, waves and marine environment await for your 2022 travels, there might be a few more steps in your travel process. To help you work your way through the new and fast-changing world of travel we have summarized everything here in this article! The American Government offer travel advice to the Maldives here. You can also enroll your travel plans here at the: Smart Traveller Enrollment Programe – this is a good way to stay informed and ensure you receive any alerts. Perfect Wave Travel also has a FAQ document to answer many of the questions that may arise.
Raising Beers to the Sky – Celebrating Life on a Perfect Wave Maldives Charter
Travel Insurance has evolved to cover many Covid related risks.
Over the last couple of years travel insurers have adapted their cover so many common covid risks are insurable. Things like the costs if denied boarding, compulsory quarantine if suspected or diagnosed with Coronavirus during travel. Some of the better policies also include coverage for childcare costs and even pet care back home if your travel is disrupted by Coronavirus diagnosis during your trip. Talk to Perfect Wave Travel or your preferred insurer about a policy that works for you.
Do I have to be Vaccinated?
Depending on where you are headed and where you are returning to. The simple answer is yes, it makes a difference. Vaccination not only reduces your risk of getting really sick from Covid19 – it also opens up travel with few or any restrictions. Unvaccinated people may still be able to travel into some countries (e.g. Maldives does not require vaccination to enter). Unvaccinated travellers will have to be prepared for potential quarantine requirements or restrictions when returning home to some countries (e.g.: USA).
Fast Kandooma Right with Two Take Off Spots and a Barrel
Pre Departure
International travellers should be prepared with full vaccination for Covid-19 and other regular travel vaccines. This will need to be completed at least 2 weeks prior to departure from your home country. Travellers should also carry both paper and digital certificates of vaccination status, so they satisfy any official requests en route. If you are fully vaccinated under the US vaccination programme, you can prove your vaccination status by using Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS).
You can access your vaccination certificate by following these steps:
View my vaccination certificate
- Access your Recipient Portal. Navigate to your jurisdiction’s VAMS landing page and select VAMS Recipient Login if you have a registered VAMS Recipient Account, or select Proceed as Guest if you do not have a registered VAMS Recipient Account.
- If you selected VAMS Recipient Login, enter the email and password associated with your VAMS Recipient Account.
- If you selected Proceed as Guest, select Manage Appointments. Enter all required information to identify your Recipient Profile. A Confirmation Code will be sent to your preferred method of contact. Enter this Confirmation Code into the blank field in the Verification Code pop-up window. Click Verify.
- Within the Recipient Portal, select the My Appointments tab at the top of the screen.
- Click the blue hyperlinked text, View Your Vaccination Certificate.
- A pop-up window will display your Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination.
Don’t forget: All passengers arriving to and departing from the Maldives are required to complete the Traveler Health Declaration form within 72 hours of the flight time. Found on the IMUGA website – Click the link to complete yours!
Arrival in Maldives
For arrival into the Maldives, vaccinated and non vaccinated travellers are no longer required to show a negative PCR test on arrival. 
Tips for Travellers
- Take some masks. Clean comfortable face masks will be very important to travellers as they will be required in many settings. Take lots of spares!
- Take some RAT tests. It is possible RAT Tests may be required at stages of your journey – if you are able to provide your own you may reduce delays.
- Stay patient. After a couple of years without travel we all realise it is a privilege. There will be more delays and hassles than before – but we will be back travelling again – so just smile and go with it!
Emirates Airplane at Dubai International Airport
In Transit
Dubai is the most commonly used transit hub en-route to the Maldives and there are no vaccine requirements for transiting through Dubai Airport. There are limits on transit of maximum 48 hours (about 2 days). Travellers en route to the Maldives are advised to travel by the most direct flights and avoid stopovers, reducing risk of the virus or the requirement to get further tests prior to arriving in the Maldives.
Arrival in the Maldives
Arrival procedures are a little changed at Velana International Airport. Tourist Visa are still granted on arrival for stays less than 30 days. There are currently no countries excluded from travel into the Maldives. All international visitors must complete a travel declaration within 72 hours prior to arrival in the Maldives. Your travel declaration will be checked as well as being asked about current symptoms of Covid Illness. Vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers are not required to provide negative PCR test result. To make a declaration click + New Declaration.
Birdseye View of Male Airport in the Maldives
Your Stay in the Maldives
The Maldives have used their unique geography as an effective tool to manage the spread of the virus. Tourism is open to those resorts and boats that have an approved plan for managing isolation etc. The list currently only allows travel to the best properties and boats – there are no surf camps or guesthouses on local islands currently receiving guests.
Family Relaxing at their Kandooma Water Villa
Travel between approved boats or resorts must still be approved by Maldives Health based on questionnaire and any recorded outbreaks. For this reason, Perfect Wave Travel suggests all trips should be to a single resort or boat. Some resorts (e.g. Niyama & Hudhuranfushi) will not accept guests from prior stays at other Maldives boats or resorts. Short stays in Male or Hulhumale should be avoided.
Departure From the Maldives and Arriving Back in to the US
- When you travel to the United States by air, you are no longer required to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before you board your flight.
You can find out more information here
Luxury Water Villas at Niyama Private Island
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Kandooma Resort in the Maldives offers the best surf holiday in the world hands down, and right now we are offering 30% off all bookings.
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