Maldives is Open in 2021

You can expect Kandooma to be even less crowded than normal. – Empty Kandooma in Covid times Photo Steve.

Maldives international borders officially reopened in July 2020, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma is fully open and ready to welcome you for the 2021 surf season. Surf Charters with The Perfect Wave Maldives are fully operational in 2021. There has been a lot of work done to ensure all boats are now COVID Safe approved by the Maldives Health Protection Agency (HPA).

The TPW charter fleet will get you here. – Photo Potts

Things will not be as they were though with the world still battling COVID-19, Maldives Tourism has had to adapt to ensure the safety of its guests and of its residents. We have all the information you need to plan your next Maldives Surf Sojourn!

This is the opportunity to score uncrowded waves at world-class breaks in a way that has not been seen since the early 80’s. Imagine paddling out at Sultans with a pulsing SE swell and only a handful of surfers trading over the best set waves!

Expect fewer charter boats than this pre-Covid line up at Sultans/Honky’s

Do I need a negative PCR test, or be vaccinated for Covid 19?

The Maldives Health Protection Agency has made a mandatory requirement that all tourists arriving must present a negative PCR test taken within 96 hours of embarking on scheduled flights en-route to The Maldives. This is the same requirement for airlines flying to Male.

This requirement for a negative test applies all tourists regardless of vaccination status for Covid 19

How do I get to the Maldives?
Airlines flying to the Maldives will change and vary depending on government restrictions from each country but the safest airlines to book now with security they will travel are Singapore, Emirates, Qatar, Etihad, BA and Sri Lankan Airlines. These airlines will require a certificate showing negative test results to Covid19 within 48 hours prior to boarding. You can check what airlines are arriving daily on the Male Airport site.

Niyama is open for business

What surf resorts and open and from when?

Holiday Inn Kandooma (South Male Atoll) – up to 40% OFF
Niyama Resort (Central Atolls) – up to 25% OFF
Ayada Resort (Southern Atolls) – up to 45% OFF
Six Senses Laamu (Central Atolls) – up to 37% OFF
Club Med Kani Resort (North Male) – Enquire

Hudhuranfushi Resort – Lohis (North Male Atoll) – enquire

Scenes we all dream of when booking a Perfect Wave Maldives charter. – Photo Potts

What boat charters are available now?
The Perfect Wave Maldives Fleet are all fully operational and ready to depart. We have multiple charters already confirmed for most of the season of 2021, you’ll need to get in early.

All guests will need a negative PCR test within 3 days prior to the start of the charter. Please have test certificate ready on arrival in Male. This is the same certificate required for flying on most airlines.

Ultimate Luxury – SeaRex
Luxury – Carpe Vita
Mid- Luxury – Handy Cruiser
Mid range – Hamathi
Mid Range – Small Group – Surf Sojourn

Perfect Handy Surf Charter

What are the requirements for travel to the Maldives?

There is NO mandatory quarantine on arrival to the Maldives.

The Maldives is open to all nationalities, there no current restrictions on the origin of traveller as long as you have a negative test result within 96 hours of embarking on flight to Maldives

Check the latest updates from Maldives Ministry of Tourism
Firstly, visa on arrival is only granted to tourists arriving with a confirmed booking at resort or boat charter for the entire length of their stay, sufficient funds and an outbound ticket. This means it is not permitted to combine a resort and boat packages in a single trip. So choose if you want resorts or boat options as you cant do both.

All travellers arriving in the Maldives Negative Test circular with a negative test for Covid 19 prior to travel. This is the same requirement as the airlines flying into Male. Charter guests will be required to show a negative PCR test certificate prior to boarding.

What happens on Arrival
On arrival, you will need to show Covid19 negative test Certificate taken within 96 hours of scheduled embarkation of first light. At arrivals, you will then complete a health form. The same will be required again on departure.
All arrivals will be temperature checked, anyone showing symptoms may be tested. All travellers must wear a face mask during arrival at the airport and transfer to their resorts or boats.
Some travellers may be selected for random Covid19 testing, this will be at no cost to the traveller.

Please note that upon arrival into the Maldives, those who exhibit Covid-19 symptoms will have to undergo a PCR test. If you are travelling in a group, all members of the group must undergo testing.

The Maldives health department has great information available CLICK HERE.

What Happens if you test positive while in Maldives?
Arriving guests who do test positive will be put in quarantine by their resort, this will require isolation from other guests, staff and activities, remaining in their room until advised by Maldives health (HPA). There will be separate transfers, meals etc to ensure the risk of transmission is eliminated. The cost of resort quarantine may be covered in your existing booking, however cost is the responsibility of the traveller. Boat charter guests who test positive may be quarantined onboard or onshore, any additional costs will be the responsibility of the traveller.

Countries that can travel to the Maldives and what restrictions are there.
At the time of publishing the Maldives does not restrict entry from any specific country. However, travellers must consider if their home country restricts travellers returning or imposes mandatory quarantine on returnees. This site has a great summary of global travel restriction on entry. TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS UPDATES 

Can I get a COVID test before I leave the Maldives for re-entry to my country?
A test prior to departure is a requirement of some airlines and countries.
Yes, you can get a test before leaving as tests will be available to purchase from all resorts and for boat charters, you may need to do this 48 hours prior to departure, depending on the requirements of your airline and home country.
For charters, there is a testing facility at Hulhumale (Boat Harbour) so you will need to arrange your charter to visit Hulhumale a couple of days before you depart. PCR tests are charged at US$182 per person. If your charter is outside North Male Atoll, testing may be able to be arranged through clinics or resort doctors on the Atoll you are cruising.
For resort guests, it’s easy. All resorts that are open are approved as Covid Safe and a requirement is a doctor and testing available within the resort. So just talk to the resort doctors and make an appointment to conduct PCR testing – this is best done a couple of days prior to departure. There may be charges for the testing depending on the resort.

Kandooma gold. – Photo Potts

Can I do a Split Stay between Resorts?

Yes, as long as both resorts are certified Covid Safe and have no suspected or reported cases.

Guests must complete a health questionnaire on departure from first resort

Procedure for tourist split stay

Can I do a Split stay between resort and charter boat?

No – tourists are not permitted to travel from a resort to a charter boat.

Procedure for tourist split stay

What is required for a resort to be accredited as Covid Safe?

Guidelines for Restarting Tourism in the Maldives – PDF

Before a resort can reopen to international arrivals, it must be accredited with Covid safe procedures by the Maldives Health Ministry (HPA). Key requirements include

– Isolation areas
– Staff equipped and trained in social distancing, personal protective equipment, disinfection and sanitation
– Resorts must have resident medical officers trained in Covid-19 testing, management and isolation
– Strong health and safety plans must be approved by the Ministry of Tourism
– All resort staff have been through strict 14 day quarantine
– Social distancing (minimum of 1 metre) required in all common areas

Charter boat luxury with Carpe Vita

What happens on Charter Boats?

Guidelines for Restarting Tourism in the Maldives – PDF
A charter boat is also required to be covid safe accredited before it can take bookings. Key procedures include

– Guests must have PCR test 3 days prior to boarding

– Whole boat is disinfected prior to guest check in
– Boats are allowed to dock at specially designated harbours only
– Limitations on crew and guests going ashore
– Crew wear masks in enclosed spaces
– Vessels have specific isolation rooms if guests or staff show symptoms
– Anyone who tests positive may be transferred to government quarantine facility, any additional cost is the responsibility of the traveller.

The Maldives have created a system that realistically manages the risks of Covid-19 infection by using the unique geography, each resort is an island. This set of procedures ensures that isolation within resort islands is the best way to balance the needs of guests, the local tourism industry and the health of all. This approach is world-leading and shows a way forward based on living with the virus and still getting on with life and business.