Historically a country that favored land-based tourists more than those arriving on their own keel, Maldives continue to improve conditions for visiting yachts. Following a substantial reduction in clearance costs back in April, the Tourism Act has now been amended to give free cruising permits to boats under 15m.

Published 3 years ago

Ten years ago the Cruising Permit (Tourism Fee) was introduced at a cost of $325 for one month cruising in the Maldives. Once all other clearance costs were included a two-month stay exploring the Maldives would set you back approx. $1300.

For many yachts these high fees were just too prohibitive to justify a stopover.

The announcement two days ago, however, may change all that as the Maldives President ratified the bill to the Tourism Act to no longer take a “Cruising Permit Fee” from vessels smaller than 15m. 

Vessels under 15m will now get a free cruising permit for 180 days, a saving of over $300 and a definite boost to making this a viable stopover for all yachts crossing the Indian Ocean.

Asadhulla Muhammed of yacht agency Real Sea Hawks told Noonsite, “It’s a good change, but still not fair. We have requested to remove the cruising permit cost from all non commercial vessels (i.e. non-solace vessels/vessels which are not registered in IMO/vessels which do not have tourist beds). But unfortunately now it’s only for vessels smaller than 15m length overall. I am working on it.”

There have also been other good changes to fees and protocols for visiting yachts:

1. All vessels no longer have to rent a tracking device from Customs;
2. There is no longer an additional fee to pay to anchor in Male/Hulhumale;
3. Anyone can fly into the Maldives and join a vessel as a crew /supernumerary (even without having a seaman book/stcw certificate).

It is hoped that in the near future there will be further positive changes for visiting yachts, including the reduction in cost to get a sanitation certificate, a reduction in anchoring fees and the opportunity for yachts to visit more populated islands in the archipelago.

For now, however, Maldives is definitely looking like a more viable stopover for many in 2021, and one where some excellent cruising can be enjoyed.

See Maldives Formalities for the current rules, protocols and costs.

Our thanks to Assad from Real Sea Hawks Maldives for this information.

For more information contact:
Assad at Real Seahawks Maldives
[email protected]

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Related Reports:

• Maldives: Clearance Fee Reductions Appear to be on Hold (April 2020)
• Maldives: Becoming More Cruiser-Friendly (February 2020)
• Eight Weeks Cruising the Maldives (May 2019)