Safari cruises are with other people.

Yacht Charters are a private boat rental.

What is so special about the climate and weather in the Maldives Islands?

The special in this case is the Maldivian atolls, where an archipelego is made up of islands formed by volcanic or tectonic activity, an atoll is an island formed from the build up of coral. Nature protects these islands
so well from the rougher aspects of the greater ocean while withholding
nothing in the magic of a warm tropical sea! The magic lies in the reefs that make up the atolls.
The outermost layer of the coral atoll is a fringing reef. This layer, composed entirely of
coral debris and living coral, presents a formidable barrier to oceanic
waves. Even on the calmest days, with hardly noticeable ripple on the
surface of the sea inside the reef enclosed lagoons, waves continue to
crash and thunder onto these reefs. As soon as one finds a natural break
in the reef and gains entry within, paradise awaits you if you love windsurfing,
snorkeling, diving or one of the many pastimes that sea-lovers enjoy.

The bonus here is that a relatively short distance from any of the larger
fringing reefs, and very often forming a ring just inside it, you will
find a number of islands of different sizes. These islands have unbelievably
white coral sand beaches. Lush vegetation, including coconut palms, covers
the larger ones.

As you approach your choice of island, first thing you will probably notice
is that each island has its own house reef. The waters within
these house reefs are often so shallow in places that you can safely wade
there in the crystal clear water even if you don’t know how to swim.
The double reef protection around the atolls is what kept the people of
this country safe from the sea for centuries.

As with any international airport, do expect your passport to be checked
by immigration officials. Expect them to smile and bid you welcome as
well. They would also issue you your thirty-day on-arrival visa.
Immediately after that, you can pick up your luggage at the carousel and
move on to customs clearance. There is no Green Channel at the airport and
al in bound passengers’ luggage is screened. This is done electronically.
Do keep your keys handy in case an officer asks you to open an item for
inspection. You may also be asked to state you have any audiovisual media
that may be retained for a short duration for inspection. So it is safe
not to pack any restricted items.

The arrival point is the place where you should go next. A representative
of your host will normally welcome you and brief you if you have a reservation
at a tourist resort, guesthouse or cruising vessel. If no one meets you,
look for a counter with the logo of your host. If you do not have a reservation
made, you may use services of the representative of a local travel agency.
Always insist on representatives producing proper documentary identification
before you make any commitments.

After you have been received, a speedboat or a seaplane whisks you away
to your chosen place of adventure in the Maldives!
In a country where there is more sea than dry land, you will expect to
find boats. Rightly so! If you want to have a ride through the atolls,
come to Maldives.

Visas for tourists

If they meet the entrance requirements, visitors get a 30-day visa on arrival. A landing card must be filled out. Photographs are not required.

Extension of Stay

INDOEX participants planning to stay in the Maldives longer than 30 days must extend the visa they receive upon arrival. The extension visa is usually granted in one working week; however, it is recommended that you apply two weeks before the 30-day visa expires. If your 30-day visa expires and you do not obtain an extension, you will most likely encounter difficulty when leaving the country. Departures have been delayed by several days while the traveler is obtaining an extension to an expired visa.

To apply for an extension, you will need a visa extension form. The cost of the form is 10Rf. and it can be purchased at the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) located in the Huravee Building next to the National Security Service Headquarters in downtown Malé. The DIE only serves a limited number of visa applicants each day. Numbers are passed out beginning at 7:00am; if you arrive at the DIE after their limit is reached, you repeat the exercise the next day.

In addition to your completed extension form, you will need your passport, landing card, and two passport-size photos (3.5cm x 4.5cm) to obtain a visa extension. NOTE: photos must be recent and many businesses in Malé that display a Kodak sign provide the service.

The fee for an extension is 450Rf. and allows a total of 90 days in the Maldives. The 30-day visa upon arrival is included in the 90 days.