Maldives
From CruisersWiki
MALDIVES CRUISING GUIDE
An online cruising guide for sailing around the Maldives islands.
| Maldives | |
 The Maldives | |
 Flag | |
| Capital: | Male |
|---|---|
| Language: | Divehi, English |
| Currency: | Rufiya |
| More notes about the country | |
Background
The republic of the Maldives has been a crossroads for sea traders for many centuries and the origin of the people of this country is mixed. It is an independent republic, which has been inhabited for over 3,500 years. Not much is known of the early history, only that the language and some archaeological excavations indicate that the early settlers were from the southern Indian continent and Buddhist Singhalese from Sri Lanka.
Today the Maldives population is entirely Sunni Muslim and Islam is the religion of the state. During prayer times and on Fridays shops and offices will usually be closed. Islamic prayer times depend on the position of the sun. The Morning Prayer is at dawn, Noon Prayers are at midday, afternoon prayers between 15:00 and 16:00, and the last at sunset.
Maldivian or Dhivehi is the primary language but English is widely spoken. Alcohol, pornography, narcotic drugs, or pork products are not allowed to be imported. Some of these will be politely removed and stored until departure by Customs on arrival. Alcohol is widely available on resorts islands, but it is very expensive. The local islanders are very friendly and they don’t like conflicts. When you respect local customs and dress modestly in public places, in general the Maldivian will help you in any way they can.
Cruising in the Region
Cruising/sailing in the region?
Climate & Weather
The Maldives are tropical, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures around 30°C throughout the year. However, rainfall increases considerably during the April-October southwest monsoon, particularly from June to August. There is not much difference in temperature during the year. This is tricky though, because of the difference in humidity and lesser wind it sure feels a lot warmer in the NE monsoon period (May to October).
Lying close to the equator, the monsoons are mild and calms common.
Sources for weather forecasting:
Charts
Submit details of the charts required for safe navigation of the area.
Local Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Arrival/Departure procedures
Submit any details about advance notification of arrival, etc.
Where available you can make use of agents which are present in Male and Uligamu (latter high season only) but it is not obligatory. In Male the bureaucracy is that much bigger then at the other points of entry that if you want to avoid running around yourself an agent would be recommendable (and some say inescapable).
At check in you will need several crew lists, passports and boat papers and you will have to fill out some forms. For the extension you need an additional passport photograph for each crewmember.
Agents
Recommended agents
The following information needs to be forwarded to an agent in order to process formalities on your behalf:
- Type of Vessel:
- Name of vessel:
- Vessel's flag:
- Registration number:
- Date of registration:
- Port of registration:
- Year built:
- Gross tonnage:
- Net tonnage:
- Overall length:
- Moulded breadth:
- Dead weight:
- Radio call-sign:
- Vessel's speed:
- Number of crew:
- Name and nationality of the Master:
- Departure date from last port:
- Last port of call:
- Expected date of arrival:
- Last three ports of call before Male:
Immigration
Details?
Customs
Details?
Fees and Charges
The cost structure at all ports should be as follows (2006):
- Agent's fee: US$ 100.00
- Entrance fee: US$ 4.00
- Port State Control Permit: US$ 17.00
- Anchorage fee:
- Days 1 to 15 = free.
- Days 16 to 45 = US$ 3.95 per day.
- From day 46 to 90 = US$ 6.95 per day.
- De-rating Exemption Certificate (Health Certificate) = US$ 3.95 if not in possession of such certificate
- Boat-hire to undertake clearance (2 trips) = US$ 55.00 (Not applicable if moored inside the harbour)
- Inter-Atoll Traveling Permit = US$ 15.00
- Crew & Passenger Sign-on fee = US$ 15.00 per person.
- Crew & Passenger Sign-off fee: US$ 15.00 per person.
- Mooring inside Male Commercial Harbour = US$ 11.95 per day.
Health & Security
There are no serious problems with diseases in the Maldives. Beware that tap water may not be drinkable everywhere: enquire locally. The Maldives are malaria-free, but some islands do have mosquitoes and catching dengue fever from them is possible, albeit highly unlikely.
Islands, Ports & Popular Stops
Cruiser's Friends
Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".
References & Publications
- SAILING THROUGH PARADISE. Cruising Guide to the Maldives - ISBN 978-90-811890-1-9. 52 pages full of info and detailed charts. A must have for those who sail these waters. Available for 10,- euro as pdf-file
CruiserLog Forum Discussions
Links to discussions on the Cruiser Log Forum
External Links
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
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| | HOMEPAGE | WIKI CONTENTS | Indian Ocean | Maldives | |
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