At last what was hoped for, then delayed due to Covid-19, has now been implemented and cruising yachts can enjoy more cost-effective cruising and easier formalities in the Maldives once borders re-open.

Published 4 years ago

Our thanks to Agents Islands Sailors and Real Sea Hawks Maldives for confirming this information.

In an effort to become more cruiser friendly, the Maldives archipelago in the Indian Ocean was set to substantially reduce clearance costs from 1st April 2020.

Put on hold because of the COVID-19 situation, revised fees were not expected to be announced until September, however, with the borders anticipated to open 1 July the authorities have confirmed the following welcome changes for small cruising boats:

• Customs charges reduced for yachts less than 15 metres from 1000 MVD one way clearance to 250 MVD.
• No agent required for stops of less than 7 days for fuel, provisions and supplies.
• Extension of time frame to appoint an agent to 72 hours for longer stays.
• Rental of tracking device not required if you already have AIS (or other tracking device) on board (since 1 March).

Full details can be found in our Maldives Formalities section.

Related content:

• Maldives: Clearance Fees Reduction Appears to be on Hold
• Maldives: Becoming more Cruiser Friendly
• Maldives: Noonsite Information
• Eight Weeks Cruising the Maldives (May 2019)