Participants on our inaugral Maldives Field Survey Trip will have the opportunity to conduct some of the very first fish surveys in REEF's newest region, the Eastern Indian Ocean! This itinerary will feature diving around the northwest and central islands, which typically have excellent visibility and colorful reef life. Maldivian waters support the world's largest known year-round population of reef manta rays, but this destination offers the chance to see many ocean creatures, both large and small. Help establish baseline data for this biodiversity hotspot by contributing to a meaningful citizen science project, while building your knowledge of Indian Ocean fishes! Please note: Educational and survey materials for this region are currently being developed and will be available for the trip.
Trip Type: Fish Survey - click here to learn more!
Pricing: Lower Deck Stateroom: $3,935 per person
Main Deck Stateroom: $4,135 per person
VIP Stateroom: $4,335 per person
All rates based on double occupancy.
Accommodations: The Carpe Vita Explorer sleeps 20 passengers. The upper deck has two large VIP Staterooms with picture windows, glass showers and separate tubs. The main deck has two staterooms with windows, and the lower deck has 6 staterooms with spacious accommodations and port-light views. All staterooms have private bathrooms and showers.
Diving: The Carpe Vita Explorer offers up to 4 dives per day. All diving is done from a large, custom-built dhoni (tender), which is 60 feet long and has ample space for all divers, cameras and gear. Drift diving is common in the Maldives and reef hooks may be used at certain sites (available for rent onboard.) Please note that Maldivian regulations limit the maximum depth for all dives to 100 feet. Nitrox is available onboard for an additional fee. Tanks, weights and weight belts are included in the cost of the package.
Price Includes: The trip package includes 10 nights of accommodation, 8.5 days of diving, 3 daily meals, soft drinks, snacks, 2 glasses of beer or wine with dinner, same day transfers, good and service tax, tanks, weights, and weight belts.
REEF Program Fee: A REEF Program Fee of $350 per diver will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminar and REEF survey materials.
Additional Fees: The following costs are not included in the price paid to REEF. All flights, fuel surcharge (to be determined and payable onboard), $6 per person per night Government Green Tax. Gratuities are not included in the cost of the charter and are at each individual's discretion. DAN membership and dive accident insurance or equivalent is required for this trip. If you arrive without proof of a policy, you will be required to purchase a short-term policy valid for the duration of your stay in the Maldives, which is approximately $20 (subject to change.) Travel insurance is not included, but REEF strongly recommends that each participant purchase adquate dive travel insurance to protect you from unforeseen circumstances. More information about dive travel insurance is available on Dive Assure's webpage.
About the Trip Leader: Dr. Christy Pattengill-Semmens is REEF's Director of Science. Christy is an expert at Fish ID and has led dozens of REEF Field Surveys over the years to all of REEF's survey project regions.
How to Sign Up: To reserve your space or find out more, e-mail us at trips@REEF.org, or call us at 305-588-5869. A $1,000 deposit will be collected at the time of booking. Visit our Trip Policies page for more information on deposit and payment schedules.
How to Get There: Participants should arrange to fly into Male (airport code MLE) in the Maldives. Participants are responsible for booking their own airfare. REEF cannot book air travel. It is recommended to arrive on January 5, at least one day early, to allow for any potential delays.
Transfers: Airport transfers on the day of embarkation (Jan. 6) and disembarkation (Jan. 16) are included in the package. Participants should meet at the airport information counter at 2:30pm for a transfer by dhoni (tender) to the boat. All guests arriving on embarkation day will be met at the airport by a representative.
Itinerary:
Sunday, Jan. 6: Arrive in Male by this date. Transfer by dhoni to Carpe Vita Explorer.
Monday, January 7 - Tuesday, January 15: Diving aboard Carpe Vita Explorer.
Wednesday, January 16: Disembark Carpe Vita Explorer by 8am. There is sufficient time to catch a flight out at any time on this day.