HOW TO PAY YOUR BALANCE. DUE BY 90 DAYS PRIOR TO TRAVEL.

Your trip will come up fast, as it does you will see reminders come through your inbox with your balance becoming due 90 days prior to travel. You have a number of ways to pay the balance.

INTERNATIONAL BANK TRANSFER

You will find our USD banking details on the invoice. This is an international transaction, please select the sender to pay fees as only the amount received in our account will be applied to the invoice.

AUD bank transfer (Australian residents only $50AUD fee to be added to the transfer amount) 

You will find our AUD bank details on the invoice also.

Please use the NAB foreign exchange calculator (link below) to work out how much AUD you need to transfer and then add $50AUD so we can transfer it into our USD account for you. *You may get better rates doing the international transaction yourself but for some, this is simply easier and less hassle.

*The AUD / USD rates fluctuate by the minute, while we endeavour to transfer the AUD funds we receive as soon as possible the rate may have changed in the meantime therefore the rate and amount you send us is not 100% guaranteed to cover the USD amount required. Generally, it’s going to be close but if there is a shortfall we may ask you to make another AUD transfer.

https://www.nab.com.au/personal/travel-and-overseas-banking/foreign-exchange-rates

Wise money transfer. Money transfer services likewise have become more popular and generally offer better rates than regular banks. A number of clients have used this service with good results but you need to do your own research and decide if this type of service are good for you. We can’t advise you on this.

https://wise.com/au/send-money/

Credit or Debit card. 

We accept Visa and MasterCard BUT there is a 4.5% merchant fee that can’t be avoided on USD transactions which will be added to the amount being paid.

FLIGHTS / AIRPORT

Our tours start and finish at Male, Valena International airport. Unless your tour states otherwise.

If you’d like a hand with flights our flight agent’s details are below. Let Brett know your travelling with Moon Tours and include your tour dates, who you’re travelling with and date of birth if you want a travel insurance quote. He knows what’s up and books most of our client’s flights.

Most guests arrive on the start day, (Singapore Airlines) SQ 11:50 am which aligns well with the boarding time of 1pm, however an overnight to catch up on sleep before the trip starts is good.

On the last day SQ flight at 12:50 works well for departure and we will have everyone back at the airport at 10:30-11 to align with this flight check in.

Brett Robinson | Helloworld Travel Leopold
Shop 31, Gateway Plaza

641-659 Bellarine Hwy, Leopold, VIC, 3224

P +61 (03) 5250 1210   E:brett.leopold@helloworld.com.au

TRAVELLING FROM THE USA & EUROPE 

We have lots of guests that come from the US and Europe.

The are a number of flight options with

Qatar via Doha

Singapore Airlines via Singapore.

Emirates via Dubai

With the long travel times, we suggest arriving the day before so you have some time to catch up on sleep before getting onto the boat and into the surf.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is a requirement of Moon Tours that you have private travel insurance which covers cancellations,  emergency medical attention and evacuation, the rest is important but inconsequential compared to the aforementioned if you need it. Moon Tours insurance does not cover you. We recommend you invest in Travel Insurance as soon as you have booked and confirmed your holiday. Brett from Hello World can assist if you chose.

VISAS

Australian passport holders are granted a free 30-day visitor visa on arrival.

If travelling from countries outside Australia please check the current visa requirements for your home country.

In general, we have never had problems with clients travelling from the USA, England, Ireland, Portugal, France, Israel, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Namibia, and Brazil to name a few.

COVID19

Currently there are no restrictions on unvaccinated travellers entering the Maldives. This advice is general, it is your responsibility to keep up to date and confirm if you are subject to any entry or exit restrictions for the countries you are travelling  to and from. 

ACCOMMODATION

You definitely don’t need a car, Male and Hulhumale, are very small islands you can walk across in a few minutes. Everything is 15 minutes from the airport. It’s actually worth walking around, to give you some perspective of how the Maldivian ‘city’ folk live and Muslim lifestyles and culture. Rooms are comfortable, but not always quiet, so always travel with ear plugs and an eye mask, is my hot tip. It’ll also make you appreciate the boat more!

Space is a premium on the island, so most rooms are small to standard size, enough for a bed and bathroom. If you want more than that, you have to pay premium prices and/or leave Male for a resort.

I’d look at H-78, I always find them to have the best service, clean modern rooms and most importantly for me, the best breakfast! They have a range of western and local food.

If you want more than that, jump on trip advisor or Bookings.com and have a look at places to suit your needs. They will usually always include airport pick up and drop off.

Tip; if you are travelling with a SUP or surfboard it’s easiest to put it in storage at the airport and grab when we meet back at the airport for boarding the yacht.

NON SURFERS 50% OFF SHARING*

We have some 5 non-surfing surfing spots available for partners, family and friends. Non-surfers will enjoy a luxury cruise around the Maldives and can partake in all non-surfing activities such as flat water paddling, plenty of fishing, snorkelling, scuba diving (learn to dive with PADI), island hopping, local island interactions, a luxury resort visit, beautiful food, sunset drinks and music on the sundeck as well as the opportunity to learn how the chefs prepare a mixture of local dishes.

Depending on the tour we do offer daily yoga and pilates classes although some self-guided yoga on the sundeck is a pastime many enjoy regardless.

At the end of the day non surfers can be kept reasonably busy, I think it goes without saying that surfing comes first but we can and do cater for non-surfers all the time. If a non-surfer struggles to relax, likes to run 10 mile a day and needs constant organised or guided activities they may struggle on a cruise.

If you would like to add a non-surfer to your booking please let us know.

STAYING CONNECTED

BOARDS STORAGE AT MALE AIRPORT

Whether you are arriving the day before your tour or you have a few hours to fill, you can store your boards at the airport in the luggage room upon arrival – $15 a day, we will pick them up when we board the yacht. Luggage storage is easy to find, when you walk outside the arrivals doors turn left and you will see the storage office in the corner about 100 meters away.

Next door to the public toilets.

BYO YOUR OWN BOARDS OR BOOK ONE OF OUR SUNOVA SUPS FOR $250AUD

Let us know what you plan to bring.

”If you’re a surfer riding a smaller board or simply love riding your favourite board, we encourage you to bring it! There is no problem bringing your own board and it’s pretty easy travelling with airlines like Singapore, Qatar and Air Asia for example”

If you want to leave your board at home and book one of our SUNOVA SUPs for sole use you can do so for $250AUD included in the fee is one minor deck repair. No there will not be a refund if you don’t damage the board but it gives you some piece of mind that we’re fair and reasonable when you book one of our boards.

BOOK A SUP BOARD HERE: https://supsurftours.com/product-category/hire-maldives/

This service is for people who don’t want to or can’t travel with their own SUP, we do not offer boards for sole use if you are bringing your own. We generally have some spares on the boat if you break your board beyond ridable (which hasn’t happened yet) or if there is a board available that you would like to demo. Repair terms apply and would be expected you use it once or twice to try, any more than that and you will need to pay the hire rate.

Please check with us to see if we have something suitable available. Our SUPs are on a first come first serve basis and subject to availability. If you chose to book a Moon Tours SUP it is your responsibility to inspect the board prior to use and note any pre-existing damage to your guides and Moon Tours hosts. You are responsible for the equipment loaned to you for the duration of the trip as if it were your own and you will be required to cover any repair costs.

Minimum $50USD for small deck dings, punctures or cracks that can be repaired on the boat without major work.

Rails / major repairs minimum $100USD. Most of the time we can temporarily repair a board on the boat to keep you going but that doesn’t mean it is not a major repair. The board may have to be repaired on land or carried back to Australia or Thailand for repairs in rare circumstances.

Snapped / creased written-off boards (which hasn’t happened yet) will be charged at the current second-hand market rate and you get to keep it as a memento.

Please note that boards can become unavailable at any time due to damage. We will try our best to supplement to the closest available board. 

WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?

Your favourite paddle, fins and leg rope even if you’re using one of our boards.

Light weight tropical clothes, rash vest, surf hat, sun protection. Lots of sun protection.

FIRST AID / MEDICAL

See your doctor for some basic medications; pain relief, antibiotics for coral cuts, gastro-stop / Imodium and Azithromycin (prescription) in the event of severe diarrhea, nausea tablets if you are prone to motion sickness although rare on our tours.

WHAT TIME DO WE MEET AT THE AIRPORT ON DAY ONE?

Please arrive by 12pm midday, if you arrive later than this you will need to arrive the day before and overnight in Male. We plan to board the yacht at 1pm, if everyone is on time we can get on earlier.

WHAT TIME TO WE GET OFF THE YACHT?

We will generally get off the yacht around 10am to be at the airport by 11am. This aligns with SQ flights.

If you need to leave earlier please let us know in advance so we can arrange a private transfer. Please note private transfers are an additional expense.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

Please let us know if you have dietary requirements and especially medical conditions like allergies. Gluten free is not a problem as a lifestyle choice or mild intolerance but if you are diagnosed celiac with severe reactions please let us know so we can make extra allowances.

Every meal served will give you a wide range of choices from light and bright, vegetarian to hot and heavy and carnivore suitable.

CAN I BRING DUTY FREE ALCOHOL?

Duty-free alcohol will not be permitted to enter the Maldives, if you do purchase Duty-Free it will be taken off you on arrival and you can pick it up on your flight out.

Legally, if you’re 18 and not a Muslim, you can buy and drink alcohol on licensed boats and resorts. However since the Maldives is an Islamic nation, alcohol is effectively banned for the local population.

The only place near Male, aside from resorts, where people can drink alcohol is at the Hulehule Island Hotel, commonly known as HIH or the airport hotel.

WHAT POWER OUTLETS ARE ONBOARD?

The boats and cabins are fitted with UK type G three pin square outlets. There are a few universal outlets on board and generally some universal adapters around the place.