The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, and historically known as the Maldive Islands, is a country and archipelagic state in South Asia in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about 750 kilometres from the Asian continent's mainland. 

 Carpe Vita is another safari yacht operated by Carpe Diem Maldives Cruises. With a length of 38 meters, it offers even more space and comfort for up to 20 passengers. The yacht features a spacious lounge, a sundeck, a bar, a restaurant, and a dive deck. It also offers diving and surfing itineraries, providing guests with exceptional opportunities to explore the Maldivian waters.  $3400-$3950. doube occupancy,  Initial $500. Deposit non refundable.

Before Arrival:

Passports & Visas: All guests must have a passport valid for at least six months after arrival. 30-day tourist visas are issued on arrival at Maldives International Airport for all nationalities and are free of charge. All visitors must be in possession of a return/onward flight ticket.

Covid-19: Currently no tests are required to enter the Maldives, vaccinated or not.

Insurance: All divers must have valid insurance from a reputable company that covers diving accidents/incidents. You will need to show proof of insurance to the guides when you check in. Carpe Diem Maldives offers coverage with ALLIED INSURANCE, which is available to purchase on board or before arrival.

 40 USD p/p for 7 nights

 50 USD p/p for 10 nights

As a temporary member, you will be able to gain insured member benefits.

Medicals: All diving guests joining a Liveaboard are required to sign a self-declaration medical. If you are taking part in a PADI course on board, you are required to a sign a medical form prior to starting the course. In both cases, if you have, or think you have, any of the medical conditions listed, you will need signed clearance from a doctor valid within 12 months of your planned liveaboard. Where a doctor’s clearance is needed, we ask you to arrange this before arrival where possible and to bring it with you to avoid any delays, additional costs or even missing the trip.

Paperwork: Please complete all of the forms required, print them out and hand them to the dive team on the boat.

 Online registration forms provided by agency or directly in full (to be completed 2 weeks prior to trip)

 Liability release (additional one in case of American/Canadian nationals)

 DAN Medical declaration in case of joining a course

 Copy of dive certification cards/insurance

 Dive logbook or online log information (to be shown to dive team in person)

 Rental equipment /dive insurance form if required

Before boarding: 

In accordance with health requirements from the Maldives authorities, all travellers travelling to and from Maldives are required to submit a self-declarative traveller declaration within 24 hours prior to their departure

On arrival: After passing customs clearance, a representative wearing a Carpe Diem Cruises uniform and holding a Carpe Diem Cruises board will meet guests arriving at Male Airport. If guests do not see the representative, please head over to counter #D17 for assistance. A team member will be there to assist. You can contact our Operations Manager on WhatsApp number: +960 795 0883 if nobody is at counter.

Transfers to and from the liveaboard: Transfers from the airport to the boat are at 12:30 for Carpe Diem and 14:00 for Carpe Novo and Carpe Vita and are included in your package. The pickup time is to allow the crew the additional time required to deep clean the boats in between trips, as per the new local guidelines. Depending on the timing, a check dive may not be offered on arrival day. In that case, an extra dive will be planned during the trip itself.

If your route does not start in Male and requires a domestic flight on arrival, then you will be met by a Carpe Diem representative and assisted with the check-in formalities for your onward flight. Crew members will meet you upon arrival at the specific domestic airports.

On return to Male, the boat moors in port mid-afternoon the day before departure and remains in port overnight until check-out at 08:00 the following day at the latest. Guests must be at the airport three hours prior to departure, and therefore earlier drop-off times are required. Please remember to have filled out the traveller declaration form prior to going to the airport and have the QR code ready to show to authorities. For guests continuing their holiday in the Maldives, your ongoing transfers need to be arranged by yourself from the airport. We will not be able to arrange direct transfers from the liveaboard to resorts or guest houses. If required, hotels and guesthouses in Hulhumale offer day rooms on request. Should you wish, Carpe Diem can assist you to book this option and payment is made locally.

Information about Male Airport: If you do have to wait for transfers on arrival, then the airport is reasonably comfortable and has a shop for local SIM cards, a post office, money changer, luggage storage and several coffee shops and restaurants.

Diving: 

The maximum depth for diving in the Maldives is 30 metres with an equally qualified buddy. On a lot of dives the recommended depth is below 18m, therefore advanced or Deep Diver training is recommended. Your maximum diving depth will be dependent on your level of training and experience. Before your arrival, it is your responsibility to check the depths that your insurance policy covers you for. You are required to be Advanced Open Water, Advanced Adventure Diver, or equivalent to dive. No exceptions.

AOWD and around a 100 logged dives are highly recommend for South Central and Deep South itineraries. Deep South Central and Deep South itineraries are not suitable for beginners. Unpredictable and strong currents are to be expected anytime, especially in periods of new and full moons. All divers are required to dive in a buddy team and be able to complete each dive with your buddy or following your guide.

For 7 Nights: There will be no diving on departure day and 17/18 dives offered per week on all three boats. Divers must ensure that they leave a minimum of 24 hours between their last dive and their flight departure (or going to altitude). On the day before departure, 1 or 2 dives will be offered depending on route logistics.

For 10 Nights: There will be no diving on departure day and 26/27 dives offered per week on all three boats. Divers must ensure that they leave a minimum of 24 hours between their last dive and their flight departure (or going to altitude). On the day before departure, 1 or 2 dives will be offered depending on route logistics.

Please note that, in the event of unfavourable weather conditions, when the Captain or Dive Team decide weather conditions are unsafe for diving, we will try our best to make up for these dives, but this is out of our control. So this may impact on the number of dives during your trip.

Guides: For all diving sites visited, our dive guides provide a detailed and comprehensive dive briefing before you enter the water. All Carpe Diem Maldives’ dhonis have a minimum of 3 guides on board. When the guide is in the water they will remain with the group to navigate the site and to look out for any interesting marine life to show you. The dive guide will not provide any dive training during the dive and you and your buddy dive together at your own risk. As qualified divers, you are responsible for your own and your buddy’s safety during the dive and to ‘plan your dive, dive your plan’ using a personal dive computer. You must begin, execute and end the dive with your dive buddy. You are expected to be able to dive to a standard as per the certification and experience requirements outlined.

The guides may decide upon seeing each diver's ability not to enter the water for every dive and will remain onboard providing surface support only. Decompression diving, solo diving and technical diving are strictly prohibited.

Skills Review & Check Dive: Many agencies recommend a Skills Review if it has been longer than six months since your last dive. We advise divers to follow the agency recommendations for safety reasons. The Skills Review can be completed either prior to your arrival or on board, and should be signed by an instructor in your diving logbook. Evidence of the date of your last dive should be shown in your logbook to avoid problems during check-in.

Every diver, regardless of their qualification or experience will be required to participate in a check-dive, normally the first dive prior to commencing normal diving activities. This dive allows you to orientate yourself in your diving environment and acquaint yourself with your equipment. In the interest of safety, Carpe Diem Maldives reserves the right to restrict diving activities if the instructor has any concerns regarding diver safety.

Courses: We offer several courses on board, from beginner to a wide range of specialty and advanced training courses. Courses are subject to availability and itinerary, and include course materials (where required) and certification fees. If arranged on board, a 16% T-GST plus 10% Service charge will be added. For the Open Water Referral Course, you will need to bring your referral form (signed and completed by your instructor dated within 12 months) as evidence that you have completed the theory and confined dives. Course paperwork needs to be signed by a parent or guardian for students under the age of 18.

Liability Release: When checking in all divers are required to produce a valid certification/qualification and hand in their completed registration waiver form prior to commencing diving activities. US and Canadian divers must sign a North American Waiver which can be sent on request.

Dive equipment: The dhoni has ample storage space for your equipment and there is a spares box on board. We suggest that you bring the following:

- Mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, regulator, BCD, SMB (with a minimum of 5 metres of line to deploy during the safety stop), reef hooks, a dive computer with spare batteries and a torch for any night dives.

- The average water temperature is 28°C and we recommend a 3mm shortie or wetsuit.

Equipment is available for rent from Carpe Diem Maldives and we ask that you pre-book your equipment before you arrive on the boat. We need to know sizes and shoe sizes to prepare the correctly sized equipment for you. Please complete your equipment rental form in advance and hand to crew at the airport.

All divers are required to use a dive computer and SMB (provided on board), carry Reef Hooks for every dive, and a torch each for night dives throughout their safari experience for safety reasons.

Reef hooks, SMB (per Buddy Team), Weights, Weight Belts , Air and Nitrox Tanks (15L Tanks Chargeable) are provided on board, free of charge.

Nitrox: Carpe Diem Maldives’ vessels are equipped to offer Nitrox facilities and Nitrox fills (normally 32%) for nitrox qualified divers. We also offer the Nitrox Course on board.

Tanks & Adapters: We have DIN tanks and INT adapters available on board.

Photo & Video Equipment: Recharging facilities and rinse tanks are available on board.

Snorkelling/Non-divers: Both snorkellers and non-divers will be required to complete a liability form. Snorkelling can be taken from the dhoni when an Instructor/Guide is on board to observe, or if the snorkeler is accompanied in the water by a certified diver. While every effort will be made for non-diving guests wishing to snorkel or guests wanting to try scuba diving, some itineraries or dive locations may not be permitted for safety reasons.

The Captain: An important man! He will decide, along with the dive team, where you go and when. Often dive sites can look like a millpond on the surface and to the uninitiated seems perfectly acceptable to dive. However, if the captain and guides say no, please accept their decision. Their understanding and experience of the local waters are key and safety is the foremost concern of our knowledgeable captain and dive teams. The sea is a dangerous place when not respected, so please accept any alternative plans as any changes are in the interest of everyone’s safety.

Cabins: All the cabins accommodate two guests, either in a double-bedded cabin or twin berth cabin. Cabins are pre-sold and allocated prior to arrival.

Bathrooms: All bathrooms are equipped with a shower, sink and toilet. Please take extra care in the bathrooms not to slip. Placing toilet paper down any toilet on board is acceptable. But please note that waste bins are provided in all bathrooms for everything else and are emptied regularly

Air-conditioning: All Carpe Diem Maldives liveaboards have air-conditioned cabins. Air- conditioning uses a lot of power and energy so we ask you to please be kind to the environment by not leaving the aircon on in your cabin when you are elsewhere on board.

Towels: You will be provided with a bath towel, hand towel and beach towel for outside use. Beach towels are changed daily.

Food & Drink: The meals on board are buffet style with a variety of local and international dishes to suit everyone. Local food is traditionally spicy, fish is available on board, mostly frozen with a few fresh catches along the way. Water, tea and coffee are complimentary. Soft drinks, fresh juices, speciality coffee/tea and alcohol (cocktails, liquors, wine and beer) are chargeable.

For any special dietary requests, such as vegetarian or any allergies, please inform us prior to arrival. We source items locally, therefore items such as, but not limited to, whole meal pastas or flour, gluten free products or soya substitutes are not typically available. Birthday cakes can be made by the chef at a cost of $25.00 per cake. Please advise us in advance if you would like to order a birthday cake either for yourself or someone in your group. This can be paid for on board at the end of the trip.

 Alcohol: Importing of alcoholic beverages is prohibited by Maldivian law. Bottles containing alcoholic beverages will be confiscated at Customs upon arrival and returned to you at departure. Alcohol is available to purchase on board. Guests will not be permitted to dive after consuming alcohol or under the influence of a hangover as this seriously impairs your judgment and increases your risk of decompression sickness. If the guides deem that you are unfit to dive you will be asked to sit out the dive. Your safety and wellbeing are paramount so this request by the dive guides will only be made to avoid accidents.

Behavior: Anti-social or aggressive behavior will not be tolerated and individuals who cause a disturbance to other guests may be removed from the liveaboard.

Shopping: There is a selection of Polo/ T-shirts, jewelry and souvenirs available to purchase on board.

Health: Check with your local doctor for recommended vaccinations, and remember to bring any prescribed medicines. If you start to show signs of COVID-19, please report this immediately to the Captain and remain in your room to receive further instructions. The Captain will follow the local procedures required by law in the Maldives.

Time: 5 hours ahead of GMT. Daylight savings time is not observed in the Maldives.

Electricity: All cabins and public areas of the vessels are fitted with universal electrical sockets using 220 volts AC 50Hz. To avoid disappointment, we recommend that you bring your own transformers if you require one and any additional plug converters to suit your own electrical devices.

Communications: All vessels are equipped with VHF & CB radios and satellite telephone. Signal strength can vary, which may result in intermittent and/or sometimes slow connections.

Taxes: Equipment rental, special tank requests and onboard purchases paid locally are inclusive of 16% T-GST + 10% service charge.

A mandatory 6 USD p/p per night local green tax will be added to your final account on checkout.

Tips on board: Carpe Diem Maldives believes that tips should be on a voluntary basis depending on the quality of your service from the guides and the crew. Tips can be paid at the end of the trip either by cash in the tip box with the accountant or by CC. The general recommendation is $150 per person per week. Please feel free to leave what you think is acceptable and it will be equally shared between the guides and crew by the Captain.

Currency accepted on board: All prices are in US dollars. We accept cash payment in Euros, Sterling and US dollars. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are also accepted on board with a 3% surcharge. Please check with your bank regarding international charges and exchange rates. Debit cards do not work on our machines.

Remember to pack: - Personal clothing, a dry bag & toiletries - Small medical first aid box & prescription medicines - Note: Hard suitcases take up your cabin space, so please use roll up/collapsible style bags where possible

Essential paperwork:

- Logbook with your most recent dives noted - Valid diving association certification proof - Valid travel insurance - Our completed paperwork – liability and medical release forms, equipment forms, etc.

- A copy of diving insurance details per person (translated to English by your insurance company) stating the start and ending date of the diving cover with the exact diving insurance covered by the policy. Without this document, you will be required to purchase diving insurance locally before you may begin diving.

- Bring your Booking voucher and holiday details

(from your travel agency if not booked direct with Carp Diem Maldives).

Internet: We offer Wi-Fi packages on our boats as follows: 25 USD for 3 GB / 30 USD for 5 GB Repeat clients will enjoy the first 3 GB p/p free of charge

LIABILITY RELEASE: If you have never been on a liveaboard before, expect a few adjustments from normal life to enjoy your week. If you experience any problems during the week, please ensure that these are raised with the Captain and/or dive team as soon as is practically possible. The Captain and his team will be able to remedy the problem on board in the majority of instances. However, if something remains unresolved, please raise it with the representative at the end of your week. Problems cannot be resolved unless you highlight them. We therefore request that, if you have any concerns, you please raise them.

For more information on Carpe Diem Maldives’ liveaboards, please email info@carpediemmaldives.com

All divers are required to produce a valid certification/qualification and sign a completed registration form/waiver (as below) prior to the commencing diving activities. US and Canadian divers must sign a North American Waiver which will be sent separately.

In signing this form I acknowledge that I have read and agree to its contents and understand the implications and risks involved. I agree to follow the safe diving practices of my training. The Maldivian Authorities state a maximum diving depth of 30 metres. I agree that it is my responsibility to check my insurance cover.

DIVING: I agree not to exceed the maximum limit under any circumstances barring a life- threatening emergency. I also understand that it is my responsibility to check to what depths my insurance provides cover. I understand that should I break this rule CDM reserves the right to stop me from diving with no refund for diving packages.

CDM's dive guides will provide a detailed and comprehensive dive briefing before I enter the water with my buddy. When the guide is in the water they will remain with the group to navigate the site and to look out for any interesting marine life. I am aware that the guide will not provide any training during the dive and that I, and my buddy pair, dive at our own risk. As a qualified diver I am responsible for my own and my buddy’s safety during the dive, and to plan my dive and dive my plan by using either dive tables or a personal dive computer. I will begin, execute and end the dive with my dive buddy.

I confirm that I have been advised and informed of the inherent hazards of skin and scuba diving. I understand that skin and scuba diving can cause physical strain or exertion, not normally experienced in non-diving situations.

I assume all risks connected with scuba diving and will not hold CDM responsible for any injuries including but not limited to, those resulting from heart attack, physical / mental strain or exertion, or barotrauma, including decompression sickness or arterial gas embolism.

ENRICHED AIR NITROX: I agree to abide by the maximum operating depth limits applicable to my level of training and the gas mix used. I agree to personally analyze cylinders for my use and complete the fill station log.

MEDICAL: I confirm that I have no current or historic illness, disease or medical condition, which could lead to the injury of myself, any other diver or employee of CDM, while skin or scuba diving. If I am in doubt as to my health, past or present and the effect this may have on dive safety, I agree to be independently examined prior to diving.

I agree not to drink any alcoholic beverages before I dive. I give CDM my permission to stop me from diving should I drink any alcoholic beverages before diving or if I am still under the influence of alcohol before diving. I agree not to dive after use of medication or when feeling unwell.

EMERGENCY: I agree to bear all the costs of medical treatment, chamber costs, recovery and transport charges in the event of an accident. Should the case arise that I am unable to decide for myself, I authorize CDM and their agents to arrange medical treatment on my behalf. I will provide CDM with details of my insurance company, policy number and Medical Emergency Telephone number. I do understand that if any accident happens, it might take some time to reach a medical centre, so I will abide to safety standards and listen carefully to the instructions of CDM employees.

BOAT SAFETY: Extra due care and attention is required when diving, operating and living on boats due to the increased hazard of, but not restricted to, movement in rough seas, wet decks and equipment movement. I undertake to take extra care while on board a boat and will not hold CDM responsible for any damages incurred that can be attributed to normal boating hazards. I accept the increased risk of diving near and from boats and dhonis, and accept that extra care and vigilance is required at all times.

NATURE: I understand that some marine life may cause bodily injury if touched or harassed and therefore I agree not to feed, touch or harass the marine life. I will not wear gloves.

EQUIPMENT: CDM maintains scuba equipment for service on a rental basis. This equipment is not in any way guaranteed as to correct construction or safe use. Parties renting and using this equipment will do so entirely upon their own judgment and at their own risk. I have inspected the equipment and find that is in good working order and free from defects. I agree to return the equipment at the end of the rental period in the same condition, fair wear and tear expected, and will be responsible for the loss or damage to the said equipment including freight charges and import duty. Equipment returned late is subject to a late charge. No refunds will be paid due to non-use of equipment. Rentals are per 24-hour or part period. CDM is not responsible for any damages or losses of any equipment whether the property of the client or CDM.

I agree that CDM will not be held liable or responsible for an injury I sustain as a result of not adhering to the above items.

INSURANCE: Carpe Diem Maldives is a Maldivian company and is governed under Maldives law. CDM has “Shipowners” liability cover for diving activities. There is no third-party liability insurance of European standards available in Maldives and hence CDM insist that guests have adequate personal diving and non-diving insurance to cover all diving and non-diving risks involved in the service provided by CDM. IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY to check that my insurance provides adequate cover and that I dive within the limits of the cover provided. Chamber costs are high in the Maldives. We also advise that it is important to have good travel insurance to cover accidents of a general nature.

JURISDICTION: The terms of these booking conditions are governed by Maldivian Law and clients shall be subject to the sole jurisdiction of the Maldivian courts.