Tel: +44 (0) 20 8675 6608 Email: [email protected] www.swimquest.uk.com
THE MALDIVES (£1,989pp) USEFUL INFO | WHEN | WHERE | ITINERARY | TRAVEL ESSENTIALS | FAQS
Thank you for your interest in the SwimQuest Maldives tour. Below are some detailed notes to give you an idea of what to expect, what to bring and hopefully to answer any questions you may have.
WHEN AND WHERE
The Maldives is a tropical nation in the Indian Ocean, made up of 26 coral atolls, containing hundreds of islands. The crystal clear water and shallow lagoons are perfect for swimming. The Maldives offer a kaleidoscope of sea life, with corals and over 2000 species of fish, ranging from reef fish and reef sharks (harmless!), rays and whale sharks. Expect coconut-white beaches, sapphire-blue lagoons and a magical underwater experience. This is the ultimate holiday for anyone wanting to relax and escape.
Throughout the week, you are more than welcome to swim both or just complete one swim a day – it is your holiday. Each swim will be escorted by a main boat and an additional tender that will have ample room for anyone wishing to watch or simply soak up some sun.
ACCOMODATION
Our Maldives tour is based on the fabulous, contemporary liveaboard vessel MV Virgo, enabling us to wake up in unique, undisturbed sites each morning. Along with MV Virgo, we run this tour with a ‘wet boat’ (a dhoni) and an additional safety RIB. MV Virgo is comfortable and large enough for you to relax and enjoy this incredible part of the world, in your own space, before and after swimming, and we will use the local dhoni to travel to swim start points.
MV Virgo is 32m in length. All cabins have twin/double beds and an ensuite bathroom and air conditioning. Upper deck cabins have large windows giving amazing views to the ocean and islands beyond. The main deck has a large saloon with comfy sofas, and the bar is fully licensed so that you can enjoy your favourite tipple as the sun dips below the horizon. The upper deck has loungers for sun bathing, sunrise yoga, or just kicking back and soaking it all in.
It is our goal to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible. If you are training for a specific swim, or would like us to Images courtesy of Emperor Maldives 1 Tel: +44 (0) 20 8675 6608 Email: [email protected] www.swimquest.uk.com
adapt the itinerary to suit you – please let us know and we will do our very best to accommodate your needs.
Room options, supplements and upgrades Please let us know when booking which room type you would like. Your choice of cabin will be subject to availability and cabins are allocated on a first-come-first served basis.
Lower deck Main deck Upper deck Twin Twin Twin Double Double Double Double + single £1,989pp £2,109pp £2,139pp
Cabins for sole use are charged at the normal rate + 80%. Children aged 10 or under, sharing with 2 x adults in a family cabin are charged at 50%.
Timings: The tour will officially begin on Sunday with a safety briefing in the afternoon, once all guests have been transferred onto MV Virgo. Transfers from the airport of Male are included. Please note that should separate flights arrive within a short time of each other, you may be requested to wait until all the guests have arrived before departure. This prevents unnecessary journeys to and from the airport. The tour ends on Sunday at approximately 10am.
GETTING THERE
Guest are advised to fly to Male airport. Guests arriving at Male Airport on the check-in day (Sunday) will be met by a representative, wearing an Emperor Maldives T-shirt and holding an Emperor Maldives sign. The meeting point is beside the Help Desk.
Transfers to and from the liveaboard: Transfers from the airport to the boat run at 11:00, 16:00 and 22.30 and are free of charge. A light sandwich style snack will be provided for lunch on transfer day. Please contact us to discuss options if your flight is either very early or later than the transfer times shown as we may be able to arrange an extra transfer for €5 EUR per person paid locally. If you are already in the Maldives you should make your way to the airport for the 16:00 transfer. The boat moors near Male and departs early on the morning following the check-in day.
Check out is at 07:00 and 09:00 on the last day of the cruise. Guests will be in the airport by 07:30 and 09:30 accordingly. For guests continuing their holiday in the Maldives at a resort, hotel or another liveaboard, your on-going transfers need to be arranged by you from the airport. We will not be able to arrange direct transfers from the liveaboard to resorts.
Information about Male Airport: If you do have to wait for one of the transfers on arrival then the airport is reasonably comfortable and has a shop for local SIM cards, a post office, money changer, and a few decent coffee shops / restaurants Inc. Thai Express, Burger King and a New Noodle. On departure you could use the airport hotel 24hr aircon coffee shop with Wi-Fi in the reception area.
Images courtesy of Emperor Maldives 2 Tel: +44 (0) 20 8675 6608 Email: [email protected] www.swimquest.uk.com
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN MY TOUR COST?
Your price includes seven night’s accommodation on-board MV Virgo (from Sunday – Sunday), a full swimming itinerary, safety boats, swim guides, swim feeds and boat refreshments, one-to-one swimming advice and video analysis, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner – including BBQ dinners on islands where weather allows), afternoon snacks, unlimited drinking water, tea and coffee, snorkelling equipment (if required), transfers to and from Male airport, government taxes, bed tax and VAT.
The only costs that are not covered are your travel to and from Male, wetsuits (if required), training fins (if required) and any alcohol and soft drink purchases. If you would like your own private room or an upgraded cabin, please see supplements and details above.
ITINERARY
N.B. There are two planned swims per day based on how you progress during the week. Please realise that what we have detailed below is only a rough guide to the week and that we will adapt the week carefully for each individual and the prevailing weather. All swim activities are planned with safety as the paramount concern. Open water swimming is always governed by tides and weather; so planned swims may need to be changed, depending on the prevailing weather conditions at the time. Swim guides will advise you each day on what is best for you, but in all cases guides will encourage you to achieve your personal goals in safe conditions.
Swim distances are adaptable and because of our extensive boat cover we can deal with all abilities on this tour, whether you would like to swim 5m or 5km!
Sunday Our representative will meet you in the arrivals area of Male International Airport. A dhoni boat will then pick you up and transfer you to MV Emperor Virgo, where we assemble in the ship’s lounge for the safety briefing.
Monday In the morning, the Ships anchor will be lifted and Emperor Virgo will cruise south from North Male Atoll, crossing the short “Vadoo Kandu” channel down to Gulhi in South Male Atoll. After breakfast, we will start with an easy swim within and around a large lagoon reef. Whilst you kick back and enjoy lunch, Emperor Virgo will venture further South to Vaavu Atoll. In the afternoon we will attempt a lagoon-to-lagoon swim. Images courtesy of Emperor Maldives 3 Tel: +44 (0) 20 8675 6608 Email: [email protected] www.swimquest.uk.com
In the evening we will finish off the day watching the nurse sharks, stingrays and giant treveally under the famous Alimatha Resort Jetty.
Tuesday In the morning, Emperor Virgo will venture further South into Vaavu Atoll to the famous Fotteyo Kandu. Today we will swim and motor around one of the longest reefs in the Maldives, from Fotteyo Kandu, past the island of Fotteyo and around to Rakeedhoo. After breakfast, we will swim from Fotteyo Kandu to Fotteyo Island. This reef is approximately 24 Nautical Miles (45 km) when navigated inside the Atoll, so we will motor over lunch to make up the ground. The afternoon swim is really up to you to challenge yourself, as Emperor Virgo, its dhingy and its dhoni will be following you ready for you to signal you are ready for a pick up at anytime. After dinner if you have energy left, feel free to join in with the crew for a spot of night fishing around Rakeedhoo.
Wednesday In the morning Emperor Virgo will venture further South from Rakeedhoo Kandu in Vaavu Atoll to the small Atoll of Vattaru. This morning we will swim from south to north of Vattaru Atoll. Whilst you are having lunch, Emperor Virgo will take us to the Northern Tip of Meemu Atoll. After lunch, we will swim across two of the northern channels of Meemu Atoll, surrounding Dhiggaru Island. In the evening, sit back and enjoy a sundowner while reviewing your technique with our swim guides.
Thursday This morning after breakfast we will swim in a different section of North Meemu Atoll. After lunch we cross back north to Vaavu Atoll’s Western edge for a relaxing swim or time relaxing on one of the many uninhabited islands or sandbanks. Enjoy the sunset with a drink, and dine the night away with a desert island BBQ dinner.
Friday Two swims on the western side of Vaavu Atoll are the order of the day. In the morning we will swim on the outside of the atoll, followed by a more relaxing swim in the afternoon in a large lagoon inside the atoll.
Images courtesy of Emperor Maldives 4 Tel: +44 (0) 20 8675 6608 Email: [email protected] www.swimquest.uk.com
Saturday This morning Emperor Virgo will venture further north back to South Male Atoll. Today we will swim the lagoons of the west coast of South Male Atoll, from Rannalhi Island resort up to Vittaveli Island Resort.
In the afternoon, Emperor Virgo will cruise back to North Male Atoll, where you will have the chance to get off and explore the capital island of Male, returning to enjoy your final dinner and night onboard.
Sunday One final breakfast on board before saying goodbye to the crew, and a short dhoni ride back to Male International Airport for your flights home or transfers onto other resorts.
Maldivian Terms: kandu = channel, dhoni = traditional shaped boat used for Fishing, diving and general transportation.
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
What do I pack? - Two swimming costumes - Lightweight skin suit or rash vest for sun protection (optional) - Two Pairs of swim goggles – one clear and one tinted - Beach towel(s) - Small daypack/rucksack to use for your personal equipment/clothing during the day (although you will receive a SwimQuest dry bag) - Sandals / aqua shoes / flipflops – for getting wet - Suitable walking shoes - Insect repellent (lemon based non-deet repellents are good) - Fleece or warm jumper - Waterproof - Sun hat, sun cream and glasses - Ear plugs - USB stick for your swim stroke video - Waterproof watch - Training fins - Insurance details (you will need to show these to your guides at the safety briefing)
N.B. Evenings – there is no formal dress order on board, but we would appreciate smart / casual clothing for dinner
Passports and Visas All guests must have a passport valid for at least six more months after arrival. 30 day tourist visas are issued on arrival at the immigration desk at Maldives International airport for all nationalities and are free of charge. All visitors must be in possession of a return/onward flight ticket.
Images courtesy of Emperor Maldives 5 Tel: +44 (0) 20 8675 6608 Email: [email protected] www.swimquest.uk.com
Insurance For this tour you will require comprehensive travel insurance. Please ensure you have adequate travel insurance before your tour, including cover for all the activities you are participating in. If you are in doubt that an activity is covered, you will need to contact your travel insurance provider for advice on cover. Fogg Travel Insurance are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and are used to covering escorted open water swimming trips.
If you wish to book travel insurance through Fogg, please visit www.swimquest.uk.com/book and follow the Fogg link at the bottom of the website. Please ensure you bring a copy of your insurance details with you, as you will be expected to show your policy details to the guides at the mandatory safety briefing.
FAQs
Is it compulsory to complete all swims? You are welcome to complete both or just one swim per day. Throughout the week the swim guides will advise you each day on what is best for you; in all cases the main objective will be to encourage you to achieve your personal goals.
Can I keep my swim analysis videos? Of course! We will send any videos through to you after the tour, or, if you wish you can bring along a memory stick and we will transfer the files to you during the week.
What about sea life? Should I be worried? Swim Guides will brief you on sea life to watch out for. SwimQuest work with local boat pilots who know the area well.
Who are my swim guides? Our guides are qualified Beach Lifeguards, they all have the First Aid at Work qualification, and have the RYA Powerboat Level 2 license to use a RIB or dinghy. For more information about our guides please visit www.swimquest.uk.com/guides.
If you have any queries please email [email protected] or call +44 (0) 20 8675 6608, we are always happy to hear from you.
We can’t wait to meet you in The Maldives.
Images courtesy of Emperor Maldives 6