IntroductionThis section provides answers to the questions most commonly asked by our customers. If you cannot find the answer to your question here, please contact us (sales@surfmaldivesonline.com). About MaldivesGeographyQ. Where and what makes up the Maldives ? A. The cluster of 1190 islands in the Indian Ocean is known as the Maldives and stretches 860 Km from Latitude 7 degrees North to 0 degrees 41 South and lying between 72 degrees 32 and 73 degrees 45 East. Of the 1190 islands only 202 islands are inhabited by local people, 84 islands are developed as resorts and 14 islands are developed as industrial islands. The rest are uninhabited. Since 99 percent of the country is the Ocean, it is one of the most aquatic nations in the world. The country's total land mass is only about 18 square km, but it is scattered over an area of 60,000 square miles in the Indian Ocean . The width of the chain of coral atolls varies from 80 to 120 Kms. LanguageQ. Is English widely spoken? A. Yes, although the native language is Dhivehi, however English is also used as the second language. The language Dhivehi is only spoken in Maldives and has its own script. It was written down as early as the 12 th century and originally written from left to right. The modern script, Thaana, was invented in the 16 th century, is based on variants of 9 Arabic numerals, and is written from right to left. The Maldives thus is an ancient culture, own language and script. English language is used widely as the second language. Tourists should experience little inconvenience in communicating with people in most hotels, restaurants and public transport. PopulationMaldives has a population of 270,101 people (est. 2000). The population of Malé the capital of Maldives is approximately 74,000. Maldivians are friendly people with features of a mixture of Arabic, African and Asian. Time DifferenceQ. What's the time difference? A. Maldives is five hours ahead (GMT +05:00) of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Weather and ClimateQ. How do I check the weather in the Maldives ? A. Please visit the weather page for details: for the weather updates. Religious EventsQ. What is Ramadan and what is the impact on tourists? A. For over one billion Muslims throughout the world, Ramadan is a special month of the year. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day. During Ramadan tourist will find it difficult to purchase food and drink in Malé as the restaurants are closed during the daylight hours. Nasandura Palace located on the Marine Drive or Boduthakurufaanu Magu is one exception within Malé and the Hulhule Island Hotel at the airport is another. Life on resorts is unchanged as a consequence of Ramadan. TourismTourism began in the Maldives only 30 years back. Since then, visitors continue to be captivated and intrigued by the natural beauty of this country. The Maldives has been described by many visitors as paradise on earth. The tiny island nation of the Maldives is a treasure trove of a unique collection of idyllic palm-fringed islands, ringed by unspoiled reefs, teaming with a kaleidoscope of aquatic animals with ever-changing colours , patterns, shapes and textures that never fails to fascinate visitors. Best time to VisitQ. When is the best time to visit Maldives ? A. The most popular time to visit the Maldives is between December and April, which is the dry season. This is the 'high' season and associated with the European winter and it includes the Christmas-New Year period. This is the most expensive time of the year to holiday as the resorts and live-aboards are typically booked to capacity - so if you are intending to travel during this period - book early! Between May and November the temperature is slightly lower - but still 'perfect', despite the humidity being slightly higher and rain being more frequent. This is the 'low' season, and there are fewer tourists and as a consequence the accommodation rates are lower. The 'shoulder' season months of November and April are associated with increased water clarity and better visibility for divers. The Surf Season runs from mid February to November when swells are produced by winter low pressure systems in the southern Indian Ocean . From our experience, the weather in the magic Maldives is always perfect for beach, diving and cruising related activities. The temperature seems to always be around the high 20 C's mark and the humidity is always on the medium to high side. Despite the monsoons being associated with the rainy season, you can experience rain during the peak season and magnificent weather during the low season - it really boils down to the luck of the draw! Whatever the weather and no matter what time of year you intend to holiday here - the Maldives are magic and they won't disappoint! Capital City - MaléQ. What are the characteristics of Malé? A. The capital city of the Maldives is "Malé" pronounced "Maa-lee". Malé is certainly 'compact' in terms of its physical size. It is approximately 2Km long by 1Km wide. It is here, that one third of the country's population, approximately 74,000 Maldivians reside. Different from any other islands in the country, Malé is a city of many tall and skinny high-rise buildings, paved roads and bustling commercial activity. In the old bazaar area, which still houses the country's hub of wholesale and retail trade, the lanes are very narrow and congested as people, bikes and cars navigate there way through the throng of busy merchants and shoppers. Malé is surrounded by a uniquely constructed seawall that has been designed to protect the island. Incorporated into the design is a landscaped artificial beach area and adjoining breakwater. This feature stretches all the way round to the harbor in the southwest of the island providing a pleasant swimming area and scenic jogging route. Shopping in MaléWhere are the best places to Shop? A. Malé is the commercial hub of the Maldives in addition to being the capital city. Varieties of consumer goods are imported into the Maldives and sold in Malé. Electronic items, beauty products, perfumes, chocolates and cosmetics are available from shops in different parts of Malé. Garments are mainly found in shops in Majeedhee Magu and Chandhanee Magu, two well-known streets of Malé. Garments are mainly imported from Thailand , Singapore , Indonesia and Dubai . The shopping area of Chandhanee Magu is known as Singapore Bazaar, named after the shops that used to be there, with products imported from Singapore in 1960s and 1970s. Today, the area is almost entirely souvenir shops. Nevertheless, you can still find a variety of products in this area. Most of the souvenir shops are located in the area of Chandhanee Magu, Orchid Magu, Fareedhee Magu and Faamudheyri Magu. Some excellent souvenir bargains can be found in STO building on the 1 st floor - directly opposite the stairs - ask for Ali and mention SMO and he is sure to give you an excellent discount! The shops offer diverse items, both imported and locally produced. Lacquer works, locally woven mats from dried coconut leaves and reeds, wooden fishes, T-shirts, sarongs, caps, scarves, bracelets, rings, necklaces, shells, models of local vessels (dhoni) made out of wood and oyster shells, postcards, books on Maldives, and maps are some of the items available. Not all these items are produced in Maldives . Some of them are imported from Dubai , India and Indonesia . It is better to visit some shops and compare the prices before purchasing anything. You may find a lot of people trying to persuade you to visit their shop, so be prepared to haggle! Another excellent shop featuring genuine Maldivian wood carvings and lacquer works is 'Heritage'. It is located on the Marine Drive or Boduthakurufaanu Magu next door to HSBC Bank. This shop deserves the support of tourists as it is assisting the present generation retain the art and craft skills of their forefathers for prosperity. The shops in the Maldives open at different times in the morning but usually before 9.00 A.M. The shops close for prayer times for an interval of 15 minutes. The latest time for the shops to close business is 11.00 P.M. AirportQ. Where is Malé International Airport located? A. The airport is located 2 kilometers from the capital city Malé. The airport was built on a strip of cleared ground in the middle of a small inhabited island called Hulhulé, back in October 1960. Since its inception it has undergone substantial development and island reclamation to evolve into the modern facility we know today as Malé International Airport . Electrical and Communication EquipmentMobile Telephone Q. Is there mobile telephone coverage at resorts? A. Yes - all resorts have very good coverage. Please visit the national mobile provider's - Dhiraagu site for details on international roaming agreements and rates. Electrical PowerQ. What type of electrical sockets are installed in the Maldives ? A. Electrical sockets are the three square pinned style and are installed widely throughout the Maldives . The power supply is 240 Volts at 50Hz. We recommend you bring voltage converters and international adaptor plugs prior to arriving should your electrical equipment require conditioning.
Portable PC internet accessQ. Is it possible to gain access to the internet using my laptop PC at the resorts or Live-aboards? A. Please refer to ' Travel Wizard ' on the homepage to search for information on the availability of any facilities or service at any resort or Live-aboard. Email FacilitiesQ. Do you have email and internet facilities available to the guests? A. Please refer to ' Travel Wizard ' on the homepage to search for information on the availability of any facilities or service at any resort or Live-aboard Money MattersCredit CardsQ. What form of payment does Surf Maldives Online accept? A. VISA, Master Card & American Express Q Which credit cards do resorts and cruise boats accept? A. Please refer to 'Travel Wizard' on the homepage to search for information on the availability of any facilities or service at any resort or Live-aboard Traveler ChequesQ. Are traveler's cheques accepted at resorts or cruise boats as payment method? A. Please refer to 'Travel Wizard' on the homepage to search for information on the availability of any facilities or service at any resort or Live-aboard. Q. Are traveler's cheques able to be cashed at resorts or safari boats? A. Please refer to 'Travel Wizard' on the homepage to search for information on the availability of any facilities or service at any resort or live-aboard. Local CurrencyQ. What is the best choice of currency to bring to the Maldives ? A. Apart from local currency 'Maldivian Rufiyaa' (MRf)' (United States Dollar ($USD) is the preferred and accepted form of currency in the Maldives . Q. What currency is used in the Maldives ? A. In Maldives we have our own currency called 'Maldivian Rufiyaa' (MRf). One United States Dollar ($USD) is equivalent to 12.85 MRf. Q. Can I use my Visa Card, Master Card, and Debit Card to obtain cash from the bank? A. Most local tourist shops in Malé accept major credit cards, however none are able to provide cash from a card transaction. ATM's are available in several prominent places within Malé - a common location is in front of most banks. The ATM at HSBC Malé head office in Marine Drive or Boduthakurufaanu Magu will accept major Debit and Credit cards displaying Cirrus and Maestro logos and provide cash. CashQ. Will I need ready cash? A. It is advisable to have some cash at hand when traveling to uninhabited islands and Malé to purchase drinks, food and of course souvenir bargains. Preferred Method of Payment Q What is the preferred method of payment while staying at a resort? A. Resorts usually do not accept cash at any of their outlets, bars, restaurants or for recreational facilities such as spa and water activities. Instead, you will be requested to sign a bill for any purchases made at these outlets. The resort will tally your purchases and debit these to your room. When checking out you will settle the account using your preferred method of payment. Please check the types of credit cards are accepted by accommodation providers by using 'Travel Wizard'. TippingQ. Am I expected to pay tips? A. Tipping is not a common practice in the Maldives . It is prohibited at the airport and discouraged at hotels and restaurants, as most have included a 10% service charge to your bill. Personal SafetyQ Do I need to be concerned about crime and violence when visiting the Maldives ? A The Maldivian people are very placid and gentle people. You will be very safe when walking the streets of Malé and uninhabited islands. The Maldives are probably one of the safest places in the world for tourists. As in most parts of the world, precaution needs to be taken with regard to personal belongings and valuables. Transportation - Getting around the MaldivesTo and from the ResortQ. How do we arrange transfers / travel? A. When staying at resorts within the Maldives , transportation is normally provided as part of the package (transfer). All Surf Maldives Online customers arriving in the country with previously arranged reservations will be greeted at the airport by our customer service staff and escorted to their speedboat or seaplane transport for transfer to their resort or live-aboard holiday destination. The resorts are self-contained and compact, so there is no need for transportation once on resort islands. Should you desire to explore or take an excursion to a locally inhabited island or to Malé, transportation can be arranged through the resort. To and from Malé and AirportQ. How do we arrange transport between Malé and the airport? A. If you are staying in Malé, there are ferries (dhonis) traveling to and from the airport to Malé to transport tourists. The Malé pickup point for these dhonis is directly in front of the State Bank of India . The cost of a one way journey is US$1.00 or Rf10 To and from Malé and Hulhulé HotelQ. How do we arrange transport between Malé and Hulhulé Hotel? A. If you are staying in Malé, and looking for some western company, a swim or possibly a delicious meal and a fine glass of wine - Hulhulé is an excellent choice. Getting there is easy and inexpensive. Complimentary shuttle ferries (dhonis) travel between the hotel and Malé regularly. The Malé pickup point for these dhonis is at jetty No. 1 directly opposite the park with large flag Jumhooree Maidan (Republic Square). A timetable can be obtained by calling Hulhulé Hotel on 330888. Malé TaxisQ. What is the fare for Taxis? A. The fee is US$1.20 or Rf 15 if calling by telephone (telephone 321414). If the taxi is flagged down in the street, the fee is US2.00. The basic charge increases to Rf30, from 12.00 midnight to 06.00 in the morning and charters cost MRf.200 per hour. The fee is a set charge and is not based on distance. An additional fee will be charged for placing luggage in the trunk Rf 5 per item. Entry & Departure Related MattersVisa Entry RequirementsQ. Do I need a Visa to visit Maldives ? A. You do not require a Visa prior to arriving in the Maldives. All tourists, irrespective of their nationality are granted for a maximum stay of 30 day visa upon arrival. However, all visitors do require a valid passport. If a passport expiry date falls within 30 days of arrival, tourists cannot extend their stay beyond the passport expiry date. It is possible to extend your stay past 30 days by applying for an extension tourist visa. The fee associated with the extension is US$60. In addition, if you are from a Central African or South American nation, or if you have traveled through these areas recently you will be required to have a valid certificate indicating that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever. There are no other specific vaccination certificates required to obtain entry into the Maldives . Departure Tax Q. Am I required to pay Departure Tax? A. Yes. You will be required to pay a US10 departure tax at the Malé International Air port. Health MattersVaccinations Q. What vaccinations should I have before arriving? A. Vaccinations are not required by the Maldives authorities. However, if you are from a Central African nation or South American, or if you have traveled through these areas recently, you need to have a valid certificate indicating that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever. If you want to be extra careful, please consult your personal physician for his recommendations prior to holidaying. Visitors should check with their carrier when making reservations, as health regulations may change without notice. Please refer to World Health Organisation (WHO) http://www.who.int/ith/countrylist07.html#127 Healthy Holidaying Q. What other health precautions should I take? A1.Sunburn: avoid getting sunburned by wearing a hat and suitable cotton clothing. Also, apply a strong sunscreen, and barrier cream for your nose and lips. Pack some calamine lotion and aloe vera in case of sunburn. A2. Glare: Protect your eyes with good-quality sunglasses. Coral scratches: If you are planning to walk around the islands and investigate the coral outcrops of the lagoons, it would wise to pack some old sandshoes or invest in a pair of rubber booties to protect against coral scratches and cuts. A3. Mosquitoes: Despite the efforts of the resorts to eradicate mosquitoes -rarely, they can be a nuisance. As a precaution, it is advisable to pack a tropical insect repellent - just in case! Water Quality Q. Do I need to take special precautions with drinking the local water? A. It depends where you are staying. If you are staying in: Malé Malé tap water is processed by desalinating the sea water and chlorinating it. Although suitable for drinking, we recommend taking your supply of bottled water or purchase it while visiting Malé. Resorts Most resorts and live-aboards provide a quota of bottled water for their guests consumption - Please refer to 'Travel Wizard' on the homepage to search for information on the availability of any facilities or service at any resort or live-aboard. Inhabited Islands Many of the inhabited islands collect rainwater and store it in their tanks. We strongly recommend taking your supply of bottled water to these islands or purchase it while visiting. Hospitals and Medical Facilities Medical Treatment It is wise to arrange medical insurance prior to arriving in the Maldives as you never know when you might need it. Malé Hospital and Medical facilities Malé provides 24 hour emergency medical treatment for locals and tourists. The city provides dental treatment facilities and has numerous pharmacies; a large government hospital - the 200 bed Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) together with a number of private clinics. Resorts Many of the resorts provide medical facilities together with a qualified doctor to treat guests should the need arise. In addition, Bandos resort (7km from Malé) is equipped with a decompression chamber - please refer to 'Travel Wizard' on the homepage to search for information on the availability of any facilities or service at any resort or Live-aboard. Live-aboards Many of the crew on the Live-aboards hold medical first aid certificates to assist guests should the need arise - please refer to 'Travel Wizard' on the homepage to search for information on the availability of any facilities or service at any resort or Live-aboard. Inhabited Islands All inhabited islands provide medical facilities and pharmacies. Regional Centers are equipped with hospital facilities. Selecting your holiday? SMO approach to selecting your holiday? We acknowledge people are individuals and their preferences and tastes differ. So it is with holidays. We have attempted to offer holidays according to the interest of our clients. The home page provides holiday makers with nine categories or themes to choose from. Each theme identifies a selection of accommodation provider's resorts and Live-aboards which are presented to the holiday maker in a concise manner. The search results are able to be sorted according various criteria, including 'ranking' according to the theme or category chosen, 'price', the resort or Live-aboard 'rating' or 'alphabetically'. Once selected, the holiday maker is able to drill down to choose a specific accommodation room type together with any optional 'supplements' such as a spa program. Travel Wizard - what is it?Travel Wizard is a search engine designed to assist holiday makers choose a holiday package and accommodation according to their personal preferences. Pre-Planning your holidayWhat should I bring with me? Q. What clothing should I bring? A. Firstly, you'll be holidaying on the equator so leave your jumpers and shoes at home - you won't need them. If you plan on visiting the capital city - Malé, then we recommend light rubber soled sandals. The non-slip rubber assists when getting on and off the local dhoni boats. Also remember you are in the tropics, and on holidays, so dress accordingly. When it comes to selection of clothing material remember that light cotton garments are always the best choice. Being a Muslim country, regulations do not allow public nudity anywhere in the Maldives . Regardless of how private the tourist resort or cruising vessel is, ladies will require a bikini as a minimal bathing requirement. Similarly, you are expected to wear decent swimwear to avoid offending the sensibilities of fellow holiday-makers when swimming or snorkeling. At other-times, especially at in-house restaurants, bars and the like, casual tropical wear including tee-shirts and shorts are recommended. Q. Do I need to bring beach towels, or are these provided? A. Yes, all resorts provide beach towels. Q. What type of suitcase should I bring? A. If you are traveling to a resort we suggest a rugged well labeled suitcase. If you are traveling on a live-aboard, we suggest avoiding rigid hard cased suitcases as they are difficult to stow onboard. Q. How do I keep my beer cold on a Live-aboard? A. Bring your own stubby-holder! (and Beroccas!) What shouldn't I bring with me? Bringing pornographic material, firearms, and alcohol and illegal drugs into the country is strictly forbidden and severe penalties are imposed on offenders. What shouldn't I take out of the Maldives ? Exportation of coral, shells and other object removed from the marine environment is prohibited. Flights to the MaldivesHow to make flight reservations? We do not arrange flights on behalf of customer unless it has been specified as part of the holiday package. We do however try to make it as easy as possible for you to arrange your own flights. Please refer to the 'Flight Information' section on the home page for a complete list of inbound and outbound flights to Male' Airport together with airline contact details. There are regular scheduled International flights to and from Maldives and Asia & Europe. If you are unsure or need assistance in choosing a suitable flight, please contact us and we will assist you. Flights include Sri Lankan Airlines, Singapore Airlines. Malaysian Airlines, Qatar and Emirates. The complete list the scheduled incoming and outgoing national and international arrivals and departures are provided. In addition, links have been provided to major airlines to assist you book international flights corresponding with holiday in the Maldives . If you need assistance please contact us on sales@surfmaldivesonline.com Getting to and from the Maldives 1. How do I arrange flights to the Maldives ? We do not arrange flights on behalf of customer unless it has been specified as part of the holiday package. We do however try to make it as easy as possible for you to arrange your own flights. Please refer to the ' Flight Reservation' section on the home page for a complete list of inbound and outbound flights to Male' Airport together with airline contact details. There are regular scheduled International flights to and from Maldives and Asia & Europe. If you are unsure or need assistance in choosing a suitable flight, please contact us and we will assist you. Flights include Sri Lankan Airlines, Singapore Airlines. Malaysian Airlines, Qatar and Emirates. The complete list the scheduled incoming and outgoing national and international arrivals and departures are provided. In addition, links have been provided to major airlines to assist you book international flights corresponding with holiday in the Maldives . If you need assistance please contact us on sales@surfmaldivesonline.com
Which Airline? Q. How do I travel to the Maldives ? A. Check our section ' Flight Reservation ' on the 'home page'. There are regular scheduled International flights to and from Maldives and Asia & Europe. If you are unsure or need assistance in choosing a suitable flight, please contact us and we will assist you. Flights include Sri Lankan Airlines, Singapore Airlines. Malaysian Airlines, Qatar and Emirates. The complete list the scheduled incoming and outgoing national and international arrivals and departures are provided. In addition, links have been provided to major airlines to assist you book international flights corresponding with holiday in the Maldives. If you need assistance please contact us on sales@surfmaldivesonline.com Arriving in the MaldivesQ. Will a representative from Surf Maldives Online meet us at the Airport? A. Yes. Surf Maldives Online will arrange for one of our representatives to welcome you at Malé International Airport on your arrival. They will assist you with the transfer from the airport to your holiday resort or Live-aboard. Moreover, a customer service representative will be assigned to you for the duration of your stay and provide you with their contact details should the need arise. Q. How are transfers arranged to the Resort? A. The method of transfer depends upon the distance of travel from and to the airport. The options available are: Motor Boat, Speed Boat and Sea Plane. Resorts located in Malé Atoll are typically transferred by Motor Boat and Speed Boat whereas resorts in further away Atolls are transferred by Speed Boat and Sea Plane. All modes of transfer are within 10 minutes of the International Airport . Please be aware that seaplanes are prohibited from flying after sunset, so if you are arriving in the evening you will need to spend the first night either in Male', Hulhule' or a nearby resort. Please contact Surf Maldives Online to arrange suitable accommodation if you plan to arrive in the evening. Q. What if I arrive on an evening flight. A. Seaplanes do not fly after sunset. If the resort or cruise boat you are staying at is nearby Malé, night transfers will be arranged, otherwise you will need to arrange accommodation either at Hulhulé Hotel (airport) or in Malé. Malé is a 10 minute boat ride from Airport. After staying the night in Malé or Hulhulé Hotel (airport), your Customer Service Representative will arrange to meet you at the Airport to arrange the Seaplane or Speed Boat transfer. Q. How do I find out whether my resort or cruise provides night transfers? A. Refer to the 'Fact Sheet' for your resort or use ' Travel Wizard ' to search on 'Night Transfer'. Checking into Hotel, Resort or Live-aboard Q. On arriving in Maldives capital Male' how do I check into the hotel, resort or live-aboard? A. You will be required to identify yourself to our airport customer service representative at the 'arrivals' gate at the airport. They in turn will exchange your 'accommodation vouchers copies' for 'original accommodation vouchers' and assist you to the hotel, resort or live-aboard. Departure from the MaldivesQ. How do I arrange to get to the airport on my day of departure? A. The Customer Service staff at your resort or Live-aboard will arrange the transfer to the International Airport . Q. Will a representative from Surf Maldives Online meet us at the Airport? A. Yes. Surf Maldives Online will arrange for one of our representatives to farewell you at Malé International Airport on your day of departure. They will assist you with the transfer of your luggage to the airport check in. Booking AccommodationContacting Us Q. What is Surf Maldives Online's office address and contact numbers? A. Clean and Green Pvt. Ltd., trading as Surf Maldives Online, 4th Floor, ADK Tower, Ameer Ahmed Magu, Malé, 20096. Republic of Maldives . Telephone: +(960)7785221, +(960)334805, Fax: +(960)315629. ReservationsReservations PolicyQ. Do you have a reservations policy? A. Please refer to the Booking & Payment Policy
SMO Reservation ProcessQ. Please explain the Reservation Process? A. Use the ' Travel Wizard ' and automated booking request section from the 'Home Page' to choose your ideal holiday. Take time to review the choices and options available. Once you have chosen your holiday, the automated booking request system will allow you to review the itemised pricing for accommodation, meal plans and any supplementary packages which you have chosen. We suggest you print a copy of these details for future reference. An electronic order will be sent to Surf Maldives Online for processing.
Multiple ReservationsQ. Can I make a booking with more than one accommodation provider? A. Yes we are flexible in how you choose to spend your time in the Maldives . If you choose to spend some of your time on a resort and the remainder on a live-aboard - so be it. Similarly, you can spend your time at several resorts. All we request is for you to treat each reservation as being separate when booking through Surf Maldives Online. We will coordinate the transfers to ensure your holiday flows smoothly. Changes to ReservationsQ. I would like to make some changes to my Reservation? A. Please refer to the Booking Amendment Policy Paying for your Holiday Payment Process Q - How do I pay for my holiday? A - Please refer to the Booking & Payment Policy Booking Confirmation Q - How do I know when my booking has been confirmed? A - Your booking is confirmed once your credit card has been debited or, either a bank cheque or telegraphic transfer for the full holiday package has been received by Surf Maldives Online and you have been issued with a 'Booking Receipt Number' (BRN) via email or fax. Payment MethodsQ. Can I pay with the Credit Card on-line? Payment can be made securely online using Visa, MasterCard, & American Express. Alternatively, a bank cheque or telegraphic transfer for the full amount of the holiday is an accepted form of payment.
Q. I am concerned about paying on-line. Is there any other method? A. Please contact us via email - sales@surfmaldivesonline.com and request a 'Fax-back' pre-formatted Credit Card authorization form. Complete the form and fax it to us using the number on the form. Q. Can I pay in Cash on arrival? A. Please refer to the Booking & Payment Policy . Q. When do I pay for my accommodation? A. Please refer to the Booking & Payment Policy . Q. How do I pay for my accommodation? A. Please refer to the Booking & Payment Policy Q. When will my credit card account be debited? A. Please refer to the Booking & Payment Policy Q. How can I make a payment? A. Payment can be made securely online using Visa, MasterCard, & American Express. Alternatively, a bank cheque or telegraphic transfer for the full amount of the holiday is an accepted form of payment. CancellationsQ. Do you have a cancellation policy? A. Please refer to the Cancellation Policy Q - Am I able to cancel a reservation if it is confirmed? A. Please refer to the Cancellation Policy LanguagesQ - Will there be a language problem during my holiday? A - Maldives second language is English, however many other languages including German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and French are spoken by resort and live-aboard staff - please refer to ' Travel Wizard ' for languages spoken by staff at the resorts and live-aboards contained in this website. PrivacyQ. Do you have a privacy policy? A. Please refer to the PRIVACY POLICY Holidaying on a Resort?Resort Room Facilities Q Are there TV facilities available in the rooms? A. For all room facilities, please refer to ' Travel Wizard ' on the homepage to search for information on the availability of any facilities or service at any resort or Live-aboard Q. Do resorts provide security safes in the room or at reception? A. Most resorts do have safe in the rooms as well as in the reception. Please refer to the room facilities details for the resort you have chosen Q. Do resorts provide babysitting or crèche facilities? A. Please refer to 'Travel Wizard' on the homepage to search for information on the availability of any facilities or service at any resort. Q. Are hair dryers provided in the rooms? A. Most major hotels and resorts provide hair dryers and other amenities. Please refer to the room facilities details for the resort you have chosen Resort Recreation Facilities Q Are Tennis rackets provided at the resorts or are we required to take them with us? A. For all recreation facilities, please refer to 'Travel Wizard' on the homepage to search for information on the availability of any facilities or service at any resort or Live-aboard. Q Do resorts provide snorkeling equipment or are we required to rent it or take it with us? A. For all recreation facilities, please refer to 'Travel Wizard' on the homepage to search for information on the availability of any facilities or service at any resort or Live-aboard. Q. What types of recreational activities are available? A. Lots! swimming, canoeing, sailing on a catamaran, surfing, body boarding, windsurfing, parasailing, deep sea fishing, jet skiing, water skiing. The Maldives islands are world renowned for scuba diving and snorkeling. Or you can go on a shark feeding/ whale shark watching expedition. You can charter a yacht or a game fishing boat with a captain and chef, go island hopping, sail among the islands, find a remote island and indulge yourselves with a romantic picnic, play tennis, beach volleyball, snooker, billiard, table tennis, badminton, football, squash.. etc etc.. For all recreation facilities, please refer to 'Travel Wizard' on the homepage to search for information on the availability of any facilities or service at any resort or Live-aboard. Resort Food & Beverage Q. What are the various meal plans available at resorts in the Maldives ? A. Resorts offer a range of meal plans including: Half board - accommodation combined with breakfast and either lunch or dinner. Full Board - accommodation and a meal plan at a resort or Live-aboard in which three meals a day are included in the price All inclusive - one price covers all listed elements of the food and beverage package. Holidaying on a Live-aboard?Cabin Facilities Q How do I determine if a particular facilities is provided in the cabin of my chosen Live-aboard? A. Please refer to 'Travel Wizard' on the homepage to search for information on the availability of any facilities for any Live-aboard Q How do I choose a Live-aboard with a particular cabin facility? A. Please refer to 'Travel Wizard' on the homepage to search for the availability of the Live-aboard facility you are searching for. Live-aboard Recreation Facilities Q How do I determine the recreation facilities available on a particular Live-aboard ? A. Please refer to 'Travel Wizard' on the homepage to search for information on the availability of the Live-aboard recreational facilities you are searching for. Live-aboard Facilities Q. Do Live-aboards provide security safes in the room? A. Usually not, however please refer to the room facilities details for the live-aboard you have chosen Q. Are hair dryers provided in the cabins? A. Many Live-aboards provide hair dryers in the cabins. Please refer to the cabin facilities details for the Live-aboard you have chosen. Live-aboard Food & Beverage Q. What are the various meal plans available at resorts within the Maldives ? A. Most Live-aboards offer an all inclusive food package. Others provide beverages as well. The food is a well-balanced mixture of International and Maldivian cuisine. The menus have been prepared to take into consideration the preferences of guests. Please refer to the meal plan details for the Live-aboard you have chosen. Cooperative Marketing with SMO?What is the process to have my Resort featured on SMO? In the first instance contact John Martin - Director Sales & Marketing -Surf Maldives Online and he will arrange a consultation at your resort to discuss the process and commercial rates. Contact Details: Telephone +960 7785 221 Fax: + 960 315 629 How can overseas Tour Operators & Travel Agents work cooperatively with SMO? We are presently seeking expressions of interest from qualified Tour Operators and Travel Agent in selected countries to work cooperatively with SMO. For further information please contact: John Martin - Director Sales & Marketing - Surf Maldives Online Contact Details: Telephone +960 7785 221 Fax: + 960 315 629
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