Maldives: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
4 harbours
Maldives: 4 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: Maldivian rufiyaa
Clearing in: Clear in at Malé (Hulhumalé), Uligan in the north or Gan (Addu) in the south; an agent is compulsory and registers the yacht 48 hours ahead. Health, immigration, customs and the coast guard come aboard. Customs issues a cruising permit for passages between the atolls; many islands are resorts, anchor only where permitted.
Ausreise: Clear out through the agent; then leave directly.
Documents: Passport valid for six months; Germans receive a free 30-day visa on arrival. Fill in the Traveller Declaration (IMUGA) beforehand. Ship's papers, insurance, crew list, clearance from the last port.
Fees: Agent's fee, fees for clearance and the cruising permit, berthing fees in the Crossroads Marina; reportedly several hundred US dollars in total.
Fairway: Atolls with fringing reefs, strong currents in the passes (kandu), many coral heads inside: only in sunshine and daylight, the charts are incomplete. Northeast monsoon from December to April dry, southwest monsoon from May to November with squalls and rain.
Nature: Alcohol prohibited outside the resorts (sealed aboard on clearing in). Protected areas such as Hanifaru Bay with anchoring bans, corals and turtles protected.
Tropical storm season: The Maldives lie almost entirely outside the tracks of tropical cyclones.
Emergency: 119 police, 102 ambulance; coast guard of the Maldives National Defence Force via VHF channel 16.
Sources: Auswärtiges Amt: Maldives, travel and safety advice, Maldives Customs Service: Yachts, Noonsite: Maldives (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Maldives: Gan (Addu)
Maldives: Malé
Maldives: Uligan (Haa Alif)
Frequently asked questions
Maldives: Do I need to clear in?
Clear in at Malé (Hulhumalé), Uligan in the north or Gan (Addu) in the south; an agent is compulsory and registers the yacht 48 hours ahead. Health, immigration, customs and the coast guard come aboard. Customs issues a cruising permit for passages between the atolls; many islands are resorts, anchor only where permitted.
Maldives: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid for six months; Germans receive a free 30-day visa on arrival. Fill in the Traveller Declaration (IMUGA) beforehand. Ship's papers, insurance, crew list, clearance from the last port.
Maldives: What fees apply?
Agent's fee, fees for clearance and the cruising permit, berthing fees in the Crossroads Marina; reportedly several hundred US dollars in total.
Maldives: What is the emergency number at sea?
119 police, 102 ambulance; coast guard of the Maldives National Defence Force via VHF channel 16.
Maldives: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 4 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.