2024 dates: 27th January – 3rd February | 30th March – 6th April
Price: from £2,990pp
YOUR MALDIVES SWIMMING HOLIDAY
If you love the sea, The Maldives is probably on your bucket list. If it’s not, it should be. With a relaxed atmosphere, year-round warm water and a kaleidoscope of marine life, in The Maldives you will find yourself swimming over teeming coral reefs, floating over schools of fish, mingling with mantas and soaring with rays. If you’re lucky, you may even bump into a pod of playful dolphins. This is a true ‘bucket list’ swim vacation.WATCH OUR MALDIVES VIDEO:
ABOUT EMPEROR VOYAGER
This tour has been designed as a live-aboard to give us the best possible access to The Maldives incredible atolls. Your home for the week will be the impressive MV Emperor Voyager. At 30m length, you will have plenty of space to rest, relax and socialise. All cabins are en-suite with air conditioning. Upper deck and main deck cabins have large windows giving amazing views to the ocean and islands beyond. Decorated in light wood and contemporary style, the boat has a bar area and comfy sofas, an outdoor dining area, and a large sundeck with loungers for sun bathing, kicking back or sunrise yoga. With a capacity for 20 guests, but a maximum SwimQuest occupancy of 14 guests, we ensure that there is enough space on board to rest, relax and socialise, whether you are a single traveller, couple or group of friends. Click on the ‘accommodation’ tab for more information.
Essential Information
- Duration: 8 days / 7 nights (arrive and depart on the Saturday)
- Sea temperature: approx. 28oC – 32oC
- Daily swimming distance: 1.5km, building up to 4km towards the end of the week (tailored to the ability of each individual)
- Swimming ability: confident swimming in open water
- Are non-swimmers welcome? Yes, Voyager is a spacious live aboard and non-swimming guests can enjoy relaxing and soaking up this incredible part of the world too.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- Accommodation on the liveaboard MV Emperor Voyager
- Full swimming itinerary
- One-to-one swim coaching and video analysis
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) – BBQ dinners on local island as per schedule (weather allowing)
- Afternoon snacks
- Unlimited drinking water, tea and coffee
- Safety boats
- Swim guides
- Snorkelling equipment
- Swim feeds and wet boat refreshments
- Transfers to and from Male airport
- Government taxes and bed tax
- VAT
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
- Travel to and from Male airport
- On board extras
- Purchase of any alcohol / soft drinks
- Optional scuba dive (trial or qualified dive)
- WiFi (approx. 30 USD for 5GB, buy on-board)
- Single room supplement if you wish to take a cabin to yourself (see ACCOMMODATION tab for details)
SWIMQUEST LIVEABOARD - MV EMPEROR Voyager
MS Voyager alongside our swim escort boat
Why choose Voyager?
- A modern, spacious boat which is not full to capacity, ensuring you have enough space to rest, relax, socialise or just spend some time watching the ocean
- Voyager is joined by a Dhoni and a RIB which serve as our swim safety escort boats. Extensive boat safety cover ensures we can cater for all ability levels.
- A dedicated team of 13 boat staff, who will cook, clean and look after you for the week, along side your SwimQuest Guides
- Two knowledgeable ocean guides, who can answer any questions about your swims, and the wildlife you’ve seen along the way
- Daily housekeeping, including clean towels on a daily basis
- Room, sun-lounger and boat towels provided
- A varied, delicious menu - with cooked breakfasts, lunches and dinners (dietary requirements catered for - let us know in advance)
- Dine el fresco
- Daily tea and cake!
- Free fresh coffee, tea and hot chocolate station available all week
- Qualified dive guides on board in case you wish to either try a dive or add in a dive to your swim schedule
- Leave your shoes at the door! This is a shoe free week!
rooming options
- Lower deck room share £2,990pp
- Lower deck room private use £3,940pp
- Main deck room share £3,450pp
- Main deck room private use £4,830pp
- Upper deck room room share £3,520pp
- Upper deck room private use £4,920pp
THE SWIMMING
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.Please remember:
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 1km or 5km!saturday
Transfers from the airport to the boat run at 12:00 and 16:00, and are free of charge. A light sandwich style snack will be provided for lunch on transfer day. 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 after the check-in day.
sunday
In the morning, the Ships anchor will be lifted and Emperor Voyager 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 Voyager will venture further South to Vaavu Atoll. In the afternoon we will attempt a lagoon-to-lagoon swim.
In the evening we will finish off the day watching the nurse sharks, stingrays and giant trevally under the famous Alimatha Resort Jetty.
Monday
In the morning, Emperor Voyager 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 Voyager, 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.
Tuesday
In the morning Emperor Voyager 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 Voyager 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.
Wednesday
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.
Thursday
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.
Friday
This morning Emperor Voyager 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 Voyager will cruise back to North Male Atoll, where you will have the chance for one last (amazing!) snorkel, before returning to the boat to enjoy your final dinner and night onboard.
SATURDAY
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. Please note, check out is at 7am on the final day to allow the boat staff to turn the over ready for the next week. All guests will be back at the airport by 7.30am.
Maldivian Terms: kandu = channel, dhoni = traditional shaped boat used for Fishing, diving and general transportation.
GETTING THERE
FLY TO MALE
Guest are advised to fly to Male airport. Guests arriving at Male Airport on the check-in day 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. 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 air-con coffee shop with Wi-Fi in the reception area.TRANSFERS TO THE LIVEABOARD
Transfers from the airport to the boat run at 12:00 and 16:00, and are free of charge. A light sandwich style snack will be provided for lunch on transfer day. 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 after the check-in day.CHECK OUT
Check out is at 07:00 on the last day of the cruise. Guests will be in the airport by 07:30. 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 live-aboard to resorts.What do I pack?
- At least 2 x swimming costumes
- Lightweight skin suit or rash vest for sun protection - we also recommend shorts to protect the back of your legs
- 2 x pairs of swim goggles – one clear and one tinted
- Tow float (required) - if you haven’t got one yet, you can find a great range from Swim Secure HERE and receive 15% off with code: 15SwimQuest23
- Small daypack/rucksack to use for your personal equipment/clothing during the day (although you will receive a 10 litre SwimQuest dry bag)
- Flip flops or similar, suitable for getting wet + for island visits
- Insect repellent (lemon based non-deet repellents are good)
- Fleece or warm jumper
- Waterproof jacket
- Sun hat, sun cream (SPF 50 recommended) and glasses
- Ear plugs
- Snorkel, mask + fins (optional - boat can provide these)
- USB stick for photos / videos (optional)
- Insurance details (you will need to show these to your guides at the safety briefing)
- Emperor Voyager is a no shoe boat, so shoes/flip flops are only required on arrival and for island visits
- Shower and swim/beach towels will be provided by the boatN.B. Evenings – there is no formal dress order on board, but we would appreciate smart casual clothing for dinner
READY TO BOOK?
We're excited about meeting you in The Maldives! To book your swimming holiday, simply fill in the booking form below. Once you have submitted the form, Charlie (our bookings co-ordinator) will be in touch to request payment and to help you with any additional requirements. A deposit of 30% is required to secure your place, and the final payment is due 10 weeks prior to departure. Payments can be made by card, by cheque, or by bank transfer.
In booking with us, you accept our terms and conditions, which can be found here. If at any point you have any questions, feel free to contact us:
Charlie Beere | +44 7563 389238 | charlotte@swimquest.uk.com
Alice Todd | +44 7825 301443 | alice@swimquest.uk.comTravel Insurance
As a SwimQuest guest, you are required to have in place travel insurance that covers you for all activities you will be taking part in during your trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully covered for these activities.Whatever travel policy you decide on, you will need to bring a copy of your current Certificate of Insurance to the safety briefing at the start of your SwimQuest holiday. Your swim Guides will need to take a note of your insurer, policy number and the number to call in case of an emergency claim.
Please note, if you are a UK resident and eligible for free health cover via the NHS, you do not need to take our a travel insurance policy for our UK based trips. You may still wish to take out insurance to cover you for events such as trip cancellation, luggage and personal liability.
World Nomads Travel Insurance
World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travellers for travellers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.World Nomads do not offer cover over 65s, however if you are over 65 and looking for insurance, you may wish to browse some of the below price comparison sites. Please note - we are unable to advise on the suitability of any particular insurance policy.
United Kingdom
If you are travelling from the US or another country, we suggest you use a travel insurance comparison site based in your own country in order to decide on a suitable policy.
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Cruise around atolls on the MV Voyager -
Stay in comfort on board the MV Voyager -
Extensive boat cover -
Swim in Paradise -
Swim with beautiful rays -
A kaleidoscope of marine life -
Swimming with whale sharks -
On board bar -
Yoga on deck -
Gigantic shoals -
Having fun in the Maldives -
Sunsets from deck -
Scuba dive opportunities available -
Stunning marine life -
Dine on deck
