The Maldives has no road option and very few places to berth a big yacht, so a Maldives trip is mostly about planning. We ship yachts to Malé from Dubai and Europe, line up the local agent and permit before the boat leaves, and time the arrival for the dry season.
- ArrivalMalé, by ship
- Local agentRequired by law
- Cruising permit90 days, extendable up to 275
- Best seasonNovember to April
Getting the yacht to Malé
The yacht travels on deck, sitting on a cradle made for its hull and lashed down for the Indian Ocean crossing. It's discharged in the Malé area. The capital's commercial port is moving to Thilafushi, and while that happens the exact discharge point can change from one sailing to the next. We confirm it with the carrier and the port before every voyage, and plan the transfer to the yacht's berth from there.
The agent and the cruising permit
Every foreign yacht in the Maldives has to work through a local agent. Since September 2024 that agent must be a Maldivian-owned company. The agent applies for the cruising permit, which lasts 90 days and can be extended up to 275 days in total, and tells customs the yacht's arrival time at least 12 hours ahead.
Permit fees have changed more than once in the last few years and depend on the yacht's size. We get the current figure from the agent when we quote, so it isn't a surprise later.
Before the yacht leaves, we'll check
- The agent is appointed and the permit application is ready
- A berth or anchorage is confirmed for the yacht's length
- Insurance covers the sea voyage (standard yacht policies often don't cover transport, so we can arrange transport insurance)
- The crew's travel matches the discharge date
Season and berths
The main yachting season runs from November to April, with the busiest months from December to March. Space for large yachts is limited. Crossroads Maldives has around 30 berths for yachts up to about 55 m, and other superyacht marinas are still being planned or built. For bigger yachts, the agent arranges an anchorage near the resort or atoll you want.
Planning a season in the Maldives? Send us the yacht's size and your dates, and we'll put the shipping, agent and permit into one plan.
Plan my Maldives tripQuestions about yacht transport to the Maldives
Do I need an agent to bring a yacht to the Maldives?
Yes. It's a legal requirement, and since 2024 the agent has to be Maldivian-owned.
How long can a foreign yacht stay?
The cruising permit is for 90 days and can be extended up to 275 days in total.
When is the best time to ship a yacht to the Maldives?
Aim to arrive for the November to April season. December to March is the busiest period.