Fees · Destination Guide
Ari Atoll Maldives
Whale sharks, thilas, and lagoon-blue escapes in the Maldives' signature atoll
Updated Feb 13, 2026 • 19 sources
Fees And Permits
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Fees You Can't Skip
- Green Tax - USD $12 per person per day (resorts and tourist vessels)
- Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) - 17% (from 1 July 2025)
- Typical payment pattern: Most mandatory visitor costs in the Maldives are collected through your accommodation and tourism invoices rather than a single arrival fee.
What people usually pay
Most mandatory visitor costs in the Maldives are collected through your accommodation and tourism invoices rather than a single arrival fee. Budget for Green Tax (per person per day), Tourism GST on resort and excursion bills, and any protected-area permissions required for whale shark interactions in SAMPA.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Tax | USD $12 per person per day (resorts and tourist vessels) per night/day stay | Tourists staying in resorts, resort hotels, hotels, guesthouses, and tourist vessels | Collected by your accommodation provider on the final bill | Rates vary by accommodation type. From 1 January 2025, the Green Tax is USD $12 per person per day for tourist resorts, integrated resorts, resort hotels, tourist hotels, tourist guesthouses, and tourist vessels, while hotels and guesthouses on inhabited islands with 50 rooms or less charge USD $6 per person per day. Ask for a line-item breakdown when comparing total costs. |
| Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) | 17% (from 1 July 2025) applied to tourism goods and services | Accommodation, diving, excursions, spa, and many resort services | Applied on invoices by registered tourism businesses | TGST applies to most tourism sector services. The rate was 16% before 1 July 2025, and increased to 17% after that date. |
| SAMPA whale shark interaction permission | Permit/booking required (fee varies by operator) per excursion | Whale shark snorkeling, freediving, and diving inside the South Ari Marine Protected Area | Booked through your resort or dive center; managed via protected-area procedures | Expect structured rules: activities are typically limited to 06:00 to 18:00, guide-to-guest ratios may apply, and operators may limit in-water time when multiple boats are present. You may also see speed limits and approach rules for boats within the protected area. |
| Protected area rules at specific dive sites | Included in dive price or varies per visit | Select thilas and reefs designated as Marine Protected Areas | Your dive operator or resort dive center | Some famous pinnacles have protected status and use fixed moorings. Do not anchor, do not remove marine life, and follow site briefings closely. |