Fees · Destination Guide
Deep South Maldives diving: big channels, quieter reefs, and equator-side adventure
Key fee: Green Tax
USD $12 per person per day (tourist resorts and many tourist establishments,
from 1 Jan 2025)
Updated Feb 13, 2026 • 13 sources
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Budget beyond room rates for Maldives-wide taxes and for long-distance transfers. Most costs are bundled into resort invoices, but it helps to know what each line item means so you can compare packages (room-only vs full board vs all-inclusive) and understand how diving is priced.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Tax | USD $12 per person per day (tourist resorts and many tourist establishments, from 1 Jan 2025) per night / per day of stay | Most tourists staying in registered tourist accommodation or vessels |
| Collected by your resort, hotel, guesthouse, or tourist vessel and shown on the bill |
Children under two years old are exempt (from 1 Jan 2025). Rates differ for smaller hotels/guesthouses on inhabited islands, so check your invoice breakdown. |
| Tourism GST (TGST) | Typically 17% on tourist services (verify current rate on your invoice) applies to taxable goods and services | Tourist services (accommodation, many activities, and often diving packages) | Added by hotels, resorts, and dive centers where applicable | TGST policy can change. When comparing offers, compare total price including tax rather than base rates. |
| Service charge | Often 10% (check property policy) applies per invoice | Most resort and restaurant bills | Added by the resort or hotel | Even with a service charge, tipping is common for exceptional service (especially guides, boat crew, and housekeeping). |
| Protected area / excursion fees (if applicable) | Varies by site and operator per trip | Certain protected-area visits and special excursions | Through your resort or tour operator | If your itinerary includes a protected area visit (for example in Gaafu Dhaalu), confirm any access rules and fees with your operator in advance. |
| Domestic flight + speedboat transfers | Varies widely (often one of the biggest trip costs) round-trip transfer package | Most Gaafu resort stays | Booked through the resort as part of your reservation | Transfers are usually mandatory and scheduled by the resort. Ask for total transfer cost before booking, and confirm baggage allowances for dive and camera gear. |
Fee
per night / per day of stay
Children under two years old are exempt (from 1 Jan 2025). Rates differ for smaller hotels/guesthouses on inhabited islands, so check your invoice breakdown.
applies to taxable goods and services
TGST policy can change. When comparing offers, compare total price including tax rather than base rates.
applies per invoice
Even with a service charge, tipping is common for exceptional service (especially guides, boat crew, and housekeeping).
per trip
If your itinerary includes a protected area visit (for example in Gaafu Dhaalu), confirm any access rules and fees with your operator in advance.
round-trip transfer package
Transfers are usually mandatory and scheduled by the resort. Ask for total transfer cost before booking, and confirm baggage allowances for dive and camera gear.