Fees · Destination Guide
South Male Atoll Maldives
Channel drifts and thilas a speedboat ride from the Maldives capital
Updated Feb 13, 2026 • 16 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
- Maldives Green Tax - USD $12 per person per night (resorts, hotels, liveaboards, guesthouses with 51+ rooms); USD $6 per person per night (guesthouses with 50 rooms or less)
- Protected Area permit (when required) - Varies by site and activity
- Typical payment pattern: Most South Male visitors will see the Maldives Green Tax on their accommodation invoice.
What people usually pay
Most South Male visitors will see the Maldives Green Tax on their accommodation invoice. Diving and snorkeling excursions are usually sold as packages by your resort or local operator, but some activities in designated protected areas may require a permit handled by the operator.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maldives Green Tax | USD $12 per person per night (resorts, hotels, liveaboards, guesthouses with 51+ rooms); USD $6 per person per night (guesthouses with 50 rooms or less) per night of stay | Tourists staying in registered tourist facilities and tourist vessels | Collected by your accommodation and remitted to Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) | Rates changed effective 1 Jan 2025. Children under 2 are exempt. Ask your accommodation to confirm how the tax appears on your invoice. |
| Protected Area permit (when required) | Varies by site and activity per visit or per activity (operator dependent) | Activities in designated protected areas (for example channel MPAs in South Male) | Typically arranged by your operator; permit workflow is published on protectedareas.environment.gov.mv | Some protected areas restrict anchoring and extractive activities and may require prior approval for specific uses. Ask your dive center whether a permit applies to your itinerary. |
| Taxes and service charges on tourism services | Varies (added to bills) per transaction | Accommodation, transfers, and many excursions | Included on resort, hotel, and operator invoices | Expect additional line items such as GST and service charges on resort and excursion bills. Review the final invoice if you are budgeting tightly. |