Overview
The Maldives is a luxury destination, and charter pricing reflects that. Crewed catamarans are the norm, often including a cook and dive guide, with rates higher than most other tropical sailing grounds.
Charter rates
A crewed catamaran runs $6,000–$14,000 per week depending on size and luxury level. This typically includes the crew but not always food and fuel. Bareboat is rare and reserved for highly experienced sailors.
Running costs
Budget around $90 per person per day for food (much imported), fuel roughly $525 for a week given the longer inter-atoll passages, plus resort and marine park fees. Diving packages are often added on top.
Sample weekly budget
For 6 guests on a crewed catamaran: charter $9,000, food $3,780, fuel $525, park fees ~$300 — roughly $13,600 total, about $2,270 per person. Diving and excursions add more.
Itemized weekly budget (6 guests, crewed catamaran)
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crewed catamaran charter | $9,000 | Mid-range; $6,000–14,000 spread by size and luxury |
| Food & beverage | $3,780 | ~$90 pp/day; much is imported |
| Fuel | $525 | Longer inter-atoll passages than most destinations |
| Marine park & resort fees | $300 | Hanifaru access, resort landing fees |
| Green tax | $252 | $6 per guest per night, government levy |
| Crew gratuity (10%) | $900 | Customary, at your discretion |
| Total | ≈ $14,700 | ≈ $2,450 per person |
How to trim a premium destination
The Maldives will never be cheap, but three choices change the bill meaningfully. Season: the same boat costs 20–30% less in the May–November southwest monsoon — which is also manta season, so the 'discount' months are arguably the more interesting ones. Boat size: a 6–8 guest catamaran splits fixed costs (crew, fuel) far better than a couple's charter. Route: staying within Malé, South Malé and Ari atolls keeps fuel and transfer costs down versus far-flung southern atolls that need domestic flights.
Budget honestly for the add-ons: diving packages ($60–120 per dive), the green tax, and gratuity are all on top of the charter fee. An 'all-inclusive' quote is worth paying slightly more for, purely for predictability.