Listen to the article
It is now commonly known that the Maldives is among the world’s top diving destinations. Travelers from different corners of the planet come here to swim with sharks and manta rays and explore the exotic sea life that calls Maldivian waters their home.
Lately, though, there is a new type of diving that has tourists excited about visiting the archipelago. Combining the chance to see the Maldives from high above with unbelievable excitement is diving from a plane.
Skydiving in the Maldives is a relatively new excursion. Starting in 2021, it has already captivated the interest of visiting thrill-seekers.
For some, it is an excellent alternative to taking a leisure seaplane flight. The entire trip takes about the same time. Moreover, in both cases, you can witness the astounding beauty of the islands from thousands of feet in the sky. However, when skydiving over the islands, you also experience the unmatched rush of free-falling at 120 miles/hour, a truly exhilarating sensation.
Our complete guide to skydiving in the Maldives looks at all the essential factors you need to know before booking your stay in the Maldives and planning the excursion.
What is skydiving?
Also known as parachuting, skydiving is an aerial sport that involves jumping off a plane (or any high object) with a parachute. Depending on the altitude, a typical skydive consists of a 40 to 85-second free fall, followed by a few minutes of sailing with the parachute open.
Although many people enjoy skydiving as a leisure activity, it is also a competitive sport. Professionals regularly participate in solo and team skydiving competitions that require performing maneuvers in the sky or landing at a particular spot on the ground.
While skydiving is undoubtedly a technical sport that demands experience, it is also possible for beginners to enjoy its excitement.
Basic types of skydiving
There are three basic types of skydiving options.
Solo – As the name suggests, a solo jump involves only one person. To reach the stage where one can skydive on your own, one must have prior experience. In the Maldives, the basic requirements for a solo jump are a minimum of 200 jumps, third-party insurance, a signed and updated logbook, a B license, and one jump in the last month.
Tandem – A tandem jump is for novices. It involves strapping the person with a professional instructor who handles the parachute. A tandem jump is the most common way for tourists to relish skydiving in the Maldives. Most importantly, it removes the pressure of managing the parachute, so you can appreciate the scenery as you descend.
Group – A group jump has several skydivers leaping one after another. The requirements for such as jump are similar to that of a solo skydive. During group jumps, professionals usually indulge in various aerial acrobatics and formations.
Important facts about Maldives skydiving
Rules and regulations for skydiving differ from country to country and are often updated from time to time. Therefore, checking with your resort or skydiving organizer about any changes is necessary before booking your trip.
Key factors to know about skydiving in the Maldives;
- It is possible to undertake a solo, tandem, and group skydive in the country.
- Organizers maintain very high safety measures and take all possible precautions before taking beginners or professionals on the plane.
- Most jumps take place on clear, cloudless, and non-windy days.
- January to March is the dry season in the Maldives and the ideal time to indulge in skydiving.
- It is not possible to jump off seaplanes.
- Skydiving planes can take off only from local airports.
- The Maldives now also has female skydiving instructors.
Basic requirements for skydiving in Maldives
Skydiving in the Maldives is open to almost all people. There are a few restrictions, primarily centered around health and well-being.
- A person must generally be in good health before they can skydive.
- People with any heart disease and pregnant women cannot skydive.
- You will need to sign a fitness declaration before boarding the plane.
- The minimum age for skydiving differs. Some resorts accept anyone over 12 years, while others require the person to be 18+.
- The person skydiving should weigh less than 100 kg.
- Avoid consuming alcohol up to 24 hours before the dive. You will certainly not be allowed if you’ve had any alcohol within hours of the flight.
- One must also avoid going scuba diving 24 hours before skydiving.
- As for recommended clothing, wear shoes that you can tie up tightly. Similarly, wear clothes that are not too loose but are comfortable.
- You need to bring your passport or a photo ID for the jump.
The process of skydiving in Maldives
The excursion has a fixed structure on the day of your skydiving experience. On arrival at the local airport, the organizers first meet and greet you. Following this is a 15-20 minute safety and instruction briefing. During the explanation, they will assign an instructor and inform you of the positions to take while free falling.
The plane in use is a Cessna 208, explicitly modified to accommodate skydivers. A tandem skydive takes place from an altitude of 12,000 to 13,000 feet. However, the plane can go up to 16,000 ft.
Once you jump off the airplane, the free fall, at a speed of 120 miles/hour, lasts about a minute. It takes six to seven minutes to touch the ground after opening the parachute. The entire trip, from start to finish, lasts roughly 20 minutes.
Cost of skydiving in the Maldives
The price of skydiving depends on various factors. It differs based on your resort, distance from the airport, and whether you want a video of the jump or not.
Typically, a tandem jump without any recording costs $600 +TGST. Some resorts charge extra for the transfer to the airport, while others include it as part of the deal.
There are two types of videography available. You can either have the tandem instructor use a handheld camera. Or else, an exterior videographer will jump alongside you. A skydive with both handheld and exterior videography costs roughly $900 +TGST.
For groups, the cost of Maldives skydiving is much cheaper, as low as $79 +TGST per person. However, there might be a minimum number of members required.
Now, if you have cold feet before the jump, your refund will depend on whether you have boarded the plane or not. Most organizers give back 50% of the cost if it is the former. However, if you are on the plane, there is no refund.
When there is a cancellation by the organizer or the weather is not favorable, you can get a 100% refund or reschedule the trip. Before booking, check the terms and conditions, as they vary from one organization to another.
Booking a skydiving excursion
Skydiving in the Maldives is still in its nascent stage. There are a limited number of resorts and organizers currently offering this excursion. Nevertheless, two Skydive Boogie events, in 2020 from Kooddoo and 2021 from Dhaalu, have put the island nation on the skydiving map of the world.
Skydive Maldives is the leading skydiving organizer in the country. They have collaborations with a few resorts. Furthermore, they can also arrange for an excursion individually based on your resort location.
Among the resorts, Kandima was one of the first to add skydiving to their guest experiences. Niyama Private Islands and Nautilus Maldives are the other resorts actively promoting skydiving to their guests. As skydiving in the archipelago gains international popularity, you can expect more private island resorts to add this electrifying adventure to their list of activities.
One last exciting aspect of skydiving in the Maldives is that sometimes it is possible to plan your skydive so that you land on your resort’s beach. How cool is that, now!
N.B.: All the information in the article is correct as of the date of publication. The prices mentioned, if any, are subject to change.
