Most charter destinations treat a group of more than twelve as a special request. The Maldives sits somewhere in between. It is not built around large groups the way Turkey is, but it is one of the few places where certified vessels carry 12+ guests with full crewed service.
The fleet is small, so the question here is less “which of fifty boats?” and more “which of the few that fit my group, my dates and my budget?”
Why the Maldives Works for Groups Above the 12-Guest Limit
The standard cap exists because carrying more than twelve passengers triggers passenger-ship rules. In the Maldives, certified yachts can exceed that cap. For a large group, the number that matters is the certified guest capacity, not the number of beds on a brochure, which is why we confirm it in writing before quoting.
The geography does the rest. There are no marinas to queue for and few ports to sail between. The Maldives are atolls, lagoons and sandbanks, so twenty guests spread across a sun deck, a sea pool and a dive tender instead of crowding a harbor.
Which Kind of Vessel for 12+ Guests?
There are three realistic routes:
- A purpose-certified yacht based in the Maldives. This is the most practical choice for groups of 13 to 20.
- A large superyacht that spends the winter in the Indian Ocean. This works for groups up to 28, but availability changes every season.
- Two yachts in tandem. Each stays within its own limit, and the group cruises together. It needs careful coordination, but it widens the choice.
| ALICE | MARQUISE | SEAREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 31.26 m | 72 m | 39 m |
| Guests | 20 in 10 cabins | 28 in 14 cabins | Up to 12 |
| Crew | 14 | 29 | On request |
| Maldives season | Based in Malé year-round | Winter positioning (UAE / Maldives / Seychelles) | Maldives season |
| Rate structure | All-inclusive, APA 10% | Base fee plus VAT and APA | Ask your broker |
| Best for | Dive-focused groups of 13–20 | Multi-generational and event charters | Groups of up to 12 |
Searex is included as the benchmark for a group of exactly twelve.
ALICE: the large-group specialist
ALICE is the clearest large-group answer in the current Maldives fleet. Built in 2019 and refitted in 2021, she carries 20 guests in 10 cabins with a crew of 14, and she stays in Malé all year, so there is no repositioning risk. Her 18 m dive dhoni, “White Rabbit”, carries dive and nitrox compressors, and her water toys include wave runners, a Fliteboard, a flyboard, a sea trampoline and a sea pool. At night, LED lights attract manta rays and sharks.
MARQUISE: scale for the biggest groups
MARQUISE is built for scale: 72 m, 28 guests in 14 cabins and a crew of 29, with a pool, deck jacuzzi, cinema and a 300 m² sun deck. She is designed for large, multi-generational groups, and she spends the winter in the UAE, the Maldives, or the Seychelles. Check her winter Maldives schedule before planning around her.
SEAREX: just under the line
SEAREX takes up to 12 guests, so she is not a large-group yacht. We include her for groups who can trim to twelve. Her bookings for 2027 and 2028 are open.
Practical Logistics for a Large Group
- Arrival. Most charters embark near Malé, with direct flights into Velana International Airport. Closer atolls are reached by speedboat and remote southern atolls by seaplane. Ask your broker to stagger transfers so a group arriving on different flights boards together.
- Diving with a mixed group. On Alice, the included dive guide and gear cover up to five guests. In a group of 20, extra dives and courses are booked on request, so tell us early how many of you dive.
- Space on board. A dive dhoni keeps equipment off the main yacht, which matters when twenty people share the decks.
- Berths and provisioning. The new Zamani Islands marina is designed for superyachts up to 200 m, making crew changes and provisioning easier for larger yachts.
What to have ready for your broker
A few details that let us match your group to the right yacht from the first reply.
- Group size and cabinsTotal guests, ages, and how you would like to share cabins.
- Divers and non-diversHow many guests dive, and their certification levels.
- Dates and flexibilityPreferred weeks, and whether a shoulder-season week would work.
- Arrival plansFlight times into Malé and any need for seaplane transfers.
Occasions Suited to Large-Group Charter
Milestone birthdays, multi-generational family trips, friends’ dive holidays and corporate incentives all work well. The Maldives suits groups who want a shared base with space to split up during the day, whether that means diving, fishing or a quiet sandbank, and come together for dinner.
When to Book
The main season is December to April, and January to March are the driest and most settled months. May and November are good. June to October is limited by the south-west monsoon.
When to go
- Jan – best
- Feb – best
- Mar – best
- Apr – good
- May – good
- Jun – off season
- Jul – off season
- Aug – off season
- Sep – off season
- Oct – off season
- Nov – good
- Dec – good
BestGoodOff season
The main season runs from December to April, with the driest, most settled weather from January to March. The south-west monsoon limits cruising from June to October.
With so few large-capacity yachts, peak-season weeks go early, so we suggest starting your inquiry 9 to 12 months ahead for January to March.
YBH BROKER PERSPECTIVE
“With so few large-capacity yachts in the Maldives and such strong demand for the winter weeks, the groups who get the dates they want are the ones who start early. Coordinating twenty people, with their flights, cabin sharing, and mix of divers and non-divers, also takes time, and it is far easier to do well when nobody is rushing. In the Maldives it also matters to settle the details early: dietary requirements, allergies, premium wines and spirits, and anything special for a celebration, so the crew can plan the provisioning before you arrive.”
— The YBH charter team, Your Boat Holiday
What Large-Group Charter Costs in the Maldives
Alice’s lowest published rate is USD 72,600 per week, plus TGST and a 10% APA. Marquise is listed without a published weekly figure, so ask for her current rate for your dates; published rates for superyachts of 45 m and above start at about $300,000 a week. Maldives rates are quoted exclusive of the 17% TGST, so ask for it as a separate line.
What changes between yachts is how the extras are collected, and Alice and Marquise show the two models clearly.
All-inclusive
Most day-to-day costs are inside the charter fee, so the APA is small.
- APA of 10% of the charter fee
- 10% service charge included
- Water, coffee and tea included; other drinks from the bar list
- 2–3 dives a day, guide and gear for 5 guests
Base fee plus expenses
The weekly rate is quoted before VAT and APA.
- APA typically 30–40%, covering fuel, port fees, food and drinks
- VAT depends on where the charter starts and ends
- Crew gratuity paid separately
What the Alice rate includes
Included on Alice
Services covered by the agreed charter fee.
- All accommodation and a professional crew of 14
- Full board, with fresh juice at breakfast; water, coffee and tea
- 2–3 dives a day and one night dive a week from the dive dhoni
- One dive guide and dive gear for up to 5 guests, with Nitrox for certified divers
- Airport–yacht–airport transfers
- Fishing and snorkelling equipment, WiFi and laundry
- One barbecue on a wild beach
- Unlimited water sports
- Fuel for the “Best of Maldives” route (North and South Malé, Vaavu, Ari Atoll)
- The 10% service charge
Charged separately
Costs covered through the 10% APA or charged as applicable.
- Alcoholic and soft drinks, from the bar list
- Fresh juices and smoothies on request
- Green tax of USD 12 per person per day
- Medical and diving insurance
- Extra dives and diving courses
- Fuel for atolls outside the standard route
- Masseuse, yoga teacher or surf guide (7-day minimum)
- Marine biologist guide (USD 500 a day)
Broker note: Optional services must be confirmed at least a month before departure and depend on availability. Exact inclusions always follow the signed charter terms.
For a group of 20 over seven days, the green tax alone is about USD 1,680. The APA covers the other extras, with any unused balance reconciled at the end. For the line between included and extra, read our guide to what an all-inclusive charter really covers.
Alice at her lowest published rate, for 20 guests
Based on Alice’s lowest published weekly rate. Rates for other dates may be higher, so request current pricing.
Indicative figures, not a quotation. Seasonal rates, dates and taxes can change the total. APA is an advance allowance rather than a fixed charge; any unused balance is generally returned after reconciliation, while excess expenditure may require additional funding.
Marquise’s terms are different. Her APA covers fuel, port fees, food and drinks, and how taxes apply depends on where the charter starts and ends; our guide to VAT on yacht charters explains the rules. Crew gratuity is paid separately (see our guide to tipping the crew). For a wider benchmark, see our superyacht charter cost guide.
Where to Cruise
- Baa Atoll. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and home to Hanifaru Bay, famous for manta ray gatherings.
- South Ari Atoll. Whale shark diving through the year.
- Noonu Atoll. Remote anchorages and overwater-villa resorts.
- Raa Atoll. Secluded and wellness-oriented.
- Vaavu Atoll. A classic short-cruise region; see our 8-day Vaavu itinerary.
For ideas, read our guide to the best atolls to visit, the 14-day Maldives itinerary, or the options for whale and dolphin watching and fishing.
Explore Other Large-Group Destinations
Large groups cruise elsewhere too. See large-group charter in Croatia for mini-cruisers and motor yachts, and large-group charter in Turkey for gulets and motor sailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you charter a yacht in the Maldives for more than 12 guests?
Yes. Certified yachts can exceed the standard 12-guest limit. Alice, for example, is certified for 20 guests in 10 cabins.
What is the largest group we can take?
In the dedicated Maldives fleet, Alice can take 20 guests. Larger superyachts such as Marquise, with 28 guests, visit the Indian Ocean in winter, but their schedules change each season.
Is a large-group charter in the Maldives all-inclusive?
Some are, some are not. Alice’s rate includes full board, two to three dives a day, transfers, water sports and a 10% service charge, with a 10% APA for extras. Alcoholic and soft drinks are charged from the bar list. Superyachts such as Marquise are not all-inclusive: the APA covers running costs and VAT is added on top.
Can everyone dive on a large-group charter?
Every certified guest can dive, but on Alice the included dive guide and gear cover up to five guests. For larger groups, extra diving is available on request.
How far in advance should we book?
For January to March, start 9 to 12 months ahead. Shoulder months are more flexible.
PLAN YOUR CHARTER
Plan Your Large-Group Charter in the Maldives
Tell us your group size and dates. We confirm certified capacity and current availability, then shape the route around your guests.
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