Spa and Dive with Scubaspa Ying in the Maldives

[Ayesha Ayoub]

Read myscubaspa maldives review liveaboard and find out if it is the perfect trip for your next vacation. I did a one-week spa and diving cruise on this splendid boat and share plenty of useful tips to dive the Maldives. I  have done over 20 liveaboards all over the world and wanted to see if diving it is worth scuba diving in the Maldives given all the recent reports of coral bleaching.

Flying to Male and entering the Maldives during Covid
Getting to Male is very straightforward, with plenty of flights from Emirates, Ethihad, and European airlines. I flew with Emirates. They have three or four flights a day to Male, and you can read my review of Emirates Business class here.

The passport control looked a bit chaotic, with hundreds of people queuing and people diverted left and right. However, it went surprisingly fast. The whole queue took me less than 15 minutes. I had done my PCR test before leaving and had all my paperwork for entering the Maldives ( I also needed the Maldives health form and the booking confirmation from each boat or resort I was going to stay at during my time in the Maldives).

I was met by a representative from Scubaspa liveaboard, and within one hour of landing, I was onboard their Dhoni ( the smaller tender boat that they use for diving) and on my way to the Scubaspa Ying liveaboard. They took my luggage from the airport, and I found it directly in my cabin.

Review of the Covid procedures on Scubaspa Ying

I now add a review of the COVID procedures to all my liveaboard reviews as some people are still hesitant to travel and want to make sure that they will be safe during their liveaboards in the Maldives.

The Maldives is a good place to travel during Covid, as most resorts and activities are on isolated islands and outdoor. Every guest entering the Maldives or coming onboard Scubaspa Ying must do a PCR Covid test.

Upon boarding the Scubaspa Ying, our luggage got disinfected. Scubaspa Ying also offered to launder our travel clothes on the first day free of charge to ensure they were Covid free. It was the first time I saw that on a boat, and I found it a great idea. The whole crew is fully vaccinated. Hand sanitizer bottles have been placed throughout the boat. Masks are optional when onboard. All the common areas are outdoors, and all the guests during my trip chose not to wear a mask.

ScubaSpa Ying can help you arrange a PCR test onboard if you need it for your onward travel. It is very straightforward, as a nurse comes on the boat, and the cost is 120 USD.

Overall, those procedures made me feel safe. I did get a test after the cruise, as it is required to board the next boat, and I am happy to report that it came out negative.