Frequently asked questions

Choose your expedition and click Apply. It takes about 5 minutes and you won't be charged yet. The Maui team will get back to you within 24 hours.

Our groups are small, so we bring together open-minded people who love the ocean. Strangers on day one, friends by day three.

No. You can complete your application online, or book a 15-minute call with your expedition leader if you'd rather talk first.

Yes. Add them to your application and we plan the expedition together.

Apply anyway and we put you on the waitlist. If a spot opens up, we contact people in the order they applied.

Yes. Travelling with friends or family? We can organise a private Maui expedition or a custom itinerary.

Every expedition page shows the price in US dollars p.p., based on a shared room.

A 20% deposit secures your spot. The balance is due 120 days before departure, once we have confirmed the expedition goes ahead. Booking less than 120 days before departure? Then you pay the full amount at once.

Bank transfer is free. Card payments carry a 3% fee.

Yes, that's perfectly possible and makes a great longer adventure, especially if you're coming from far. Whales of Tonga and Yasawa paradise in Fiji even run back to back.

Once your expedition is confirmed, which means the minimum group size is reached. Land a day early if you can. You fly into Tromsø for Norway, Nuku'alofa (TBU) for Tonga, Malé (MLE) for the Maldives, Nadi for Fiji and Sorong (SOQ) for Raja Ampat.

Yes, it's a condition of joining. Your policy needs to cover cancellation, medical emergencies, repatriation and snorkelling. Buy it within 14 days of paying your deposit.

You need to be comfortable swimming in the open ocean. No diving licence needed, except on Raja Ampat, which is a dive expedition. Not certified yet? We arrange an Open Water course on site.

Mask, snorkel and fins on every expedition. A wetsuit on Tonga and Raja Ampat. In Norway you get a 10 mm wetsuit with hood, gloves and boots.

You get a packing list for your expedition. Pack light, bring a duffel or backpack and leave your snorkel gear at home.

It differs per expedition, but always your stay, meals during the expedition, transfers, every activity in the itinerary and a Maui expedition leader. Not included: international flights, travel insurance, alcoholic drinks and personal expenses.

Small on purpose: 8 guests in Norway, Tonga and Raja Ampat, 12 in the Maldives.

A Maui expedition leader, together with some of the best local guides in the world.

Rooms are shared as standard. A private room is $350 extra in Norway, $650 in the Maldives and $850 in Tonga, on request. For the other expeditions, just ask us.

Every expedition has a shared group album. Want more of yourself? Add the private photo package: about 50 quality photos of you by a pro photographer, for $850.

Most needs, yes. Tell us in your application.

These are wild animals, so encounters can never be guaranteed. We plan every day to give you the best chances.

Yes, once, up to 120 days before departure. Your deposit moves with you, we charge $100 administration cost, and if the new expedition costs more you pay the difference.

Your deposit is non-refundable, and so is the balance once it is paid. If another guest takes your place, we refund what you paid less $100 administration cost. If you fall ill or lose a close family member more than 1 month before departure and can show proof, we refund the balance and keep only the deposit. You can also bring your own replacement up to 14 days before departure, free.