What the Middle-East crisis means for divers
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the news lately, you’ll know that the global landscape is shifting quickly. While we’re all dreaming of our next spot of diving in the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea or the Maldives, the recent conflict in the Middle East has sent ripples far beyond the region’s borders. For divers planning a 2026 getaway, there is one practical factor we need to talk about: the rising cost of fuel.
We want to make sure you’re fully in the loop before you head to the airport for your next adventure. Here is the latest update on how the industry is responding and what it means for your holiday budget.
The Latest Updates
The latest conflict in the Middle East is being felt far beyond the region itself. For the liveaboard industry, one of the clearest effects has been a sharp rise in fuel costs. Operators in destinations as varied as the Maldives, the Philippines, Egypt, Indonesia, Thailand, Mexico, Australia, and even the Arctic are now adjusting prices to keep trips running smoothly for divers flying from around the world.
Liveaboards are especially exposed to these shifts. Fuel powers more than just the long crossings between remote dive sites; it also runs the generators, air-conditioning, compressors, tenders, and desalination systems that make life at sea comfortable. When oil prices climb quickly, the impact on a dive holiday budget is immediate.
That is why a growing number of fleets have introduced temporary fuel surcharges, revised existing supplements, or warned that extra fees may still be added if market conditions remain unstable. In many cases, the liveaboard operators are covering part of the increase themselves, passing on only a portion to guests. This results in a new layer of pricing across some of the world’s best-known dive destinations—a reminder that even a carefully planned diving holiday can be shaped by global events far from the reef.
However, there are also liveaboards that haven’t introduced and surcharges – good news for divers.
Good News: Fleets Holding Steady with no surcharges – Maldives & Mexico
If you’re looking for a liveaboard holiday from the with no surprise surcharges, check out these fantastic fleets:
- Scubaspa (Maldives): No fuel surcharge, plus flexible credit notes for cancellations.
- Amba (Maldives): No surcharges for trips departing through June 2026.
- Nautilus / Baja Expeditions (Mexico): Founder Captain Mike says:
“In 34 years of running expeditions, we have never issued a single fuel surcharge – and we are not about to start now. Your charter fee will not change post-booking, regardless of fuel price fluctuations. You have my word on that.”
We’ve gathered all boats that are currently not charging extra fees on a dedicated page to help you plan a more budget-friendly trip.
View all Liveaboards with No Fuel Surcharge
From the Maldives to Mexico, from Indonesia to the Arctic, liveaboards are adjusting to a new operating reality.
Don’t let fuel uncertainty spoil your plans!
Liveaboards That Have Introduced Fuel Surcharges
Maldives
- Maldives Master: USD 28 per person per night for departures from 11th April.
- Princess Rani, Princess Dhonkamana, Princess Haleema: €120 (approx. £102) per person per week from 12th April
- Carpe Diem Fleet (Carpe Diem, Carpe Vita and Carpe Novo): USD 150–350 per trip, depending on vessel and duration
- Felicity & Ariyal: USD 150 (approx. £120) per person per week
- Adora Liveaboard: USD 20 (approx. £16) per person per night
- Maldives Aggressor (Aggressor Fleet): USD 200–285 per trip from 1st April
- Sachika: No fixed surcharge yet, but one may be introduced if fuel prices don’t ease
- White Pearl (Pearl Fleet): USD 35 (approx. £28) per person per night
- Emperor Virgo, Emperor Explorer, Emperor Serenity, Emperor Leo & Emperor Voyager: No separate surcharge – trip prices increase from 10th April. Book before then to lock in original rates
Palau & South East Asia
- Philippine Siren (Philippines): USD 35 per person per night for departures from 11th April
- Indo Master (Indonesia): USD 15 per night for departures from 11th April
- Solomons Master (Truk Master), Solomon Islands: USD 11 per night for departures from 11th April
- Thailand Master (Thailand): USD 15 per night in Thailand/Myanmar (effective 11th April)
- Palau Sport (Philippines): Increased to USD 150 (approx. £120) per guest
- Navis 1 (Philippines): USD 150 (approx. £120) per person
- Deep Andaman Queen (Thailand): 400 THB (approx. £9) per night
- Philippines Aggressor & Philippines Aggressor II (Philippines): USD 300–428 per trip from 1st April
- Resolute (Philippines): An additional USD 50 (approx. £40) per guest
- Seadoors (Philippines): €150 (approx. £128) per person
- Stella Maris Explorer (Philippines): USD 180 (approx. £144) per guest for trips starting 9th–15th April 2026
- Infiniti (Philippines): USD 150 (approx. £120) per person
- Black Pearl (Pearl Fleet, Palau): USD 35 (approx. £28) per person per night
- White Manta and Blue Manta (Indonesia): Existing bookings from 22nd March: USD 50 (approx. £40) per person payable onboard. New bookings: USD 100 (approx. £80) per person surcharge
- Emperor Raja Laut & Emperor Harmoni (Indonesia): trip prices increase from 10th April
- Emperor Bilikiki (Solomon Islands): trip prices increase from 10th April, book before then to lock in original rates
Red Sea
- Red Sea Aggressor II, Red Sea Aggressor V & Red Sea Aggressor IV: USD 50 per 7-night trip for Red Sea Aggressor II, IV, and V, effective for departures from 11th April 2026 (also applies to the 2nd April departure)
- Hammerhead I & Hammerhead II: USD 45 (approx. £36) fuel surcharge. Positive note: free rebooking/credit system and zero-penalty cancellation options available depending on notice period. Egypt remains safe and fantastic value
- Blue Melody & Blue Horizon: USD 8 per night (effective 11th April)
- Emperor Asmaa, Emperor Superior & Emperor Elite: trip prices increase from 10th April
Australia (Great Barrier Reef)
Entrada Travel Group has introduced a fuel recovery surcharge for all new bookings made from 26th March 2026, for travel between 1st April and 30th September 2026. Bookings made before 26th March are exempt.
- Spirit of Freedom: AUD 20 (approx. £10) per person, per day
Other Regions
- Valentina (Mexico): Revised to USD 25 (approx. £20) per person per night from 16th March for all routes, including Socorro and Sea of Cortez
- Hondius, Ortelius, & Plancius (Arctic Circle, Antarctica, Norway, Iceland): 25 EUR/USD (approx. £21) per night for Arctic 2026 voyages from 5th June
Important Payment Note: While most surcharges are collected onboard via cash or credit card, Master Liveaboards requires their fuel surcharges to be paid in advance of travel. Spirit of Freedom, Entrada Travel Group, will collect directly via payment link or pay-on-board prior to travel.
Industry Resilience
In a difficult turn of events, Cantamar has announced the closure of its liveaboard operations and the sale of its vessels due to government restrictions and economic factors. Our thoughts are with their crew and the divers who have enjoyed trips with them over the years.
