Tourism Ministry Issues Safety Guidelines for Watersports and Excursions

The Tourism Ministry has issued safety guidelines to tourist guesthouses, watersports centres, and excursion providers, urging them to prioritise the safety of tourists and minimise incidents during activities.

In a circular addressed to these service providers, the ministry announced that it is working on regulations to ensure the safety of tourists participating in watersports and excursions. Until the regulation is finalised, operators are advised to adhere to the following guidelines:

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• A safety briefing must be provided to all tourists before engaging in any watersports activities.
• All equipment used must meet safety standards and be operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Activities requiring designated zones must be conducted within those marked areas.
• Non-swimmers must wear life jackets at all times during watersports activities.
• Operators must monitor weather conditions and act on warnings from authorities. Activities should be halted immediately if adverse weather is forecasted or if instructors determine the conditions are unsafe.
• Guests should be briefed daily on the weather conditions.
• The Maldives Meteorological Service’s colour-coded flags or balloons—white, yellow, orange, red, and green—should be used to indicate weather changes.
• Instructors must have access to a communication device at all times.
• A log of all guests participating in watersports activities must be maintained.
• Participants are required to complete a medical disclosure form before taking part in activities.

The ministry emphasised the importance of implementing these guidelines ahead of the upcoming peak tourist season, calling on all operators to prevent incidents that could endanger lives.

The circular noted that several tragic incidents involving tourists have occurred during watersports activities in recent months, underscoring the need for greater caution and adherence to safety protocols.