Current Onboard Charges & Fuel Surcharge

Last updated: April 2025

As the diving is unique in each destination, each country has its own costs, fees, and taxes applied to the itinerary. Explorer Ventures wants you to have all the facts before you leave on your dream diving vacation. Here is a list of current onboard charges by country and boat.

Why We Charge a Fuel Surcharge

Fuel is the single largest direct operating expense for our liveaboard vessels, powering everything from propulsion to compressors, air conditioning, lighting, and more. Unlike in major markets where oil prices may rise and fall predictably, fuel costs at our remote destinations often increase more quickly and decrease more slowly. These unpredictable spikes make it challenging to absorb costs—especially when trip prices are set 2–3 years in advance.

As a small, family-owned company committed to delivering high-value dive experiences, we use a fuel surcharge to help offset these fluctuations. This allows us to maintain the level of service, safety, and quality you expect, without sudden price increases in your base trip cost.

We understand this is an added consideration for guests, which is why we review surcharges regularly and adjust them based on real costs. Any changes are posted at least 30 days before departure, giving you time to plan accordingly.

Learn more about the fuel surcharge fluctuations by downloading the full letter from fleet owner, Clay McCardell.

Check the current surcharge for your trip below

Thank you for your understanding—we look forward to diving with you soon!

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M/V Caribbean Explorer II, Saba/St. Kitts/St. Maarten

  • M/V Caribbean Explorer II, Saba/St. Kitts/St. Maarten
  • Port, Immigration and Marine Park Fees – US$135 per person
  • Fuel Surcharge: US$140 per person
  • Crew gratuities, dive instruction, optional island tours, dive gear rental (other than tanks, weights and weight belts), Nitrox (US$10 per fill or US$150 per week) and retail sales
  • Although we do help arrange transfers to/from the boat they are not included in the package price. Airport transfers currently run about US$15-30 per person in St. Maarten and US$10-15 per person in St. Kitts. 
  • Prices for optional land tours are $35 pp in Saba and $50 pp in St Kitts (prices can change anytime).

M/V Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

Although we do help arrange transfers to/from the boat they are not included in the package price and currently run US$45 for up to two people (each way) and US$25 per person thereafter.

Hotel Tax and Port Fees: US$95 per person

Fuel Surcharge: US$160 per person

Crew gratuities, dive instruction, dive gear rental (other than tanks, weights and weight belts), Nitrox (US$10 per fill or US$150 per week) and retail sales

M/V Humboldt Explorer & M/V Tiburon Explorer, Galapagos Islands

  • Fuel Surcharge: US$150 per person (7-night trips) or US$220 per person (10-night trips)
  • Crew gratuities (must be paid in cash), dive instruction, dive gear rental (other than tanks, weights and weight belts), Nitrox (US$150 per week or $220 for 10-night trips) and retail sales
  • Note: entry to the Galapagos Islands also requires cash payment of US$200 entry fee (Effective since August 1, 2024), as well as the purchase of Tourist Card for US$20 in cash

M/V Blue Manta Explorer & M/V White Manta Explorer, Indonesia

  • Crew gratuities, dive instruction, dive gear rental (other than standard tanks, weights and weight belts), Nitrox (US$7 per fill or US$20 per day), soft drinks & alcoholic beverages and retail sales & services
  • Port and Marine Parks fees for Blue Manta Explorer:
    • US$150 for the following itineraries:
      • Alor (Alor-Alor)
    • US$200 for the following itineraries:
      • Komodo North & South (Labuan Bajo-Labuan Bajo)
      • Triton Bay itineraries (Kaimana-Kaimana / excludes crossing trips)
    • US$250 for the following itineraries:
      • Raja Ampat & Misool (Sorong-Sorong)
      • Banda Sea (Ambon-Ambon)
      • All crossing trips
    • US$320 for the following itineraries:
      • Misool-FakFak-Triton Bay trips.
  • Fuel Surcharge for Blue Manta Explorer:
    • US$200 for the following itineraries:
      • All crossing trips
      • All itineraries including the Banda Sea area
    • US$150 for the following itineraries:
      • Komodo North & South (Labuan Bajo-Labuan Bajo)
      • Raja Ampat & Misool (Sorong-Sorong)
      • Triton Bay (Kaimana-Kaimana)
      • Alor (Alor-Alor)
  • Port and Marine Parks fees for White Manta Explorer:
    • US$200 for the following itineraries:
      • Lembeh-Halmahera-Lembeh (Manado-Manado)
      • Halmahera Exploration (Ternate-Ternate)
      • Triton Bay (Kaimana-Kaimana)
    • US$250 for the following itineraries:
      • Raja Ampat & Misool (Sorong-Sorong)
      • Banda Sea (Ambon-Ambon)
      • Lembeh-Halmahera (Manado-Ternate) or vice-versa
      • Derawan Archipelago (Sangalaki, Maratua and Kakaban – Tarakan-Tarakan)
      • All crossing trips (except some crossing trips including Halmahera – please see above and below)
    • US$300 for the following itineraries:
      • Lembeh-Morotai-Halmahera-Ternate (Manado-Ternate) or vice-versa
      • Raja Ampat-Halmahera-Lembeh (Sorong-Manado) or vice-versa
    • US$320 for the following itineraries:
      • Misool-FakFak-Triton Bay (Sorong-Kaimana) or vice-versa
  • Fuel Surcharge for White Manta Explorer:
    • US$150 for the following itineraries:
      • Triton Bay (Kaimana-Kaimana)
      • Raja Ampat & Misool (Sorong-Sorong)
    • US$200 for the following itineraries:
      • Banda Sea (Ambon-Ambon)
      • Derawan Archipelago (Sangalaki, Maratua and Kakaban – Tarakan-Tarakan)
      • All crossing trips (except some crossing trips including Halmahera – please see below)
    • US$250 for the following itineraries:
      • Lembeh-Halmahera-Lembeh (Manado-Manado) – US$300 in 2026 and 2027
      • Halmahera Exploration (Ternate-Ternate)
      • Lembeh-Morotai-Halmahera-Ternate (Manado-Ternate) or vice-versa – US$300 in 2026 and 2027
      • Lembeh-Halmahera (Manado-Ternate) or vice-versa – US$300 in 2026 and 2027
      • Raja Ampat-Halmahera-Lembeh (Sorong-Manado) or vice-versa – US$300 in 2026 and 2027
      • Misool-FakFak-Triton Bay (Sorong-Kaimana) or vice-versa

All prices indicated above are per person and must be pre-invoiced. Please note the fuel surcharge amount may change anytime until 30 days prior to departure.

M/V Grand Sea Explorer and M/V Glory Sea Explorer, Red Sea

  • US$300 per person.  For special trips longer than 7 nights, this route supplement can be higher. Please contact us for more information.  
  • Fuel Surcharge: US$0 per person. 
  • Egypt Entry Visa (if needed upon your arrival in Hurghada): US$30 per person
  • Crew gratuities, dive instruction, dive gear rental (other than tanks, weights and weight belts), and retail sales & services

M/V Emperor Explorer, Maldives

  • Crew gratuities, dive instruction, dive gear rental (other than standard tanks, weights and weight belts), and retail sales & services, soft drinks, juices, alcoholic beverages (1 glass of wine is included at dinner), Spa treatments. Wifi (US$22 per week, when in service range), Hanifaru Bay snorkeling permit (if applicable)..
  • Fuel Surcharge, if applicable (US$18 per day will be added to your package price for certain long itineraries). 

M/Y Black Pearl Explorer, Palau

  • Marine Park and Harbor Fees: US$150. The Marine park fees include the harbor fee ($50) the Rock Islands dive permit (now valid 5 days only, so 2 permits are now needed for a 7-night trip). If you plan to purchase and use one of these permits before boarding the Black Pearl Explorer, please let us know in advance. Then, the value of this permit will be deducted from your onboard charges. If you do not tell us in advance you plan to purchase such a permit in advance, and as the boat purchases all permits prior to the cruise departure date, you may be charged again for these permits. 
  • The Marine Park and Harbor Fees do not include the permit to get access to Peleliu: Since May 1st, 2024, an additional fee of $60 per person is collected onboard. The access to Peleliu is subject to weather, sea and schedule conditions (valid 5 days since May 2025). If you purchase these permits during your stay in Palau before the cruise, please let us know at your earliest convenience. Please note these permits have a 5-day validity. If the permit expires before the end of your stay onboard Black Pearl Explorer, you’ll have to purchase these permits again. 
  • Due to the fact just a few jelly fishes can be see in the lake, we have decided in May 2025, not to include the corresponding permit in our package anymore. If you absolutely want to do that snorkeling excursion, that is possible and the permit can be purchased directly on spot ($75 per person).
  • Optional land tour in Peleliu (3 hours – minimum of 4 people to confirm the tour): $69 per person, including transportation, guide and all entrance fees. 
  • Fuel Surcharge: Since august 23, 2023, no more fuel surcharge will be collected onboard. 
  • Same day airport transfers: US$25 per person, per way.
  • Crew gratuities, dive instruction, dive gear rental (other than standard tanks, weights and weight belts), and retail sales & services, soft drinks, juices, alcoholic beverages.
  • All travelers leaving departing from Koror airport have to pay a $20 Departure Tax and a $30 Green Tax. 
  • If you wish to bring your own alcohol, please note that it may incur a corkage fee: $20 per bottle of wine and $2 per can of beer, per Palau’s universal guidelines