Expertise Since 1987
Rated Excellent
FLEXIBLE PRICING
Current Onboard Charges & Fuel Surcharge
Last updated: March 2026
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!
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$150 per person. Will be raised to US$190 from May 2, 2026.
- 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$50 for two people (each way) and US$25 per person thereafter.
Hotel Tax and Port Fees: US$95 per person
Fuel Surcharge: US$195 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/Y Black Pearl Explorer, Palau
- 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
- 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: from April 1, 2026, a $35 fuel surcharge per person and per night 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 must be paid directly onboard. Crew gratuity must be paid in cash. Other onboard expenses
will be charged to your onboard bill. The bill may be paid at the end of the trip using Visa, MasterCard or cash (US Dollar or Euro).
Credit cards are charged through Paypal, in US dollars, plus a 4% surcharge. - All travelers leaving departing from Koror airport have to pay a $20 Departure Tax and a $30 Green Tax.
M/V Grand Sea Explorer and M/V Glory Sea Explorer, Red Sea
- US$300 per person in 2026 and 2027 / $400 per person in 2028. For special trips longer than 7 nights, this route supplement can be higher. Important update: Beginning on June 1, 2026, a new government fee of $100 USD per person will be applied to the onboard charges for all guests booked after February 1, 2026.
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/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
Marine Park (MP), Harbour (H) & Fuel Surcharge (FS) Fees
March 22, 2026: Important note about fuel surcharge increase
- Existing bookings: If you have already made a booking with us (booked and deposited before March 22, 2026), then until further notice, we will collect a US$50/ person additional fuel surcharge fee. It will be settled onboard at the end of your cruise via cash or credit card as part of your onboard extras. This fee will apply to all existing bookings for departures starting from 22nd March 2026. For the moment, this is a temporary and adjustable measure. We will continue to monitor operational costs, hoping that the situation will ease in the coming weeks & months. This surcharge may then be adjusted (increased or decreased) to reflect any significant shifts in these operational costs.
- New bookings: For all NEW bookings made from March 22, 2026, we will be raising our current fuel surcharge rate by US$100/ pax. The below prices reflect this increase.
| Blue Manta Explorer Itineraries | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | |||
| MP&H fee USD | FS fee USD | MP&H fee USD | FS fee USD | MP&H fee USD | FS fee USD | |
| Komodo | 200 | 250 | 200 | 250 | 200 | 250 |
| Komodo- Maumere-Alor | 250 | 300 | 250 | 300 | 250 | 300 |
| Alor-Maumere- Komodo | ||||||
| Alor-Ring- Banda-Ambon | 250 | 300 | 250 | 300 | 250 | 300 |
| Ambon-Banda- Ring-Alor | ||||||
| Alor | 150 | 250 | 150 | 250 | 150 | 250 |
| Ambon-Banda- Ambon | 250 | 300 | 250 | 300 | 250 | 300 |
| Ambon-Banda- Triton Bay | 250 | 300 | 250 | 300 | 250 | 300 |
| Triton Bay- Fak Fak-Misool | 320 | 300 | 320 | 300 | 320 | 300 |
| Misool-Fak Fak- Triton Bay | ||||||
| Triton Bay | 200 | 250 | 200 | 250 | 200 | 250 |
| Raja Ampat-Misool | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 |
| Misool | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 |
| Raja Ampat | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 |
| Raja Ampat-Banda-Alor | 250 | 300 | 250 | 300 | 250 | 300 |
| Ambon-Banda- Raja Ampat | 250 | 300 | 250 | 300 | 250 | 300 |
| Raja Ampat- Banda-Ambon | ||||||
| Note: MP&H = Marine Park & Harbour fees | ||||||
| Note: FS = Fuel surcharge fees | ||||||
| Updated 21-Mar-2026 | ||||||
| White Manta Explorer | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | |||
| MP&H fee USD | FS fee USD | MP&H fee USD | FS fee USD | MP&H fee USD | FS fee USD | |
| Lembeh-Moratai- Ternate | 300 | 400 | 300 | 400 | n/a | n/a |
| Ternate-Moratai- Lembeh | ||||||
| Lembeh-Helmahera | 250 | 350 | 250 | 350 | 250 | 350 |
| Helmahera Exploration | 200 | 350 | 200 | 350 | 200 | 350 |
| Lembeh-Halmahera-Lembeh | 200 | 350 | 200 | 350 | 200 | 350 |
| Raja Ampat- Halmahera-Lembeh | 300 | 350 | 300 | 350 | 300 | 350 |
| Lembeh-Halmahera-Raja Ampat | ||||||
| Ambon-Banda- Ambon | 250 | 300 | 250 | 300 | 250 | 300 |
| Ambon-Banda- Raja Ampat | 250 | 300 | 250 | 300 | 250 | 300 |
| Raja Ampat- Banda-Ambon | ||||||
| Triton Bay-Fak Fak- Misool | 320 | 300 | 320 | 300 | n/a | n/a |
| Misool- Fak Fak-Triton Bay | ||||||
| Triton Bay | 200 | 250 | 200 | 250 | n/a | n/a |
| Raja Ampat-Misool | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 |
| Raja Ampat | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 |
| Sangalaki-Kakaban- Maratua | n/a | n/a | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 |
| Note: MP&H = Marine Park & Harbour fees | ||||||
| Note: FS = Fuel surcharge fees | ||||||
| Updated 21-Mar-2026 | ||||||
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.
