Scuba diving trips are possible because of the dive master and his crew, without them any scuba diving activity in the Maldives can not be possible. They are the ones who know where to go, what time is best. They also prepare your scuba diving equipment for you, making sure that all bases are covered, making your scuba diving experience in the Maldives an unforgettable one. Though it is not mandatory in the Maldives to give tips but if you have received exemplary service, why not?

Here is a guide in tipping the DM (dive master) and the crew.

If the trip exceeded your expectation then you should definitely tip but if you are unhappy with the service you got then by all means do not tip. Scuba diving trips should be enjoyed and your mind shouldn’t be thinking of anything else. Just remember, DM and crew rely heavily on tips for their income. So the next time you go on a scuba diving trip and you don’t tip, make sure it warrants that action.

Not sure who to give your tip to? Most ships have jars where they collect the tip and split it between the DM and the crew. But if they don’t you can give it to the captain or DM and they can split it among the crew. Make sure that the crew gets it, they are the ones who do the heavy leg work for your scuba diving trip to be a success.

If your scuba diving trip is just for a day, then tip at the end of the dive, but if it’s a multi-day dive then tipping at the end of the trip is recommended. If the crew changes everyday then you should tip at the end of each day but if the scuba diving crew is the same till the end of the trip then tip at the end of the safari.

How much tip you give really depends on the level of satisfaction you have from the service. If you want to tip based on the price of the dive then a 10-15% tip would be ok, if you want to tip on a per tank per person basis then $5-$10 is the regular.

Planning a scuba diving safari is not easy, getting your scuba diving equipment is not an easy feat, if you are satisfied with the service you got, it’s never a bad idea to show that you appreciate a job well done.