Dear COMPASS Participants,

We would like you to be well prepared for your enjoyable and fruitful journey for COMPASS.

Please be ready for the diverse biology in the center of warm marine environment with Maldivian and COMPASS hospitality.

We have compiled “what to bring" and "what to wear" list specifically made for the needs of a traveler in the Maldives . Additional detailed info for your travel to Maldives are at http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Maldives/Basics

Essentials to bring For COMPASS
* Your Presentation
* Your valid passport. (Free entry visa will be issued upon arival to stay up to 30 days)

What to Bring
* Camera, batteries and charger
* Underwater case for camera (if you have)
* Sunscreen (high spf)
* Sunglasses
* slippers
* Hat or Cap for shade from the sun
* Light cotton clothing
* Lotion (Aloe Vera)
* Insect Repellent
* Bathing Suits
* An old tshirt may be needed to wear while snorkelling to protect neck and shoulders from sun
* Personal diving or snorkeling equipment (resorts as well as dive shops on Male' rent out this equipment)
* Credit Card (Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club, and Eurocard are accepted) & US dollars

What to Wear
light cotton clothing (Shorts and t-shirts) are the best types to bring for your leisure times at Bandos.
There is also shop located in Bandos resort where you should find your basic needs.

Weather
The Maldives has a hot and tropical climate. There are two basic seasons: dry and wet. June is the start of wet season. Wind and rain may be experienced during your stay. We recommend you bring a light rain jacket in case of rainy hours in some days. The temperature rarely drops below 77F (25 C), and it averages at 82 F (27.7 C).

For weather info:

http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/current/VRMM.html

Upon Arrival
Duty Free: There are some items prohibited or restricted to bring into Maldives .
Travellers to the Maldives , irrespective of age, do not have to pay duty on cigarettes, cigars, tobacco and gifts within reasonable quantities.
Prohibited items are alcoholic drinks, narcotics, religious material (personal material such as a Bible is allowed), idols, pornographic material, live pigs, pork products, psychotropic substances, arms & ammunition, dogs and dangerous animals. If you must bring a plant or live animal (other than a pig or dog), official sanitary documents are required or they will be confiscated. Also, you must carry doctor's prescriptions for any medicines you bring.

About Maldives

* Country Full Name: Republic of Maldives

* Population: 301,475

* Currency Name: Rufiyaa

* Code: MVR

* Symbol: Rf

* Voltage 230 V 50 Hz

* Electrical Plugs: British-style plug with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade

* Languages Spoken Official: Divehi

* Time Zones: GMT/UTC +5

* Country Dialing Code: +960

* Weights & Measures: Metric

We wish you have a fruitful COMPASS and enjoyable stay in Maldives.

Best wishes and kind regards.

Ahmet C. Yalciner and Banu Akman
COMPASS Organization