Velana International Airport

Upon arrival at Male International Airport you will be greeted and transferred to your guesthouse on Hulhumale.

Hulhumale

After settling in, the rest of the day is yours to explore Hulhumale where the public beach is only a few steps away and plenty of local cafes and water excursion providers are close by.

Male

This morning your guide will accompany you on a tour of the capital city

Guraidhoo

Transfer by afternoon local ferry to the local island of Guraidhoo, South Male Atoll. Upon arrival, settle in at your guesthouse and relax at the local beach while watching the sun go down. Dinner this evening is served at the guesthouse following which your guide will discuss the harmful practices that are pushing the balance of the ecosystem and what we can do to limit the impact.

Guraidhoo Island

Following breakfast accompanied by your tour leader, take a few steps from the beach into the ocean for an acclimatization snorkel exploring the house reef of Guraidhoo providing your first underwater encounter! Your tour leader will provide a briefing on responsible snorkeling and act as your ‘spotter’ pointing out marine life that may not have caught your eye. Coral reefs are fragile ecosystems so learning how to snorkel responsibly can help minimize your impact on the marine environment and protect the delicate balance of marine life. They will assist less confident or inexperienced snorkelers, ensuring your equipment is comfortable and you feel safe in the water.

Guraidhoo Island

As the afternoon cools down accompanied by your tour leader time is spent exploring Guraidhoo with the opportunity to learn about the local way of life including a visit to the Mosque. Visit the harbour, maybe there will be fishermen with their catch. Watch children playing in the street. Discover local fruit trees as you wander the narrow maze of sandy roads. Finally, stop by a local cafe to sample traditional ‘hedika’ - Maldivian savoury and sweet short eats served with black tea. This evening enjoy dinner under the stars.

Maafushi Island

Starting off the day early, transfer to Maafushi where after checking in to your guesthouse you have your breakfast. Your guide will then accompany you on an island tour, explaining the history of local island tourism including the positive and negative impacts on the islands and local communities. In the afternoon, join your guide on a snorkelling tour to discover Renee's Coral Garden and learn about the importance of seagrass ecosystems. After dinner at a local cafe, your guide will introduce you to the works of Olive Ridley Project and their studies of turtles to prepare you for a possible turtle encounter during tomorrow's snorkelling.

Maafushi Island

Following breakfast, it's time to head off to the ocean once again. You will be taken by speedboat to an idyllic sandbank just a short distance from Maafushi. Here you have the opportunity to swim, snorkel or just lie back and relax. A picnic lunch will be served before we head off to snorkel in search of turtles. On the return journey to Maafushi cruise the Indian Ocean and hopefully spot dolphins. Dinner is served at your guesthouse.

Gulhi Island

Following an early breakfast we take a short speedboat journey to the quiet local island of Gulhi. Once checked in to your guesthouse, your guide will accompany you on a tour of the island. Visit the boat yard to stand in awe at the size of the boats under renovation, chat with the locals and finally refresh yourself with a cool Kurumba (coconut). Over your refreshment, your tour leader will inspire and educate on how plastic is being dealt with in the Maldives and the work being done by Parley of the Oceans. Ready for relaxation you can choose to head to the bikini beach or for the more energetic join your tour leader for a snorkeling opportunity on the house reef of Gulhi. As the afternoon cools down there is the option to support a beach clean, giving back to the community that has welcomed us. Dinner this evening is prepared by a local family, just don’t expect silver service as traditionally meals are eaten without the aid of a knife and fork!

Gulhi Island

Today is a rest day! Relax on the bikini beach, or for those feeling energetic participate in the various optional watersport activities on offer. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner in the peaceful courtyard of your guesthouse.

Male

After breakfast transfer back to Male by public ferry, across town, and on to Male airport where the tour ends.