What‘s Included

What To Expect

Reviews

• Truly unforgettable!

  Navigator00064929092,

  Apr 14, 2025

  - Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Absolutely amazing experience! Archie met us at the airport and explained the itinerary. We were then taken to the hotel in Hulhumalé and had the remainder of the day to settle in and explore on our own. The next day, Archie took us on a fascinating tour of the capital, Malé, to see the sights and explain a bit of the history of the Maldives. Later that day, we took a 2 1/2-hour ferry south to Guraidhoo to begin our island-hopping adventure. We spent two nights on Guraidhoo, two on Maafushi and two on Gulhi. Each island had its own charm and provided a good opportunity to see how the local islands preserve their traditional way of life while also providing areas set aside for visitors. The snorkeling was excellent on all three. I swam with reef sharks and sea turtles just a few feet away, and the variety of tropical fish was far superior to anywhere else I've snorkeled (Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic and Pacific). Throughout the entire week, I was impressed by the services provided by Secret Paradise and their emphasis on the environment. We were instructed on how to avoid damaging the corals with our hands or fins, we picked up several kilos of litter (mainly plastic) from a beach on Gulhi, and we planted our very own coconut palms on Maafushi. Archie was an amazing and knowledgeable guide, and Ruth, the director of Secret Paradise, even came to meet us at our first hotel. I HIGHLY recommend Secret Paradise (and Archie!) for anyone wanting an introduction to a fascinating and gorgeous country! I hope to return to the Maldives someday soon.

• Wonderful ecotour

  Cruiser25922516553,

  Dec 17, 2024

  - Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Really a very special experience! We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to explore local islands, and to learn about the rich history and culture of the Maldives and also to have learned about the unique economic opportunities, as well as the ecological challenges related to expanding development and tourism. We were so grateful for the exceptional qualities our guide, UB, brought to our experience. He was extremely knowledgeable, skilled, flexible, attentive to needs and also fun loving. How fortunate we were! We had wonderful experiences fishing, snorkelling, meeting local people and experiencing local food and culture. Our experience of the Maldives was so rich as a result of this trip and the wonderful qualities our guide contributed.

• Great North Ari local island hopping experience!

  E1320PPalh,

  Jun 13, 2024

  - Tripadvisor

  5.00

  The team at Secret Paradise are passionate about showcasing these incredible islands, and providing genuine local experiences. We picked the 7 night North Ari Island hopping which had a great mix of snorkelling / meeting locals over tea / self exploring local islands and beaches / eating / a bit of artwork on the beach / and hanging out! Our guides Shark and Nafsha were fantastic, and the organization and communication from Ruth and the office team prior to the trip was top notch. We feel so lucky that we had this experience, and that we selected Secret Paradise to make this happen. One highlight for us was identifying turtles which we saw snorkelling, and sending the images to the Olive Ridley Project database. We even got to name a turtle! Following the island hopping we stayed 4 days at Reethi Beach Resort which Ruth had suggested, and it was a great place to stay with a nice beachfront villa, and a wide range of food experiences. All the transfers to and from the resort were seamless. We hope our future travels include another Secret Paradise experience!

• SUPERLATIVES

  611mariagiovannam,

  Apr 2, 2024

  - Tripadvisor

  5.00

  No sooner said than done! Promise kept! This year too, for the second time, we chose secretparadise for our tour to the Maldives and this year too we couldn't have chosen better! Kamej, our guide, and Ruth, our "mentor" outdid themselves by choosing islands, beaches, excursions and fabulous hotels for us, making us experience a dream holiday. A thousand thousand thanks for your warmth and professionalism. We'll see you again next year.

• Outstanding experience!!!

  jhobson06,

  Dec 12, 2023

  - Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Outstanding, outstanding, outstanding!!! Without ANY reservation, we can wholeheartedly recommend this tour if you are thinking of visiting the Maldives. This was our first trip to the Maldives and we came to celebrate my 35th birthday. In our 21st century age of social media, the Maldives seems to only be known for the resorts and oceanfront villas. While that is a small piece of the equation, and yes we did spend our first night in an ocean villa before starting the tour, there is sooooo much more to see, do and experience. Prior to arriving, our correspondence was with Ruth who is absolutely phenomenal. We are so appreciative of how attentive she was and made sure all of our questions were answered and concerns were addressed. Our tour guide Archie is the best. His quiet, unassuming demeanor was the perfect blend that allowed us to be curious, ask questions and learn as much as we could about the Maldivian culture. It was abundantly clear that Archie takes great pride in his country, and worked very hard to make sure that we had the experience of a lifetime. We can’t say enough good things about our experience and all of the people that we came in contact with. This was the trip and birthday of a lifetime for me!!

• Highly recommended trip

  J7196FZelizabethf,

  Nov 5, 2023

  - Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We had an amazing time and were so looked after by Mashi. Highly recommended other than the hotel on Mafusshi.

• Positive and meaningful experience

  hazelmS830XM,

  Feb 27, 2023

  - Tripadvisor

  5.00

  This tour was an awesome mix of adventure, cultural insights and loads of fun. Big thanks to Ruth who didn’t tire of our emails back and forth, always super quick to respond to every query and made sure all our requirements were met. The itinerary was nice and varied and incorporated activities like exploring the stunning islands of Hulhumale, Guraidhoo, Maafushi and Gulhi, informative walking tours and generous time for water activities. The beaches and marine life really are a sight to behold, simply breathtaking. Staying in local properties in some of the less-touristy islands and contributing positively to the community and local economy was a highlight for me. Kudos to our guide, Shark who was not only an experienced tour leader but also an amazing human being. Shark is passionate about his country and culture and his enthusiasm for promoting local tourism is inspiring. Through his lens as a local, a traveller and an artist we were able to get some cultural, social and political context of the Maldives, and a sense of appreciation for island life beyond the usual perspective from pretty pictures of fancy resorts. It was also a treat to be in the company of someone who loves being in the water as much as we do. His expertise in navigating the islands and keen sense of safety in the water meant that we found ourselves in some of the nicest locations for our snorkelling adventures. Thank you Shark for the positive vibes, great times and belly laughs, we are truly grateful. As an avid wanderer of our beautiful planet, it is important for me to support local companies who promote Sustainable and Responsible tourism, so it is encouraging to see that Secret Paradise implements community-minded business practices, including providing guests environmental awareness in the protection of the coral reefs and marine ecosystems. I was naturally delighted to have had the opportunity to participate in community-focussed conservation programs such as tree planting and observing the responsible collection and disposal of our plastic wastes throughout the duration of the tour. I am aware that Secret Paradise has other conservation programs and collaboration with NGOs and I just want to say thank you for the great work you guys! It was an absolute joy to deal with the Secret Paradise team and I would not hesitate to use them again for more beautiful island hopping hopefully in the near future.

• ANOTHER WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE MALDIVES

  611mariagiovannam,

  Feb 17, 2023

  - Tripadvisor

  5.00

  In 5 friends we trusted the great reviews about the tour from other tourists and booked the travel proposal of secretparadise: WE COULD NOT HAVE MADE A BETTER CHOICE! Welcoming, organization, attention to the tourist exceeded all expectations. Special thanks go to Camej, our fantastic guide, who overwhelmed us with his enthusiasm and professionalism. we will be back soon to visit you to make with you even more positive experiences.

• Amazing & Relaxing Experience

  Optifin,

  Jan 14, 2023

  - Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We visited for 10 days in December 2022. Our guide was Shark and he is a knowledgeable and very good guide. We got along famously. We arrived at the airport in Male on 24 Dec and our first night we booked at the Sun Siyam Olhuveli resort. This was good because after travelling for about 20 hours we were tired. Shark met us at the airport and although our tour with Secret Paradise only started on the 25th we were met by Shark at the airport on arrival. He assisted with meeting the boat to the resort, getting a sim card for connecting and communication via whatsup as well as changing USD to Maldivian Rufiyaa. We took about USD50 per day that we were there and it was sufficient for our needs. Most places it is possible to pay with creditcards, but we always prefer to have local currency also available. Day 1: On arrival back from the Resort the next afternoon at about 17:00 Shark met us again at the airport and took us to Planktons Beach Hotel in Hlumale. After briefing us we were free to go and have dinner and we made arrangements to meet the next morning. Day 2: We went for a walking tour in Male and Shark showed us some of the local places to do shopping. After lunch we took a 2 hour ferry trip to Guraidhoo were we stayed for 3 nights. We stayed at the Guraidhoo Palm Inn. It is a very basic accomodation. The room had a fridge and aircon. There was no toiletries (soap, shampoo, bodywash). The rooms is not serviced or cleaned daily. Breakfast was served at another guesthouse. In Guraidoo we met Allie. He and Shark showed us around the island and we had dinner with a local family. It was very nice and the food were great. That evening we saw the Plankton on the beach. If you walk on it, it turns metallic blue. Day 3 started with breakfast and then we went snorkeling for the first time at the house reef. This is a way for the guide to check how comfortable you are in the water. Marius and I are used to snorkeling. Shark, I think did not really belief me when I told him I am used to swimming long distances because I am big and just came out of hospital after a major operation. I surprised him when we went snorkeling. We saw a lot of lovely fishes. The rest of the day went to swim at the bikini beach and late afternoon it was time for hedika. What a lovely tradition. Dinner was at a local restaurant. Day 4 was basically snorkeling and the evening was a bbq dinner on the beach. We saw a big school of dolphins on our way back after snorkeling. We also planted 4 trees as part of the saving the environment project that Secret Paradis is involved in. Day 5 we transferred to Mafuusi. On arrival we were advised that our accomodation was upgraded. We were supposed to sleep 2 nights in a Guesthouse and then 2 nights in a Delux Ocean View room at the Triton Prestige Hotel. The guesthouse is part of the Triton group. We were however upgraded to a room with a jacuzzi on the 6th floor of the Triton Prestige Hotel for the full 4 days of our stay there. Thank you so much for this. It was really great. After checking in at the hotel we went snorkeling at 2 different site and had lunch on a sandbank. Day six (Friday which is equivalent to our sunday, we spent swimming at the bikini beach and at the swimming pool on the 8th floor of the hotel just relaxing. Day seven we visited the island of Guhli. We saw some beautifal birds and tasted some tried fish. It tasted like biltong and is different than the dried bokkoms that we get here on the West Coast of South Africa. It is just as salty but hard. Lunch was at a guesthouse. We had red snapper fish to share and they also gave us a white snapper to taste. We did some snorkeling and Marius also tried out the jetski. The water was very shallow but we did manage to snorkel and saw a lobster under a corral. The evening there was a New Years Eve dinner and entertainment on the beach that the hotel arranged. There was also some fireworks. We could see the fireworks also on the nearby islands and resorts. Day eight we had a day off to do as we wish. The evening we had a dinner on the beach to celebrate my birthday. I even got a cake. Day nine we transferred back the afternoon to Male airport to return home. What really impressed us was the following: 1. Every island we have has a school and hospital. I had to get some eyedrops and the facilities at the hospital in Guraidhoo was top class. 2. The streets, although it is dirt road, are clean and there is no beggards. 3. It is peaceful and people seem to mind their own business. 4. We saw nobody misbehave and I think this is due to the strict policies of not allowing any alcohol on the islands. In Guiradhoo and Mafuusi there is plenty of shops to buy souvenirs as well as cooldrinks and other snacks. They take USD and local currency. Change is mainly given in local currency at the shops. The restaurants do give change in USD. Maafuusi is more focused on tourism. I did not like the beach there because it was full of coral in the shallow water. In Guraidhoo and Guhli there was sand on the bottom of water on the beaches. Weather was perfect. The last 2 days there was a bit of wind blowing. There was not much humidity. It was definitely less than the humidity on the North Coast of Kwazulu Natal here in SA. Our favorite drink was the fresh fruit juices that is available at all the restaurants. Marius loved the watermelon juice and my favorite was the pineapple juice. I would really like to thank firstly Ruth for her organising the trip. There was many emails going between us during the planning stages. Secondly for Shark being such a great guide. If possible we would like to return and see more of the Maldive. Especially the more northern islands where Shark comes form and what we heard a lot about. We really enjoyed our trip.

• Great Stay - don't think, book :D

  Ibtissam K,

  Oct 10, 2022

  - Tripadvisor

  5.00

  It's rare for me to rave that much about organized travel as a convinced solo traveler for the last 10 years, but I can honestly say that booking this particular tour with Secret Paradise was one of the best ideas I had in a long time, and it's very hard for me at the moment to keep my comment and experience short :p 12/10!! the reviews don't do justice to the service and welcome you will get, it starts way before your arrival, just a few hours after my first email reaching out to SP, I've got a contact back taking in consideration all my requirements and giving me advice on the best options, itinerary, dates, locations, things to do/not to do, and it continued on several days until my final confirmation. Even when I had an issue with my transfer and couldn't make it until 24h after my initial date, the team made it possible for me and could adjust when other agencies would have politely indicated that it's not their responsibility (wich is true), but that is just to let you know the level of involvement shown by Ruth and all the team. Once at Malé, I had the pleasure of meeting Kamey that was waiting for me and was my guide during the tour, and what a guide!! Thanks to him, I had such a wonderful stay, with the support of a funny, knowledgeable and most important respectful person, not only did he make sure that I get the best of times discovering the different islands, spotting me during snorkeling sessions, making sure I get to see the different aspects of the local life and the rich marine variety of the islands, he also made sure that I get to test the best food options! I couldn't ask for more. During the tour, we visited Guraidhoo, Maafushi and Guli in addition to the discovery of the Capital Malé, and each have its particularities with enough balance between discovering the real local habits and free time. My highlights will always be the participation to the Olive Ridley Project Seminary, meeting up with Rith and the full SP team, the magnificent Ray Manta Snorkling and the absolutely delicious diner with locals (best food ever hands down). Going back to Malé, Kamey made sure that I get my connection to the next part of my travel as well, before continuing on my own to discover other parts of the Maldives, and we meet back again 2 weeks later before my return to help me out with a last shopping trip in the local market before my return flight. I had also the pleasure to have a coffe with Ruth during the last hours of my stay, exchanging about the challenges facing the Maldives and hopes and projects for the next years. I have so much more to say but I will stop here, adding that the flexibility and understating I've got were so valuable in making this last minute trip possible, specially in a destination well known for honeymoons and as a couple destination, but thanks to SP, I can say that Maldives are much much more than what social media make it, by booking with them, not only you get the best value for money/time/experience, but you get to know wonderful people, engage in a very responsible travel approach and discover the real Maldives. So if you get to this point on my feedback, the only thing I have to add is book directly with Secret Paradise, don't hesitate, and I encourage even more solo travelers to visit the Maldives, all the reviews you see are true and even don't do the team justice. Again, Thank you Kamey and Ruth, I'm looking forward to my next stay with you!!!