Hello and welcome to the Maldives! You'll meet your crew and Trip Manager at the airport before boarding your Dhoni (a traditional sailboat and your home for the next few days). Settle into your cabin, grab a welcome drink and get to know the captain and crew before a safety briefing and overview of our local island adventure ahead. After lunch on board, we'll set sail through the Vaadhoo Channel towards South Malé Atoll.Time to dive straight into island life. We'll kick off with a snorkel amongst vibrant coral gardens filled with colourful reef fish, or kick back on the soft white sands of a secluded beach. As the sun begins to set over the Indian Ocean, we'll enjoy afternoon tea by the water before returning to the Dhoni for dinner beneath the stars.
Tuck into breakfast on deck before we head beneath the surface once again to explore one of South Malé Atoll's spectacular coral reefs. Think crystal-clear waters, thriving marine life, colourful corals, sea turtles and graceful eagle rays.Later, we'll cruise to Vaavu Atoll, passing turquoise lagoons and tiny coral islands along the way. The afternoon is all about making the most of life on the water, whether that's swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking or stretching out on deck. In the evening, we'll head ashore for a beach BBQ before spending the night at anchor.
You've got a full day to explore this wonderful lil' spot. Grab your snorkel and explore colourful coral gardens and crystal-clear lagoons, keeping an eye out for reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays and tropical fish along the way. Later, we'll stop at a local island to experience a different side of the Maldives. Stroll through the village, sample traditional Maldivian delicacies and meet local residents before ending the day with a traditional Bodu Beru performance.
How good does a slow morning at sea sound? As we leave Vaavu Atoll behind and cruise back towards South Malé Atoll, we'll make one final snorkelling stop at a beautiful coral reef, before spending the afternoon relaxing on deck.This evening, join the captain and crew for a special dinner on board as we celebrate an incredible few days spent island hopping, snorkelling colourful reefs and cruising through the turquoise waters of the Maldives.
Enjoy one last breakfast on board before disembarking your Dhoni and heading back to Malé. From here, we'll board a speedboat and cruise across turquoise lagoons and scattered coral islands en route to South Ari Atoll (one of the Maldives' best-known marine regions).Welcome to Dhigurah (AKA Long Island in the local Dhivehi language). Known for its sweeping white-sand beach, crystal-clear waters and year-round whale shark sightings, this local island will give us a glimpse into everyday Maldivian life away from the resort scene. After checking into the hotel, we'll explore the island on foot before heading to Dhigurah's famous sandbank for sunset.
Dhigurah is all yours to explore at your own pace today. Keen to get out on the water? Join an optional Whale Shark experience in the South Ari Atoll - one of the best places in the Maldives to spot these gentle giants. Keep your eyes peeled as you search for the world's largest fish. Back on land, spend your free time exploring more of the island, relaxing on the beach or grabbing lunch at one of the local restaurants. Later, as the day cools down, why not join local residents for a friendly game of volleyball, football or handball?
Spend your final morning however you like. Perhaps stroll along the beach or simply soak up a few more hours of island life before boarding the afternoon speedboat back to Malé.Sit back and enjoy one last cruise across the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean as we make our way back towards the Maldivian capital.On arrival, we'll continue to Hulhumalé and check into our hotel. This modern island city will show us a different side of the Maldives. Think high rises, local cafes, beachfront hangouts. The rest of the evening is yours to relax and enjoy your final night in the Maldives.
Grab your final meal of the trip before it's time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers. Swap socials and bid a fond farewell to the turquoise waters, coral atolls and island sunsets that have defined the past week.
