The Team
Ruth Franklin
Co-Founder
How long have you been working in the Maldives?
I fell in love with the Maldives over 20 years ago and have been lucky enough to live here for 10 years. Local island life is very different from my UK life but I wouldn’t change it for the world and intend to be here for a long time yet!
Favorite place?
My favorite place is under the water! I am lucky to have done over 1000 dives in the Maldives and whilst I get a thrill from seeing the big stuff – mantas and whale sharks, I love hunting out the small stuff!
What do you enjoy showing our guests the most?
I get great satisfaction from sharing my knowledge and passion for the Maldives with potential guests.
General interests?
Diving – though I do less now than when I came as a guest! Swimming, reading, and spending time with my local friends and family.
Listen to Ruth talk about Secret Paradise & Sustainable Tourism on The Truth Behind Travel & The Altruistic Traveler podcasts.
Mariyam Soba
Administrator
How long have you been working for Secret Paradise Maldives?
I have been working for Secret Paradise since 2014, initially as a guide and then, following the birth of my daughter, I now work behind the scenes!
Favorite place?
After my home island which is Kinbidhoo, my favorite place is Fuvahmulah as it is such a unique island and very different from others that I have visited.
What do you enjoy showing our guests the most?
I love sharing information about local life and traditions. My family hosts the Taste of Maldives tour and we really enjoy guests coming and sharing a family experience with us.
General interests?
Movies, reading, and sitting on the beach drinking coffee and watching the moon!
Mariyam Azfa
Administrator
How long have you been working for Secret Paradise Maldives?
I joined Secret Paradise in August 2022. I have worked in reservations previously but working in Secret Paradise has made me feel that my work is always appreciated no matter how little. It’s been lovely to be part of this close-knit team.
Favorite place?
Under the stars. I have been a city girl all my life and haven’t seen the stars above Malé city. First time I saw the sky clearly in all it’s glory was at the southwest end of Laamu Fonadhoo. Absolutely mesmerizing. Forgot anything else existed.
What do you enjoy showing our guests the most?
I haven’t had the pleasure of interacting with a guests in person yet. But if I were to do so I think I would lead them towards points of interest in my home city of Male. Artificial Beach and Sultan Park come to mind. It may not seem like much but comparing how they look now to pictures from only a few years ago, the difference will leave one surprised. Promise you this, Malé city is ever-changing. Visit every few years and you’ll either be confused that everything is different or discover some place new. Or both.
General interest?
Journaling, art or something crafty (runs in the family). I have recently been indulging in a new hobby of finding good places to eat at. Who knows, hopefully I’ll have a whole list by the end of the year.
Hussain Fayaz ‘Kamey’
Tour Leader
How long have you been working for Secret Paradise Maldives?
I am lucky enough to have been part of the Secret Paradise journey from the beginning. My first guided multi day tour with guests was in October 2012!
Favorite place?
My favorite place is Haalif Barrah which is in the most northern atoll of the Maldives. It is home to the largest freshwater lake in the Maldives and has much natural beauty.
What do you enjoy showing our travelers the most?
The marine life of the underwater world of the Maldives, as well as introducing them to local culture.
General interests?
Diving, photography, and football.
Ub Waseem
Tour Leader
How long have you been working for Secret Paradise Maldives?
I have been working with Secret Paradise since September 2016. I had worked in the tourism industry for over 2 years previously but I love the exploration opportunities my job provides!
Favorite place?
My favorite Maldives island is Fuvahlumah, which is also my home island, as it is so unlike other islands. However, my favorite place to be is in the ocean!
What do you enjoy showing our guests the most?
I enjoy showing guests the underwater beauty of the Maldives as well as being able to offer insights into our culture.
General interests?
Meeting new people, diving, snorkeling, traveling.
Ahmed Shaffaf
Guide
How long have you been working for Secret Paradise?
I started working for Secret Paradise in 2015 as a part-timer who had never worked in the tourism industry before. Secret Paradise showed me what it’s like to work within the industry and I fell in love with what I do for the first time.
Favorite place?
I have to say my favorite place is The Sea of the Stars. The images seen on the internet are from Vaadhoo which is located quite far from the capital so sadly it’s not possible to take a day tour. It is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the ocean, there is no specific time to see it, it all depends on luck.
What do you enjoy showing our guests most?
We are an archipelago country blessed with over 1200 islands and over 2000 species of marine life. I love to show and talk about the beautiful culture we have from south to north. When you travel from the north to the south of the Maldives there is a big difference in culture – language, sports, and people’s lifestyles are different and in some cases unique.
General interests?
I love having the opportunity to make friends from all around the world. I enjoy watching Animé and also collecting historical artifices. If you join me on a Malé walking tour, I will be able to show you some of my old coins!
Mohamed Ihusaan “Hoo”
Guide
How long have you been working for Secret Paradise Maldives?
I joined on September 1st, 2019, but it feels like I have been with the team for years!
Favorite place?
Vaavu Fulidhoo & Maafushi. Fulidhoo because the island is very small, people are friendly and so welcoming and also they have a pretty nice beach. Maafushi is because it has a really social vibe, I like crowded places and Maafushi is a touristic local island with lots of people to meet and activities to do.
What do you enjoy showing our guests the most?
Historical places, because after I joined Secret Paradise I learned so much more about the history of the Maldives, that I personally got more interested and found that even Malé has a lot of history and stories to offer.
General interests?
I like traveling and joining Secret Paradise has already provided me the opportunity to travel to different local islands. I am passionate about snorkeling, the underwater is mesmerizing and as a Maldivian, I enjoy having coffee with friends and hanging out with them.
Zaffran Hussain “Zaff”
Tour Leader
How long have you been working for Secret Paradise Maldives?
I’ve been working part-time for Secret Paradise since 2015 and in 2021 decided to move full time when the opportunity was offered. These guys are like family!
Favorite place?
Huraa and Maafushi, both very different islands that offer different Maldives experiences
What do you enjoy showing our guests the most?
Given that most guests come here for our underwater beauty, snorkeling and showing the lovely life underwater would be my favorite thing. I am in a privileged position where snorkeling and seeing beauty like this is a first for a lot of people. To have been a part of an entirely new experience for people is something I feel very privileged and blessed about.
General interests?
I love cats. Put me into a cat sanctuary and I could die in peace. Other than that I play pool and basketball. I like reading and keeping up with current affairs. I also sing in the shower and sometimes in front of people. Ask me and I just might belt out a few lines of Britney Spears.
Ahmed Mashir Ali “Mash”
Tour Leader
How long have you been working for Secret Paradise Maldives?
I have worked in many companies, in various fields, for no more than a maximum of six months at a time and I can gladly say that Secret Paradise is where I have put down roots since 2017.
Favorite place?
The contrast between the islands of Maafushi and Gulhi. If I want an adrenaline rush it would be Maafushi with its many watersports, diving, and excursion providers. With a change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the city, I choose Gulhi for the island’s tranquility and the amazing beach it has to offer.
What do you enjoy showing our guests most?
I can honestly say that I get gratification when guests see the Maldives for what it actually is rather than what they may have heard or have read about. Glad to answer any and every question that guests have in mind.
General interests?
I am passionate about traveling. I like to play sports, though I play basketball most of the time and I try to work out often. Since having completed the LifeGuard Course I have partaken in a Water Aerobics Instructor Course for personal development. I am an animal lover, having grown up around cats, birds, and other various animals.
Mohamed Athif “Archie”
Guide
How long have you been working for Secret Paradise?
I’ve been working as a tour guide with Secret Paradise since December, 2018. I was working as a freelance guide previously for more than 6 years. Working with Secret Paradise is a reward for me as the team works for the development of each other.
Favorite place?
My favorite place is Thulusdhoo as the island offers one of the best surfing spots in the Maldives. I also like to travel to uninhabited islands just to observe the true nature on our doorstep.
What do you enjoy showing our guests most?
Sharing the knowledge of how the Maldives has been formed and how it was populated from so many different corners of the world.
General interest?
Traveling and researching are my main interests, I am always eager to learn new things and knowledge so that I can share it with others.
Rumaisha Hussain (Rumey)
Guide
How long have you been working for Secret Paradise?
I joined Secret Paradise on 12th December 2021 and so far everyone has been very welcoming and I love it here!
Favorite place?
My favourite place would be Huraa since the history amazes me and the islanders are very welcoming and friendly.
What do you enjoy showing our guests most?
I enjoy telling the history and folkelores of my country which interests most people.
General interest?
I love learning new things and trying new things but mostly I love swimming, snorkelling, travelling, photography and baking cakes, maybe I will get to share with you!
Mohamed Shakir “Shark”
Tour Leader
How long have you been working for Secret Paradise?
I started my journey with Secret Paradise on the 6th of March 2022, my purpose to gain further knowledge in my interests and apply it to the real world.
Favorite place?
I would say my favourite place in Maldives would be my ancestral atoll Haa Alifu, which is the northernmost point of the country. I find the islands are more raw and preserved in their most organic form. From the daily ambiance to the dialect the locals speak, the food, the culture, it all has its own magic.
What do you enjoy showing our guests most?
I enjoy the process of telling the story of Maldives on tour through my perception, the interactions can be quite enlightening.
General interest?
I love creating. I enjoy the process of creating Art. It is such a broad spectrum one could never get bored of creating.