3 NIGHT CULTURAL BREAK
Our three night cultural break is designed to either work as a self-contained budget Maldives experience or as a start to a longer independent stay in the archipelago. Staying on Guraidhoo in South Male Atoll, explore this quiet typical fishing island with sandy roads and palm trees. Discover locals going about their daily routine and carpenters at the local shipyard traditionally constructing typical local dhoni boats. Make friends with a local family over a traditional local dinner in their home. Snorkel the aqua marine waters and encounter a myriad of marine life or for those feeling energetic participate in Scuba diving, surfing, kiting and windsurfing for which the conditions in this area are excellent in season.
TOUR DETAILS
DAY 1: ARRIVAL, MALE TOUR, TRANSFER & LOCAL FAMILY DINNER
Upon arrival you will be met by your guide who will accompany you on a tour of the capital city, providing opportunity to visit places of interest including the fish market, local market, Presidents Palace and Friday Mosque .
After lunch transfer by local ferry to your guesthouse on the local island of Guraidhoo, South Male Atoll, 120 minutes from Male. Sit up top on the ferry to view the beauty of the many Maldives islands that pass you by whilst keeping your eyes open for dolphins!
Upon arrival you will have time to settle in before either relaxing on the roof terrace at the guesthouse or on the local beach to watch the sun go down. Dinner this evening is spent with a local family just don’t expect silver service as traditionally meals are eaten without the aid of a knife and fork!
DAY 2: SNORKEL TOUR, ISLAND DISCOVERY TOUR & HEDIKAA EXPERIENCE
Following breakfast accompanied by your guide take a few steps from the beach into the ocean to explore the house reef of Guraidhoo for your first underwater encounter! Your guide will provide a safety briefing on responsible snorkelling and act as your ‘spotter’ pointing out marine life that may not have caught your eye. They will assist less confident or inexperienced snorkelers, ensuring your equipment is comfortable and you feel safe in the water.
As the afternoon cools down accompanied by your guide time is spent exploring Guraidhoo with the opportunity to learn about the local way of life including a visit to the Mosque, visit the boatyard learn how the common wooden boat known locally as a ‘dhoni’ is built, stop and chat with children playing in the street and watch the ladies of the community begin their evening meal preparations. Stop by a local cafe to sample traditional ‘hedikaa’ – Maldivian savoury and sweet short eats served with black tea.
DAY 3: SNORKEL TOUR, FREE AFTERNOON & BBQ DINNER
Following a local style breakfast at the guesthouse we travel by speedboat to two of the best nearby reefs. The coral reefs of the Maldives are inhabited by diverse marine life and are teaming with colourful fish and corals. Keep your eyes open for turtles, sharks and rays you never know what may be in the blue!
On return to Guraidhoo the afternoon is free for you to participate in optional watersports, diving or surfing.
This evening enjoy a relaxed beach BBQ under the stars with the option to include traditional dancing and the beat of the ‘bodu beru’ where a group of men sit around the ‘bodu beru’ – big drum and sing to a rhythmical beat until they reach a crescendo.
DAY 4: TRANSFER TO MALE
Following an early breakfast you will transfer by early morning public ferry to Male and on to Velana International Airport (MLE) or your onward destination arriving by 10:00.
