My husband and I did a customised tour with Secret Paradise in April, and we could not have asked for anything better! The eco island and what Beybe has been able to achieve as a grassroots activist is awe inspiring. It is impressive that nearly every guide we met has also had the opportunity to join marine researchers in their activities and can speak with authority on these gracious creatures, the coral, the environment and much more.
Private Tour
Educational Experience
Conscious Travel
Join our art-inspired tour, where the beauty of the Maldives inspires every brushstroke. Begin by snorkeling the Villimale house reef, surrounded by tropical marine life and vibrant coral. Then, let the colors and patterns of the underwater world spark your creativity as you take part in a guided art session with your Secret Paradise Tour Leader and artist.
Over coffee, uncover the history of Maldivian arts and culture, connecting past traditions with your own artistic journey. Whether you’re a seasoned painter or picking up a brush for the first time, this experience blends nature, culture, and creativity in a truly unique way.
Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
- USD 150 per person
Departure time
- 09:00 – 13:00 or 14:00 – 18:00 except Fridays
Meeting point
- Villimale Ferry Terminal Entrance
Duration
- 4 hours
Group size
- Maximum 8 persons
Included
- Presentation on Maldivian art culture and history
- Snorkeling equipment & buoyancy aid
- Art supplies
- Island tour
- Coffee or Tea
- Services of Secret Paradise Tour Leader
- Return ferry transfer from Malé to Villimalé
- Local tax (10% service charge and 17% GST)
Not included
- Personal expenditure eg souvenirs and snacks
What to bring
- Refillable water bottle, beach towel, sun glasses, sun hat, water resistant reef friendly sunscreen, insect repellent, camera, snacks, money for personal expenditure.
As we will snorkel from the beach of a local island, female guests will be required to wear a rash guard or t-shirt and shorts or leggings whilst snorkeling. For all water based activities we would advise wherever possible for your belongings to be in a ‘dry bag’ and to bring only the minimum requirement. It is also advisable if you intend to take a taxi or bus following your tour to carry a set of dry clothing.
Your Impact
- Your travel spend sustains the local economy and the livelihoods of locals, including your tour leader and our local suppliers.
- Increase your awareness of how you can make a positive impact on coral reefs even by your actions back at home or when you travel to other destinations.
- Engaging with local guides fosters mutual understanding and respect, promoting cultural preservation and appreciation.
- Walking tours are eco-friendly, minimizing your carbon footprint.
- Using the provided reusable water bottles reduce the amount of plastic waste in the Maldives.
Carbon Footprint
20Kg of CO₂e – average carbon emission per person
Find our more about our Carbon Management here
About your guide
One of our experienced and professionally trained Maldivian tour guides will accompany you for the duration of the activity. All our guides hold First Aid and Lifeguard qualifications and have completed Travelife Sustainable Tourism training.
Highlights
Snorkel Villimale house reef, surrounded by tropical marine life and colorful corals.
Spot an array of reef fish, including parrotfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish, as they dart through the reef.
Participate in a low-impact, eco-conscious activity designed to showcase the beauty of marine life in the Maldives.
Enjoy a guided art session highlighting brush techniques and color blending, inspired by your underwater experience.
Learn about Maldivian art and history through an engaging presentation over coffee.
Leave with more than memories — take home your very own Maldivian-inspired artwork.
What to Expect
Step into a day where the vivid blues of the Maldivian sea flow seamlessly into the rich hues of your own canvas.
Your adventure begins as you meet your Secret Paradise Tour Leader at the bustling Villimale ferry terminal, where locals weave through the crowds with goods and supplies from the markets in Male. The air hums with chatter, and the gentle rumble of departing ferries. Before the short 15-minute crossing, your tour leader will share a warm welcome, a safety briefing, and an introduction to this unique experience where marine exploration meets artistic expression.
Arriving at Villimale, a slower pace greets you. Once a resort and later a prison island, Villimale today offers a peaceful contrast to the busy capital. As you stroll through its quiet streets and visit its two local beaches, your guide will share stories of the island’s transformation and its place in modern Maldivian life.
Back at the westside beach, you’ll store your belongings before preparing to explore the reef. A short Code of Conduct briefing will ensure you know how to interact respectfully with the marine environment, followed by a calming breathing exercise to help you glide comfortably in the water. Then it’s time to snorkel. Beneath the surface, a kaleidoscope of marine life awaits, shimmering parrotfish nibbling on coral, graceful butterflyfish drifting with the current, and the bold flashes of angelfish darting between coral heads. You’ll learn how each species plays a vital role in keeping the reef alive and thriving.
Inspired by what you’ve seen, you’ll return to shore for a guided art session. Don’t worry if you’re new to painting your tour leader, also a talented local artist, will help you translate your memories into color with simple techniques for brushwork and blending. This is your chance to capture the underwater world in a way that’s uniquely yours.
With your artwork complete, relax with a coffee or tea as your guide shares a fascinating insight into the history of Maldivian arts and culture, from traditional crafts to modern expressions.
As the day winds down, you’ll leave with your personal Maldivian-inspired artwork, and the feeling of having truly connected with the islands both above and below the surface.
Hear From Our Previous Guests
One of the best tours we have ever experienced. We learned so much of the Maldivian culture and cruisine. We also learned about the coral reef and even better, ways we can do our part to save it!!! I highly recommend this tour. If you can book it with Shark, you are golden. He is a local artist and highly knowledgeable. He loves his job, and you can really tell. His passion for Maldives is infectious.
I had the pleasure to go on the snorkeling tour, it was really a beautiful experience with super friendly guides. I particularly appreciated that the tour was authentic and also promoted environment friendly practices. Highly recommend!
