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!
Explore Local Islands, Snorkel Tropical Waters and Relax on white sand Beaches
Our North Ari Island Hopping tour is tailored for snorkeling and marine life enthusiasts and those eager to enhance their knowledge of the marine environment.
Immerse yourself in crystal-clear waters and explore the vibrant coral reefs, where a rich tapestry of marine life awaits. Get up close and personal with graceful manta rays, gentle turtles, and mesmerizing reef sharks. Connect with this magical underwater world, while gaining valuable insights into the delicate balance of our ecosystem and the importance of preserving it.
Prepare for awe-inspiring moments and an educational journey that will leave an indelible mark.
Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
- Private Double Room from USD2998
Comfort and privacy, a room just for the two of you
- Private Single Room from USD1749
Enjoy the comfort and privacy of your own room
- Twin Share Room from USD1499 per person
Make new friends by sharing with same-gender solo travelers
Availability
- Scheduled group tour departs every second and fourth Sunday every month.
- Private tours available all year round and can depart on any day. Contact us to confirm availability and price.
Start
- Arrival can be at any time on day one
- Room check-in available on day one from midday
Meeting point
- Velana International Airport (MLE)
Duration
- 8 days & 7 nights
Group size
- Minimum per booking 1 person
- Maximum per booking 8 people
Transportation
- Scheduled public speedboat and ferry
Included
- 7 nights Deluxe guest house accommodation
- 7 Breakfast & 7 dinners
- Airport and domestic transfer assistance
- Return transfer by speedboat
- Inter-Island Transfers by public ferry
- Island Tours & hedikaa experience
- 4 Snorkeling Tours
- Sunset cruise
- Sunset kayaking
- Secret Paradise Tour Leader
- Local tax ($6 green tax per person per night, 10% service charge, and 16% GST)
Not included
- Lunch
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
What to bring
- All this together with full details on everything you need to know about travel within the Maldives will be provided in our welcome information pack
YOUR IMPACT
By booking this tour:
- Your travel spend sustains the local economy and the livelihoods of locals, including your tour leader and our local suppliers.
- Contribute to the protection of coral reefs and marine life by learning about the Green Fins code of snorkeling conduct.
- Participate in fish ID data collection which assists in monitoring biodiversity and track changes in marine ecosystems.
- 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.
- By understanding what disrupts our ecosystem, you can take actionable steps to reduce your impact, both on tour and at home.
- Contribute to the turtle and manta ray data base through citizen science.
- Participate in a beach clean-up, directly removing debris and protecting marine life from pollution.
- Using the provided reusable water bottles reduce the amount of plastic waste in the Maldives.
Carbon Footprint
3030Kg 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 local tour guides will accompany you for the duration of the activity. All our guides hold First Aid and Lifeguard qualifications and have completed Travelife Online Sustainable Tourism Certification.
Important note
- The Maldives is a Muslim country and therefore alcohol is not available on local islands.
- Subject to availability, visits to resorts can be arranged.
- Bikinis are also not allowed to be worn on local island beaches; however, all of our guesthouses offer either private gardens or balconies and tourist beach areas for guests where bikini swimwear can be worn.
WHAT ARE THE MALDIVES ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
- Travelers must have a confirmed accommodation/tour booking.
- Travelers must have a passport or travel document valid for a minimum 30 days from date of entry to the Maldives.
- Travelers must have a return flight ticket.
- The online traveler declaration form IMUGA must be completed within the 96 hour period prior to arrival in country.
Highlights
What to Expect
Arrive at Malé International Airport for the start of your North Ari Island Hopping Tour. Here you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your guesthouse on Hulhumale. Settle in after your flight before taking your first steps on the sands of this tropical urban paradise. For guests arriving before 5.00pm there is an option to join your guide at a beachside cafe for coffee, a very popular daily activity for Maldivians and a chance to gain your first insight into the local side of this island paradise.
On the morning of day two, your tour leader will meet with you to join your transfer by public speedboat to the local island of Mathiveri, North Ari Atoll. Following time for lunch explore the reefs close to Mathiveri for your first underwater encounter! Your guide will provide a safety briefing on responsible snorkeling 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
Late afternoon spend time exploring the island, to get yourself acquainted with the layout and uncover the best spots to take lunch. Stop by a local cafe to sample traditional ‘hedika’ – Maldivian savoury and sweet short eats served with black tea and familiarize yourself with island life.
After dinner, your Tour Leader will introduce you to the work of the Manta Trust. Providing an insight into their environmental monitoring and manta ray studies preparing you for our manta ray snorkeling tomorrow!
We depart by boat for another underwater encounter. Discover coral reefs that are teeming with fish and marine-life. Keep your eyes open for turtles and sharks. Whilst never a guarantee we may be lucky enough to encounter manta rays which can be sighted year round in the atoll. Should we be fortunate enough to spot these magnificent creatures, we will follow the manta ray code of conduct, ensuring a responsible and respectful snorkeling interaction.
The afternoon is yours to do as you please. Perhaps visit Mathiveri Finolhu, a private uninhabited island fringed with a white sandy beach and surrounded by crystal clear water. As this is an uninhabited island, it is possible to wear a bikini.
The Maldives is rich in marine life but unfortunately, our marine life is under threat because of activities carried out by us humans. Following dinner at your guesthouse, your tour leader will highlight the harmful practices that are pushing the balance in the eco system and the work being carried out by organisations such as Save the Beach to limit the impact.
Today day four, transfer to our next local island destination of Ukulhas. Take time to explore the island with your guide and learn more about the tradition of fishing in the Maldives and discover why it was the island that led the way for environmental practices. Not only does Ukulhas have some beautiful beaches, the local community here are particularly friendly and will be delighted to engage in conversation with you and show off their home island.
Your Tour Leader will introduce you to the work of the Olive Ridley project. Providing an insight into their environmental monitoring and turtle studies preparing you for turtle encounters! Be sure to have your underwater camera with you when snorkeling to capture images which will be shared with Olive Ridley data base.
The house reef at Ukulhas is worth getting in the water for and can be accessed easily from the beach and so this afternoon your tour leader will accompany you on a guided house reef snorkel, be sure to keep your eyes open for turtles.
Following breakfast the day is yours to do as you please. For the energetic enjoy the many excursions available including diving, snorkeling and a variety of watersports. For those less active perhaps an excursion with a picnic lunch to a nearby sandbank or uninhabited desert island suits.
Why not book a whale shark day trip to South Ari Atoll. This is a full day trip due to the distance from Ukulhas and pricing is dependent on the number of guests joining the trip. Expect to pay approximately $150 per person for 6 persons. The trip is subject to availability and operates when there have been regular whale shark sightings. South Ari Atoll is 90 minutes by speedboat and is very lucky to have a probable unique year-round population of whale sharks.
Nowhere else in the world boasts whale sharks every single month of the year and furthermore many of the sharks seen are the same individuals time after time. You may encounter 1 or 2 sharks in half an hour or given that they are wild creatures in their natural habitat we may not encounter one for the whole time we are searching. However the unpredictability all adds to the excitement! If we do spot them we will have the opportunity to snorkel alongside them, a truly magical experience
Late afternoon head out for sunset kayaking or SUP tour. Kayak through the beautiful lagoon whilst enjoying the wonderful colours as the sun sets in the ocean. As we navigate through the calm waters, be sure to remain attentive, as you never know, we may be joined by the presence of a graceful eagle ray or a mesmerizing shark gliding by beneath us.
Ukulhas is well known locally for its connection to the fishing industry. Your tour leader will shed light on the rich fishing heritage of the Maldives and its significance in the local culture. Gain a deeper understanding of the sustainable practices employed by local fishermen and the delicate balance they strive to maintain.
Today day six, we transfer on to our final island destination of Rasdhoo where dependent on the current we will head out by boat to snorkel a nearby reef. Expect to encounter huge schools of reef fish, batfish, tuna, and parrot fish. Rasdhoo is famous for its black and white tip reef sharks and close encounters are possible as we hang in the current to observe them.
Spend time this afternoon exploring the island with your tour leader, stop for a refreshing drink at a local café or just relax by the ocean listening to the gentle lap of the waves on the shore. This evening before the sun sets we head out in search of dolphins which can often be seen jumping and spinning as the sun sinks on the horizon. Your tour leader and crew familiar with the habits and behavior of dolphins will keep a keen lookout for any signs of these graceful creatures. They will share stories about the different species of dolphins found in the region, their social dynamics, and the role they play in the ecosystem. It’s an educational and enriching experience that will deepen your appreciation for these incredible marine creatures.
Following breakfast we head out for our final underwater encounter! Your tour leader will guide you through two snorkeling sites that encapsulates the beauty and wonder of our Maldives’ marine environment, leaving you with a deep sense of appreciation and a desire to protect this remarkable paradise.
As the afternoon cools down there is the option to spend time on the beach, giving back to the community that has welcomed us by supporting a beach clean. Our reward will be a refreshing fresh Kurumba (coconut water) followed by an ocean swim!
This evening enjoy dinner under the stars. The perfect way to end your Maldives holiday.
Day eight join the public speedboat for the return journey to Male.
Your Trip Accommodations
Starry Beach Inn
This 10-room property is located on the beach road in Hulhumale. Rooms are comfortable and offer all the facilities required following your flight for a comfortable overnight stay. All rooms offer an en-suite bathroom, AC and fan, flat-screen satellite TV, an in-room safety deposit box, and Wi-Fi.
Royal Reef Inn
A quiet, traditional-style guest house with comfortably equipped rooms. All rooms offer an en-suite bathroom, AC and fan, flat-screen satellite TV, an in-room safety deposit box, and Wi-Fi.
Hotel Ostrov
A mid-range guest house property, with easy access to the beach. All rooms offer an en-suite bathroom, AC and fan, flat-screen satellite TV, an in-room safety deposit box, and Wi-Fi. Balcony rooms with views over the island are available upon request.
Tranquila Maldives
Tranquila Maldives is a beachfront hotel with a private tourist beach, equipped with loungers, canopies, perfect to relax and to spend long hours of relaxation. All rooms offer an en-suite bathroom, AC and fan, flat-screen satellite TV, an in-room safety deposit box, and Wi-Fi.
We have handpicked the best guesthouses throughout the Maldives to provide you the greatest experience while enjoying your North Ari Island Hopping tour package. Personally selected to provide a balance of comfort, good service, local atmosphere, and value for money. In each, you can be assured of a warm welcome and know that your holiday money is contributing directly to the local economy and increasing local employment.
We require a minimum number of 6 persons for cruises to operate.
There is no minimum number for any of our land based tours.
Accommodation is offered on a twin/double room share basis.
If you are a solo traveler, on our group tours/cruises we offer the opportunity to share with same gender traveler.
Or if you prefer a private single room to yourself throughout the tour/cruise, this can also be arranged.
Yes, we can assist with organising pre and post tour accommodation, including a transit night in the capital area or a longer independent stay on a local island or resort island.
Like many places in the world today, the climate and weather patterns are changing and historical data is becoming less reliable as an indication of what to expect. With a tropical climate, plenty of sunshine and temperatures around 30°C throughout the year, there is never a really bad time to visit the Maldives. There are two distinct seasons: the dry season (northeast monsoon) from January to March and the wet season (southwest monsoon) from mid-May to November. ‘Wet season’ doesn’t mean it rains all the time, but during this period there is a higher probability of rain. However, in today’s world we do experience rain even during the ‘dry’ season.
More detailed weather information can be found here
The Maldives are a Muslim nation, therefore care needs to be taken regarding dress on small islands and in local communities.
While it is acceptable for men to wear t-shirts and shorts/swim shorts, women should avoid causing offence by maintaining a more conservative approach. T-shirts with sleeves that cover the shoulders, loose shorts that cover the thighs, or sundresses with a sarong around shoulders are advised.
All the islands we visit are more tolerant of guests wearing traditional beachwear, but women should NOT wear swimwear unless on an uninhabited island, sandbank, private tourist bikini beach (available on all islands you’ll stay on) or on board our cruises and snorkeling boats. Your tour leader will advise when and where this is possible.
No previous experience is needed for any of the included activities – just an average level of fitness and a sense of adventure. The activities aren’t strenuous, the only requirement is that you must be able to climb a ladder to exit the water, be comfortable in the water and be able to swim to participate in snorkeling activities.
We strongly recommend you bring along your own mask and snorkel wherever possible. Not only will you be assured the mask fits your face properly (making it more comfortable and less likely to leak), it’s also more hygienic. A mask and snorkel are small and light, so they should take up very little space in your suitcase! Due to the ocean current and wind conditions in the Maldives, the use of fins is essential for almost all snorkelling and these are included in all snorkelling activities we provide on tour. However, if you want to ensure a perfect fit, you are always welcome to bring your own.
On board our cruises we can cater to most diets providing we are advised at time of booking. If there is something particularly you eat within your diet that you can’t live without we would encourage you to pack some and be prepared for perhaps more repetition of meals than you would be used to back home. For further clarification drop us a message.
Note to support our sustainable approach to cruises we do not offer beef products on board.
When traveling on land based tours properties can cater for vegan and vegetarian diets but it is worth noting in regard to food on local islands, over 95% of products are imported and then from Male they are transferred once or twice a week to outer islands.
Fruit and vegetables whilst available can be limited and they do not form part of the traditional Maldivian diet in the way you may be used to back home with your 5 a day! Given that tuna is a key component of our diet as vegetarians you will find your diet quite limited in comparison to what you are used to, even a potato curry is likely to have dried tuna added. On local islands you can’t just pop out to the supermarket and what you may see in the convenience store one week is not seen again for months!
Maldivians, as Muslims, are prohibited by law from consuming alcohol; hence there is a total restriction on alcohol being available on inhabited local islands, this includes the capital Male. Please do not bring alcohol through the airport as it will be confiscated and returned to you at time of departure.
Alcoholic beverages are available on our cruise itineraries and are purchased on board. Payment is required in USD cash or local currency to the boat captain.
When staying on local islands, visits to tourist resorts and bar boats in certain areas can be arranged.
Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our multi day tours. You need to be covered for medical expenses abroad, including any emergency transportation costs to the nearest hospital and any emergency repatriation that may be required due to illness/injury. We recommend your insurance covers flight delays, missing flight connections and lost/delayed luggage.
Hear From Our Previous Guests
I did the north ari atoll tour with nafarsha. It was just the two of us which meant I had my own private guide for the whole trip. She absolutely made the trip perfect and we had lots of fun, especially watching her get up on a SUP for the first time. She nailed it! Each island and guesthouse was very individual and I highly recommend this tour.
Ruth is amazing! She answers emails within hours, is flexible and arranges happily everything you ask for and is always Kund and patient. I booked a North Ari Islands tour and visited three islands – Rasdhoo, Ukulhas and Mathieveri. Even though the islands were close to each other, they were so different, it was great that I could experience all of them!
We had a great time exploring the islands, and snorkeling, cruising at sunset and watching the whales. Our guides Kokko and Ub area awesome, they are polite and funny and they took good care of us. Thank you so much secret paradise for making our visit to the Maldives memorable.
Easily the best tour operator for Maldives. Prompt responses, good rates, and excellent service. Would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Maldives.
THIS WAS ONE OF OUR BEST VACATIONS EVER! great itinerary to 3 lesser-developed inhabited atoll islands. Good balance between included activities, optional activities, and free time. Good pace of 2 nights on each island.Thanks, Kokko, Ruth, and Secret Paradise.
