7 NIGHT SOUTH MALE ISLAND HOPPING
The best way to experience the natural beauty of the Maldives and gain an insight into the culture and tradition of Maldivian life is to travel to an inhabited island. Our 7 night tour provides the opportunity to combine local life with popular excursions, watersports and a little relaxation. Accompanied by your Secret Paradise guide travel to four local islands in South Male Atoll; Hulhumale, Guraidhoo, Maafushi and Gulhi. Staying in guesthouses you will have the chance to visit local homes and share meals and stories with the family. Discover how the local dhoni boat is built and perhaps learn the art of the Bodu Beru dance. Add in snorkeling, sandbanks, breathtaking sunsets and great company and you have the perfect Maldives local experience. Hulhumale, North Male Atoll, is a suburban island just a 10-minute taxi ride from Male International Airport. This artificial island was reclaimed from the sea to offer alternative living space outside of Male and whilst not a 5* resort Hulhumale provides the ideal base to start or or end a holiday. There are plenty of local coffee shops, a handful of restaurants and a small local shopping area. The public beach located along the east side of the island is an endless stretch of sand and provides the ideal location to swim, snorkel or just relax. The capital Male is just a 20 minute ferry journey away and for those who like to end their day with a beer the only hotel serving alcohol on a local island is a short bus journey close to the airport. Maafushi was once a very typical Maldivian local island but since the introduction of local tourism Maafushi is proving a popular destination for those wishing to experience the Maldives without paying resort prices. Maafushi is located in South Male Atoll and is only 90 minutes away from Male by ferry boat or 30 minutes by speedboat. There are two beaches on opposite sides of the island, one of which is a tourist bikini beach. With over 70 guesthouses some with 6 floors there are plenty of accommodation options to meet all budget needs. There are a variety of local cafes and guesthouse restaurants, some situated on the harbor and with water sport and excursion providers all eager for your business Maafushi provides the ideal destination to discover the Maldives on a budget and mix with other tourists. Guraidhoo also in South Male Atoll, it is a typical fishing island with about 2,300 inhabitants, with sandy roads and palm trees. A 30 minute walk around the island highlights locals going about their daily routine; carpenters at the small boat yard traditionally constructing typical dhoni boats, locals drinking coffee in the many small coffee shops and children playing simple games in the street. Sit and watch the sunset alongside the locals on the public beach or kick back in a traditional seat called a ‘jolie’ and watch the world slowly pass by. Guraidhoo is a regular stopping point for safari boats and local shops have quickly adapted by offering all kind of souvenirs and a handful of local restaurants and coffee shops. Guraidhoo offers an insight in to the ‘real Maldives’. Gulhi is a small, quiet island with a small local population. It has two beautiful bikini beaches and is ideal for a holiday where relaxation and reclining on a sun lounger is the priority! Gulhi was one of the few islands that hosted tourists during the early 80’s, when local islands were allowed to provide bed and breakfast service. The locals are friendly by nature and welcome visitors to their charming island. The main economic activity in the island is fishing. And the island also has the oldest dock yard in the Maldives. Many of the sea going vessels in the Maldives use the dock facility in Gulhi island for annual dry dock repairs because of its proximity to the capital island Male’ and International Airport.
TOUR DETAILS
DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY 2: MALE CITY TOUR & LOCAL FAMILY DINNER
Upon arrival at Velana International Airport (MLE) you will be greeted 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 beach side for coffee, a very popular daily activity for Maldivians and chance to gain your first insight into the local side of this island paradise.
On the morning of day 2, your guide will accompany you on a tour of the capital city before transferring by local ferry to the local island of Guraidhoo, South Male. Visit the fish market and local market, Presidents Palace, Sultan Park and Friday Mosque. Stop for lunch at one of the many restaurants overlooking the water front before boarding the afternoon ferry. Upon arrival you will have time to settle in before either relaxing in the garden 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 3: SNORKEL TOUR & ISLAND DISCOVERY TOUR DAY 4: SNORKEL TOUR & BBQ DINNER
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 ‘hedika’ – Maldivian savoury and sweet short eats served with black tea.
Following a local style breakfast 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.
DAY 5: SNORKELING & SANDBANK PICNIC DAY 6: FREE DAY
Start early today for breakfast and then a transfer by local ferry to the local island of Maafushi. After checking into the guesthouse, we head out snorkeling where you will have the chance to enjoy the underwater beauty of the Maldives. The coral reefs of the Maldives are inhabited by diverse marine life and are teaming with colourful fish and corals. We stop at a sandbank for a picnic lunch with time to swim and snorkel in the lagoon or just lie back and relax. Heading back to Maafushi we will cruise the Indian Ocean in search of dolphins. This evening following dinner join your guide for a stroll through the island and learn how Maafushi led the development of local tourism. Complete your day in the traditional way with coffee at a local café.
With so many activities and excursions available from Maafushi we leave day 6 free for you to enjoy as you please. Relax on the bikini beach, choose to visit a resort for the day or for those feeling energetic participate in the various optional watersport activities on offer. Optional diving trips can be organized for certified divers.
DAY 7: DISCOVER GULHI DAY 8: DEPARTURE
Following an early breakfast we take a short 20 minute public ferry journey to the quiet local island of Gulhi. Once checked in to your guesthouse, your guide will accompany you on a tour of the island. Visit the boat yard to stand in awe at the size of the boats under renovation, chat with the ladies sweeping the streets and finally refresh yourself with a cool Kurumba (coconut) watching the comings and goings at the harbour. Ready for relaxation you can choose to head to the bikini beach or for the more energetic join your guide for a final snorkelling opportunity on the house reef of Gulhi.
This evening enjoy a farewell dinner in the peaceful courtyard of your guesthouse.
On Day 8, following breakfast you are transferred back to Male by public ferry arriving Velana airport (MLE) by 10:00.
