7 NIGHT SOUTH MALE ISLAND HOPPING

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.

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!

Following breakfast you will be taken by speedboat to nearby coral reefs for your first underwater encounter! 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 dinner.

Breakfast this morning is taken with a local family allowing you true access to Maldivian local life.

You will then have free time at your leisure to relax on the beach or enjoy optional watersport activities.

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 savory and sweet short eats served with black tea. This evening enjoy a roof top dinner under the stars.

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 or lie back and relax. Heading back to Maafushi we will cruise the Indian Ocean in search of dolphins. Dinner this evening taken at your guesthouse.

With so many activities and excursions available from Maafushi we leave today 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.

Following an early breakfast we take a short 20 minute public ferry journey to the quiet local island of Gulhi. Here you 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. The afternoon is all down to relaxation, you can choose to head to the bikini beach or for the more energetic snorkel from the island beach.

On Day 8, following breakfast you are transferred back to Male by public ferry arriving Velana airport (MLE) by 10:00.