7 Nights Marine Life Conservation Tour is an amazing way to experience the Maldives, both above and below the water, whilst gaining an education and understanding of the marine environment from passionate experts from NGO’s Save the Beach, The Maldives Whaleshark Research Program, complimented by the Secret Paradise guide and the boat captains and crew.
Huge thanks to the Secret Paradise team, our guide UB, Bebe, Kamey and of course Captain Shafee, Ibbe and the Felicity crew for making it a truly memorable week.
If you want to truly experience the best of the Maldives and the best of Maldivian hospitality then a Secret Paradise cruise onboard MV Felicity is the perfect way to achieve it.
Giving Back opportunities
Marine Conservation
Environmental Awareness
Cruise the island paradise of the Maldives and experience the ultimate in marine life encounters, marine conservation and environment awareness. Expect to see whale sharks, turtles, reef sharks, morays, eagle rays, dolphins and abundant tropical fish life.
This unique hand-curated cruise itinerary is for anyone with a passion for the ocean and responsible travel. Discover new places and cultures, learn more about marine life, participate in data capture and bask in pristine natural surroundings.
Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
- USD 1899 per person
- No single supplement
Availability
Exclusive Trips
- 3rd December – 10th December 2023
- 28th January – 4th February 2024
- 4th February – 11th February 2024
- 3rd March – 10th March 2024
- 9th November – 16th November 2024
- 2nd February – 9th February 2025
- 2nd March – 9th March 2024
- 21st December – 28th December 2025
Duration
- 8 days & 7 nights
Meeting point
- Velana International Airport (MLE)
Group size
- Minimum 6 persons
- Maximum 12 persons
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.
Included
- 7 nights Twin/double standard cabin
- 7 breakfasts, 7 lunch & 7 dinner
- Daily morning and afternoon snacks
- Airport and transfer assistance
- Return transfer of guests from the airport to boat – airport
- Unlimited drinking water – bring reusable bottle
- Unlimited snorkeling
- All activities as per itinerary
- Secret Paradise Guide
- Local Tax ( $6 Green Tax per person per night, 10% Service Charge and 16% GST)
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Diving
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
What to bring
Full details will be provided in our welcome information pack
Important note
- Day-by-day itinerary subject to change due to weather and ocean conditions.
- Alcoholic beverages available onboard from USD $4 (payable at end of the cruise).
- Diving available upon request.
Carbon Footprint
Highlights
Accompanied by Maldives Whale Shark Research Program
Assist in research and data collection
Contribute to coral nurseries and beach cleans
Learn about the unique Maldivian ecosystem and the conservation challenges
Learn how to protect the biodiversity and marine life of the Maldives
Snorkel the coral nursery maintained by Save the Beach
Spot sea life like turtles, colorful fish, sharks, and dolphins
Unforgettable meals under the stars and delicious local dishes
What to Expect
- Arrive in Maldives & board the MV Felicity
- Meet Maldives Whale Shark Research Program (MWSRP)
- Cruise to South Male Atoll
- A responsible snorkeling briefing followed by your first underwater snorkeling encounter
- Watch sunset from a beautiful sand bank
- Meet NGO Save the Beach and learn about Maldives coral reefs and the challenges they face.
- Kick-start the day Maldivian style, with an early morning snorkel before breakfast
- Cruise through to South Ari Atoll home of the whale shark.
- En route stop off for a swim stop & snorkeling opportunity
- Discover Dhangethi Island – tickle your taste buds with ‘Hedhika’ snacks and learn why seagrass is known as the lungs of the earth.
- Enjoy an amazing colourful Maldives sunset at Dhangethi
The region of South Ari Atoll is very lucky to have a probable unique year-round population of Whale sharks. Learn about these magnificent creatures and how identification can be made before heading out on our own Whale shark safari to capture research data.
We may see 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. Whale sharks can, at times, swim very quickly – so you may need to work hard to keep up with them in the water!
Together we will collate all data and encounters and input to the MWSRP database, as well as identifying the individual sharks or other megafauna such as manta rays we saw that day. All encounters will feature on MWSRP online portal as well as contributing to the Big Fish Network.
- Our second full day whale shark safari with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme with data collection as detailed on day three.
Visit the one of the longest islands in the Maldives – Dhigurah
Take a tropical forest walk & learn about flora and fauna
- Cruise through central Ari Atoll for more magical snorkeling opportunities
- Afternoon Robinson Crusoe visit to a remote uninhabited island
- Give back – join in a Beach Clean Up
- Cruise back to South Male Atoll
- Get ready for turtle reef snorkeling and presentation
- Visit Gulhi island & discover island life in the atoll
- Maldivian theme night including Bodu Beru musical performance on board.
- Dawn snorkeling for your final Maldives sunrise
- Snorkeling with sting rays and banner fish we end on a high!
- Visit to snorkel Save the Beach coral nursery on Villimale
- Return to Hulhumale lagoon
- Depart from Maldives
Hear From Our Previous Guests
On board Felicity, expect the unexpected, experiences beyond expectations, superlatives in sceneries, coral, sea grass & whale-shark & more. Spiels before actual encounters (not guaranteed but much appreciated) Food & services of the team – be it in scorching midday sun or pissin-rain (briefly on 1 in 7 days) I felt well looked after from the team, ground up & I’m a septuagenerarian w a wheelchair too. Once in a lifetime experience before sunset. Thanks to U all, staffs, fellow traveller’s (a special breed, I tink) I’m blessed.
We were welcomed at Malè’s airport and just after a few hours onboard MV Felicity we felt as being part of the family.
We were taken care of, by our tour guide, UB, in every single part of the tour, which was the Conservation Cruise onboard MV Felicity.
The coral nurseries and whale shark briefing were instructive and helpful in making us understand the impact of tourism and tsunami on Maldives marine environment.
The whole Secret Paradise team has been the most kind and very professional.
I want to thank you and everyone else involved in our holiday for such an amazing trip, I enjoyed it so much, it has been my best holiday ever! We were so well looked after and everyone on the boat were so lovely and helpful, I was really sad to leave.
A fantastic cruise on every level, educational, exceptionally well organised, incredible marine life, the whale shark and the manta rays being the highlight.
The crew were outstanding along with our guide Ube. Congratulations Secret Paradise on a wonderful trip.
