Loved the day trip and managed to have the boat to myself. Mash (my tour guide) from SP was very accommodating and gave me a lot of information about the Maldives and sea life.
One-Day Snapshot of the Maldives
Small-Group Experience
Visit an Idyllic Beach
A Guided Ocean Adventure & Island Tour
Explore tropical sea life, get a feel for island living, taste a typical Maldivian lunch, and relax on white-sand beaches. Enjoy time on a beautiful Maldives sandbank. Snorkel crystal-clear waters where you can encounter sharks, turtles, and a host of colorful fish life. Explore the island of Huraa and learn about tradition and culture. To complete our day of adventure, watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean as dolphins accompany us alongside.
Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
- USD 275 per person
Departure time
- Daily 10:00 – 18:00 Except Friday
Meeting point
- Westside jetty Hulhumale (adjacent to the ferry terminal).
- Collection from the airport, hotels in Malé, Hulhumale or the cruise tender jetty available upon request and is offered free of charge.
We are only able to collect from private resort islands in North and South Male Atolls. Permission must be gained from the resort to enable us to use their private jetty. Not all resorts will allow this service so please do confirm with the resort prior to booking. Charges for return transfer will be based on the distance the resort is located from Male.
Duration
- 8 hours
Group size
- Minimum 2 – maximum 8 persons
Participation requirements
- We request female guests to dress with modesty when visiting local islands (shorts/skirts/dresses should cover the upper thigh and shoulders/chests should be fully covered).
- Long trousers or a sarong to cover legs is required by both male and female guests when visiting mosques.
- Be sure to share your shoe size so we can have the correct fin sizes available for you.
Included
- Snorkeling equipment/fish ID card
- Buoyancy aid
- Secret Paradise snorkeling guide
- Speedboat transportation
- Maldivian lunch at local cafe
- Hedika experience
- Local tax (10% service charge and 16% GST)
We do provide snorkeling equipment on all our tours but please feel free to bring along your own mask and snorkel. Not only will you be assured your mask fits your face properly and is comfortable and less likely to have leakage, it will also lower any health associated risks. We find that peace of mind goes a long way.
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.
We recommend the use of a rash guard or t-shirt 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.
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.
Carbon Footprint
320Kg of CO₂e – average carbon emission per person
Find our more about our Carbon Management here
Highlights
Explore a local island and relax at a paradise sandbank.
Experience local life and learn how dry fish is prepared and more at Huraa.
Snorkel and discover the Maldives’ unique marine ecosystem.
Opportunities to encounter turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and tropical fish life.
Discover rich natural habitats such as the mangrove system.
Enjoy a scenic sunset cruise with the chance to spot dolphins.
What to Expect
Your tour starts on a beautiful sandbank set in a blue lagoon approximately 45 minutes from the capital. Relax on the sands under the shade of a sun umbrella, swim in the warm waters, or snorkel the house reef. An ideal location to learn to snorkel with your guide or refresh your skills. Leaving the sandbank, visit two of the best snorkeling points close to Malé. Sites vary, depending on weather and current conditions, but you are guaranteed an abundance of colorful tropical fish and coral life.
Your guide will provide a safety briefing and highlight how to protect the reefs by being a responsible snorkeler, then put on your provided fins, mask, and snorkel and jump into the warm, azure waters of the Indian Ocean. Keep your eyes open for sea turtles, reef sharks, and rays the Maldives are home to; youngsters will want to be on the lookout for Nemo (aka clownfish). Your snorkel guide will not only act as your ‘spotter’ to point out marine life that may not have caught your eye but will assist less confident or inexperienced snorkelers, ensuring your equipment is comfortable and you feel safe in the water.
Cruising north we visit the local island of Huraa offering firsthand information about local island life. Our experienced guides will accompany you on a tour of the island sharing information on their culture and tradition. Gain insights into the simple life led by the villagers and view the process of making Maldivian dry fish. Discover the mangrove swamps and freshwater lake and learn more about this fragile ecosystem. We take lunch at a local restaurant following which you can relax on a traditional joahli seat and watch the world go by or visit souvenir shops to purchase local handicrafts and mementos.
Mid-afternoon we go in search of further snorkeling opportunities to discover more of the beauty of this underwater paradise. As the sun begins to set, turning the sky to a blaze of color, your boat captain will head to the east of Hulhumale to a channel where there is a high probability of encountering dolphins. As magical marine creatures in their natural habitat there is never a guarantee of sightings but when we are lucky watch them jump and perform!
Be Prepared! Learn more about Responsible Snorkeling Conduct here
Hear From Our Previous Guests
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.
All in all, it was a very wonderful day all made possible by Secret Paradise, do yourself a favor and book direct forget cruise ship excursions these people know how to treat guests
