We did the “Private Group Tour of South Male and Island Hopping” with another couple from our cruise ship, Oceania Nautica. Our guide, Mash, met us on the dock where the tenders from the ship arrive.
Mash and his crew were in the water with us whenever we were snorkeling and were careful to keep an eye on us in case anyone was getting tired. They pointed out a lot of things underwater that we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. During our stops on the islands, Mash walked us around explaining a lot of things we wouldn’t have learned about on our own. We had a nice stop for lunch about midway through day.
I highly recommend Secret Paradise and would definitely book with them again.
Snorkeling & Beaches
Visit 2 Local Islands
Daily Departures
Explore Local Life, Island Beaches, and Tropical Waters on This Boat Adventure
Make the most of the Maldives and jet across crystal clear waters between the islands Gulhi and Maafushi. Embark on a watersports adventure, jump off the boat to snorkel and spot colorful sea life, sample a delicious local lunch, relax on the beach, and learn more about Maldives’ culture.
Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
- USD 260 per person
Departure time
- 10:00 – 16:30 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
- 6.5 hours
Group size
- Maximum 8 persons
Participation requirements
- We request female guests to dress with modesty when visiting Male (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
- Return speedboat transfer from Hulhumalé jetty
- Maldivian lunch at a local cafe
- Snorkeling equipment/fish ID card
- Buoyancy aid
- Water
- Services of a Secret Paradise guide
- Local tax (10% service charge and 16% GST)
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.
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.
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
190Kg of CO₂e – average carbon emission per person
Find our more about our Carbon Management here
Highlights
Explore islands in South Malé Atoll.
Visit Maafushi, the birthplace of local tourism.
Wander the quiet streets of Gulhi to experience local life.
Relax on local beaches and snorkel marine-rich waters.
Look out for dolphins as you cruise the Indian Ocean.
What to Expect
Cruising south, we visit both Gulhi and Maafushi. At Maafushi, experience life on the island that has led the way with guest house tourism. Take lunch at a local restaurant and visit souvenir shops where you may purchase local handicrafts and mementos. For those feeling active, there is time to participate in the many water sports on offer here.
In Gulhi, gain insights into the simple life led by the villagers; visit the boat building yard, and wander the quiet streets of this small local island. Take time out to relax on the beach and listen to the waves breaking on the white sand
In between island visits, we offer snorkeling opportunities to discover the beauty of this underwater paradise. Sites vary, depending on weather and current conditions, but you can be guaranteed an abundance of colorful tropical fish and coral life.
Following a safety briefing and advice on how to be a responsible snorkeler, 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.
Be Prepared! Learn more about Responsible Snorkeling Conduct here
Hear From Our Previous Guests
First and foremost, this is a MUST. Make sure you get UB as your guide, he is the man!!!
My wife and I were in the Maldives on honeymoon and before we went to the resort, we wanted to see what the real Maldives and how real Maldivians live. UB was very knowledgeable about every and all things Maldives, so it was great learning from him. He also took us to a reef where (and I am not lying) we had the best snorkel experience. My wife and I have snorkeled many times before, but without a doubt Maldives was the best. The trip started out a little rocky because of the rain, but UB adjusted on the fly and made sure we got to do everything that was on the itinerary. Again, this is a must if you are visiting the Maldives and want more than just resort life.
My family and I had a wonderful time with Secret Paradise on the South Male Island Hopping Tour! Our guide, Mash, was outgoing and had a great sense of humor. I really appreciated that he made effort to tweak the itinerary for our needs.
First, we went to Maafushi and we walked around the island and my guide was very informative about the local life the plants the houses then we had a drink in a cafe then had local lunch then we moved to Gulhi and we had an idea about old ships building. Gulhi beach was soooooooo clean I had a chance to swim.
We are very happy about our excursion with Secret Paradise! Both Ruth and Kokko are SO professional and kind, we got more than what we expected! The price was worth the excursion and we felt everybody was really taking care of us! Totally satisfied with the service!
Easily the best tour operator for Maldives. Prompt responses, good rates, and excellent service. Would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Maldives.
