It was a really insightful look at the culture and environment of the Maldives, which was a world away from all inclusive luxury resorts. I learnt a lot about reefs and the huge climate and plastic challenges facing the islands. All in all, the guides and people in the group made it a lot of fun, the sea and sea life were stunning and I came back more relaxed than I’ve been for years!
Conscious Travel
Engage with the local community
Positive Impact
Our short stay Goidhoo Explorer is ideal for those seeking a more authentic and secluded experience which provides an introduction to the Maldives, its culture, marine life and environment. For travelers who also wish to experience resort life in the Maldives or are planning a vacation in Sri Lanka or India it offers an excellent way to combine both styles of vacation, particularly as the tour starts and finishes at Male International Airport.
Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
- From USD 1499 per person
Availability
- Private tours available all year round
- Contact us to confirm availability
Start
- Arrival on day 1 by midday
Meeting point
- Velana International Airport (MLE)
Duration
- 5 days & 4 nights
Group size
- Minimum 1 person
- Maximum 8 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
- 4 Night Garden Room accommodation including breakfast
- 4 Dinners
- 1 picnic lunch
- Airport and domestic transfer assistance
- Return transfer by public speedboat
- Island tour and Hedika Experience
- 2 Point Snorkeling tour included equipment
- Mangrove kayaking
- Farm to Table Experience
- Atoll Explorer including snorkeling equipment
- Services of English speaking Secret Paradise Tour Leader
- All Local Tax (10% service charge, 16% GST and $6 Green Tax per person per night)
Not included
- 7 Lunches
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
What to bring
- All this together with full details on everything you need to know about travel within the Maldives will be provided in our welcome information pack.
Important note
- The Maldives is a Muslim country and therefore alcohol is not available on local islands.
- Bikinis are not allowed to be worn on local island beaches; however, all of our guesthouses offer either private gardens, balconies or tourist beach areas for guests where bikini swimwear can be worn.
Carbon Footprint
Highlights
Snorkel marine rich tropical waters.
Kayak mangroves lakes.
Cook traditional dishes with locals.
Delve into the history and culture of the people.
Make an impact. Complete a community beach clean.
What to Expect
Arrive Male International Airport where you will be greeted by your tour leader, who will assist with your scheduled speedboat transfer, a two-hour journey north west to the local island of Goidhoo in Horsburgh Atoll, a southern section of Baa Atoll.
After checking into your island hotel we drop by a local cafe to sample traditional hedika. This afternoon tradition is best described as the Maldives equivalent of tapas! Walk into any café between 3pm and 5pm and you will find an array of bite size savoury and sweet delights, served with black tea. It will become a firm holiday favorite!
Then it’s time to hit the beach for a sunset swim before dinner.
The Maldives is rich in marine life but unfortunately, our marine life is under threat because of activities carried out by us humans. Over a coffee your tour leader will highlight the harmful practices that are pushing the balance in the eco system and what we can do to limit the impact.
Following breakfast, take your first Maldives underwater encounter. Your guide will provide a safety briefing on responsible snorkeling and act as your ‘spotter’ during the experience, pointing out marine life that may not have caught your eye. Coral reefs are fragile ecosystems so learning how to snorkel responsibly can help minimize your impact on the marine environment and protect the delicate balance of marine life. Your tour leader will assist less confident or inexperienced snorkelers, ensuring your equipment is comfortable and you feel safe in the water. There will be the opportunity to encounter turtles and reef sharks, as well as a multitude of colorful fish.
Mid-afternoon as the heat of the day begins to subside, accompanied by your tour leader explore Goidhoo and delve into its cultural history and discover why there are some families from Goidhoo who can trace their decadency to an African ancestor. Be introduced to the local forest crabs known as the ‘ Kadoofa Kakuni’, hear the story of how the atoll was designated as ‘Horsburgh Atoll’ and understand the connection, Frenchman, Francois Pyrard, has with the atoll.
Following dinner spend time at the beach, where surrounded by lush vegetation see how many of the glittering constellations you can name as they stretch out above you in an inky black sky.
This morning, dive into a farm-to-table culinary immersion. Engage with a local farmer, explore Goidhoo’s agricultural region, acquiring insights on Maldivian farming practices, the challenges faced, and harvest fresh produce.
Following the farm visit, enjoy the warm hospitality of ladies of the village. We gather in their home, where they will graciously guide you through the preparation of a delicious meal and share culinary secrets passed down through generations. Watch as they expertly demonstrate the art of grating fresh coconut using a traditional ‘Huni Gondi’ then, with excitement, pass the task to your hands, allowing you to actively participate in the culinary experience! An experience where you will truly uncover the heart of Maldivian gastronomy, celebrating the versatility of tuna and showcasing locally sourced ingredients such as coconut and chili, defining the unique flavors of the islands.
This afternoon we kayak the mangrove lake and learn why the mangroves play such an important role in the Maldives. Goidhoo Koaru, located on the northern side of the island was declared protected in 2011. This area has rich biodiversity and is one of the largest mangrove ecosystems within the Maldives. It is a type of mangrove that grows alongside the coast, being exposed to the elements of the sea and is known as a fringing mangrove. This site is also a popular roosting site for migratory birds. Your tour leader will coach you on how to paddle and manoeuvre the kayak before setting off to explore this unique Maldives ecosystem.
This evening your Tour Leader will introduce you to the work of the Manta Trust. Providing an insight into their environmental monitoring and manta ray studies preparing you for our snorkeling tomorrow, when conditions are right we may be lucky enough to spot a manta ray!
Today traveling by boat we explore this stunning atoll, visiting the local island of Fulhadhoo and hopping between a string of sandbanks. Fulhadhoo is a long, narrow island where a half-hour walk, passing through a tropical forest with a canopy of palms will bring you to one of the best beaches in the Maldives, in fact it has been rated in the world’s top 25 beaches! During your stroll to the tip of the island your tour leader will share their knowledge on the plant and animal life in the Maldives. You will already be familiar with the vast diversity of marine life, however, the land itself has been shaped by the tropical climate and boasts 260 native plants, despite its somewhat less than perfect soil and several fascinating small animals. It’s all about knowing where to look!
Making the most of the quiet beautiful reefs of this area we also take the opportunity once again to discover coral reefs that are teeming with fish and marine-life. Whilst never a guarantee we may be lucky enough to encounter manta rays which are often sighted in the atoll. Before entering the water your tour leader will share the manta snorkeling code of conduct, ensuring the experience is memorable for both you and the manta ray.
Returning to Goidhoo the remainder of the afternoon is yours to relax or for those still feeling energetic take advantage of the watersport options available before enjoying your final Maldives sunset.
Following an early breakfast transfer by scheduled speedboat to Male International Airport, where your tour ends.
Goidhoo – Olive Goidhoo
Olive Goidhoo is a 12-bedroom guest house with an outdoor terrace, that overlooks the island’s vast agricultural fields and the ocean. All rooms are furnished with king-size beds. Garden View Rooms feature a balcony facing the lavish island greenery. Omala Café & Restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor dining facilities. All rooms offer an en-suite bathroom, AC and fan, in-room safety deposit box, Wi-Fi and tea and coffee making facilities.
Hear From Our Previous Guests
One of the most unforgettable travel experiences to date. There is a whole other side to the Maldives that can and should be explored, far away from the outdated resorts holiday which produce unfair tourism leakages. Being able to experience the local islands, and the impact that local responsible travel can have on local communities and their fragile islands ecosystem was truly inspiring.