Self Guided - Yours to Explore

Island Hopping

Experience Island Life

A Chilled Out Experience Without Breaking the Bank

Staying on two islands that offer beautiful beaches, turquoise blue lagoons, and a chilled local vibe this tour is the ideal mix of exploration and activities. Enjoy the combination of local island life, water sport activities and relaxation on the popular local islands of Dhiffushi and Thulusdhoo.

It doesn’t matter if you just want to relax on the world-famous white sandy beaches, snorkel tropical water, or explore, this tour has it all!

Trip Details

Trip Details

Price

  • Self Guided Tour from USD849 per person based on double share

Availability

  • Available all year round

Start

  • Arrival on day one by midday

Meeting point

  • Velana International Airport (MLE)

Duration

  • 8 days & 7 nights

Group size

  • Minimum per booking 1 person
  • Maximum per booking 8 people

Included

  • 7 night Standard Deluxe room guesthouse accommodation
  • 7 breakfasts, 7 dinner
  • Airport and domestic transfer assistance
  • Local island return transfer by public ferry
  • 2 Point Snorkeling trip including equipment
  • Sunset cruise
  • 1 Hour Sunset kayaking
  • Hedikaa experience
  • 24/7 Secret Paradise in country support
  • Local tax ($3 green tax per person per night, 10% service charge, and 16% GST)

Not included

  • 7 lunches
  • International Flight
  • 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.

YOUR IMPACT

By booking this tour:

  • Your travel and accommodation spend sustains the local economy and the livelihoods of locals, including our local suppliers.
  • Contribute to the income of island families, when you enjoy hedikaa – evening tea.
  • Support local businesses, from markets to cafes, helping to sustain the livelihoods of residents and support the local economy.
  • Using the provided reusable water bottles reduce the amount of plastic waste in the Maldives.

Carbon Footprint

1625Kg of CO₂e – average carbon emission per person
Find our more about our Carbon Management here


ABOUT YOUR GUIDE

One of our experienced and professionally trained local tour guides will accompany you for the duration of the activity. All our guides hold First Aid and Lifeguard qualifications and have completed Travelife Online Sustainable Tourism Certification.

Meet the team


Important note

  • The Maldives is a Muslim country and therefore alcohol is not available on local islands.
  • Subject to availability, visits to resorts can be arranged.
  • Bikinis are also not allowed to be worn on local island beaches; however, all of our guesthouses offer either private gardens or balconies and tourist beach areas for guests where bikini swimwear can be worn.

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.

Highlights

Explore local island life

Island hop between two local islands

Sample hedikaa - traditional evening tea.

Snorkel marine rich coral reefs.

Relax to the max on white sandy beaches.

Watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean on a sunset cruise.

What to Expect

Arrive at Malé International Airport for the start of your North Malé Island Hopping Tour. Here you will be greeted by our representative who will assist with your public speedboat transfer to Dhiffushi.  Settle in after your flight before taking your first steps on the sands of this tropical paradise.

The public ferry operates daily except Friday and takes 180 minutes to journey across the Indian Ocean to Dhiffushi.

Late afternoon experience Maldivian afternoon tea, savoury and sweet short eats served with black tea.

For early arrivals we can offer a complimentary walking tour of Male city for those interested in discovering the history and tradition of the Maldives.

Breakfast this morning is served at your guesthouse before being taken out by boat to enjoy a 2 point guided snorkeling trip to nearby reefs to discover the underwater world of the Maldives. Keep your eyes open for turtles which are frequently encountered as well as reef sharks and rays, you never know what you may discover.

The afternoon is yours to relax or for those feeling a little more energetic take advantage of the many water sport options available including diving.

Today is free 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 organised for certified divers.

Late afternoon take a wander around the island, chat with children playing in the street and watch the ladies of the community begin their evening meal preparations. Why not stop by a local cafe for the second round of hedhika, we know this will become a favorite snack for you!

Today is free for you to make the most of the beautiful beaches or explore the local side of Dhiffushi life.

As the afternoon draws to a close head out to sea and enjoy a perfect moment when the sinking sun kisses the horizon, lighting the waves aflame in brilliant colours of gold and orange. Added to this is the possibility to spot dolphins, the perfect way to bring your Maldives trip to a memorable end.

Following an early breakfast, you travel by local ferry to Thulusdhoo. After checking in to your hotel, there will be the opportunity to explore Thulusdhoo. Thulusdhoo is home to the world’s only desalinated Coca-Cola production plant and an optional tour will take you behind the scenes of this facility.

The afternoon is free for relaxation on the many hammocks and day beds that can be found along the shoreline of this island.

 

Day six is a completely free day to enjoy the white sandy beach on Thulusdhoo. There are optional excursions and watersport activities for those feeling more energetic. A day visit to a resort can also be arranged for those wishing to experience the luxury style of life in the Maldives.

As the afternoon comes to an end get active in the water with a kayaking or SUP tour. As we navigate through the calm waters, be sure to remain attentive, as you never know, we may be joined by the presence of a graceful eagle ray or a mesmerizing shark gliding by beneath us.

 

The morning is free for relaxation on the many hammocks and day beds that can be found along the shoreline of this island.

As the afternoon cools down there is the option to spend time on the beach, giving back to the community that has welcomed us by supporting a beach clean. Our reward will be a refreshing fresh Kurumba (coconut water) followed by an ocean swim!

Day 8 brings our tour to an end. Arriving back in the capital at 09:30, you will be assisted with your departure at Malé International Airport or onto your onward destination.

Your Trip Accommodations

Bibee Maldives
This is a mid-range guest house with 14 rooms across two floors which are modern, clean, and comfortable, and just a few steps away from the beach. Perfect to enjoy the slow, local pace of the Maldives. All rooms offer an en-suite bathroom, AC and fan, flat-screen satellite TV, an in-room safety deposit box, and Wi-Fi.

Dream Inn
A small local-style guesthouse with a private sandy courtyard and 6 comfortably furnished rooms. Located a short walk from the beach and famous surf breaks. All rooms offer an en-suite bathroom, AC and fan, flat-screen satellite TV, an in-room safety deposit box, and Wi-Fi.

We have handpicked the best guesthouses throughout the Maldives to provide you the greatest experience while enjoying your Original North Malé Island Hopping tour package. Personally selected to provide a balance of comfort, good service, local atmosphere, and value for money. In each, you can be assured of a warm welcome and know that your holiday money is contributing directly to the local economy and increasing local employment.

We require a minimum number of 6 persons for cruises to operate.

There is no minimum number for any of our land based tours.

Accommodation is offered on a twin/double room share basis.

If you are a solo traveler, on our group tours/cruises we offer the opportunity to share with same gender traveler.

Or if you prefer a private single room to yourself throughout the tour/cruise, this can also be arranged.

 

Yes, we can assist with organising pre and post tour accommodation, including a transit night in the capital area or a longer independent stay on a local island or resort island.

Like many places in the world today, the climate and weather patterns are changing and historical data is becoming less reliable as an indication of what to expect. With a tropical climate, plenty of sunshine and temperatures around 30°C throughout the year, there is never a really bad time to visit the Maldives. There are two distinct seasons: the dry season (northeast monsoon) from January to March and the wet season (southwest monsoon) from mid-May to November. ‘Wet season’ doesn’t mean it rains all the time, but during this period there is a higher probability of rain. However, in today’s world we do experience rain even during the ‘dry’ season.

More detailed weather information can be found here

The Maldives are a Muslim nation, therefore care needs to be taken regarding dress on small islands and in local communities.

While it is acceptable for men to wear t-shirts and shorts/swim shorts, women should avoid causing offence by maintaining a more conservative approach. T-shirts with sleeves that cover the shoulders, loose shorts that cover the thighs, or sundresses with a sarong around shoulders are advised.

All the islands we visit are more tolerant of guests wearing traditional beachwear, but women should NOT wear swimwear unless on an uninhabited island, sandbank, private tourist bikini beach (available on all islands you’ll stay on) or on board our cruises and snorkeling boats. Your tour leader will advise when and where this is possible.

No previous experience is needed for any of the included activities – just an average level of fitness and a sense of adventure. The activities aren’t strenuous, the only requirement is that you must be able to climb a ladder to exit the water, be comfortable in the water and be able to swim to participate in snorkeling activities.

We strongly recommend you bring along your own mask and snorkel wherever possible. Not only will you be assured the mask fits your face properly (making it more comfortable and less likely to leak), it’s also more hygienic. A mask and snorkel are small and light, so they should take up very little space in your suitcase! Due to the ocean current and wind conditions in the Maldives, the use of fins is essential for almost all snorkelling and these are included in all snorkelling activities we provide on tour. However, if you want to ensure a perfect fit, you are always welcome to bring your own.

On board our cruises we can cater to most diets providing we are advised at time of booking.  If there is something particularly you eat within your diet that you can’t live without we would encourage you to pack some and be prepared for perhaps more repetition of meals than you would be used to back home. For further clarification drop us a message.

Note to support our sustainable approach to cruises we do not offer beef products on board.

When traveling on land based tours properties can cater for vegan and vegetarian diets but it is worth noting in regard to food on local islands, over 95% of products are imported and then from Male they are transferred once or twice a week to outer islands.

Fruit and vegetables whilst available can be limited and they do not form part of the traditional Maldivian diet in the way you may be used to back home with your 5 a day! Given that tuna is a key component of our diet as vegetarians you will find your diet quite limited in comparison to what you are used to, even a potato curry is likely to have dried tuna added. On local islands you can’t just pop out to the supermarket and what you may see in the convenience store one week is not seen again for months!

Maldivians, as Muslims, are prohibited by law from consuming alcohol; hence there is a total restriction on alcohol being available on inhabited local islands, this includes the capital Male. Please do not bring alcohol through the airport as it will be confiscated and returned to you at time of departure.

Alcoholic beverages are available on our cruise itineraries and are purchased on board. Payment is required in USD cash or local currency to the boat captain.

When staying on local islands, visits to tourist resorts and bar boats in certain areas can be arranged.

 

Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our multi day tours. You need to be covered for medical expenses abroad, including any emergency transportation costs to the nearest hospital and any emergency repatriation that may be required due to illness/injury. We recommend your insurance covers flight delays, missing flight connections and lost/delayed luggage.

Hear From Our Previous Guests


See Our Other Tours


Two peoople relax on a chair in the shallows of the ocean
Three woman do the peace sign on a tropical sandbank
Three snorkelers pose for a photo