Self Guided - Yours to Explore

Island Hop

Experience Island Life

DISCOVER THE UNDERWATER WORLD OF THE MALDIVES

Searching for a Maldives beach holiday that provides plenty of opportunities for snorkeling, watersports and those amazing Instagram moments? Our Snorkeling and Shipwreck tour could be just the ticket. Staying on two islands that offer beautiful beaches, turquoise blue lagoons and a chilled local vibe, enjoy the combination of local island life with plenty of water based activities and relaxation.

Trip Details

Trip Details

Price

  • Self Guided Tour from USD1,049 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 1 person per booking

Included

  • 7 Night Deluxe room hotel accommodation
  • 7 Breakfasts & 7 Dinners
  • Airport and domestic transfer assistance
  • All transfers by speedboat
  • 2 Point guided snorkeling including equipment
  • Half Day snorkeling & sandbank tour including equipment
  • Shipwreck Snorkeling tour including equipment
  • In Country 24/7 Secret Paradise support
  • All local tax (10% Service Charge, 16% GST and $3 Green tax per person per night)

Not included

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

Carbon Footprint

1495Kg 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, day/evening visits to resorts can be arranged.
  • Bikinis are 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

Snorkel in diverse reefs and spot impressive sea life.

Encounter turtles, sharks and discover shipwrecks.

Take part in numerous water sports such as kayaking or diving.

Kick back on beaches that most would call paradise.

Chat to friendly locals and learn more about island culture.

What to Expect

Arrive at Malé International Airport where you will be greeted and assisted with your speedboat  transfer to your first local island in Vaavu Atoll. View the beauty of the many Maldives islands that pass you by, keeping your eyes open for dolphins.

Upon arrival at your guesthouse you will have time to settle in before exploring the island and familiarizing yourself with the layout and taking your first steps on the beautiful beaches of this island nation.

Following breakfast head out on a snorkeling tour to discover the underwater world of the Maldives. The coral reefs of the Maldives are inhabited by diverse marine life and are teaming with colourful fish and corals. Keep your eyes open for turtles, sharks and rays you never know what may be in the blue!

The afternoon is free for you to enjoy as you please. Relax on the bikini beach or for those feeling energetic participate in the various optional watersport activities on offer. A wide range of group day excursions including sandbank visits, snorkeling and sunset cruises are available from both guesthouses and the watersport providers that line the beach front on the north end of the island. Optional diving trips can be organised for certified divers.

Following breakfast we head out on the ocean once again! You will be taken by speedboat to an idyllic sandbank just a short distance from Fulidhoo. Picture a pristine stretch of glistening white sand emerging from the crystal-clear turquoise waters, forming a tiny, isolated island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Here you have the opportunity to swim, snorkel or just lie back and relax. A picnic lunch will be served before we head off to snorkel in search of turtles.

Today is free for you to enjoy as you please. Relax on the bikini beach or for those feeling energetic participate in the various optional watersport activities on offer. Optional diving trips can be organised for certified divers.

Late morning transfer by speedboat to Thinadhoo. After checking into Ecoboo Hotel, the remainder of the day is free for relaxation along the shoreline of this chilled island or wander through the sandy lanes to explore the local side of life.

Shipwreck snorkeling is a unique experience, especially if you’re not a scuba diver. The half-sunken shipwreck on the shallow reef within Vaavu atoll is becoming a house for colorful corals and is the perfect location for that instagram shot which will be the envy of your friends!

Today is free for you to enjoy as you please. Relax on the bikini beach, take a kayak or SUP out for a paddle in the famous crystal clear lagoon on the east of the island or join a snorkel trip to explore the breathtaking reefs.

Following an early breakfast take the speedboat for the return journey to Malé. Arriving back in Malé  you will be assisted with your transfer onto Malé International Airport where your trip ends.

Includes deluxe sea view room at Thundi Sea View, Fulidhoo and Orchid Room at Ecoboo, Thinadhoo

Located 25 miles from the capital, Malé, Fulidhoo is located in the heart of the Maldives. Tiny in size and population, Fulidhoo is home to just 300 people who are excited to show the gems of their home island to guests. These include the famous crystal clear lagoon on the east of the island, and a breathtaking reef on the west. Part of Vaavu Atoll, Fulidhoo is famous for its local culture including dances performed by the islanders. Locals are proud of their long and remarkable history, and are always willing to share it with visitors. Vaavu Atoll is a microcosm for rich biodiversity and the local culture of Maldives, with exceptional reefs perfect for snorkeling, marine rich diving spots & fascinating Maldivian culture.

Located in Vaavu Atoll, Ecoboo is an Eco Boutique Hotel located on the island of Thinadhoo. The name is a combination of ECOlogic and BamBOO. Over 45 km of bamboo poles have been used throughout the hotel’s construction creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The sustainable initiatives enhance the feeling of luxury at Ecoboo Maldives. The rooms are spacious and tropical, designed to blend in with the natural surroundings. Guests can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including snorkeling, diving, island-hopping, sunset cruising and fishing. Ecoboo offers a range of dining options, including Acqua Lounge, the main beachfront restaurant and Sol Terrace at Ecoboo’s own floating bar.

We have handpicked the best local island hotels to provide you the greatest experience while enjoying your Snorkeling & Shipwreck Island Hopping tour package. Personally selected to provide a premium feel, 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 single traveler and prefer a private single room to yourself throughout the tour/cruise, this can be arranged. A single supplement is charged on all our multi day tours except the following:

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.

See Our Other Tours


A couple hug in front of their boat for the cruise
Two peoople relax on a chair in the shallows of the ocean
Two woman do a yoga pose on a pontoon in the sea