Date of experience: August 2019 Trip type: Traveled with family
Going that extra mile
A huge shout out to Shaffaf from @secretparadisemaldives we did some trips and activities throughout our visit which is where we met him and other awesome guides. On the way back to the airport the girls spotted Shaffef on the bus and said hi. As we got off he helped us with our luggage, took the trolley to the check in and even gave us information about the process once we checked in. He wasn’t on duty and didn’t have to go that extra mile but it just shows the type of people who are employed in this company its not just ‘training’ it’s part of who they are. That to me is a company employee going the extra mile which is why we always choose to travel with @secretparadisemaldives when we are in the Maldives.
Date of experience: March 2019
Excellent Customer Service
I had scheduled a short stay in the Maldives through Secret Paradise which was to start after a diving trip on a liveaboard. Ruth was great at planning a wonderful itinerary for me, very professional and always responding by the next day (as there is a 9-hr time difference). All the documentation was very thorough as well. Unfortunately, I had to cancel my trip due to unforeseen circumstances. I think you can always tell a quality company by how well they respond when things don’t go as planned. Ruth responded immediately and was very proactive in first informing me of what funds I was due back, and then ensuring the funds due back to me were sent immediately after receiving my information! My experience with Secret Paradise was wonderful – I am greatly looking forward to when I can visit the Maldives and will definitely be using Secret Paradise for my travel arrangements.
Date of experience: March 2019
Embudu DAY VISIT
We booked a private day trip shore excursion from our ship, the Seabourn Soujourn with Secret Paradise to Embudu resort island in the Maldives on March 25, 2019. We emailed Ruth at Secret Paradise on March 20 about possible options for a tour for 6 people and she responded quickly with a great itinerary. The excursion included a guide (Archie) to meet us at the pier, walk with us to the airport and on to the shuttle to meet the speedboat, which took us to Embudu Island. Payment was in cash on the day of the tour. On Embudu, we were given a welcome cold drink and a towel and then directed to find lounge chairs on our own. The weather was quite hot and we were glad to find chairs in the shade. There was a bar available for drink purchases and at noon they served a great buffet. We enjoyed the clear beautiful water and saw schools of fish and even a manta ray swim by our beach. At the end of the day, the speedboat took us directly back to the pier, thanks to Archie who had arranged this. Thanks to Secret Paradise for a great introduction to the beautiful Maldives.
Date of experience: August 2019
Great snorkel trip with well organised and very friendly company.
3 POINT Snorkeling
I had a fantastic morning snorkelling with Mash on the speedboat. I booked last minute after discussing the options with Ruth, who went out of her way to reply even whilst out on the water.
In the end I decided to do a morning local snorkel trip to three different spots not far from Huhlumale. It turned out I was alone on the boat which was lovely and relaxing. Mash picked me up at my hotel and is extremely friendly, polite and knowledgable, so we had really good fun freediving together.
The reefs around Male have the extra difficulty of being affected by local construction work and island reclamation, in addition to severe coral bleaching due to global warming (similar to much of the Maldives). Ruth was completely honest with me about this when I enquired to the status of the reefs we would visit, which I very much appreciated and did not put me off booking. Indeed there are small patches of coral recovery, but the general outlook for the coral is bleak. Nevertheless as Ruth mentioned to me, there is an exceedingly good amount of fish life in the area still. Within a minute of entering the water we saw a mobula ray, which was fantastic, as well as blacktip reef sharks and a myriad of reef fishes. There is still loads to see and it was nice to freedive down the wall drop off and check out the overhangs!
From my brief trip, I would highly recommend the company, which is very friendly and treats their staff well. My only small suggestion would be to improve the cleanliness of the toilet facilities near the office in case guests use them.
Thanks for a great morning guys!
Great for Solo Travelers
Half-Day Walking Tour of Malé
So my group trip ended up being a solo trip since everyone flakes at the last second. No worries Trip Advisor to the rescue. So i booked to different hotels online to ensure I see everything. So I stumbled across this half a day walking tour. Great I need something to do after my snorkeling adventure. After booking I immediately received and email from the company, I think it was the owner Ruth. Who had very detailed instructions on the tour, where to meet and how to dress. She also provided who my guide was “Archie” who I have renamed “Archie the great”. After running into another private tour guide who helped me get internet (side note later) I got to Archie who’s like Gods gift on Earth (in Maldives of course)
So I get Archie caught up on my story and we start the tour. He provides so much history on buildings, culture, community, and people; especially the ones who stare at tourist 🤣🤣. His English is the best on this island by the way. We went to the fish market and saw tons of fish as well as the local market and sampled a few things. We saw about 3 or 5 of the 15 mosques that are in the Maldives. We saw his total buildings and schools. Restaurants and bakery’s. Yes, I’m a foodie so my smells were all over the place. Archie was a pro at maneuvering though all the crowds, scooters and cars that drive on the other side of the road. Be ware no traffic lights but surprisingly no accidents either. I guess everyone knows how to drive in crazy lol. Bottom line, Archie answer every question I had and didn’t hesitate to discuss politics and the climate here. I was really impressed.
I didn’t post all my pics, gotta leave something to your imagination.
Thanks Again Archie the Great!🤗😁
Date of experience: December 2019
one day in the maldives
Full Day Maldives Adventure
we spent one day in the maldives during our cruise stop over
i had been in contact with ruth months in advance so we could hire a boat for the day instead of an over priced shore excursion
our guide a young man named mash was everything any one could want
he was professional and a great pleasure to spend the day with
he took us out to the first island for a walking tour and an expaination on local life
we then sat down for a cold drink and mash left for a little while
on his return he had a cake for us with happy 30th anniversary on it ,what a wonderful surprise and a great touch
after our cake it was back in the boat to go to a snorkling spot that was unbelievable
Mash helped my wife with her gear and even took my camera to takeunderwater photos for us (the guy can swim like a dolphin lol)
after snorkling we went to another island for lunch that was equally impressive
All in all it was a very wonderful day all made possible by secret paradise
do your self a favor and book direct forget cruise ship excursions these people know how to treat guests
thank you Ruth and Mash for making this part of our holiday a treat
oh yes and thank our captain to he was awesome as well
Date of experience: December 2019
Beautiful Day
NORTH MALE ISLAND HOPPING
I contacted Ruth at Secret Paradise to ask if they could provide a private day trip to one of the islands that would fit in with our Cruise times. She was most helpful and said they could taylor our trip to the timings. We booked a full day trip to Huraa including private transfer, lunch and a one hour couples massage. When Ruth heard we were doing the cruise to celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary she e-mailed me to say that they would arrange a complimentary tour of the island with our private guide.
We were met by Archie our guide at the cruise port, from start to finish of the day he was very friendly, polite and knowledgeable. He gave us a good insight into the culture and life on the islands which was much appreciated. Following the tour of the Island we were left to lounge on the beautiful beach at the hotel dipping into the turquoise waters when needed. As our day included lunch we went to the restaurant to eat and were greeted by a waiter who escorted us out of the restaurant and to a secluded spot on the beach where a table for two had been set up, it was beautiful. This was such a surprise. During the afternoon we had our couples massage.
At the end of the day Archie arrived to pick us up for our return to the cruise port by speedboat. I asked who had organised the lunch location and he said that Ruth had. Secret Paradise made this a very special day for my husband and I and we really appreciated it. I would highly recommend them to anyone going to the Maldives.
Date of experience: February 2020
Private snorkeling safari
3 POINT Snorkeling
Ruth was most helpful at arranging our private snorkeling safari trip at such short notice. After spending 6 days at resort with not-so-amazing house reef, we decided to spend our last few hour before catching our flight back home snorkeling three different spots close to the airport.
We were greeted by Secret Paradise’s representative (I’m really sorry but we’re really bad with names and we have forgotten!) at the airport and after a short taxi trip to Hulhumale’s port, we started our snorkeling trip which lasted round 2.5 hours. We were really blown away by the variety of fish and we had a great time. Their representative was professional, caring and the trip in itself exceeding our expectations. The speedboat was basic but fit for purpose. Please note that it will be very difficult to get changed in the boat hence I suggest you wear your swimming suit under your clothes before you board the boat. I got sea sick (nothing to do with Secret Paradise) and their representative was most attentive and caring. I would strongly advice you to take strong sea sick tablets if you tend to get sick.
In summary, I would use and recommend the services of Secret Paradise again, hopefully in the near future! For a group of 3, it was not a cheap trip though…
Thank you to Ruth and her team!
Date of experience: February 2020
Exceptional tour services, amazing locations
WALKING MALE TOUR/ 3 POINT SNORKELING
We encountered this agency almost by chance and we used their services for 2 separate tours. All tour guides are extremely enthusiastic, friendly, competent and knowledgeable.
The tours available are very varied and all extremely exciting including pick-up from main island. The use of local resources (local ferries, local taxis, local restaurants) is a nice touch and makes you feel the real Maldivian experience.
One of the guides, Archie, made us an origami local boat (dhoni) using local leaves, extremely nice gesture that we will cherish for ever.
Another guide, UB, qualified diver and international lifeguard, gave confidence to my partner to swim and snorkel in the ocean taking her by hand despite her fears of deep water.
Even their youngest member, Anoof, during training, is extremely enthusiastic and helpful, able to give us some local hints and recommendations.
Would use their services again next time we are back.
Only recommendation: they accept only cash.
Date of experience: February 2020
Fantastic Way to See the Real Maldives!!
7N GUIDED NORTH ARI
After 3 relaxing days at a private resort island, we were ready for something different. The infinity pool, buffet, pampering, and fellow tourists were all fun, but we were ready to see the real Maldives. We took Secret Paradise’s 7-night North Ari Island Hopping tour.
WHAT WAS EXCELLENT:
– good email communication with the office (Ruth). Everything was as represented or better.
– dependable greetings, connections, transportation, etc. per their itinerary.
– great itinerary to 3 lesser-developed inhabited atoll islands. Good balance between included activites, optional activities, and free time. Good pace of 2 nights on each island.
– fantastic guide, Kokko. He was informative, kind, and fun, and did much more than the minimum.
– authentic experience of local Maldivian life. Not a cushy resorty tour, just the real deal.
– excellent coral, diverse colorful tropical fish, 10-20 meter visibilty underwater.
SUGGESTIONS:
– take the local ferry once for the experience, but it is slow and rolling. Take speedboats for longer distances.
– don’t be afraid of Secret Paradise’s inability to accept credit cards over the internet. Wiring funds ahead was inconvenient and somewhat suspect, but everything worked honestly and transparently.
– don’t expect upscale dining and hotels. You are living in comfortable guesthouses and eating with the locals….fish, fish, fish.
– bring your own snorkle gear for the freedom to hit the reefs anywhere anytime.
– try to see whale sharks, mantas, big game fishing, and sandbanks.
– spend your time on the idyllic islands, not Male or Hulhumale.
THIS WAS ONE OF OUR BEST VACATIONS EVER!
Thanks, Kokko, Ruth, and Secret Paradise.
Jerry and Renee Hornbeak