7-Night North Ari Atoll Island Hopping

Arrive at Malé International Airport for the start of your North Ari Island Hopping Tour. Here you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your guesthouse on Hulhumale. Settle in after your flight before taking your first steps on the sands of this tropical urban paradise. For guests arriving before 5.00pm there is an option to join your guide at a beachside cafe for coffee, a very popular daily activity for Maldivians and a chance to gain your first insight into the local side of this island paradise.

We also offer an optional eco-walking tour to the island of Vilimalé, situated on the west side of Malé which is often described as the ‘quieter side of Malé.

On the morning of day two, your tour leader will meet with you to join your transfer by public speedboat to the local island of Mathiveri, North Ari Atoll. Following time for lunch explore the reefs close to Mathiveri for your first underwater encounter! Your guide will provide a safety briefing on responsible snorkeling and act as your ‘spotter’ pointing out marine life that may not have caught your eye. They will assist less confident or inexperienced snorkelers, ensuring your equipment is comfortable and you feel safe in the water

Late afternoon spend time exploring the island, to get yourself acquainted with the layout and uncover the best spots to take lunch. Stop by a local cafe to sample traditional ‘hedika’ – Maldivian savoury and sweet short eats served with black tea and familiarize yourself with island life.

After dinner, 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 manta ray snorkeling tomorrow!

We depart by boat for another underwater encounter. Discover coral reefs that are teeming with fish and marine-life. Keep your eyes open for turtles and sharks. Whilst never a guarantee we may be lucky enough to encounter manta rays which can be sighted year round in the atoll. Should we be fortunate enough to spot these magnificent creatures, we will follow the manta ray code of conduct, ensuring a responsible and respectful snorkeling interaction.

 The afternoon is yours to do as you please. Perhaps visit Mathiveri Finolhu, a private uninhabited island fringed with a white sandy beach and surrounded by crystal clear water. As this is an uninhabited island, it is possible to wear a bikini.

The Maldives is rich in marine life but unfortunately, our marine life is under threat because of activities carried out by us humans. Following dinner at your guesthouse, your tour leader will highlight the harmful practices that are pushing the balance in the eco system and the work being carried out by organisations such as Save the Beach to limit the impact.

Today day four, transfer to our next local island destination of Ukulhas. Take time to explore the island with your guide and learn more about the tradition of fishing in the Maldives and discover why it was the island that led the way for environmental practices.  Not only does Ukulhas have some beautiful beaches, the local community here are particularly friendly and will be delighted to engage in conversation with you and show off their home island.

Your Tour Leader will introduce you to the work of the Olive Ridley project. Providing an insight into their environmental monitoring and turtle studies preparing you for turtle encounters! Be sure to have your underwater camera with you when snorkeling to capture images which will be shared with Olive Ridley data base.

The house reef at Ukulhas is worth getting in the water for and can be accessed easily from the beach and so this afternoon your tour leader will accompany you on a guided house reef snorkel, be sure to keep your eyes open for turtles.

Following breakfast the day is yours to do as you please. For the energetic enjoy the many excursions available including diving, snorkeling and a variety of watersports. For those less active perhaps an excursion with a picnic lunch to a nearby sandbank or uninhabited desert island suits.

Why not book a whale shark day trip to South Ari Atoll. This is a full day trip due to the distance from Ukulhas and pricing is dependent on the number of guests joining the trip. Expect to pay approximately $150 per person for 6 persons. The trip is subject to availability and operates when there have been regular whale shark sightings. South Ari Atoll is 90 minutes by speedboat and is very lucky to have a probable unique year-round population of whale sharks.

Nowhere else in the world boasts whale sharks every single month of the year and furthermore many of the sharks seen are the same individuals time after time. You may encounter 1 or 2 sharks in half an hour or given that they are wild creatures in their natural habitat we may not encounter one for the whole time we are searching. However the unpredictability all adds to the excitement! If we do spot them we will have the opportunity to snorkel alongside them, a truly magical experience

Late afternoon head out for sunset kayaking or SUP tour. Kayak through the beautiful lagoon whilst enjoying the wonderful colours as the sun sets in the ocean. 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.

Ukulhas is well known locally for its connection to the fishing industry. Your tour leader will shed light on the rich fishing heritage of the Maldives and its significance in the local culture. Gain a deeper understanding of the sustainable practices employed by local fishermen and the delicate balance they strive to maintain.

Today day six, we transfer on to our final island destination of Rasdhoo where dependent on the current we will head out by boat to snorkel a nearby reef.  Expect to encounter huge schools of reef fish, batfish, tuna, and parrot fish. Rasdhoo is famous for its black and white tip reef sharks and close encounters are possible as we hang in the current to observe them.

Spend time this afternoon exploring the island with your tour leader, stop for a refreshing drink at a local café or just relax by the ocean listening to the gentle lap of the waves on the shore. This evening before the sun sets we head out in search of dolphins which can often be seen jumping and spinning as the sun sinks on the horizon. Your tour leader and crew familiar with the habits and behavior of dolphins will keep a keen lookout for any signs of these graceful creatures. They will share stories about the different species of dolphins found in the region, their social dynamics, and the role they play in the ecosystem. It’s an educational and enriching experience that will deepen your appreciation for these incredible marine creatures.

Following breakfast we head out for our final underwater encounter! Your tour leader will guide you through two snorkeling sites that encapsulates the beauty and wonder of our Maldives’ marine environment, leaving you with a deep sense of appreciation and a desire to protect this remarkable paradise.

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!

This evening enjoy dinner under the stars. The perfect way to end your Maldives holiday.

Day eight join the public speedboat for the return journey to Male.