Floating around the Maldives
A sailing adventure in paradise!
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£755
755
Group Size: Max 8
Trip code: AFAN
Duration: 7 days
With sapphire waters, dazzling coral reefs, Robinson Crusoe islands, and the best beaches on Earth, nowhere says ‘paradise’ like the Maldives. Board our traditional dhoni boat and spend the next week exploring the jaw-dropping South Malé Atoll and Felidhu Atholhu with a small group of like-minded travellers. You’ll snorkel with schools of rainbow-coloured fish, get your drum on at a Bodu Beru sesh, meet local fishing communities, join a beach clean, and spend your nights laughing and drinking under the stars.
Trip highlights
- Snorkel with hundreds of colourful fish, rays, turtles, and reef sharks
- Stay on a traditional dhoni boat
- Take part in a traditional Bodu Beru drum and dance performance on Fulidhoo Island
- Explore charming fishing villages and immerse yourself in local life
- Stretch out on sugar-white sands on uninhabited islands
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- Arrival transfer
- Group leader
- 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners
- Fulidhoo Island visit and Bodu Beru performance
- Felidhu Island visit
- Bodu Mora Island visit
- Snorkelling equipment
- Beach time in the Maldives
- Seven days aboard a traditional dhoni boat
- 24 hour emergency support
- Flights
- Visas
- Insurance
- Additional drinks and snacks
Day 1: Malé and South Malé Atoll. Meet your guide and the rest of your group at the airport and head to the marina ready for today’s snorkelling trip. Strap on your mask and head underwater to see the abundant marine life and colourful corals that make the Maldives hands-down one of the best snorkelling locations in the world. Then spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach before boarding our traditional 37ft dhoni boat and setting sail for the South Malé Atoll.
Days 2 – 6: South Malé Atoll and Felidhu Atholhu. We’ll spend the next five days exploring the sapphire waters, dazzling white sands, and Robinson Crusoe islands of the South Malé and Felidhu atolls. Our days will be spent lazing on the sun-soaked deck of the dhoni, snorkelling over breath-taking coral reefs, meeting the locals on Fulidhoo Island, watching traditional boat builders at work, joining a traditional Bodu Beru drum and dance performance, and taking part in a beach clean. Nights will be spent under the stars, eating delicious, freshly-cooked food, and drinking cocktails on deck – this is living!
Day 7: South Malé Atoll to Malé. It’s been the most amazing week, but all good things come to an end. Take your final cruise across the water to Malé, where you’ll be transferred back to the airport. Thanks Maldives – you’ve been amazing!
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Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.Most expensive: £899 July, 2023
Your tour starts on day 1 at Malé International Airport (MLE). You’ll need to arrange a flight to arrive before 10am in order to take part in our snorkelling excursion which takes place at 10:30am on day 1.
If you arrive before day 1, you will need to return to the Malé International Airport by no later than 10am on day 1 and proceed to the Voyage Maldives counter.
Your trip will finish on day 7 back at Malé airport. The journey time can vary so we recommend you book your onward flight no earlier than 1pm on day 7.
Accommodation
6 nights of accommodation on a traditional dhoni boat are included on this trip. Dhonis have been used by fishermen for centuries and have a charming aesthetic that is synonymous with the Maldives. You will be sharing a small room with one of your group. All facilities onboard are shared. Rooms are chosen on a first-come, first-serve basis and cabins and berths cannot be guaranteed.
Please note that as this is a traditional dhoni and not a cruise ship, rooms are on the snug side, but it’s a real, traditional sailing experience that more than makes up for the close quarters.
Please note that the skipper will also be sharing the ship's amenities with you.
Meals
6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners are included. Food is a major part of this sailing adventure. You will enjoy many home cooked meals prepared by our on-board chef. Portions are generous and will include seafood, typical dishes and even the occasional fry up for breakfast!
Drinking water is provided. Beer, wine, and soft drinks are available to purchase onboard (US Dollars, Euro, Visa cards, Master cards and American Express. Please note that for credit card payment, an additional 5% will be charged).
Please let your travel advisor know in advance if you have any dietary requirements.
The minimum age for this trip is 18 years old. This trip is designed for 18-39 year olds.
British passport holders can get a 30 day visa for the Maldives upon arrival. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your date of entry to the Maldives. Visa rules and regulations are subject to change. Please check the relevant embassy websites for up to date information.
This trip is designed with your safety and wellbeing in mind. As a result of Covid-19, many of our suppliers and partners around the world are introducing new policies and procedures surrounding health and safety in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. As the state of travel is evolving these new safety measures will adapt over time, and will be different for each trip. Here are some of the changes you may see on your trip:
Arrival safety meetings
Most trips have an arrival meeting on the first day where the guide or local team will run through the trip, the safety protocols, and to answer any questions you may have. Now more than ever it is important you arrive in time for these meetings.
Proof of vaccination or negative covid test
For the safety of all travellers, at the start of some trips you may be required to show evidence that you are fully vaccinated (14 days after your second dose) and/or show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the tour start date in order to join the programme.
Updated hygiene and safety procedures
Our suppliers and partners have health and safety procedures in place on all of our trips. These protocols will be updated and adapted as a response to the Coronavirus outbreak, dependent on local restrictions and laws.
Transport and accommodation choices
Our suppliers and partners choose the accommodation and transport on our trips very carefully, and you may see a change to what would normally be used as a response to the outbreak. This may involve such changes as enhanced use of private transport or quieter accommodation.
Trained and knowledgeable staff
Our staff in the UK are trained to help you with your trip before you depart and answer any questions you may have. In addition, the local team and guides on our trips are there to help with any health and safety concerns and to ensure our trips run safely and smoothly.
Reduced group sizes
Some trips will run with reduced group sizes to start with. You may find that trips are more intimate and chilled, whilst still being packed with fun and adventure.
Healthcare
Your guide or the local team will be on hand to help you seek medical attention should you require it during your trip. As medical facilities and standards can vary around the world, you should ensure you have adequate travel insurance in place before you depart to cover you for any medical emergencies.
24/7 emergency support
We operate an emergency phone line for our travellers abroad. This is operated by a UK based member of staff 24/7 if you have a genuine emergency or urgent matter that you need attending.
It is important that you take measures to make travelling safer for yourself and others around you. Ensure you frequently wash your hands, cover your face when you sneeze and cough, bring and use your own hand sanitiser and facial coverings/masks, and enable social distancing where necessary. You should also ensure you listen to the instructions and guidance of the local team at all times, and follow all local laws and restrictions.