Hulhumale, North Male Atoll, is a suburban island just a 10-minute taxi ride from Male International Airport. This artificial island was reclaimed from the sea to offer alternative living space outside of Male and whilst not a 5* resort Hulhumale provides the ideal base as a start or finishing point to a liveaboard dive holiday. There are plenty of local coffee shops, a handful of restaurants and a small local shopping area. The public beach located along the east side of the island is an endless stretch of sand and provides the ideal location to swim, snorkel or just relax after a great days diving. The capital Male is just a 20 minute ferry journey away or a 15 minute ride by taxi. For those who like to end their day with a beer the only hotel serving alcohol on a local island is a short bus journey to the airport.
Maafushi was once a very typical Maldivian local island but since the introduction of local tourism Maafushi is proving a popular destination for those wishing to experience the Maldives without paying resort prices. Maafushi is located in South Male Atoll and is only 90 minutes away from Male by ferry boat or 30 minutes by speedboat. There are two beaches on opposite sides of the island, one of which is a tourist bikini beach.. There are a variety of local cafes and guesthouse restaurants, some situated on the harbor and with water sport and excursion providers all eager for your business Maafushi provides the ideal destination to discover the Maldives on a budget and mix with other tourists.
Guraidhoo also in South Male Atoll, it is a typical fishing island with about 2,300 inhabitants, with sandy roads and palm trees. A 30 minute walk around the island highlights locals going about their daily routine; drinking coffee in the many small coffee shops and children playing simple games in the street. Sit and watch the sunset alongside the locals on the public beach or kick back in a traditional seat called a ‘joahli’ and watch the world slowly pass by. Guraidhoo is a regular stopping point for safari boats and local shops have quickly adapted by offering all kind of souvenirs and a handful of local restaurants and coffee shops. Guraidhoo offers an insight in to the ‘real Maldives’.
Gulhi is a small, quiet island with a small local population. It has a beautiful bikini beach and is ideal for a holiday where relaxation and reclining on a sun lounger is the priority! Gulhi was one of the few islands that hosted tourists during the early 80’s, when local islands were allowed to provide bed and breakfast service. The locals are friendly by nature and welcome visitors to their charming island. The main economic activity of the island historically was fishing. That was before the introduction of tourism when locals left to work on resorts and safari boats. The island also has the oldest dock yard in the Maldives. Many of the sea going vessels in the Maldives use the dock facility in Gulhi island for annual dry dock repairs because of its proximity to the capital island Male’ and International Airport. Gulhi has the only locally owned dry dock and some of the best woodworkers in the area.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome to Male
Upon arrival at Male International Airport you will be greeted by your guide and transferred by vehicle to your guesthouse on Hulhumale, just 15 minutes away. Settle in after your flight before taking your first steps on the sands of this suburban tropical paradise. The public beach is a 3 minute walk away, with several local cafes and local restaurants, plus a water sports centre. So, there is plenty to keep you busy!
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 chance to gain your first insight into the local side of this island paradise.
Day 2: Male Tour + Guraidhoo
Following breakfast served at the guesthouse you will transfer by public ferry to Male, a 20-minute journey, where a guide will accompany you on a tour of the capital city, providing opportunity to visit places of interest including The Friday Mosque, local markets and Sultan Park. After lunch transfer by local ferry (approx. 14.30) to your guesthouse on the local island of Guraidhoo, South Male Atoll, 120 minutes from Male. Sit up top on the ferry to view the beauty of the many Maldives islands that pass you by whilst keeping your eyes open for dolphins!
Upon arrival you will have time to settle in before either relaxing on the roof terrace at the guesthouse or on the local beach to watch the sun go down. Dinner this evening is spent with a local family just don’t expect silver service as traditionally meals are eaten without the aid of a knife and fork!
Day 3: Snorkelling and Exploring Guraidhoo
Following breakfast accompanied by your guide take a few steps from the beach into the ocean to explore the house reef of Guraidhoo 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.
As the afternoon cools down accompanied by your guide time is spent exploring Guraidhoo with the opportunity to learn about the local way of life including a visit to the Mosque. Visit the harbour, maybe there will be fishermen with their catch. Watch children playing in the street. Discover local fruit trees as you wander the narrow maze of sandy roads. Finally, stop by a local cafe to sample traditional ‘hedika’ – Maldivian savoury and sweet short eats served with black tea.
Day 4: Reef Exploring
Following a local style breakfast we travel by speedboat to two of the best nearby reefs. 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! On return to Guraidhoo the afternoon is free for you to participate in optional watersports, diving or surfing. 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 a relaxed beach BBQ under the stars.
Day 5: Guraidhoo to Maafushi
Start early today for breakfast and then transfer by local ferry to the local island of Maafushi, just 20 minutes away.
After checking into the guesthouse you will have the chance to once again enjoy the underwater beauty of the Maldives. We stop at a sandbank for a picnic lunch with time to swim and snorkel in the lagoon or just lie back and relax. Heading back to Maafushi we will cruise the Indian Ocean in search of dolphins. This evening following dinner at your guesthouse join your guide for a stroll through the island and learn how Maafushi led the development of local tourism. Complete your day in the traditional way with coffee at a local café.
Day 6: Relax in Maafushi
Friday is a public holiday in the Maldives and therefore we also allow you to take a rest day! 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. This afternoon, there is the option to join Maafushi Eco Dive and discover the story of Renee’s Coral Garden and why coral rehabilitation projects are important in the Maldives. On route to the coral nursery snorkel the seagrass beds with your guide and discover their importance to the Maldives ecosystem.
Day 7: Maafushi – Gulhi
Following an early breakfast we take a short 20 minute public ferry journey to the quiet local island of Gulhi.
Once checked in to your guesthouse, your guide will accompany you on a tour of the island. Visit the boat yard to stand in awe at the size of the boats under renovation, chat with the ladies sweeping the streets and finally refresh yourself with a cool Kurumba (coconut) watching the comings and goings at the harbour. Ready for relaxation you can choose to head to the bikini beach or for the more energetic join your guide for a final snorkeling opportunity on the house reef of Gulhi. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner in the peaceful courtyard of your guesthouse.
Day 8: Transfer to Male
After breakfast you are transferred back to Male by public ferry, across town, and on to Male airport where the tour ends. You should expect to arrive at the airport by around 10.30am. If you have a flight departing earlier then we recommend taking an earlier speedboat transfer from Gulhi to the airport (at extra cost).
Included:
- 7 Night standard deluxe room accommodation including breakfast
- 6 Dinners including local dinner subject to Safe Tourism Guidelines and BBQ dinner
- 1 Picnic lunch
- Airport and domestic transfer assistance
- Local Island Return transfer by ferry
- Hedika Experience
- Snorkeling, sandbank and dolphin cruise including equipment
- Snorkeling tour and guided house reef snorkeling including equipment
- Beach Clean, Seagrass and Coral Nursery Visit
- Male Tour and Local island tours
- Local Tax (10% service charge, 12% GST and $3 Green tax per person per night)
Accommodation Options:
Includes standard deluxe room at:
- Planktons Beach Hulhumale
- Guraidhoo Palm Inn Guraidhoo
- Stingray Beach Inn Maafushi
- Tropic Tree Gulhi
- Or similar based on availability at time of booking.
Transfer Options:
- Arrival in Maldives at any time day one
- Departure from Maldives required after midday in order to take departure ferry transfer option included
- No ferry transfers on Friday.
- Departure scheduled speedboat transfer $25 one way per person
Scheduled Tours:
Departs the FIRST & THIRD SUNDAY every month