Our North Male island hopping tour provides the opportunity to combine local island life with activities and relaxation. Learn and practice some of the crafts traditional to the Maldives. Put your cooking skills to the test in a family kitchen as you learn to prepare a typical Maldivian lunch. There is plenty of time to allow the energetic to enjoy optional activities that include snorkeling, diving and surfing. North Male Atoll has been popular with surfers for some time thanks to a variety of breaks that stay fairly consistent. For those who are looking to enjoy some time on the world’s famous white sandy beaches we spend a lazy couple of days at the end of the tour enjoying a picture perfect postcard Beach.
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 Maldives holiday.
There are plenty of local coffee shops and restaurants. A small local shopping area, bank and hospital. 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. The capital Male is just a 20 minute ferry journey away and 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 close to the airport.
Huraa is located between the resorts of Club Med and Four Seasons. It is a very traditional island with a close knit community that will take you into their lives and shows you typical Maldives local life. Huraa has a brackish water mangrove to the North of the island and the island as a whole has plenty of vegetation. With a small tourist beach, a a handful of local and souvenir shops and local cafes, Huraa provides an ideal base for an insight into the real Maldives.
Thulusdhoo is the capital of Kaafu Atoll of Maldives. Primarily famous as a surfing destination because the island allows access to one of the most popular surf breaks in the country, Cokes. Most of the guesthouses in the island cater to surfers who only require basic facilities and don’t demand a lot of superior amenities that the higher-end guesthouses offer, but more and more guest houses designed to attract a wider variety of travelers are opening up in the island.
Dhiffushi, is surrounded by a turquoise lagoon and pristine white sandy beaches; a typical postcard tropical island which can be unusual for a local island. Dhiffushi is a very typical Maldivian local island currently with 5 guesthouses.
Dhiffushi is located in North Male Atoll and has been inhabited for a very long time. It is a well-known fishing island.
There is a lovely white sand tourist beach with sun loungers and bikinis can be worn and you can see the ocean from almost any spot on the island. There are a few local cafes and a population of circa 1500. Day visits to nearby resorts are available subject to availability and there are snorkeling excursions and sunset cruises on offer.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Male
Upon arrival at Male International Airport you will be greeted 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 those arriving before 14:00 there is an optional walking tour to the island of Villimale situated on the west side of Male and is often described as the ‘quieter side of Male’. Wander the quiet streets, learn the names of local trees, and learn more about the conservation work being carried out by “Save the Beach”. Before returning to Malé we take time to sample traditional hedika at a local café on the beach.
Day 2: Dhiffushi
This morning your tour leader will accompany you on a tour of the capital city before transferring by local ferry to the local island of Dhiffushi, North Male. In Male Visit the fish market and local market and heritage sites including Presidents Palace, Sultan Park and Friday Mosque. Following free time for lunch, you board the ferry for a leisurely 3-hour journey across the Indian Ocean to Dhiffushi. You can choose to sit up top and view the beauty of the many Maldives islands that pass you by, keeping your eyes open for dolphins, or sit inside and chat with the locals. Upon arrival at your guesthouse, you will have time to settle in before enjoying the sunset from the beach and perhaps taking your first swim!
Day 3: Explore Dhiffushi
Breakfast is served at your guesthouse before being taken out by boat to enjoy a guided snorkeling trip to nearby reefs to discover the underwater world of the Maldives. As the afternoon cools down, accompanied by your guide, spend time exploring Dhiffushi with the opportunity to learn about the local way of life including a visit to the Mosque, learn how the common wooden boat known locally as a ‘dhoni’ is built, stop. Learn how to open a coconut and remove the husk, chat with children playing in the street and watch the ladies of the community begin their evening meal preparations. Stop by a local cafe for the second round of hedika, we know this will become a favorite snack for you!
Day 4: Dhiffushi Relax Day
Today is free for you to enjoy as you please, you can opt to join your guide on a complimentary house reef snorkeling tour where you will learn about the benefits of seagrass to the ecosystem. Relax on the bikini beach or for those feeling energetic participate in the various optional water sport activities on offer. Optional diving trips can be organized for certified divers.
Late afternoon you will head out for sunset kayaking. Kayak through the beautiful lagoon as the sun sets in the ocean. 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 5: Transfer to Thulusdhoo
Following an early breakfast, you travel by local ferry to Thulusdhoo. After checking in to your hotel, there will be the opportunity to explore Thulusdhoo accompanied by your guide. Thulusdhoo is home to the world’s only desalinated Coca-Cola production plant and an optional tour will take you behind the scenes of this facility. The afternoon is free for relaxation on the many hammocks and day beds that can be found along the shoreline of this island. If you’re an experienced surfer, try out the surf breaks or, if you do not hold your diving certification, why not take your first steps by booking a discover scuba dive.
Day 6: Explore Thulusdhoo
Today is a completely free day to enjoy the white sandy beach on Thulusdhoo. There are optional excursions and watersport activities for those feeling more energetic. 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!
Day 7: Explore Local Island Huraa
Following breakfast we take the public ferry to the local island of Huraa. Discover the mangroves and freshwater lake and learn more about this fragile ecosystem. Discover how fish is dried and cured and taste fresh rihakaru paste, a love-it-or-hate-it delicacy! Take lunch at a local cafe and spend some time relaxing on the beach before returning to Thulusdhoo by ferry.
Day 8: Transfer to Male
Following breakfast, join the public ferry for the return journey to Malé. Arriving back in the capital by 09:30, you will be assisted with your transfer to Malé International Airport where your tour ends.
Included:
- 7 nights standard room accommodation including breakfast
- 1 lunch & 1 local dinner * subject to Safe Tourism Guidelines
- 2 hedhikaa experiences
- Airport and domestic transfer assistance
- Local island return transfer by public ferry
- 2 Point Snorkeling trip including equipment
- 1 Hour Sunset kayaking
- Male city walking tour
- The Original Villimalé Eco-tour
- Day tour to Huraa
- Island Tours as listed
- Beach Clean
- Tour Leader where necessary
- Local tax ($3 green tax per person per night, 10% service charge, and 12% GST)
Accommodation Options:
- Includes standard room at
- Newtown Inn Hulhumale
- Bibee Maldives Dhiffushi
- Dream Inn Thulusdhoo
Transfer Options:
- Arrival in Maldives before 12:00 in order to join Villimale Eco Tour
- No ferry transfers on Friday.
Scheduled Tours:
- Departs the SECOND SUNDAY every month