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Overview
Indulge in a beach front room, surround yourself with an endless sandy beach and rich turquoise horizon from your very own doorstep!
Experience first-hand conservation monitoring while spotting magnificent dolphins, sea turtles and snorkelling coral reefs with marine biologists. Explore Maldivian culture and history through authentic guided tours at Hanimaadhoo and Utheemu Island. These 14 nights will be unforgettable!
The Maldives offer so much more than their white sand beaches and turquoise sea. Get under the skin of the Maldives during this bespoke 15 day trip to untouched Hanimaadoo Island, deep in the North. Stay at the stunning Barefoot Eco Hotel, enjoy the Indian Ocean from your front door whilst contributing to vital conservation.
Learn an array of biological and ecological knowledge about the fauna and flora of this special ecosystem. Discover stories of years gone by on the historical island of Utheemu. Explore the tropical forests and mangroves of Baraah and learn how these vast areas of vegetation are the lifeblood of the Maldives. Dip into the past on Kelaa and find out why the British established a staging position on this most north eastern Maldives island. With opportunities to relax on quiet white sandy beaches, snorkel tropical waters and enjoy uninterrupted views of Maldivian sunsets this is experience should not to be missed.
Tour Summary:
Day 1: Welcome to paradise
Day 2: Private Bicycle tour & hedikaa
Day 3-4: Free time
Day 5: Private dolphin monitoring and snorkelling
Day 6-7: Free Time
Day 8: Private boat trip to Utheemu Island
Day 9-10: Free Time
Day 11: Private sea turtle monitoring & snorkelling
Day 12-13: Free Time
Day 14: Sandbank visit & snorkelling
Day 15: Departure
All the tours included in this trip are private, making your experiences more intimate and special.
Adventure to the island of Hanimaadhoo on a half day bicycle tour. Learn about the local way of life including a visit to the Mosque to understand how their faith underpins their daily routine. Stop and chat with children playing in the street, visit the agricultural centre, identify the tropical vegetation and experience traditional ‘hedika’ – Maldivian savoury and sweet short eats served with black tea.
Spot one of the most majestic animals of the sea, dolphins! Collect data, aiding evidence of their population dynamics and behaviour over short and long term scales. You will be helping the conservation of these beautiful species whilst admiring their beauty.
Take a quick speedboat journey to the historical island of Utheemu and learn about the rich history here. The kings of the Utheemu Dynasty, Sultans Muhammed Imaduddin I, Ibrahim Iskandar I, Kuda Muhammad and Mohammed Moheyeddin. Visit Utheemu Ganduvaru (Palace) and Kandhuvalu Mosque. Utheemu is famed as the birthplace of Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu, who with his brothers and his companions fought an eight-year-long war to drive out the Portuguese invaders who occupied the Maldives from 1558 to 1573
Locate, observe and collect data on sea turtles! This data can indicate population and behaviour dynamics on short/long term scales. The marine excursions have been created and developed to reduce the impact on the environment, while also contributing to the monitoring of biodiversity. You will have the opportunity to support the process by joining this “conservation snorkelling” trip that is operated within a monitoring framework.
Explore the pristine sandbank of Alidhoofaru, ideal for picnics or for merely enjoying time sunbathing, snorkelling and swimming in the clear blue lagoon. You wont want to leave this hidden treasure as the rich turquoise sea surrounds you from all angles.
Accommodation:
The Barefoot Eco Hotel operates in the same way as a small island resort. However, as opposed to being on a private island, as resorts are, it is situated on part of a local inhabited island allowing you access to explore day to day life in the Maldives.
The hotel is located on the local island of Hanimaadhoo in the preserved deep North of Maldives and provides the opportunity to experience untouched nature and the genuine and natural Maldives. The island is a quiet fishing and agricultural village with lots of tree-shade and swings.
The Barefoot Eco Hotel provides a gateway for a Maldives adventure where you can experience true Maldivian hospitality.
Guests will enjoy a welcome drink and refreshing towels upon arrival. There are also free daily activities such as volleyball, snorkelling by dhoni with the marine biologist on the house reef, bikes for adults and children, seawater swimming-pool, fully equipped gym, canoes, library, board games, telescope, biology lectures, test of underwater respiration. All to enjoy during your free time!
Food:
The Barefoot Restaurant takes pride in sourcing the best ingredients available. Fish arrives freshly caught and is served to the guests full of flavour. The Restaurant is fully committed to supporting local suppliers and vegetarian options are always available on the buffet, whilst a request to the chef will ensure a favourite meal is served!
Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the main sea view restaurant. For private and romantic dinners, seafood menus may be reserved at an extra charge.
The “juice bar” next to the main restaurant is a gathering place to sip soft drinks, fresh juices and mock-tails. As Barefoot is located on a local island where alcohol is not available, a floating bar located in the hotel lagoon offers alcoholic drinks and can be reached by complimentary speedboat from 17:00 each evening making your evenings even more special.
Dinner is served between 20:00 – 21:00
*From price based on travel for 2 people in 2024 in a seaside room. For larger groups or solo travellers please enquire directly to hello@nitgb.com
