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7 Night Maldives Discovery Cruise

Highlights

  • Live on board a boat in the Indian Ocean
  • Snorkel with turtles and sharks, relax on idyllic beaches
  • Discover authentic island life
  • Enjoy delicious local meals and BBQs under the stars
from £1746 pp*
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  2. Choose the number of people in your group
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What you'll do

Overview

This is a holiday dreams are made of. Cruising the Indian ocean on a traditional wooden sailing boat with only your nearest and dearest. Fully crewed and catered, so all you have to do is relax and enjoy the stunning scenery, stop to snorkel or float on the turquoise water in Paradise.

Awake to the sun rising over the Indian Ocean. Snorkel areas that are famous throughout the world for their stunning beauty and abundance of marine life. Visit unspoiled islands and sample the local way of life. At the end of your day relax on deck gazing at the millions of stars above you. A traditionally crafted Turkish Gulet complete with sails perfectly fits a traveller’s notion of cruising. Watch the beautiful islands slide past on the horizon as you sip a chilled drink and relax on the broad deck, whilst your experienced crew navigates you through the beautiful reefs and channels of the Maldives. Take the opportunity to hop ashore and discover the hidden gems of the local islands, try the local hedika, visit a boat yard and learn about the conservation projects, both in and out of the ocean, the communities are supporting. And of course experience the best snorkelling in the world – the ocean is full of colourful corals and marine life waiting to be discovered each day!

*pp price is based on 6 – 12  people travelling in a group. For group sizes 1 – 6 please enquire directly to hello@nitgb.com to obtain a price.

 

 

Arrival Day

Upon arrival at Male International Airport you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your floating home to begin your voyage of discovery!

Cruise south through South Male Atoll to Guraidhoo. This is time for you to settle in to your cabins and get ready for your 7 night cruise of discovery. As you set sail, relax on the sundeck, sit in the shade of the sun canopy and read a book or watch the beauty of the Maldives pass you by and maybe catch sight of dolphins.

Once anchored your local guide will provide a briefing on responsible snorkeling ready for your first underwater encounter. Coral reefs are fragile ecosystems so learning how to snorkel responsibly can help minimize your impact on the marine environment and protect the delicate balance of marine life. They will assist less confident or inexperienced snorkelers, ensuring your equipment is comfortable and you feel safe in the water.

Your guide will provide you with a fish ID card, so that you can identify all the marine life you encounter – look out for oriental sweetlips, humpback red snapper, grey large eye bream, unicorn fish, threadfin butterfly fish, collard butterfly fish, saddleback butterflyfish, Madagascar butterfly fish, Meyer’s butterflyfish, Clark’s anemone fish and Maldivian fish to mention just a few!

Back on board dry off on deck and relax before dinner is served by your captain and crew!

Go ashore at Goidhoo and discover Maldivian local life

Enjoy your first breakfast on board, and then, accompanied by your guide you will transfer ashore by dingy to tour island of Guraidhoo. As you wander the narrow maze of sandy roads and  exchange greetings with locals, you will learn about the Maldivian way of life and discover the local plants flowers and  fruit trees. Along the shoreline of the beach discover why seagrass is so important to this fragile environment. Following a light lunch served by your crew on board,  you will relax on deck as you cruise to Fulidhoo, in Vaavu Atoll.

If the season is right you should be on the lookout for manta rays and even have the opportunity to snorkel with these underwater ballerinas!

Spend the afternoon swimming and relaxing.

Your dinner will be freshly cooked on board and served on deck as you marvel at the amazing night skies.

 

Sand bar swimming and Robinson Crusoe beach dinner

Following breakfast, cruise south through Vaavu Atoll to a beautiful picture-perfect sand bar. Here you have the opportunity to swim, snorkel with parrot fish, black sturgeon fish, black tip reef sharks and Moorish idols, or just lie back and relax. When the captain drops anchor you can choose to snorkel, swim, fish, visit the sandbank or just relax onboard.

As the afternoon cools down there is the option to spend time on the beach, you can even take part in a beach clean, supporting the local community. Our reward will be a refreshing fresh Kurumba (coconut water) followed by an ocean swim!

This evening enjoy a beach dinner ‘Robinson Crusoe’ style before getting ready to  to spend the night either in your cosy cabin or even outside on deck under the stars! (Subject to weather conditions)

 

Snorkelling at Vaavu wreck and fishing

This morning you will cruise to Felidhoo where there will be snorkelling opportunities, which if conditions are right will include the famous Vaavu wreck. Make sure to have your camera at the ready! Look out for moray eels, silver steak anthias, yellow back anthias, scalefin anthias, fusiliers and, blue green chromis. Have you ticked everything off your fish ID card yet?

This evening at sunset, experience the art of Maldivian line fishing! The Maldives is unique in that throughout history the locals have depended on line -caught tuna and the locals are excellent fishermen. Using pole and line, they will be happy to share their skills with you. Your catch will then be freshly prepared for you to enjoy.

 

Snorkel with sharks and turtles, taste traditional Hedika

Following breakfast, you will continue your cruise through Vaavu Atoll during which time is yours to look out for wildlife, doze on deck, or bask in the sun. Close to Alimatha, if conditions are right there is the opportunity to snorkel with nurse sharks, as well as turtles, black trevally, giant trevally, blue-fin trevally, and maybe white tip reef sharks.

Late afternoon, you will cruise to the local island of Fulidhoo and you can go ashore to take a walk and tour the island, then try the  traditional hedika – a selection of Maldivian savory and sweet snacks served with black tea – before returning to the boat  and go for a swim or relax on deck before your evening meal.

Gulhi island boat yard tour and traditional dancing

Following breakfast, you will cruise north back into South Malé Atoll. Before lunch, you can head into the water to a snorkeling point where it is common to encounter turtles.

Just before sunset, you will transfer ashore to the local island of Gulhi. Visit the boatyard there  to see the enormous boats under renovation, chat with men working on the boats,  as you walk down the sandy streets, chat to local ladies working outside,  sweeping the streets, and finally refresh and recharge with a cool Kurumba (coconut) whilst watching the comings and goings at the harbour.

Over your refreshment your local guide will explain about the local initiatives and projects which aim to reduce the amount of plastic waste in the islands and the work being done by Parley of the Oceans.

Dinner this evening will be a selection of local dishes accompanied by traditional dancing and the beat of the ‘bodu beru’ – a large drum – the crew will sing traditional songs to a rhythmical beat until they reach a crescendo, making for a fun and relaxed evening under the stars!

 

Snorkel at Hulhumale and Guided tour of Male

Before we cruise back to Hulhumale we head out for our final underwater encounter!

Your guide will lead you through two awesome snorkeling sites that encapsulate the beauty and wonder of the Maldives’ marine environment, leaving you with a deep sense of appreciation and a desire to protect this remarkable paradise. Keep your eyes open for turtles and sharks.

In the late afternoon when you have made our final stop in Hulhumale lagoon, you will disembark  journey to Male and take a guided tour including the Friday Mosque, local markets and Sultan Park. Wandering through the narrow roads of Male you can absorb the atmosphere and culture of the locals,  the history and daily life in this unique capital city.

This evening will be your final night on board – enjoy your last night of tranquility under the enormous night sky and twinkling stars

 

Departure Day

After your last breakfast on board you will say farewell to your captain and crew as you head back to Male airport for your departure home or to your next destination.

What's included

Included

  • 7 nights accommodation in a Standard Cabin
  • Includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, high tea, dinner and unlimited tea and coffee
  • Unlimited water - please bring your own refillable water bottle.
  • Guided Snorkeling activities
  • Guided Local Island Tours
  • Hedika experience
  • Cultural dinner with music
  • Sandbank BBQ dinner (or deserted island beach BBQ dinner)
  • Night fishing trip with lines and poles, hooks and bait
  • All dinghy and dhoni transfers to islands and snorkelling points
  • Engilsh speaking guide for all activities
  • Music and movie library on board
  • Beach towels and bathing towels

Accommodation

MV Felicity

The boat consists of 8 comfortable and cozy cabins, completed with all necessities including a private bathroom with toilet, hot and cold-water shower, and A/C.

Dining and drinks
It’s a blend of the modern Asian cuisine with a Western touch. Simple but pure finger licking dishes will be served at the large table on the main deck. Fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and meat, completed with rice, or pasta Bolognese.

Charter includes:
Air conditioning
Length: 8m
Refit: 2013
Private chef
Private bathrooms
Hot & cold water
1 support dhoni (motor boat)
Fully equipped PADI dive center.1 dingy with 15HP
large lounge deck
inside / outside dining tables
shaded sun-deck
Chill out Stereo, TV, DVD, games and phone

Your local host

Maldives Paradise Team

We are an award winning sustainable tour company. We are mindful of ensuring we promote local tourism in line with Maldivian culture and traditions. Through education of our team, our guests and locals, we aim to protect the environment and limit where ever possible any negative impact to local life. We are based in the Maldives and we specialise only in the Maldives. Through our connections with The Maldives Ministry of Tourism we receive the most up to date travel advice and tourism announcements as they are made. We make it our business to know what is happening throughout the Maldives so that you don’t have to spend time researching. We have visited every local island and every resort we recommend, we have stayed at every accommoda... Read All

We are an award winning sustainable tour company. We are mindful of ensuring we promote local tourism in line with Maldivian culture and traditions. Through education of our team, our guests and locals, we aim to protect the environment and limit where ever possible any negative impact to local life. We are based in the Maldives and we specialise only in the Maldives. Through our connections with The Maldives Ministry of Tourism we receive the most up to date travel advice and tourism announcements as they are made. We make it our business to know what is happening throughout the Maldives so that you don’t have to spend time researching. We have visited every local island and every resort we recommend, we have stayed at every accommodation option to ensure we can provide you accurate, honest advice and information. We audit our property partners on an annual basis to ensure the standards we require for our guests are maintained and you are ensured a safe and comfortable stay. We care about each individual guest’s needs and requirements. We know that everyone travelling counts and so will always be happy to tailor-make an experience.

Maldives Paradise Team image

Location

Your seven night adventure is based on the wooden sailing boat, the  MV Felicity, which has 7 fully air-conditioned cabins, and can accommodate 12 guests onboard, she is complete with a professional crew. You will arrive in Male airport and be transferred to your boat – home for the next 7 nights. Your sailing route will take in Fulidoo, Vaavu Atoll, Felidhoo, Alimatha, then back to the South Male Atoll; Gulhi, and Hulhumale. You will have the opportunity for amazing snorkelling experiences to spot turtles and sharks as well as stunning array of multi coloured corals and fishes. Anchoring by remote islands you will have chance to experience local Maldivian life and culture in guided tours and trips. Your accommodation on the Felicity will be in twin cabins each with ensuite toilet, and shower with hot and cold water. There is a salon with bar facilities, and an outside deck with dining table and chairs. There is a large sundeck with sunbeds, a fully equipped PADI dive centre, and windsurf, canoe and dinghy.

All meals are provided, either prepared on deck or on land during a stop. Drinks are available at an extra charge – there is a bar tab payable in cash at the end of the trip.

FAQs

Do the crew speak English

Some of the crew do speak English, there is also an English speaking tour leader on board with you.

Are soft drinks and alcohol available ?

Yes - these are payable locally in cash at the end of the trip

Can we scuba dive?

Yes if you have a PADI certificate and log book - please bring them with you as you will need to present them before being allowed to dive. The cost for certified divers is $75 per session.
For non certified divers a discovery session is available the cost is $100 per session.

Are beach towels provided?

Yes both beach towels and bathing towels are provided.

How much should we tip the crew?

Gratuities are usually around $10-$20 per person per day

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