Island Hopping in the Maldives

Day 1. Fly overnight to Maldives 

Day 2. Arrival into Male. Introductory briefing & welcome dinner. 

Upon arrival at Velana International Airport you will be welcomed by your Maldivian guide who will assist with your transfer to Hulhumale and complete an introductory briefing. Settle in and relax before a welcome dinner.

1 night at Ocean Grand, Hulhumale. Meals included: Dinner 

​Day 3. Male City Tour. Transfer to Goidhoo, traditional afternoon tea

Spend the morning exploring Male, the Maldives capital city, on foot with your guide. Learn the stories of Hukuru Miskiy and take in the smells and flavours at the local markets.

At 1pm board a scheduled public speedboat for the two-hour journey to the island of Goidhoo. Goidhoo retains a cultural feel with ancient mosques and wells. The island’s natural wonders include freshwater lakes, which are quite unusual in the Maldives, mangroves and a beautiful beach, as well as many vegetable and fruit farms.

After checking into a local island hotel drop by a local cafe to sample traditional hedika. This afternoon tradition is best described as the Maldives equivalent of tapas! Walk into any café between 3pm and 5pm and you will find an array of bite size savoury and sweet delights, served with black tea.

Then it’s time to hit the beach for a sunset swim

3 nights at Olive, Goidhoo. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner 

​Day 4. Guided snorkelling & island tour.

Following breakfast, take your first Maldives underwater encounter. Your guide will provide a safety briefing on responsible snorkelling and act as your ‘spotter’ during the experience, 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. There will be the opportunity to see turtles, reef sharks and rays, as well as a multitude of colourful fish.

Back on dry land, in the afternoon you will explore the island of Goidhoo. In the 19th century, a female African slave who had been bought by the king on his Hajj trip to Mecca was formally released from slavery. A house and a well were built for her to settle on Goidhoo. The freeing of slaves before the death of the owner was a common practice among the very high nobility in the Maldives. Now there are some families from Goidhoo that can trace their decadency to this African ancestor.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner 

Day 5. Mangrove kayaking & free afternoon

This morning we kayak one of the island’s mangrove lakes and learn why the mangroves play such an important role in the Maldives. Your guide will coach you on how to paddle and manoeuvre the kayak before we set off to explore this unique Maldives ecosystem.

This afternoon choose to 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.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner 

Day 6. Transfer to Fehendhoo & island tour

After a leisurely breakfast transfer by private speedboat to Fehendhoo, one of the least populated islands in the Baa Atoll.

Mid-afternoon, as the heat of the day begins to drop, your guide will take you on an exploration of the island. In 1602, Frenchman Francois Pyrard found himself wrecked on the reef here, before his attempts to learn the language won him favour with beyfulhun, who subsequently took him to the capital. Pyrard’s account of his time in the Maldives would be the world’s only real glimpse into the mysterious atolls between the 14th and 19th centuries. The wreck of his ship, the Corbin, can still be found on the reef but the treasures within are still to be located. 

2 nights at Sama Garden, Fehendhoo. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner 

Day 7. Guided snorkelling & free afternoon

The Maldives is 99% ocean, and each snorkelling experience is unique! So, this morning we head out for another guided snorkelling tour. Fehendhoo is surrounded by crystal clear waters and coral reefs that are teeming with colourful fish and various sea mammals. Keep your eyes open for turtles, sharks and rays.

This afternoon choose to 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.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner 

Day 8. Transfer to Fulhadhoo & forest walk

Following a relaxed morning in Fehendhoo transfer by private speedboat to Fulhadhoo, arguably one of the most beautiful islands of the Baa Atoll. 

After checking into your local accommodation we take a tropical forest walk to enjoy sunset at Thundi beach. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this tropical vegetation, learn about the forest ecosystem and the important role vegetation plays in the Maldives. Be prepared for a warm walk but your reward will be a beautiful sunset and, if you wish, a refreshing dip in the ocean.

3 nights at Island Luxury Dive Hotel, Fulhadhoo. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner 

Day 9. Cooking class, sandbank hopping & Robinson Crusoe BBQ

This morning you will meet the ladies of the local Women's Development Committee (WDC). Island WDCs play an important role in mobilising local women, and providing an avenue for women to network, collaborate and implement initiatives for community development. They will show you how to make mashuni (a typical Maldivian breakfast dish of tuna, onion, coconut, and chilli) and roshi (flatbread). After preparing the food you will sit down together to chat and eat.

After lunch, enjoy an idyllic journey through Goidhoo Atoll, hopping from one sandbank to the next. Final stop will be on an uninhabited Robinson Crusoe island, where there will be time to relax or stroll along the powder white beaches before enjoying a traditional fish and coconut BBQ as the sun sets.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner 

Day 10. Coral nursery visit, beach clean & cultural evening

After breakfast, visit Fulhadhoo's coral nursery where you will learn the story behind the project and understand why coral rehabilitation projects are extremely important in the Maldives. 

In the afternoon, spend time giving back to the community that has welcomed you by participating in an island clean. Your reward will be an ocean swim!

This evening, enjoy a cultural dinner consisting of traditional Maldivian dishes. Dinner will be accompanied by live music under the stars.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner 

Day 11. Transfer to Male Airport for flight home.

Transfer by early morning speedboat to Velana International Airport and your onward destination. Meals included: Breakfast  

Optional Beach extension

If you wish you can extend your trip with a 3 night stay at Makunudu Island Resort. Makunudu Island is one of the original and much loved Maldivian island resorts. It is small with simple, traditionally designed bungalows located in lush tropical vegetation with direct beach access. This is a complete step away from life's hustle and bustle so is an ideal chance for some me time.

Accommodation will be reserved for you on a twin share basis in guest houses unless you have already requested a single room at a supplementary cost. You will stay in local island guesthouses, which are run by local families where everyone is instrumental in the day to day running of the property. By staying local, you are benefiting the local economy and increasing local employment.

Olive Goidhoo - Olive Goidhoo is a beautifully designed 12-bedroom guest house with an outdoor terrace, that overlooks the island’s vast agricultural fields and the ocean. 

Omala Café & Restaurant features both indoor and outdoor dining facilities. Snacks and drinks from our Juice Bar can be enjoyed on the rooftop terrace while relishing the dramatic sunset. 

Sama Garden - Facing the beachfront, SAMA Garden offers amazing accommodation in Fehendhoo and has a restaurant, garden and private beach area.

The garden-view rooms at the SAMA Garden apartment come with an in-room safe, a mini-bar and climate control. 

Island Luxury Dive Hotel - Is situated in Fulhadhoo. The accommodation features entertainment staff and a tour desk. At the hotel, rooms have a wardrobe. With a private bathroom fitted with a shower and free toiletries, some rooms at Island Luxury Dive Hotel also boast a terrace. The rooms at the accommodation have air conditioning and a desk.

Optional Beach Extension - Makunudu Island Resort - Rooms have private garden, bathroom with shower, hair dryer, mini-bar, personal safe, IDD Telephone, Writing Desk, tea and coffee making facilities. Restaurant, Bar, PADI diving school, snorkelling, Non-motorised water sports, volleyball, badminton and table tennis and a library with TV are available.

Provisional Flight Information

29/11/2024 London Heathrow to Male Dep: 1735 Arr: 0855 +1

09/12/2024 Male to Heathrow Dep: 1045 Arr: 1705

NB - if you choose the beach extension you departure day will be 12/12//24 at the times listed for the return above.

The hold luggage allowance on this trip is 23kg.

Passport validity

For UK passport holders your passport must be:

• Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
• valid for at least 6months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.

Travel Insurance

Please ensure that you have adequate personal travel insurance to suit your requirements in place before you travel. Spice Escapes have arranged a scheme with Staysure who are fully authorised and regulated by the FCA (firm reference number 663617) full details of which can be found on the FCA website www.fca.org.uk. For an instant online quotation please click here.

Visas

British nationals are issued a free 30-day visa on arrival in the Maldives. 

Online Traveller Declaration Form: The online traveller declaration form IMUGA must be completed within the 96 hour period prior to arrival in the Maldives AND also within the 96 hour period prior to departure from the Maldives. 

For more information we recommend visiting:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/maldives

Health

Make sure you visit your local health centre at least 2 months before departure, to be advised on any vaccinations needed. Your doctor will also have access to the most up to date information on vaccinations and medical precautions for the country you are about to visit. We recommend bringing a personal first-aid kit containing the following: high factor sun cream, lip salve, moisturiser, plasters, antiseptic cream, insect repellent, cold/flu tablets, throat lozenges, electrolyte powder, aspirin or equivalent, muscle rub, nail scissors, 100mm elastic bandage, knee/ankle supports if needed, and wet wipes. For more information we recommend visiting fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

Money

The Maldives has a non-convertible currency - Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR). This can’t be purchased beforehand. The US Dollar is also accepted as legal tender. On local islands it is usually only hotels, guesthouses, shops and larger restaurants which accept credit cards and cash is generally preferred. Most restaurants and shops will accept USD$ in payment providing change in local currency. Most local islands have an ATM issuing local currency.

Electricity

We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:

http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/