North Male Island Hopping
North Male Island Hopping
North Male Island Hopping
8 Days Starting in Male Inter and ending in Airport Main Rd, 22000, Maldives
Visiting: Hulhumale, Malé, Dhiffushi, Thulusdhoo, Huraa
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SP2021-03
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 6
Age range:
6-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Kosher, Jain, Halal
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
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 snorkelling, 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.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival
Location: Velana International Airport, Hulhumale
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Newtown Inn
Upon arrival at Male International Airport you will be greeted by your tour leader 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 just across the road, with several local cafes and local restaurants close by, 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 & Transfer
Location: Malé, Dhiffushi
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Accommodation Name: Bibee Maldives
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Following breakfast served at the guesthouse you will transfer to Male, a 20-minute journey, where your tour leader 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. Wandering through the narrow roads of Male provides a wealth of opportunities to gain a deeper understanding about the culture, history and daily life of this unique capital city and its people.
After time for lunch transfer by local ferry to your guesthouse on the local island of Dhiffushi, North Male Atoll, 3 hours from Male. 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 at the guesthouse or on the local beach to watch the sun go down.
The Maldives is rich in marine life but unfortunately, our marine life is under threat because of activities carried out by us humans. Following dinner at your guesthouse, your tour leader will highlight the harmful practices that are pushing the balance in the eco system and what we can do to limit the impact.
Day 3 : Snorkeling & Island Tour
Location: Dhiffushi
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Accommodation Name: Bibee Maldives
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Following 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! Your tour leader will provide a briefing on responsible snorkeling
and act as your ‘spotter’ pointing out marine life that may not have caught your eye.
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.
As the afternoon cools down accompanied by your tour leader time is spent exploring Dhiffushi 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 : Discovering Culture
Location: Dhiffushi
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Accommodation Name: Bibee Maldives
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today immerse yourself in a cooking experience with local Maldivian ladies as they teach you how to prepare a traditional Maldivian dish. The Maldivian ladies will guide you through the steps of preparation, demonstrating how to skillfully grate fresh coconut using a traditional ‘Huni Gondi'. The ingredients reflect how Maldives cuisine is
characterize by tuna in its many forms, locally grown coconut and chili.
Following time for lunch, snorkel the seagrass beds with your tour leader and discover their importance to the Maldives ecosystem. Despite being one of the most valuable ecosystems on the planet, sea grass is considered unsightly, and is often deliberately removed. Your Tour Leader will help you understand the importance of sea grass and why we call it the hero of underwater protection.
This evening there is the option to join the fishermen at the harbour and learn how to fish the traditional way with just a line. Fishing is the second largest industry in the Maldives after tourism and the Maldives has one of the most sustainable fishing industries. “Fishing is the lifeblood of our nation, it is inborn. From the soil on which we live, to the sea around us, it remains an integral part of our existence“. These words will always be in the fisherman heart.
Day 5 : Transfer & Island Tour
Location: Thulusdhoo
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Accommodation Name: Dream Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We take the early morning local ferry to Thulusdhoo where after checking in to your guesthouse there will be the opportunity to explore Thulusdhoo accompanied by your tour leader. Thulusdhoo is home to the world’s only desalinated Coca-Cola production plant and an optional tour (subject to availability) 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.
End the day getting active in the water with a kayaking or SUP tour. As we navigate through the calm waters, be sure to remain attentive, as you never know, we may be joined by the presence of a graceful eagle ray or a mesmerizing shark gliding by beneath us.
Day 6 : Free Day & Optional Beach Clean
Location: Thulusdhoo
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Accommodation Name: Dream Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is a rest day! Relax on the bikini beach, or for those feeling energetic participate in the various optional watersport activities on offer.
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 : Local Island Visit & Kayak Tour
Location: Thulusdhoo, Huraa
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Accommodation Name: Dream Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We take the morning public ferry to the local island of Huraa. Discover the mangroves and freshwater lake and learn more about this fragile ecosystem. Kayak the mangrove lake and learn why the mangroves play such an important role in the Maldives. Your tour leader will coach you on how to paddle and manoeuvre the kayak before setting off to explore this unique Maldives 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 on the afternoon ferry.
Day 8 : Departure
Location: Velana International Airport, Thulusdhoo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Following breakfast, join the public ferry for the return journey to Malé and on to Malé International Airport where your tour ends.
What's Included
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Country Entry Visas
Issued upon arrival in the Maldives
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1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
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Fully Guided
Secret Paradise Certified Guide
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Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation
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Activities as detailed in itinerary
Guided house reef snorkelling tour including equipment 2 Point Snorkelling trip including equipment 1 Hour Sunset kayaking Male city walking tour The Original Villimalé Eco-tour
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Meals – Breakfast Only
Plus one local lunch and one local dinner
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Local Taxes
$3 Green tax per person per night, 10% service charge, 16% GST
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
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Accommodation
Budget Local Island Guesthouse
What's Not Included
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Travel Insurance
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International Travel
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COVID Related costs
PCR test required before departure from Maldives
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Tipping and Gratuities
Check out our Q&As
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What currencies are required for this tour?
USD
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
No we do not offer a single share option, but some of our scheduled tours do not require a single supplement.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All of our guesthouse accommodation is handpicked to provide a balance of comfort, good service, local atmosphere and value for money. All properties are audited by Secret Paradise on an annual basis. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, AC, ceiling fans and complimentary Wi-Fi, whilst water, tea and coffee is always available.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Secret Paradise is an award winning, responsible and sustainable tour company based in the Maldives. In 2020 we were commended in the ‘Meaningful Connections’ category World Responsible Tourism Awards and long listed for the 2015 'Best for engaging people and cul
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You will receive a detailed itinerary and tour voucher which will be required by Immigration upon arrival in the Maldives. You will also receive our welcome pack which contains all the information you need to plan your trip and understand what to expect from arrival to departure. You will also receive the most current guidelines in regard to travel to and around the Maldives post pandemic.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Secret Paradise is an award winning tour company and we have been guiding tours since 2012.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No it is not possible to join the tour once it has departed.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The safety and comfort of our guests and our team has always been important to us, this is why our guides are certified Emergency First Responders and Level 3 International Life Guards. Our #letusguideyou safely, health & safety policy highlights the enhancements in place post pandemic.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
By staying in local island guest houses our guests are contributing to the local economy and increasing local employment. The properties we partner are run by local island families where everyone is instrumental in the day to day running of the guest house.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Sunday - Sunday
Oct 20, 2024 - Oct 27, 2024Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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