4-Night Maldives Guided Local Experience from Male' Airport

Arrive Velana International Airport (MLE) where you will be greeted by your guide, who will assist you with your public public ferry transfer to your local island in South Male Atoll. The speedboat takes 45 minutes to journey across the Indian Ocean to Gulhi where you can view the beauty of the many Maldives islands that pass you by, keeping your eyes open for dolphins.

With your Tour Leader, visit key places of interest including the fish market, local market, President's Palace and Friday Mosque. 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.

Following breakfast, accompanied by your guide, we head out by boat to nearby reefs for your underwater encounter! Your tour leader will provide a safety 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. Keep your eyes open for turtles, sharks and rays you never know what may be in the blue! Your Tour Leader will assist less confident or inexperienced snorkelers, ensuring your equipment is comfortable and you feel safe in the water.

As the heat of the day cools down, join your tour leader on a tour of the island. Visit the boat yard to stand in awe at the size of the boats under renovation, perhaps chat with the ladies sweeping the streets and experience traditional ‘hedika’ - Maldivian savoury and sweet snacks served with black tea at a local cafe.

Following breakfast, you will be taken by speedboat to snorkel in search of turtles. The soft corals available on this reef usually mean it's lunchtime all the time for turtles! Before entering the water, your tour leader will share the turtle snorkeling code of conduct, ensuring the experience is memorable for both you and the turtle. We stop off at a sandbank, a natural wonder that epitomizes the breathtaking beauty of this tropical paradise. Picture a pristine stretch of glistening white sand emerging from the crystal-clear turquoise waters, forming a tiny, isolated island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Here you have the opportunity to swim, snorkel or just lie back and relax. On the return journey to Gulhi, cruise the Indian Ocean and hopefully spot dolphins.

Back on land we leave a positive impact by planting a coconut palm for each guest and your tour leader.

This morning, we journey to Maafushi to snorkel the seagrass beds and discover their importance to the 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 seagrass and why we call it the hero of underwater protection. Following time in Maafushi for lunch we head back to Gulhi where you can choose to head to the tourist beach or for the more energetic join your guide for a final snorkeling opportunity on the house reef of Gulhi.

As the afternoon cools down there is the option to give back to the community that has welcomed us by completing a beach clean. Our reward will be a refreshing fresh Kurumba (coconut water) followed by an ocean swim!

Dinner is taken at the home of a local family, just don’t expect silver service as traditionally meals are eaten without the aid of a knife and fork!