Maldives North Ari Island Hopping - 8 Days

Upon arrival at Male Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your guesthouse on Hulhumale. Settle in after your flight before taking your first steps on the sands of this tropical urban paradise. For those arriving early there is an optional walking tour to the island of Villimale situated on the west side of Male, which is often described as the ‘quieter side of Male’.

This morning you will be accompanied to Male to catch your transfer to the local island of Rasdhoo, North Ari Atoll. Upon arrival you will have time to settle in before taking lunch. As the afternoon cools down accompanied by your guide time is spent exploring Rasdhoo with the opportunity to learn about the local way of life including a visit to the Mosque, stop and chat with children playing in the street and watch the ladies of the community begin their evening meal preparations. Stop by a local cafe to sample traditional ‘hedika’ - Maldivian savoury and sweet short eats served with black tea.

Rasdhoo is close to some of the best dive sites in the Maldives so if you’re a diver get yourself signed up at the local dive centre. Divers may wish for an early start tomorrow and opt to join a dive to Hammerhead Point. During the manta season (November to April) there are opportunities for spectacular close encounters with these majestic large rays.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then simply do your own thing. There are regular snorkelling excursions giving non-divers the opportunity to discover the colorful marine life and coral reefs in this area. Alternatively, join the catamaran sailing excursion and spend the day cruising, sunbathing, snorkelling and swimming. These activities are subject to availability and paid locally. Late afternoon you will head out for an unguided sunset kayaking tour. Kayak through the beautiful lagoon and enjoy the sunset from the ocean.

We'll make sure you'll catch your transfer a bit later in the morning to your next local island destination - Ukulhas. You will arrive just in time for lunch. After lunch, take time to explore the island with your guide and learn more about the tradition of fishing in the Maldives and discover why it was the island to lead the way for environmental practices. Not only does Ukulhas have some beautiful beaches, but the local community here are particularly friendly and will be delighted to engage in conversation with you and show off their home island.

Following breakfast, the day is yours to do as you please. For the energetic, enjoy the many excursions available including diving, snorkeling and a variety of watersports. For those less active, perhaps an excursion with a picnic lunch to a nearby sandbank or uninhabited desert island suits. The house reef at Ukulhas is worth getting in the water for and can be accessed easily from the beach, your guide will be happy to accompany you on a guided house reef snorkel.

Why not book a whaleshark day trip to South Ari Atoll. South Ari Atoll is very lucky to have a probable unique year-round population of Whale sharks. Nowhere else in the world boasts Whale sharks every single month of the year and furthermore many of the sharks seen are the same individuals time after time. You may encounter 1 or 2 sharks in half an hour or given that they are wild creatures in their natural habitat we may not encounter one for the whole time we are searching. However the unpredictability all adds to the excitement! If we do spot them we will have the opportunity to snorkel alongside them, a truly magical experience. All the suggested experiences are paid locally.

Today the morning is yours to enjoy as you like. You'll have time for lunch before moving on to our third island destination, Mathiveri. Once again you will be provided with a briefing on the island and activities available. Spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring the island with your guide, stop for a refreshing drink at a local café or just relax by the ocean listening to the gentle lap of the waves on the shore. This evening before the sun sets we head out in search of dolphins which can often be seen jumping and spinning as the sun sinks on the horizon.

Following breakfast a guided snorkelling tour will take you out to close-by reefs - keep your eyes open for turtles and, if you are lucky, manta rays. Spend a leisurely afternoon after the more active morning, or alternatively go and visit Mathiveri Finolhu, a private uninhabited island fringed with a white sandy beach and surrounded by crystal clear water. As this is an uninhabited island, it is possible to wear a bikini.

Wake up and enjoy your last breakfast on this paradise island before catching your transfer back to Male. On arrival in Male you will be assisted with your transfer onwards to Male International Airport where your trip ends.

Airport & domestic transfer assistance
7 nights of standard accommodation including breakfast
All guesthouse facilities including tea, coffee, daily bottle of water & free Wi-Fi
Transfers between the local islands
Sunset kayaking tour on Rasdhoo (unguided)
Dolphin cruise on Mathiveri
Complimentary local island tours
24/7 in-country guide
All local taxes