Maldives Dhoni Explorer - 7 Days

From £1,224£175 per daySave 26%

Trip Snapshot

Genders

  • Female50%
  • Male50%

Average age

49
12 Min100 Max

Start / End

  • Male
  • Male

Physical rating

3/5

Group size

1 - 14

Meals included

18

Highlights

  • Embark on an enchanting seven-day adventure aboard a traditional Maldivian dhoni boat, cruising through the world's most spectacular turquoise lagoons, isolated sandbars, and picture-perfect beaches.
  • Immerse yourself in an underwater paradise with daily snorkeling excursions to vibrant coral reefs and intriguing shipwrecks. Keep watch for an astonishing array of marine life, including graceful turtles, majestic reef sharks, elegant stingrays, and captivating octopuses.
  • Discover idyllic island gems across the South Malé and Felidhu Atolls. Disembark to explore pristine, uninhabited beaches, like those on Bodu Moro Island, offering unparalleled photo opportunities and moments of serene solitude.
  • Indulge in ultimate relaxation on your dhoni's sun-drenched deck, soaking up the calming sea breezes and panoramic ocean views, while savoring delicious, freshly prepared local seafood meals onboard.
  • Experience authentic Maldivian culture with visits to local islands such as Fulidhoo and Felidhu. Witness the traditional craft of boat-building and, on Fulidhoo, be captivated by a lively Bodu Beru performance.
  • Contribute to the preservation of this breathtaking paradise with a meaningful 'G for Good Moment' by participating in a Maldives Plastic Clean Up, ensuring the pristine beauty of these islands for generations to come.
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Free Brochure

Uncover insider tips, see a packing list and view a detailed itinerary and accommodation information.

Summary

The extraordinary islands of the Maldives are some of the world's most spectacular and a multi-day cruise on a dhoni boat is the best way to take it all in. This seven-day cruise takes you to turquoise lagoons, perfect beaches, and isolated sandbars that might have only existed in your dreams until now. Every day offers calming sea breezes and countless photo opportunities with time in between to relax on the sundeck or socialize with fellow travellers over a great seafood meal. With a dhoni cruise boat as your home base for this adventure, you'll have everything you need at your fingertips.

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Male/South Malé Atoll

    On arrival you will be met by the CEO at the airport. Then, the group will transfer to the airport marina to embark on today’s snorkelling excursion. Afterwards, travel to the dhoni boat where we will meet our captain and crew. Once settled into our cabins, we will depart.

  • Day 2

    South Malé Atoll/Felidhu Atholhu

    Spend the next five days cruising around the South Malé and Felidhu atolls, disembarking to visit islands and sandbars along the way. Snorkel ship wrecks and reefs and Bodu Moro Island is home to idyllic uninhabited beaches – the perfect photo opt.

    Aboard the dhoni, spend free time as you please – lounge on the sundecks and take in the views, relax with a good book, or socialize with fellow travellers as you enjoy delicious local seafood.

    Off the boat, opt to swim and enjoy snorkelling about twice a day amongst the spectacular marine life of the Maldives. The shallow islands and amazing coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and octopuses. Cruise to the southernmost point of South Malé Atoll before crossing the channel into Felidhu Atoll. The main industry here is fishing and there is typically an opportunity to see traditional boat-building on at least one of the islands.

  • Day 3

    South Malé Atoll/Felidhu Atholhu

    Spend the next five days cruising around the South Malé and Felidhu atolls, disembarking to visit islands and sandbars along the way. Snorkel ship wrecks and reefs and Bodu Moro Island is home to idyllic uninhabited beaches – the perfect photo opt.

    Aboard the dhoni, spend free time as you please – lounge on the sundecks and take in the views, relax with a good book, or socialize with fellow travellers as you enjoy delicious local seafood.

    Off the boat, opt to swim and enjoy snorkelling about twice a day amongst the spectacular marine life of the Maldives. The shallow islands and amazing coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and octopuses. Cruise to the southernmost point of South Malé Atoll before crossing the channel into Felidhu Atoll. The main industry here is fishing and there is typically an opportunity to see traditional boat-building on at least one of the islands.

  • Day 4

    South Malé Atoll/Felidhu Atholhu

    Spend the next five days cruising around the South Malé and Felidhu atolls, disembarking to visit islands and sandbars along the way. Snorkel ship wrecks and reefs and Bodu Moro Island is home to idyllic uninhabited beaches – the perfect photo opt.

    Aboard the dhoni, spend free time as you please – lounge on the sundecks and take in the views, relax with a good book, or socialize with fellow travellers as you enjoy delicious local seafood.

    Off the boat, opt to swim and enjoy snorkelling about twice a day amongst the spectacular marine life of the Maldives. The shallow islands and amazing coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and octopuses. Cruise to the southernmost point of South Malé Atoll before crossing the channel into Felidhu Atoll. The main industry here is fishing and there is typically an opportunity to see traditional boat-building on at least one of the islands.

  • Day 5

    South Malé Atoll/Felidhu Atholhu

    Spend the next five days cruising around the South Malé and Felidhu atolls, disembarking to visit islands and sandbars along the way. Snorkel ship wrecks and reefs and Bodu Moro Island is home to idyllic uninhabited beaches – the perfect photo opt.

    Aboard the dhoni, spend free time as you please – lounge on the sundecks and take in the views, relax with a good book, or socialize with fellow travellers as you enjoy delicious local seafood.

    Off the boat, opt to swim and enjoy snorkelling about twice a day amongst the spectacular marine life of the Maldives. The shallow islands and amazing coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and octopuses. Cruise to the southernmost point of South Malé Atoll before crossing the channel into Felidhu Atoll. The main industry here is fishing and there is typically an opportunity to see traditional boat-building on at least one of the islands.

  • Day 6

    South Malé Atoll/Felidhu Atholhu

    Spend the next five days cruising around the South Malé and Felidhu atolls, disembarking to visit islands and sandbars along the way. Snorkel ship wrecks and reefs and Bodu Moro Island is home to idyllic uninhabited beaches – the perfect photo opt.

    Aboard the dhoni, spend free time as you please – lounge on the sundecks and take in the views, relax with a good book, or socialize with fellow travellers as you enjoy delicious local seafood.

    Off the boat, opt to swim and enjoy snorkelling about twice a day amongst the spectacular marine life of the Maldives. The shallow islands and amazing coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and octopuses. Cruise to the southernmost point of South Malé Atoll before crossing the channel into Felidhu Atoll. The main industry here is fishing and there is typically an opportunity to see traditional boat-building on at least one of the islands.

  • Day 7

    South Malé Atoll/Male

    In the morning, make the short crossing to Malé. The tour ends on arrival at Malé International Airport.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    Dhoni boat (6 nts).

  • Meals

    Breakfasts: 6, Lunches: 6, Dinners: 6

    Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.

    Vegetarian options available

  • Local Guide

    Guided

    This adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.

  • Wifi

    Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.

Dates & Prices

  • Jul 2026

    from £1,224
  • Aug 2026

    from £1,504
  • Sep 2026

    from £1,306
  • Oct 2026

    from £1,306
  • Nov 2026

    from £1,880
  • Dec 2026

    from £2,009
  • Jan 2027

    from £2,009
  • Feb 2027

    from £2,009
  • Mar 2027

    from £2,009
  • Apr 2027

    from £1,633
  • May 2027

    from £1,633
  • Jul 2027

    from £1,633
  • Aug 2027

    from £1,880
  • Sep 2027

    from £1,633
  • Oct 2027

    from £1,633
  • Nov 2027

    from £1,880
  • Dec 2027

    from £2,009
  • Save 21%
    Sunday 5 Jul 2026to Saturday 11 Jul 2026
    Guaranteed Departure
    £1,649£1,306
    Solo Room from +£980
  • Save 21%
    Sunday 12 Jul 2026to Saturday 18 Jul 2026
    🔥2 spaces of 14 leftGuaranteed Departure
    £1,649£1,306
    Solo Room from +£980
  • Save 26%
    Sunday 19 Jul 2026to Saturday 25 Jul 2026
    6+ spaces of 14 leftGuaranteed Departure
    £1,649£1,224
    Best offer
    Solo Room from +£980
  • Save 26%
    Sunday 26 Jul 2026to Saturday 1 Aug 2026
    6+ spaces of 14 leftGuaranteed Departure
    £1,649£1,224
    Best offer
    Solo Room from +£980

Customer reviews & ratings

(4.7 out of 5)
Based on 223 reviews
  • This was a magical trip! Mind you, I was exceptionally lucky with my trip companions also - we gelled well despite the wide age band (20s to l60s) and everyone was supportive with each other. I absolutely loved the dhoni trip! So much so that on the last night on board, I wondered how I was going to be able to return to work & the real world after it. It was a magical trip, with our amazing guide, Hi & the crew who could not have done anything more to make the trip amazing, including a couple of unscheduled stops to swim with Manta Rays (15 of them!) & dolphins (uncountable!) - they just couldn?t do enough t make our trip enjoyable! 10 isn?t a high enough rating! The Sea Farer team are the best & I specifically tell people to ask for that dhoni!

    Kathleen Nov, 2025 Verified
  • A very good holiday. Good snorkelling spots, everything worked, well paced and perfectly managed by Igan Generally everything goes well, however the amount of beauracracy required especially given there is a ?middleman? travel agent can be confusing

    Alastair Apr, 2025 Verified

Essential trip information

Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.

Frequently asked questions

  • What kind of accommodation can I expect on the Maldives Dhoni Explorer tour?

    You will be staying on a traditional dhoni boat for 6 nights. Please note that space on board is tight, and you will be sharing a small room and facilities with a fellow passenger or travel partner. The sleeping quarters are kept to a minimum size to maximize public space. The skipper will also share the ship's quarters and amenities. You should bring your own toiletries, and Wi-Fi is not available on board.
  • What meals are included during the tour?

    The tour includes 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 6 dinners. You will enjoy home-cooked meals prepared by the on-board chef, featuring generous portions of seafood and typical dishes. Drinking water is provided.
  • Are there options for purchasing beverages on board?

    Yes, beer, wine, and soft drinks are available for purchase on board. US Dollars, Euros, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted. Please note that credit card payments will incur an additional 5% charge.
  • What activities are included and what marine life can I expect to see?

    The tour includes a Maldives Plastic Clean Up, visits to Fulidhoo Island (including a Bodu Beru performance), Felidhu Island, and Bodu Mora Island. You will also have ample beach time and opportunities to swim and snorkel about twice a day among the spectacular marine life. Keep an eye out for turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, octopuses, and a variety of tropical fish.
  • Is snorkeling equipment provided, or should I bring my own?

    Masks and snorkels will be provided onboard the boat. Fins for snorkeling are also provided, so please inform us of your shoe/fin size at the time of booking to ensure proper sizing.
  • What is the typical group size for this tour?

    The maximum group size is 14 travellers, with an average of 12.
  • Who will be leading the tour?

    The group will be led by a Skipper/CEO (Chief Experience Officer) and crew. The CEO will provide information, offer suggestions, recommend local eating venues, and introduce you to local friends. They have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited, and local guides are also used for specific knowledge.
  • What currency should I bring, and are ATMs available?

    US Dollars are the best foreign currency to bring, and they are accepted for payments and souvenirs on the islands, with change often given in local currency. Euros are also accepted for your beverage bill on board. There are no ATMs outside of Malé, so ensure you bring sufficient funds. Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) cannot be purchased beforehand and can only be exchanged back into original currency upon departure with a receipt from the airport bank.
  • How much emergency money is recommended for this trip?

    It is recommended to have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an emergency fund for unforeseen circumstances.
  • What is the dress code to respect local customs?

    Dress standards are conservative in Asia. Modest clothing is strongly recommended, especially when off the boat and on the islands. This means covering shoulders, wearing knee-length shorts/skirts, and avoiding singlets, tank tops, bikinis, and topless sunbathing.
  • Are there any health considerations or medical forms required?

    Inoculations may be required, so consult your travel doctor for up-to-date medical travel information. It is recommended to carry a First Aid kit and personal medical requirements. Travelers with pre-existing medical conditions must complete a short medical questionnaire signed by their physician to confirm fitness for the trip.
  • Is travel insurance compulsory for this trip?

    Yes, travel insurance is compulsory. You will need to show proof of medical coverage, including a minimum of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue, to your CEO at the start of the trip. Personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, and luggage loss coverage are also strongly recommended.
  • Are there laundry facilities on the boat?

    There are no laundry facilities onboard the dhoni. You may hand wash items as needed, and detergent is usually available or you can bring a travel-size biodegradable detergent.
  • What is the policy for solo travelers?

    Single travelers are typically paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip, without an additional single supplement. However, if you book the "My Own Room" option, you will receive your own single room for all night stops.
  • What are the age requirements for this tour?

    The minimum age to travel unaccompanied is 18. For minors traveling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.
  • Are international flights included in the tour price?

    No, international flights are generally not included in the price of this tour.
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