North Maldives Island Hopping - 8 Days

Male - Hulhumale. Once you have arrived at Male international airport, you will be met, and then you will take a 15-minute transfer to your accommodation in Hulhumale.

Once you’ve settled into your accommodation, you can enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Relax on the nearby beach, grab a bite at local cafes and restaurants, or visit the nearby water sports centre for some light adventure. For those arriving before 5 PM, you can join your guide at a beachside café for coffee—a favourite local pastime and a relaxed introduction to island life.

Please note: There are no ferry transfers on Fridays and public holidays. Bikinis are not permitted on local beaches but can be worn in private guesthouse areas such as gardens, balconies, or designated tourist beaches. We strongly recommend you bring your own mask and snorkel on this tour, both for hygiene reasons and to ensure a proper fit.

This itinerary applies to departures from 01 November 2026 onwards. If you're travelling before this date, please contact us, as a different itinerary applies.

Hulhumale - Mathiveri. Your tour leader meets you this morning to join the public speedboat across to Mathiveri, a local island in North Ari Atoll. After lunch, the house reef is waiting for your first underwater encounter — your guide runs through responsible snorkelling, acts as your spotter for the marine life that's easy to miss, and stays close to anyone finding their feet, checking your kit and helping you feel at ease in the water.

Later, wander the island to get your bearings and scout out the best lunch spots, stopping at a local café for 'hedika' — the Maldivian short eats, savoury and sweet, served with black tea. Before the day is out, your tour leader introduces the work of the Manta Trust and their manta ray research.

You set off by boat for another underwater encounter, gliding over reefs thick with fish and marine life — keep an eye out for turtles and sharks, and, if the atoll is feeling generous, the manta rays that pass through these waters. Sightings are never a given, but should you find them, you'll follow the manta ray code of conduct for a calm, respectful swim.

The afternoon is yours: perhaps head to Mathiveri Finolhu, a private uninhabited island edged with white sand and clear water, where — being uninhabited — a bikini is fine to wear. After dinner at your guesthouse, your tour leader turns to the pressures facing Maldivian marine life and the work of organisations like Save the Beach in easing the human impact.

Mathiveri - Ukulhas. After breakfast, we will depart from Mathiveri and head to our next island, Ukulhas. Once we arrive, we’ll take time to explore the island with our guide, learning about the Maldives’ traditional fishing culture and discovering how Ukulhas became a leader in local environmental initiatives. The island’s welcoming community and beautiful beaches offer a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Later, our Tour Leader will introduce us to the work of the Olive Ridley Project, which focuses on turtle conservation and marine research. This will prepare us for upcoming encounters in the water, so be sure to have your underwater camera ready—photos taken during snorkels can contribute to their important research database.

In the afternoon, we’ll head out for a guided snorkel along Ukulhas’ house reef, which is easily accessible from the beach. Keep watch for sea turtles as we explore the rich marine life just offshore.

After breakfast, the day opens up however you like it. If you're feeling active, there's plenty to fill it — diving, snorkelling and a spread of watersports on offer.

For a slower pace, an excursion out to a nearby sandbank or a desert island with a picnic lunch is hard to beat. And whenever the mood takes you, your tour leader is on hand for house reef snorkelling, straight in from the beach.

Ukulhas - Rasdhoo. Today you transfer to Rasdhoo, your final island, and head out by boat to snorkel a nearby reef alive with schools of reef fish, batfish, tuna and parrotfish. Rasdhoo is known for its black and white tip reef sharks, and by holding steady in the current you can watch them pass close by.

The afternoon is for exploring the island with your tour leader — a cool drink at a local café, or time by the water with the waves lapping the shore. As the light softens, you head out in search of dolphins, often seen leaping and spinning as the sun drops. Your tour leader and crew know their habits well and keep a keen watch, sharing the story of the region's different species, how they live together and the part they play in the wider ecosystem.

After breakfast, we will embark on our final underwater experience. Our guide will take us to two snorkelling sites that showcase the incredible beauty and biodiversity of the Maldives’ marine environment. It’s a fitting way to end our journey beneath the waves, leaving us with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for this unique ecosystem.

In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to take part in a beach clean-up, giving back to the island community. Afterwards, you can enjoy a refreshing Kurumba (fresh coconut water) and a relaxing swim in the ocean.

Rasdhoo - Male. We will enjoy an early breakfast before taking a public speedboat back to Male. Once we have arrived in Male, we will be transferred to Male International Airport at approximately 10 AM, where you will greet your guide and fellow travellers before departing. Safe travels!