Northern Maldives Discovery - 8 Days

Male - Hulhumale - Villimale - Hulhumale. Upon arrival at Velana International Airport, you’ll be met by your Maldivian guide and transferred to your guesthouse in Hulhumale. After a relaxed tour briefing, you’ll head to Villimale to join the “Save the Beach” experience and explore the quieter side of city life. You will then wander the peaceful streets, learn the names of local trees, and discover the coral reef conservation and waste management efforts led by the NGO. Before returning to Hulhumale, you’ll sample traditional ‘hedika’ at a local café on the beach.

Please note: Please ensure that you arrive before midday on day 1 at Velana International Airport. The Maldives is a Muslim country, so alcohol is unavailable on local islands. 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.

Hulhumale - Male - Hanimaadhoo - Kelaa. This morning, you’ll explore and discover Male city with your guide. Once the King’s island, it was home to ancient royal dynasties and their palace, and today it is the commercial heart of the Maldives.

You’ll take the ferry to the airport and board your domestic flight to Hanimaadhoo. Enjoy stunning aerial views of the archipelago before a 30-minute speedboat ride to Kelaa, where you can settle in and freshen up.

Kelaa, meaning sandalwood, is a unique 3 km island in Haa Alif Atoll with diverse landscapes—your white sandy beaches on one side and rocky coral shores on the other. After dinner, your guide will present insights on waste management in the Maldives and Parley’s role in your fight against plastic pollution.

After breakfast, you’ll take a walking tour of the village of Kelaa, including a visit to a mosque built during the reign of Sultan Mohamed Ibn Ali. You will then have some free time to grab lunch, relax at your guesthouse, enjoy a short stroll to the beach, or join a guided snorkel on the house reef.

As the day cools down, you’ll walk with a member of the Island Development and Environmental Awareness Society (IDEAS), who will introduce you to the mangroves along Kelaa’s rocky shore—one of the largest small-leafed orange mangrove areas in the Maldives. You’ll also learn about the historical significance of ‘kandoo’ as a food source, especially during the Second World War. Later, after dinner, your guide will present the importance of seagrass in the Maldives and local efforts to protect it.

Kelaa - Vashafaru. Today, your guide will provide a presentation on the rich coral reefs and diverse marine life of the Maldives. Afterwards, you’ll take a speedboat trip to nearby reefs, where you can observe turtles, reef sharks, and a variety of colourful tropical fish in their natural habitat.

This afternoon, you will travel to Vashafaru, a charming island renowned for its long white sand spit, Vashafaru-thundi. Accompanied by your guide, you’ll discover the island’s unique character and meet local artisans, including expert carpenters and boat-builders recognised throughout the Maldives, who may be at work during your visit.

Vashafaru - Utheemu - Vashafaru. Early this morning, you’ll travel with your guide by speedboat to the historic island of Utheemu. You’ll begin with visits to Utheemu Ganduvaru, the wooden palace where Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu lived, and Kandhuvalu Mosque. Utheemu is celebrated as the birthplace of the revered Sultan, who led an eight-year resistance to expel Portuguese invaders from the Maldives between 1558 and 1573. The well-preserved palace offers a rare glimpse into the lifestyle of Maldivian nobility from centuries past.

This afternoon, you’re free to unwind on the beach under the shade of palm trees or join optional activities such as snorkelling or fishing.

Vashafaru - Baarah - Hanimaadhoo. After breakfast, you will join your guide on a speedboat to the island of Baarah, historically known as the site where the vessel Kalhuohfummi was built in the late 16th century. While the Maldives is famous for its coral reefs and beaches, its mangrove ecosystems are often overlooked—these rich ecological environments support diverse species and play a vital role in the islands' natural resilience. You’ll have time to explore and appreciate this lesser-known aspect of Maldivian nature.

Following your visit, you’ll take a short speedboat transfer to Hanimaadhoo and check in at the Barefoot ECO Hotel. The rest of your afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. After dinner, Barefoot’s resident marine biologist will share insights into the hotel’s environmental monitoring efforts and local marine life research.

Today, you will take a guided visit to the Hanimaadhoo Agricultural Centre, where you’ll explore thriving gardens rich with a variety of tropical and experimental crops. From local staples like bananas, papayas, and watermelons to more unexpected finds such as dragon fruit, grapes, and aloe vera, the centre offers a fascinating glimpse into island agriculture. You’ll also see a small greenhouse, a goat pen, and meet the team of interns supporting sustainable farming practices and nutritional awareness in the community.

Afterwards, you’ll stop at a local cafe to enjoy some refreshments before continuing back to your accommodation. The rest of the day is yours to relax, unwind on the beach, go for a swim, or explore more of the island.

Hanimaadhoo - Male. After your final breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight back to Male. Once you have arrived in Male, this will mark the end of the tour. Safe travels!