5 southern atolls snorkeling cruise

Day 1: Male - Boarding - Male South Atoll

Arrival at Male usually in the morning. The program for this first day depends on international flight arrival times. Welcome at the airport and pick-up by your guide. Transfer to your boat (15-minute trip). Installation on board and presentation of the boat, crew and program. Lunch on board. Sailing (1 hour) and first swim in 30°C water near a sandbank. Sailing (1h30) to the south of the atoll. Anchorage and overnight in Rihiveli lagoon.

Day 2: Rihiveli Lagoon - Dhigurah Island - South Ari Atoll

This morning, we have a great chance of meeting our first dolphins and enjoying an early morning swim in their company. We then lift anchor for a change of atoll, moving away from the hotel islands to play "Robinson" in the lagoons of Ari Atoll. Ari Atoll is world-famous for its seabed, populated by numerous species including manta rays and whale sharks. We reach Dhigurah Island, after scouring the Maamigili reef for whale sharks. Back on board, books are available in the library to learn more about the varieties and species we'll encounter on our explorations. At the end of the day, we can go ashore to visit the small village of Dhigurah.

Day 3: Whale shark - Faafu atoll

After breakfast, another snorkeling trip in search of whale sharks. We then set sail for Faafu atoll. We sail to our evening anchorage in the middle of the atoll, near a deserted island close to Filitheyo.

Day 4: Madifushi - Meemu Atoll

After a beautiful evening of observation, the morning begins with breakfast, followed by a short sail to Meemu atoll. If snorkeling conditions are optimal, we'll take advantage of a short stop to observe the pelagic fauna along the outer reef of the atoll's southern tip, close to Kolhufushi. We approach the atoll's capital, the village of Muli, to discover a snorkeling site close to our anchorage for the night.

Day 5: Muli - Fenboa - Meemu Atoll

After breakfast, we sail northwest towards the desert island of Fenboa. We'll spend the day and night near this superb desert island, where we'll be able to enjoy its beautiful stretch of sand and exceptionally rich reef!

Day 6: Vattaru - Alimata Veli - Felidhoo Atoll

This day will be punctuated by sailing and snorkeling stops such as the small atoll of Vattaru and the unforgettable Hulidhoo reef to the east of Felidhoo atoll. Many local fishermen cast their lines in this very fishy area! For the night, we'll anchor close to a beautiful sandbar, near the island-hotel of Alimata.

Day 7: Fulidhoo - Felidhoo Atoll

After snorkeling in Alimata's northern pass, we'll head for the Kudi Boli sandbar. Our aim will be to meet the turtles that are regular visitors here! We'll head back up to the north of the atoll for an overnight anchorage in the lagoon of the charming village of Fulidhoo, where we'll be able to visit and meet the locals.

Day 8: Male South Atoll

1h30 crossing to reach the Male South atoll. Stop near a Vilivaru Velli sandbank, where we'll see a different kind of aquatic fauna: octopus and lobster hide between the coral boulders. At the end of the afternoon, we sail (30 min.) to spend the night in the lagoon of Guraidhoo village.

Day 9: Guraidhoo - Male

We'll move on to another snorkeling site, Embudu house reef ... with magnificent corals and yet more species of multicolored fish. After the afternoon snorkeling at around 3 p.m., we'll head to Male for a short walking tour of the capital (island 2.5 km long and 1.5 km wide). The mosque, the exterior of the presidential palace, the bazaar where all Maldivian transactions take place, the fruit and vegetable market and the fish market are all areas of great activity at this time of day. After a final shopping spree, around 6 p.m. we return to the boat. Overnight in the lagoon on Faruk Island (Hulumalé marina).

Day 10: Departure

Then breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your return flight. If your flight is at the end of the day, we suggest you enjoy a day on the island-hotel of Embudu (or similar).

The cruise itinerary is given as an indication only and may be modified according to weather conditions, sea state and participants' arrival/departure times.

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