Maldive Dhoni Cruise

8 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
Board a traditional Maldivian dhoni cruise and sail through idyllic turquoise waters and palm-fringed beaches. This relaxing journey includes the islands of South Male, Felidhoo and Meemu, visiting remote fishing communities and stopping at beautiful reefs for snorkelling in crystal clear waters. Uninhabited islands and pristine beaches - Visit unspoilt, i...
19%
$2,448
From$1,990
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

    • Relax on this cruise as we travel between remote and idyllic islands
    • Snorkel and swim amid spectacular reef flora and fauna
    • Spend time with the local Maldivian people, away from the tourist hubs

What's this trip about?

    Board a traditional Maldivian dhoni cruise and sail through idyllic turquoise waters and palm-fringed beaches. This relaxing journey includes the islands of South Male, Felidhoo and Meemu, visiting remote fishing communities and stopping at beautiful reefs for snorkelling in crystal clear waters. Uninhabited islands and pristine beaches - Visit unspoilt, idyllic corners of the Maldives, far away from the tourist resorts Snorkelling and swimming in tropical waters- Enjoy warm, clear water and go snorkelling for opportunities to spot manta ray, turtle, clown fish and other sea life on beautiful reefs Traditional fishing villages - Learn about local life in this tropical and remote paradise

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityMale
End CityMale Airport

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Activities

  • Hiking

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join trip in Male

Our adventure begins in Male at the hotel where we spend the night. The circumference of the island is little more than 5 kilometres so it's very easy to explore on foot, and is a hive of activity, in stark contrast to the laid-back islands of the archipelago that we ...

Day 2 Sail to Vavuu Atoll and explore Kuda Anbaraa Island

This morning we walk to the waterfront to meet our moored dhoni and crew. We take our breakfast on the boat and then begin cruising south for two to three hours, passing through the Vaadhoo Canal to the South Male Atoll - a smaller and quieter neighbour to the more d...

Day 3 Snorkel in the clear waters of the Meemu Atoll

Today we sail south for a further two to three hours, crossing to Meemu Atoll - home to one of the longest stretches of reef in the Maldives. On this or other crossings, we may be lucky enough to be chased by spinner dolphins, sometimes swimming and jumping alongside ...

Day 4 Cruise to Dhiggaru Island for a Bodu Beru display

After a relaxed start, we head east to the inhabited island of Dhiggaru. Here, we drop our anchor by a particularly good snorkelling reef. Later in the afternoon, when it has cooled down a bit, we plan to go ashore to meet the island's inhabitants. We may be struck by...

Day 5 Visit the traditional village of Felidhoo

Today, we head back to Felidhoo Atoll and its administrative centre, Felidhoo. With a population of about 400, this is the least populated of all the country's administrative centres. Again, we take time to visit the village and have the opportunity to enjoy a Bodu Beru performance in the evening, the traditional folk music of the country.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 Discover Hulhidhoo reef before sailing to Fulidhoo

By now, we are likely to be feeling completely relaxed, as our routine of reading, sunbathing and napping between island stops and snorkelling spots has become second nature. With a subtly different name to our previous day's stop-off, we break today's journey with a ...

Day 7 Sail to Male stopping to snorkel at Embudhoo Reef

Our last day on the boat sees us cruising back towards Male. We take the opportunity for some final snorkelling and swimming, before enjoying a farewell meal with our boat crew.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 Trip ends in Male

The trip ends after breakfast on our dhoni in Male. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Male at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at the airport for a cost of $6 per it...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,990
Price per day$249
Last Updated: 5/8/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Explore!.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
6,777
Great
2,252
Average
379
Disappointing
120
Terrible
57
K

Kevin

Apr 2024

Written on

Maldive Dhoni Cruise

2nd time on this trip , wonderful time again , trip leader Moosa amazing , saving my underwater camera first day , diving straight in to retrieve it when I dropped i...

G

Grant

Apr 2024

Written on

Maldive Dhoni Cruise

Moosa was a excellent guide with a vast knowledge base of Maldives and the beauty within.

S

Sarah

Mar 2024

Written on

Maldive Dhoni Cruise

The whole trip was absolutely amazing! Our tour leader, Hai was so knowledgeable about all the marine life and took care to ensure that everybody was included and ge...

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Tour Operator

Explore!

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About Explore

We've been taking small groups on adventure vacations for over 41 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 11; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the heart of our destinations. Explore is one of the world's most trusted adventure travel companies with over 350 trips to more than 100 countries. We are passionate about travel and have developed a wide range of unique activities and adventures which give our customers an unforgettable experience with a team of award-winning Explore leaders. With Explore, you'll get to see your destination from a whole new perspective that takes you away from the typical well-trodden tourist track. You'll have the chance to meet, dine and stay with local people, rest in authentic accommodation with other like-minded explorers and travel to must-see destinations with a unique Explore twist. From family holidays to trips for solo travelers; cycling tours to wildlife safaris; trekking on mountains or exploring miles of scenic coastline, there is something for every kind of traveler with Explore. We will provide our expert knowledge, exciting itineraries and outstanding service as part of our sustainable travel experiences which take you under the skin of the country you're visiting for the adventure of a lifetime.


Why we love this operator
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
What they’re known for
Famous for our expert local guides that help ease the unknowns of adventure travel while bringing a unique richness and spontaneity to each and every

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Logistics

Transportation & Flights

Boat,

Transportation & flights

Boat
Guides
Boat Crew, Cook, Explore Representative
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Maldives: Citizens of the UK, Australia, New Zealand, US and Canada are given a free 30 day permit on arrival, provided they meet the entry requirements. Please note that visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination, including countries you plan to transit or transfer through. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. www.immigration.gov.mv/tourist-visa An on-line Traveller Declaration form must be filled in and submitted by all clients travelling to and from the Maldives, within 96hours to the flight time. The form has to be submitted electronically via: www.imuga.immigration.gov.mv/ethd Flights via Sri Lanka: If your flight requires you to transit in Sri Lanka then you will not be required to obtain a Sri Lankan visa if your transit time is less than 48hrs. The Sri Lankan authorities require that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after departure from Sri Lanka.
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis & polio. Travellers may wish to immunise themselves against meningitis. PLease consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Please take preventative measures to avoid mosquito bites - these include mosquito repellent as well as long trousers and long sleeve shirts to cover up when necessary. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 7
  • Dinner : 7
  • Lunch : 6
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
explore-MC

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