Serene Maldives island-hopping break with whale shark excursion
- Round trip
- 8 or 9 nights
- Maldives
- £3,798.00 ]
- based on 2 travellers
Hop between the islands of Rasdhoo, Ukulhas and Malé to explore pristine sands and coral reefs - includes flights, transfers, breakfast and excursions
Immerse yourself in the treasures of the Indian Ocean, where turquoise waters meet soft white sands. This island-hopping adventure allows you to experience authentic Maldivian culture while staying in a charming collection of local guesthouses. Your journey begins with a scenic speedboat transfer to the island of Rasdhoo, located in the Northern Ari Atoll. From this ideal starting point, effortlessly explore the surrounding coral reefs, which are widely celebrated for their abundant marine life.
The next leg of your trip takes you to the island of Ukulhas, renowned for its environmental cleanliness and magnificent kilometre-long beach. Across both destinations, you'll have the chance to encounter some of the region’s most majestic residents, from playful sea turtles to gentle giant whale sharks. Finally, transition to Malé for an overnight stay, where a guided walking tour uncovers historic coral-stone architecture and bustling markets. From the quiet shores of local atolls to the thrill of open-ocean marine encounters, this getaway offers a front-row seat to the real Maldives.
Included
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Three nights in Rashdoo
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Three nights in Ukulha
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One night in Malé
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Breakfast is included throughout
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English-speaking guide during excursions only
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Day 1: Guided Rashdhoo Island tour with evening Hedhikaa experience
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Day 2: Guided half-day snorkelling and sandbank trip
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Day 3: Full-day visit to a nearby resort
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Day 4: Guided Ukulhas Island tour with Maldivian evening high tea
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Day 5: Full-day whale shark and manta snorkelling trip
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Day 6: Half-day snorkelling nearby house reef or at leisure
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Day 6: Sunset fishing with BBQ dinner
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Day 7: Guided city walk of Malé
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Return flights are included from your selected airport to Malé, Maldives
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Local ferry and speed boat transfers in-between islands and guest houses
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Shared airport transfers
Trip details
Day 1-3: Rasdhoo
Welcome to the Maldives. Upon arrival at Velana International Airport, take a shared morning speedboat transfer directly to Rasdhoo , a small island in the Northern Ari Atoll inhabited by around 1,000 incredibly welcoming locals. The scenic journey across the water takes approximately two hours. Af…
Read moreDay 4-6: Ukulhas
Board the shared local ferry this morning for your transfer to Ukulhas, a uniquely eco-friendly island celebrated for its cleanliness and impressive beach. After checking into your guesthouse, take a walking tour of the island paired with traditional Maldivian high tea.
The next morning brings …
Read moreDay 7: Malé
Take a morning ferry transfer from Ukulhas back to the capital city of Male. Check into your hotel before embarking on a guided walking tour of the city. Your guide will introduce you to the majestic Hukuru Miskiiy, established in 1656; as the island's oldest mosque, it boasts intricate wood carvin…
Read moreIncluded Excursions
Guided Rashdhoo Island tour with evening Hedhikaa experience (Day 1)
Explore the charming sandy streets of Rasdhoo on foot to understand the local traditions and lifestyle. As the afternoon cools down, sit down with the locals to sample Hedhikka, a delightful variety of sweet and savoury Maldivian bites served alongside hot black tea.
Guided half-day snorkelling and sandbank trip (Day 2)
Spend two to three hours exploring a vibrant, shallow reef exceptionally dense with corals and teeming with life. You will have the wonderful opportunity to snorkel alongside resident sea turtles feeding on the reef before traveling to a pristine sandbank to relax on pure white sand surrounded by clear turquoise waters.
Full-day visit to a nearby resort (Day 3)
Experience the premium luxury of a traditional Maldivian resort with a full-day pass. You will have complete access to the resort's swimming pools, beaches, and various amenities, with food and drinks fully included during your visit.
Guided Ukulhas Island tour with Maldivian evening high tea (Day 4)
Take a scenic walking tour through the exceptionally clean and eco-friendly island of Ukulhas. Learn about the unique history of the community before finishing your stroll at a local spot to sample traditional sweet and savoury treats.
Full-day whale shark and manta snorkelling trip (Day 5)
Embark on a thrilling full-day expedition to the nearest deep-water channels of the South Ari Atoll. Here, you will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim side-by-side with manta rays and whale sharks, the largest and most majestic fish in the sea.
Half-day snorkelling nearby house reef or at leisure (Day 6)
Dive into the magnificent underwater world of the Ukulhas house reef, where the exceptionally clear waters showcase an abundance of marine life. Glide past massive schools of colourful parrotfish, sea anemones, and eagle rays.
Sunset fishing with BBQ dinner (Day 6)
Head out into the tranquil lagoon as the sky turns brilliant shades of gold and purple to try your hand at traditional line fishing. Afterwards, return to the shore to enjoy a fresh and flavourful barbecue dinner prepared right on the beach.
Guided city walk of Malé (Day 7)
Discover the vibrant history of the capital on a guided walking tour through its bustling streets. Visit the 17th-century coral-stone Hukuru Miskiiy to admire its intricate wood carvings and solid coral structures. You'll also view the grand golden dome of the Islamic Centre dominating the skyline, explore the lively local fish and vegetable markets, and browse for authentic mementos at nearby souvenir shops.
Excluded
- Snorkelling gear and fins during leisure days on Rashdoo and Ukulhas (please see 'Additional information')
Book now, pay the rest later
Did you know, you can book now and pay the rest later with our convenient deposit payment option? If you book this deal 35 days prior to your departure, you can choose to pay in instalments. The deposit will be 35% of the deal’s price, plus any extras you may decide to add (i.e. excursions). You can review the instalment amounts and due dates in the last step before placing your booking.
Additional Information
| Conditions | Your booking is a direct contract between you and Secret Escapes Limited for the provision of your package. Secret Escapes acts as a tour operator responsible, and is therefore liable for the proper execution of the agreement. The Secret Escapes Terms and Conditions (A) apply to this booking. The Secret Escapes Cancellation Terms and Conditions apply to this booking. |
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| Passport, visa and health requirements | The passport, visa and health requirements at the time of booking can be viewed on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for UK citizens, and on the Department of Foreign Affairs website for IE citizens. It is your responsibility to ensure that you and all members of your party are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents, and in compliance with any other immigration/entry requirements, before you travel, including whether your passport must be machine readable or which visas/waivers may be required for entry, such as ESTA for USA travel and/or ETIAS for EU travel. For some countries in Southeast Asia, you may be required to complete a Digital Arrival Card or other immigration procedures prior to or upon arrival. We recommend that you complete any required digital forms as early as possible to save time upon arrival. Please also be sure to check the validity of your passport and allow up to 10 weeks for passport renewals. |
| Price changes | Please note that the flights included in this offer are subject to live availability and price, and can change during your booking process. When this is the case, we will always notify during the booking process. |
| Pet policy | Pets are not allowed on this trip. |
| Optional services | To provide you with the best choice, we partner with a wide range of airlines. Please be aware that many carriers now charge extra for optional services like seat reservations and additional baggage. These airline-specific fees are not included in your holiday price unless stated. We recommend visiting your chosen airline's website directly to review their policies and understand any potential additional charges. |
| Similar accommodation | In order to give you the best possible holiday, we sometimes offer trips where you'll be staying at one of a selection of hotels (all with the same star rating, board basis, room type and location). Mostly, you'll be staying in the hotel written up in our description, but we're unable to guarantee the exact accommodation featured on the website every time. We'll let you know the name of your hotel, at least 7 days before departure. |
| Flight times | Please note that flights may be subject to change, delay or postponement by the provider and that flight times are provisional. Don't forget to check the actual flight times before departure on the website of the airline or the airport to avoid inconvenient surprises. |
| Travel documents | You will receive all documents relevant to your trip, 7 days prior to departure at the latest |
| Optional snorkelling gear and fins during leisure days on Rashdoo and Ukulhas | For an additional fee, you can easily arrange to hire snorkelling gear and fins directly on the islands after booking. Securing equipment for your stay gives you the total freedom to explore the vibrant house reefs right from the beach whenever you please, allowing you to swim alongside colourful fish and marine life at your own pace. |
| Good to know | Please be aware that the Maldives is a Muslim country. Pork and alcohol are generally only available at certain/private islands and not on the main and local islands. |
