Itinerary
- Day 1
Male
You'll arrive at Male International Airport where your tour leader meets you, then head onto MV Akoya Pearl. As you sail through North Male Atoll, you'll get your first taste of snorkeling to try out the equipment and see what the week holds. Your leader covers safety and how to spot marine life, and later there's a presentation from Manta Trust about their conservation work and environmental efforts.
Included Activities
- Snorkeling in North Male Atoll - initial equipment test and skills assessment
- Manta Trust presentation on manta ray conservation and Local Island Fund for the Environment (LIFE)
Landmarks/POIs Male International Airport North Male Atoll - Day 2
North Male Atoll to Baa Atoll
Early morning you'll navigate from North Male Atoll into Baa Atoll while having breakfast on deck. Tour leaders introduce the Olive Ridley project, which focuses on environmental monitoring and turtle studies. Before snorkeling at Dhonfanu, you'll learn the turtle code of conduct, and there's a good chance you'll see sea turtles. That evening covers manta ray biology and details about local manta populations and research.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast served while cruising)
Included Activities
- Navigation crossing North Male Atoll to Baa Atoll
- Olive Ridley project presentation on turtle conservation and environmental monitoring
- Turtle snorkeling code of conduct briefing
- Snorkeling at Dhonfanu with opportunity to encounter sea turtles
- Evening presentation on manta ray biology and research
Landmarks/POIs Dhonfanu - Day 3
Baa Atoll - Hanifaru Bay and Huraa Faru
Hanifaru Bay is your destination this morning, a UNESCO biosphere reserve and marine protected area on Baa Atoll's southeastern side. From May through November, manta rays and whale sharks show up here when plankton levels spike. Your leaders brief you on how to encounter them respectfully. In the afternoon, you'll head to the uninhabited Huraa Faru island for beach cleanup, learn about whale shark biology, then cruise to Veyofushi.
Included Activities
- Snorkeling at Hanifaru Bay with manta ray encounter briefing
- Beach cleanup activity at Huraa Faru island
- Whale shark biology and research presentation during cruise to Veyofushi
Landmarks/POIs Hanifaru Bay Dharavandoo Huraa Faru Veyofushi - Day 4
Baa Atoll to Raa Atoll
Morning snorkeling takes you to Veyofushi and Reethi Beach lagoons where manta rays hang out. When you spot them, you'll follow the manta ray code of conduct while collecting research data on size, behavior, markings, and photo IDs for Manta Trust. Later you'll cruise north into Raa Atoll to the reef at Kottefaru. An evening presentation covers Maldives geology and climate resilience work.
Included Activities
- Snorkeling at Veyofushi lagoon with manta ray encounter opportunity
- Snorkeling at Reethi Beach lagoon
- Manta ray research data collection - size, behavior, markings, photo IDs
- Snorkeling at Kottefaru reef with feeding manta ray observation
- Evening presentation on Maldives geology and climate resilience
Landmarks/POIs Veyofushi Reethi Beach Kottefaru - Day 5
Raa Atoll
You'll snorkel at several Raa Atoll sites: Dhikkuredhdhoo Finolhu, Boduhaiykodi, and Madivaafaru. While hunting for manta rays, you'll also check out different coral formations and fish species. An afternoon presentation from NGO Miyaru digs into shark conservation and the Maldives' role as a critical Indian Ocean shark sanctuary. Later there's a beach BBQ dinner under the stars at Dhorangali.
- Meals
- Dinner (BBQ beach dinner under the stars at Dhorangali (weather permitting))
Included Activities
- Snorkeling at Dhikkuredhdhoo Finolhu
- Snorkeling at Boduhaiykodi
- Snorkeling at Madivaafaru with manta ray encounter opportunity
- NGO Miyaru presentation on shark conservation and environmental monitoring
- Special BBQ beach dinner under the stars at Dhorangali
Landmarks/POIs Dhikkuredhdhoo Finolhu Boduhaiykodi Madivaafaru Dhorangali - Day 6
Raa Atoll to Baa Atoll
You'll head back into Baa Atoll to visit Kamadhoo, a local island where you can experience community life firsthand. Your leader walks you through sandy lanes as residents go about their day. You'll learn about the Soneva Namoona project on waste reduction, stop at a local cafe for coconut, then snorkel at either Dhonfanu or Dhaandhoo Reef. An evening discussion covers threats to marine life and sustainable practices.
Included Activities
- Local island tour of Kamadhoo with cultural and community experience
- Visit to Soneva Namoona waste management project site
- Local cafe refreshment stop for Kurumba (coconut)
- Snorkeling at either Dhonfanu or Dhaandhoo Reef
- Evening presentation on marine ecosystem threats and human impact
Landmarks/POIs Kamadhoo Dhonfanu Dhaandhoo Reef - Day 7
Baa Atoll to North Male Atoll
You're cruising back from Baa Atoll to North Male Atoll, spending time reviewing trip data and research findings. You'll stop at Huraa to visit a mangrove lake and learn why mangrove ecosystems matter. There's time to see traditional fish drying and try rihakaru paste, a local food. Your final anchorage is at Hulhumale.
Included Activities
- Cruise data compilation and review of research findings
- Visit to Huraa mangrove lake with ecosystem education
- Observation of traditional fish drying process
- Rihakaru paste tasting experience
Landmarks/POIs Huraa Hulhumale - Day 8
Male
You'll transfer from MV Felicity to Male International Airport for your onward journey.
Landmarks/POIs Male International Airport
