Real Maldives

Upon arrival at Velana International Airport you will be welcomed by our Maldivian representative who will complete an introductory briefing. You will join the 13:00 shared scheduled speedboat departure for a two-hour journey northwest to Baa Atoll and the island of Goidhoo.

On arrival, your property representative will greet you and take you to your accommodation, home for the next 2 nights. Then it’s time to hit the beach for a sunset swim before dinner.

Goidhoo retains a cultural feel with ancient mosques and wells. The island’s natural wonders include freshwater lakes, which are quite unusual in the Maldives, mangroves, and a beautiful beach, as well as many vegetable and fruit farms.

Following breakfast, take your first Maldives underwater encounter. Your guide will provide a safety briefing on responsible snorkelling and act as your ‘spotter’ during the experience, pointing out marine life that may not have caught your eye. They will assist less confident or inexperienced snorkellers, ensuring your equipment is comfortable and you feel safe in the water. There will be the opportunity to see turtles, reef sharks, and rays, as well as a multitude of colourful fish.

Back on dry land, in the afternoon you will explore the island of Goidhoo. In the 19th century, a female African slave who had been bought by the king on his Hajj trip to Mecca was formally released from slavery. A house and a well were built for her to settle on Goidhoo. The freeing of slaves before the death of the owner was a common practice among the very high nobility in the Maldives. There are families in Goidhoo that can trace their descendancy to this African ancestor.

This morning we kayak one of the island’s mangrove lakes and learn why the mangroves play such an important role in the Maldives. Your guide will coach you on how to paddle and manoeuvre the kayak before we set off to explore this unique Maldives ecosystem.

After lunch, take a short speedboat transfer to Fulhadhoo, arguably one of the most beautiful islands of the Baa Atoll. After checking into your local accommodation take a tropical forest walk through woodland and small farming plots to enjoy sunset at Thundi beach. Don’t forget your torch!

This morning you will meet the ladies of the local Women’s Development Committee (WDC). Island WDCs play an important role in mobilising local women and providing an avenue for women to network, collaborate and implement initiatives for community development. Under their watchful gaze, you will learn how to make mashuni (a typical Maldivian breakfast dish comprising of tuna, onion, coconut, and chilli) and roshi (flatbread).

After a free morning with the option to book diving or snorkelling, enjoy an idyllic journey through Goidhoo Atoll, hopping from one sandbank to the next. The final stop will be on an uninhabited Robinson Crusoe island, where there will be time to stroll along the powder-white beaches before a traditional fish and coconut BBQ as the sun sets.

After breakfast, visit Fulhadhoo’s coral nursery where you will learn the story behind the project and understand why coral rehabilitation projects are extremely important in the Maldives. If you’re lucky and he is in town you will meet Sendi, the Maldives first ever Dive Instructor and an international diving celebrity!

In the afternoon, spend time giving back to the community that has welcomed you by participating in an island clean. Your reward will be an ocean swim!

Today we are heading back to Malé for our domestic transfer to Reethi Faru Resort where you will have time to unwind, relax, and enjoy some of the activities that are on offer.

Located in Baa Atoll, and reached by boat, we will be staying at Reethi Faru Resort on an all-inclusive basis so you can just relax and enjoy!

There’s plenty to occupy you at Reethi Faru. If you are feeling active there is a watersports centre, a pool and a fitness centre, plus courts for tennis, badminton and squash. Reethi Faru also has its own Dive Centre should you want more diving.
You might want to get involved with one of the environmental activities through the resort’s Marine Centre; for example palm tree planting or coral reef restoration.
Or simply lie back and relax on the white sandy beach, and maybe pop to the spa for a treatment?

Another free day to enjoy Reethi Faru; will it be more relaxation, or will you be feeling more active today? Perhaps today is the day for stand-up paddleboarding or yoga? How about one of the excursions the resort offers? It’s entirely up to you!

Today is our final full day in the Maldives. Enjoy the sunrise, enjoy the sunset with a cocktail in hand, and enjoy your last full day in paradise.

This marks the end of our Maldivian adventure.