Original
Sailing
Sail Maldives
8 days • 5
5
Excellent
7 reviews
8 days
Start
Male, Maldives
Finish
Male, Maldives
Trip Code
HPSM
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
Transport
Dhoni
Accommodation
Traditional dhoni style boat (7 nights)
From £1,586(8 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Soak up the beauty of bright blue waters, white sands, palm trees and marine life with one full week cruising aboard a private, traditional dhoni in the Maldives.
Swim and snorkel every day with tropical fish by your side – you might even be lucky enough to swim with manta rays, stingrays, triggerfish, turtles, reef sharks and nurse sharks – the Maldives is home to the biggest population in the world!
Snorkel at Biyaadhoo Reef to see the resident green turtles and schools of red-tooth triggerfish and bannerfish. Explore the colourful coral garden near Maafushi, with its beautiful drop off full of tabletop corals and oriental sweetlips.
Be treated to fresh, local Maldivian cuisine with a cooking demonstration where you’ll learn how to make traditional mas huni and Maldivian tuna curry. Then, have tea at a small, locally owned cafe.
Enjoy a beachside dinner with traditional East African Bodu Beruand Langiri folk music, and dance with the locals as the sun goes down, moving to the beat of the drums.
Is this trip right for you?
This trip is aboard a traditional dhoni (a traditional wooden motor sailing boat). All cabins have twin bunk beds and will have ensuite bathrooms, are on the lower deck. It’s recommended that you pack light, as cabins are cosy.
All cabins will experience a light engine noise when the ship is moving (and occasionally when you drop anchor). It’s probably worth packing earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.
A good swimming ability is essential on this trip to enjoy all activities.
Time on the water also means time in the sun. Remember to pack sun protection, such as sunscreen and a hat, and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. See ‘Essential Trip Information’ below for a full packing list.
If you’re travelling with your own group of friends or family and would like to book a private departure on this sailing trip, our Tailor-Made team will be happy to help: https://www.tuuur.com/tailor-made https://www.tuuur.com/tailor-made (https://www.tuuur.com/tailor-made)
Itinerary
Snorkel among the colourful corals and marine life of the Maldives on a sailing trip
Take a trip to paradise and climb aboard a traditional dhoni boat for a sailing trip through the Maldives. On this eight-day getaway, you’ll spend your days sailing, swimming and snorkelling among colourful corals, white-sand beaches, mangroves and tropical fish. Maybe see dolphins, turtles, manta rays and nurse sharks and watch the gorgeous sunsets to end each day of bliss. Have tea and locally made sweets with the locals on tiny islands, be treated to a traditional music and dance performance after dinner on the beach and learn how to make Madivian cuisine with a cooking demonstration and breakfast. With a local crew and leader by your side, you’ll be sure to see all the best bits of island living!
Inclusions
Meals
7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
Transport
Dhoni
Accommodation
Traditional dhoni style boat (7 nights)
Included activities
South Male Atoll - Swim stop
Rihivelli Lagoon - Swim stop
Kudi Boli - Snorkelling
Anbaraa - snorkelling
Ruhhurihuraa - snorkelling
Keyodhoo shipwreck - snorkelling
Hulhidhoo - snorkelling
Coral Garden (Vaavu Atoll) - snorkelling
Fulidhoo - Village walk
Fulidhoo - Wooden boats construction experience
Fulidhoo - Evening Hedhikaa Experience
Biyaadhoo house reef - snorkelling
Coral Garden Guraidhoo Island - snorkelling
Fulidhoo - Visit to a local cafe
Fulidhoo - Maldivain Theme Beach Dinner
Fulidhoo - Cultural show featuring Bodu Beru
Guraidhoo Island - Maldivian breakfast Cooking demonstration
Ithaafushi Faru - Snorkelling
Male - city tour
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
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Important notes
This trip is operated onboard a traditional dhoni boat.
This trip starts on day 1 at 12pm at Velana International airport in Male and finishes at 9am on day 8 back at Velana International airport, Male.
ACCOMMODATION ONBOARD THE BOAT
This trip is accommodated entirely on board a dhoni style boat (a traditional wooden motor sailing boat). All cabins have one set of twin bunk beds, an ensuite bathroom, and all cabins are located on the lower deck.
Rooms are allocated on arrival by our skipper according to group composition, which means it is not possible to reserve or guarantee any specific berth or cabin. Single passengers will be paired up with another single passenger of the same gender in a twin bunk bed cabin. If you’d prefer not to share a cabin, a single cabin supplement is available at an additional charge and is subject to availability. Couples travelling together on the same booking number will be placed in a cabin together.
While not everyone may feel entirely comfortable living in such close quarters, those who are looking to revel in the adventure and exhilaration of a sailing trip usually find any discomfort from cramped living conditions is more than made up for by the whole experience.
Reviews (7)
5 stars
7
Marc
May 02, 2025
Excellent trip! Snorkeling 2-3 times a day in crystal clear water - tropical fish, turtles, nurse and reef sharks, sting rays and even a manta ray swimming off the back of the boat one night. Food is plentiful and delicious. Musa was amazing as Tour Leader and the boat crew terrific too!
Peggy
May 01, 2025
This was one of the best trips I’ve been on. The boat was brilliant, with lovely AC and the food was fabulous. The tour leader and crew as well as the stunning scenery and wildlife really made it for us. Daily swimming with rays, mantas, sharks and turtles in clear blue waters. What more could we ask for!
Vicki
May 01, 2025
The week I spent on the Kethi was so unexpected …… I didn’t know the joy of swimming alongside mantas, sharks, turtles and angel fish that was to come. Seeing the lion fish up close. The manta dance twists and turns off the back of the boat, to catch her dinner……
Taylah
Apr 09, 2025
5 stars! Absolutely fantastic! We snorkeled vibrant reefs, swam with turtles, rays and nurse sharks, and slept under the stars. The crew was incredible, food was fresh, delicious and generous, and the boat was just magic. The perfect mix of adventure and relaxation – I'm already dreaming of going back!
Caroline
Mar 28, 2025
The inaugural Maldives sailing trip was an amazing experience. Fabulous snorkeling and amazing meals. Wonderful leader, crew and group. Nothing was too much and dinner on the beach was great. Being so close to so many sting rays and nurse sharks was incredible. Dolphins put on displays daily!
Simon
Mar 28, 2025
This trip was amazing! From the beautiful islands and sand banks to the fantastic snorkelling sites, the Maldives and the wildlife you can see are stunning. The guide and crew onboard the boat go out of there way to ensure you get the most out of your stay. A truly amazing experience I highly recommend!
Peter
Mar 24, 2025
This trip exceeded my expectations. The snorkeling was otherworldly. The boat and food was amazing and the staff and guests were such cool people.
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