Maldives Island Escape tour

Maldives Island Escape tour

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8 Days From

$2050

Tour Overview

The tiny island of Fulidhoo is located in the heart of the Maldives, just 50km from the capital of Malé, famous for its crystal-clear lagoon on the east and a breath-taking reef on the west of the island.

This Maldives tour includes one night in Male before the tour officially kicks off.

Enjoy a scheduled boat trip direct to Fulidhoo island while trying to spot dolphins. While on the island, you have the opportunity to head out on several guided snorkelling trips to different reefs and a shipwreck, looking out for nurse sharks, colourful corals and a host of different fish species.

The Maldives tour also includes a guided tour of the island, a taste of the traditional Maldivian Hedika snacks and a stop on a deserted sandbar.

A wide range of scuba-diving options are also available on the island – you will need to book this locally.

The Maldives offers some of the world's best diving spots – different dives offering great views of manta rays, reef sharks and sailfish, huge schools of tuna and barracuda, beautifully colourful corals, turtles, and the famous resident nurse sharks.

This tour is available for booking privately at any time of the year. Contact us for more information.
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Highlights

  • Explore the Maldives with boat trips, snorkelling over the coral reefs, picnics on uninhabited islands & sand bars, cultural shows, beach barbecues and diving options/

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Day 1: Male

Accommodation Name: Once you arrive at the Male International Airport, you’ll be welcomed by our representative and transferred by the airport shuttle taxi to your guesthouse on Hulhumale – just 15 minutes away. You will have time to settle in after your flight before explor

Day 2 : Day 2: Fulidhoo Island Tour

Accommodation Name: After breakfast today, you’ll be transferred by vehicle to the airport for the mid-morning speedboat to Fulidhoo. While on the journey you will have the opportunity to spot dolphins and bask in the beauty of the island.Once you arrive at the guesthouse, y

Day 3 : Day 3: Shipwreck Snorkelling

Accommodation Name: We kick off the day by exploring the underwater world of the Maldives on your first guided snorkelling trip. You'll visit two different sites including Vaavu's famous shipwreck, and there will be opportunities to observe turtles, reef sharks, rays and a h

Day 4 : Day 4: Free Time To Explore

Accommodation Name: Today, the day will be yours free to explore the island - you can either relax on the bikini beach or for those who are feeling more adventurous, participate in the various optional water sport activities on offer. A host of scuba-diving options are also

Day 5 : Day 5: Guided Sandbank & Snorkelling Trip

Accommodation Name: Today you combine two snorkelling points filled with marine life and colourful coral with time on an untouched sandbank which is ideal for picnics, sunbathing, snorkelling, or swimming in the clear blue lagoon. The sites we tour will depend on weather and

Day 6 : Day 6: Guided Snorkelling In Search Of Turtles

Accommodation Name: Today we head off to snorkel in search of turtles. The soft corals available on this reef usually mean it's lunchtime all the time for turtles! Before entering the water your tour leader will share the turtle snorkeling code of conduct, ensuring the exper

Day 7 : Day 7: More Free Time: Local Options Available

Accommodation Name: You have another day free to do as you please. You can relax on the beach, take a kayak or SUP out for a paddle in the famous crystal-clear lagoon on the east of the island or join a snorkel trip to discover more breath-taking reefs on the west. Further s

Day 8 : Day 8: Speedboat To The Airport For Departure

Accommodation Name: Following an early breakfast today you will check out of the guesthouse and take the speedboat for the return journey to Malé.If you have a late afternoon or evening flight departure and understandably do not want to spend a long time waiting at the airpo

What's Included

What's Not Included

  • International Flights (available on request)
  • Travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Drinks, snacks, tips and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
  • Any other items not mentioned abov

More Info

The tiny island of Fulidhoo is located in the heart of the Maldives, just 50km from the capital of Malé, famous for its crystal-clear lagoon on the east and a breath-taking reef on the west of the island. This Maldives tour includes one night in Male before the tour officially kicks off. Enjoy a scheduled boat trip direct to Fulidhoo island while trying to spot dolphins. While on the island, you have the opportunity to head out on several guided snorkelling trips to different reefs and a shipwreck, looking out for nurse sharks, colourful corals and a host of different fish species. The Maldives tour also includes a guided tour of the island, a taste of the traditional Maldivian Hedika snacks and a stop on a deserted sandbar. A wide range of scuba-diving options are also available on the island – you will need to book this locally. The Maldives offers some of the world's best diving spots – different dives offering great views of manta rays, reef sharks and sailfish, huge schools of tuna and barracuda, beautifully colourful corals, turtles, and the famous resident nurse sharks. This tour is available for booking privately at any time of the year. Contact us for more information. ...more ...less

Mode of Transport

Minivan

Speedboats

Accommodation

Guesthouse/small hotel

Check out our Q&As

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    No prior visa arrangements are required. Tourists are issued a 30-day visa on arrival.

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation.



    Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination. You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions.



    In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are: Hepatitis A and Tetanus. Malaria is not generally present unless it has been contracted abroad; you do not need to take malaria prophylactics. You are required to carry a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate if you are arriving from a destination with a Yellow Fever risk. You can view this US CDC information about where the virus is present and follow the links to further information detailing which countries need you to have a Yellow Fever vaccination as part of their entry requirements.



    Personal health:

    Sensible precautions should be taken to avoid sunburn and dehydration. On arrival and when travelling in the Maldives, we recommend that you stick to drinking bottled mineral water or to help the environment bring water purification tablets or a water filter and a re-usable bottle. Please ensure you have appropriate travel insurance, which includes health cover. If you require prescription medicines, please bring them with you, and include the appropriate documentation.

    There are two hospitals on the main island, Malé. The Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital is the biggest hospital in the country providing sophisticated medical care. Some resorts have in-house doctors. A decompression chamber is within easy reach of most resorts in case of emergency.
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  • What currencies are required for this tour?

    The Maldives has a non-convertible currency – Maldivian Rufiyaa – this cannot be purchased beforehand. One Rufiyaa is 100 Laari and is available in 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 Rufiyaa notes.

    One US Dollar is equivalent to 15.42 Rufiyaa. Major international currencies can be changed easily at the airport on arrival. It is advised not to exchange currency in Male where bank queues are common and waiting time lengthy. The US Dollar is accepted as legal tender. All major credit cards can be used (and are preferred) at resorts, hotels, shops, etc., however, on local islands it is usually only guesthouses that accept credit cards and cash is generally preferred.

    The national bank, Bank of Maldives has several branches in Male’ as well as other major population hubs such as the Male’ International Airport. Several other regional banks also operate in central city, Male’, including the State Bank of India, Bank of Ceylon, and HSBC. There are no banks on resort islands or on local islands visited in our tours.



    ATMs: Most banks represented in Malé provide automatic teller machine (ATM) services and credit card services at several key points in Malé and Hulhumale. Only local currency MRF will be dispensed. Whilst there is an ATM at the Male branch of the Bank of Maldives dispensing USD$, it only dispenses to Bank of Maldives cardholders. There are no ATMs on resort islands or on the local islands visited on our tours. All major credit cards can be used at resorts, hotels and many shops in Male. Most restaurants and shops in Male will accept USD$ in payment providing change in local currency.



    Bank Notes: The banks in the Maldives are very particular about the condition of bank notes and will refuse deposits of old style US Dollars; any damaged notes, badly creased or well-worn notes will also be rejected. Therefore, if presenting such a note as form of payment you may be requested to change to a note of better condition. Please do not take offence, it is purely that the note will have no worth to the individual to whom you are paying. Also, note that small bills .i.e. $1 and $5 have a lower exchange value, as the Bank of Maldives charges for small notes to be deposited.



    Spending money and budgeting: It is impossible to say exactly what you will need during your local island visit as this varies depending on personal preferences, the number of extra optional activities and souvenirs you may like to purchase. While on the local islands, approximate prices are as follows:



    Snack lunch: $5-$10

    Evening meal in guesthouse or local restaurant: $10-$20

    Tea / Coffee: $1

    Soft drinks: $1

    Water 500m: $1

    You should expect prices on resort islands to be considerably more expensive than this.
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  • Is travel insurance compulsory?

    Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event). ...more ...less

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details. ...more ...less

  • When is my balance payment due?

    60 days prior to departure

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s

  • Can I transfer my booking to someone else?

    Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

smartiedoc  

Magical Maldives Island Hopping

December 2013

The beauty of the Maldives and its spectacular underworld was unfortunately not enhanced by this tour, which, with the restraints of the local culture completely restricting alcohol and limiting food choices,one would be well advised to combine this tour,(if one wants to experience local culture), with a few days on a resort island. Comparing package prices of resort holidays to the Maldives, this trip was not actually value for money. One must take local currency to the islands, which can only be withdrawn locally, as the islands have no cash machines, and only the larger souvenir shops take credit cards. The dollar can be exchanged at some guesthouses. The accommodation, food and beverage on this trip is very basic, however, Stingray guesthouse on Maafushi, is brilliant, for it's incredible hospitality and excellent management and staff. Attention to detail and help and advise with snorkelling trips couldn't have been better. Prior knowledge of the availability of day excursions to nearby resorts, would be welcome to allow forward planning and the opportunity to experience the beauty of the unspoilt islands, allowing too for some luxury and indulgence, which complete the holiday feel.Unfortunately the beauty of the local islands are significantly spoilt by litter and total disrespect for the environment. The beauty of this archepelago of islands would be best realised by staying in a resort. The local guide who looked after us made our trip memorable, thank you Sober!! ...more ...less

texpower  

Magical Maldives

September 2013

We were a booking of 8 people for this tour of the Maldives. The booking of this tour with Will was easy and nothing was too much trouble as one person in a group was unsure of his flight times up until 2 days before the start of the this trip. We were met at the airport by Ruth and taken to our overnight stay. Next morning Ruth gave us a run through of the itinerary and introduce Kamey our tour leader. Unfortunately we did not get a tour of Male due to political unrest so it was a leisurely start to the day. The reason for us booking this particular tour of the Maldives was so that we could get to meet the local people and staying on the local islands was brilliant. All the side trips that were organised were great value and on the last island the cultural dance was entertaining. It is important when staying of local island to respect the culture of the people and the lack of alcohol was never an issue. As a group we are looking to go back very soon ...more ...less

Michael551275632  

A great adventure

July 2013

I went on the Maldives Magic tour with my partner. Due to no other parties booking on the same date as us the tour itinerary was changed to exclude certain aspects, and add others. This ended up working out very well indeed and I would commend Encounters on their adaptability with such a high quality "plan b". The local guides used were fantastic and very knowledgeable. This definitely helped in terms of making the most of the activities offered. I would not hesitate to recommend this company and would travel with them again. ...more ...less

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Prices last published on 05-Jan-2025

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  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.

    Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.

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    At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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Maldives Island Escape tour

8 Days Starting and ending in 4.188170,73.536515

Visiting: Maldives

Tour operator:

Encounters Travel

Tour code:

413

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 20

Physical rating:

Moderate

Age range:

8-95

Special diets catered:

Please advise requests

Tour operated in:

English
From: $2050

NB: Prices correct on 05-Jan-2025 but subject to change.

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