Its not often that I ever write a review for anything. Felt compelled to do so for this holiday! We were the 1st group to do this trip.....
This holiday was excellent on every level! Perfect combination of the sea, snorkelling 2-3 times every day in the azure sea, truly unbelievable that I managed to snorkel alongside a giant whale shark (about 6 metres long & 15 tons) within touching distance for about 15minutes!
The trip was amazing. The crew were outstanding and we were extremely well looked after and all our needs catered for and more. Exceptional trip in every aspect.
Both parts of this trip wee amazing but the tour leader, Nala, for the Sri Lankan part was amazing. We were seeing and doing so much of Sri Lanka but his efficiency and effectiveness at keeping us all informed and inspired throughout was seamless. He was knowledgeable, fun, and thoughtful with all of our group. He was careful to make sure everyone was happy and felt part of the group, and was aware of everyone's particular interests.
Nala made sure that we all knew what to expect in the day's itinerary but also added in extra activities if there was time, or the opportunity arose for example, a large banana market where the cooperative owners were happy to hear our questions and have phottaken.
We would thoroughly recommend Nala as a tour guide- everything he did was designed to keep us all happy and he was exceptional in this.
Embark on an unparalleled journey through the Maldives, where ultimate island hopping, marine conservation, and snorkelling adventures await. This meticulously crafted cruise itinerary is ideal for couples, solo travellers, and families who share a deep appreciation for the ocean and responsible travel. Discover the unique charm and natural splendour of the local islands of Dhangethi, Dhigurah, and Gulhi, both above and below the captivating surface.
Dive into the crystal-clear waters to snorkel alongside majestic whale sharks, gaining incredible insights from a Maldives Whale Shark Research Project (MWSRP) coordinator who will be on board. You'll have the invaluable opportunity to assist in data collection, help identify individual sharks, and even take underwater measurements. Engage with the local NGO Save the Beach, visit a vital coral nursery, and learn first-hand about local initiatives to regenerate coral reefs and how you can contribute to these crucial efforts.
With your expert local tour leader, delve into the ecological importance of seagrass in sea turtle conservation. You'll also enjoy an invigorating tropical forest walk, explore pristine deserted sandbank islands, participate in rewarding beach cleans, witness breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, and, of course, completely unwind as you sail away your worries on the charming MV Felicity gulet.
Your knowledgeable tour leader will also immerse you in all things Maldivian, from guided tours of local islands and villages to sampling delicious afternoon tea snacks known as 'hedhikaa', and experiencing an authentic Maldivian theme night featuring a traditional 'Bodu Beru' musical drumming and dance performance.
Our primary goal is to maximise your chances of incredible marine life encounters. To ensure this, we will adapt the itinerary flexibly, taking into account prevailing conditions, weather forecasts, and the presence of marine life.
This cruise operates with a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 passengers, with limited departures throughout the year. Early booking is recommended
Looking back at our photos now we've returned to the UK we can't believe the amount we saw and the amazing experiences we had on this tour. Sri Lanka is an amazing beautiful country with some much going on - we only scratched the surface. Our tour leader Cham worked so hard to make sure that we had everything we needed, resolving our problems and sorting out food for our fussy son! His knowledge about Sri Lankan history and wildlife was immense. He even found the best place to buy genuine Sri Lanka cricket shirts for the sporty members of our group. The only thing we'd change was the pace of the second half of the Sri Lanka leg of the trip. The first half gave us time to chill and bond as a group, as well as hang out in the pool at Giritale and play cricket. The second half we moved every night and covered a massive distance, though interesting, this was quite tiring (especially for the kids), so we'd suggest that a two night stop in the middle of this element would resolve this issue easily. This was clear in the notes, however, as was the high chance of not getting the train. The pace did slow considerably for the Maldives element, with a lot of time on our boats travelling between reefs. The snorkelling was quite frankly mind-blowing, and even the more nervous swimmers loved it. The crew were fantastic, and the food was delicious. The guide knew his stuff, and made sure we had great snorkelling experiences. Our only criticism of this part of the trip was that splitting the group when we'd got to know each other and were getting on really well was disappointing. There were larger boats, and we'd have preferred to be on a single boat given how long we spent travelling separately. The crew did what they could to mitigate this by tying the boats together when we moored for snorkels, meals and overnight and that was great. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable trip, and with a few very small tweaks it'd be perfect!
The highlights of Sri Lanka and the Dhoni cruise in the Maldives was excellent. The only complaint I have is that I could have spent two weeks on the boat instead of the 8 days. The cruise needs to be longer!
