Local Maldives Island Hopping Tour
8 days from £865 per person, excl. international flights
Travel like a local on this Maldives island hopping itinerary
This Muslim-friendly Maldives island-hopping tour swaps 5-star resorts for locally inhabited islands and comfortable guesthouses, perfect for travellers wanting an authentic, halal-conscious experience. Local islands feature mosques, are alcohol-free, and have no bikini beaches.
Your itinerary covers Rasdhoo, Ukulhas and Mathiveri in the North Ari Atoll, one of the world’s best snorkelling and diving regions. From November to April, you may even swim with manta rays.
The tour includes accommodation with breakfast, airport pick-up, transfers, activities, and support from a private local guide. Enjoy experiences like dolphin cruises, sunset kayaking, island tours and a traditional Hedikaa short-eats tasting.
What's included?
- Airport & domestic transfers
- Accommodation
- Breakfast
- Local private guide
- Local taxes
- Island tours
- Cultural experiences
- Dolphin cruise
- Sunset kayaking
- Guided snorkelling
Maldives island hopping tour in detail
Day 1: Arrival & transfers to Hulhumale
- Newtown Inn
- Deluxe Room
- Breakfast
Once you step out of arrival gates at Velana International Airport (Malé) you will be met by a Rooh representative, holding a board with your names. You will then be transferred to the nearby island of Hulhumale, for a night’s stay at your first guesthouse.
The island of Hulhumale is an ideal resting point for those transiting to visit the other local inhabited islands in the Maldives. This tropical urban jungle is home to a large mosque with a striking golden dome, shopping malls, restaurants and cafés.
Depending on your arrival time, there will be an optional walking tour around Vilimalé, known as the quieter side of the island.
Day 2 - 3: Rasdhoo island experience
- Rasdhoo Dive Lodge
- Beach View Room
- Breakfast
In the morning, you will have time for breakfast at your guesthouse before being met by your local guide. Your guide will accompany you to Malé to catch the ferry over to Rasdhoo, North Ari Atoll. This method of travel is a great opportunity to travel like a local and minimise your carbon footprint.
Once you arrive at Rasdhoo, you will check in to your guesthouse and have the afternoon and evening to get to know the island. Following your lunch are opportunities to learn about life on the island with a visit to the local mosque of Rasdhoo. In the evening, there’s a unique visit to a local coffee shop to try Hedikaa, a traditional sweet and savoury snack with tea.
On day 3, you will have the whole day to explore the beaches and take part in water sports. Your guide will be there to assist in snorkelling, with prior safety briefing and how to snorkel responsibly. Your guide will also assist with spotting different marine life that you might’ve not noticed.
You will wrap the day up with an epic sunset kayaking tour. There is a nearby sandbank where you can kayak to, to enjoy the sunset right in the middle of the ocean.
Day 4 - 5: Ukulhas island experience
- Ukulhas Inn
- Deluxe Villa
- Breakfast
On the morning of the fourth day, following your breakfast at Rasdhoo Dive Lodge, you will be escorted to take the public ferry to Ukulhas. As your next local island destination, Ukulhas is a favourite among tourists and is known to take environmental responsibility seriously.
Following your check-in into Ukulhas Inn, enjoy lunch and some time to relax. You can then explore the island with your guide and interact with the locals who call Ukulhas home. On the island there are several beautiful beaches to visit and enjoy a dip in. The locals are extremely friendly and would love the opportunity to welcome you.
On day 5, you are free to check out the island as you wish. For those that are active, there are a variety of excursions to take part in such as diving, snorkelling, and fishing as yellowfin tuna is abundant here. The island’s house reef, which is accessible from the beach, is a great place to spot sea turtles, manta rays, and zebra sharks.
Day 6 - 8: Mathiveri & departure
- Royal Reef Stay
- Deluxe Room
- Breakfast
You will check out of Ukulhas Inn at lunch time and head over to the local ferry to hop over to the last island, Mathiveri.
As usual, once you arrive and check-in into Royal Reef Inn, your guide will brief you on the island and the activities on offer. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring this lovely island with your guide.
At sunset, you will embark on a spectacular cruise to spot dolphins. The dolphins in surrounding waters can often be seen jumping out of the water and frolicking around. It’s truly an amazing experience to see them in their natural habitats.
Day 7 is a free day to do as you please. As most local islands, Mathiveri houses a local mosque, several restaurants and cafes, and beaches.
On your last day, you will take the morning ferry to reach Malé by 2PM. From there, you will be transferred to Velana International Airport, where this trip sadly ends for now. For those leaving on a late flight, a complimentary walking tour of Malé can be arranged.
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