4-Night Goidhoo Explorer

Arrive at Male International Airport, where you will be greeted by your tour leader, who will assist with your scheduled speedboat transfer, a two-hour journey northwest to the local island of Goidhoo in Horsburgh Atoll, a southern section of Baa Atoll.

After checking into your island hotel, we drop by a local cafe to sample traditional hedika. This afternoon tradition is best described as the Maldives equivalent of tapas! Walk into any café between 3pm and 5pm, and you will find anarray of bite-size savory and sweet delights served with black tea. It will become a firm holiday favorite! Then, it’s time to hit the beach for a sunset swim before dinner.

The Maldives is rich in marine life, but unfortunately, our marine life is under threat because of activities carried out by humans. Over a coffee, your tour leader will highlight the harmful practices pushing the balance in the ecosystem and what we can do to limit the impact.

Following breakfast, take your first Maldives underwater encounter. Your guide will provide a safety briefing on responsible snorkeling and act as your ‘spotter’ during the experience, pointing out marine life that may not have caught your eye. Coral reefs are fragile ecosystems, so learning how to snorkel responsibly can help minimize your impact on the marine environment and protect the delicate balance of marine life. Your tour leader will assist less confident or inexperienced snorkelers, ensuring your equipment is comfortable and you feel safe in the water. There will be the opportunity to encounter turtles, reef sharks, and many colorful fish.

Mid-afternoon as the heat of the day begins to subside, accompanied by your tour leader explore Goidhoo and delve into its cultural history and discover why there are some families from Goidhoo who can trace their decadency to an African ancestor. Be introduced to the local forest crabs known as the ‘ Kadoofa Kakuni’, hear the story of how the atoll was designated as ‘Horsburgh Atoll’, and understand the connection, Frenchman, Francois Pyrard, has with the atoll.

Following dinner spend time at the beach where surrounded by lush vegetation see how many of the glittering constellations you can name as they stretch out above you in an inky black sky.

This morning, dive into a farm-to-table culinary immersion. Engage with a local farmer, explore Goidhoo's agricultural region, acquiring insights on Maldivian farming practices, the challenges faced, and harvest fresh produce. Following the farm visit, enjoy the warm hospitality of ladies of the village. We gather in their home, where they will graciously guide you through the preparation of a delicious meal and share culinary secrets passed down through generations. Watch as they expertly demonstrate the art of grating fresh coconut using a traditional 'Huni Gondi' then,
with excitement, pass the task to your hands, allowing you to actively participate in the culinary experience! An experience where you will truly uncover the heart of Maldivian gastronomy, celebrating the versatility of tuna and showcasing locally sourced ingredients such as coconut and chili, defining the unique flavors of the islands.

This afternoon we kayak the mangrove lake and learn why the mangroves play such an important role in the Maldives. Goidhoo Koaru, located on the northern side of the island was declared protected in 2011. This area has rich biodiversity and is one of the largest mangrove ecosystems within the Maldives. It is a type of mangrove that grows alongside the coast, being exposed to the elements of the sea, and is known as a fringing mangrove. This site is also a popular roosting site for migratory birds. Your tour leader will coach you on how to paddle and maneuver the kayak before setting off to explore this unique Maldives ecosystem.

This evening your Tour Leader will introduce you to the work of the Manta Trust. Providing an insight into their environmental monitoring and manta ray studies preparing you for our snorkeling tomorrow, when if conditions are right we may be lucky enough to spot a manta ray!

Today, traveling by boat, we explore this stunning atoll, visiting the local island of Fulhadhoo and hopping between astring of sandbanks. Fulhadhoo is a long, narrow island where a half-hour walk, passing through a tropical forest with a canopy of palms will bring you to one of the best beaches in the Maldives, in fact it has been rated in the world’s top 25 beaches! During your stroll to the tip of the island, your tour leader will share their knowledge on the plant and animal life in the Maldives. You will already be familiar with the vast diversity of marine life. However, the land itself has been shaped by the tropical climate and boasts 260 native plants, despite its somewhat less-than-perfect soil and several fascinating small animals. It’s all about knowing where to look!

Making the most of the quiet beautiful reefs of this area we also take the opportunity once again to discover coral reefs that are teeming with fish and marine-life. Whilst never a guarantee, we may be lucky enough to encounter manta rays, which are often sighted in the atoll. Before entering the water, your tour leader will share the manta snorkeling code of conduct, ensuring the experience is memorable for both you and the manta ray.

Returning to Goidhoo the remainder of the afternoon is yours to relax or for those still feeling energetic take advantage of the watersport options available before enjoying your final Maldives sunset.

Following an early breakfast transfer by scheduled speedboat to Male International Airport, where your tour ends around 10:00am. You can also choose to extend your stay on one of the local islands or be transferred elsewhere.