MALDIVES CRUISE

DAY 1 - Male

Anchorage: Male

Welcome to paradise, after arriving at Male International airport you’ll be transferred by boat (20 mins) to your cruise ship, Yasawa Princess, anchored just off Villigili. Our GoSingles Guest Relations Officer (GRO) will be there to meet you on your arrival. Once on the ship we’ll be on hand to help you get checked into your cabin, providing you with a standard welcome briefing, with all the safety procedures and information you’ll need to know whilst cruising on board Yasawa Princess, as well as being introduced to your experienced dive crew. 

This will be followed by time back in your cabin to unpack, freshen up before enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail on the Bar/Restaurant deck, whilst watching the first of many sun sets over the Indian Ocean.

DAY 2 -  Male to Kalhuhuraa

Today we will depart from Male Anchorage and sail the Vaadhoo Channel heading to South Male Atoll. The day will be spent visiting Kalhuhuraa, a Sand Bank, where you can relax and soak up the sun, and swim in the warm Indian Ocean.

Diving - Vaagali Caves & Vaagali Thila

Vaagali Caves – On your first dive of the holiday you will be taken to picnic island Vaagali, where you will explore the caves. There will be some overhangs along the wall, and you will have the chance to spot schools of fish, Napoleons, Whitetips and Stingrays can also be spotted.

Vaagali Thila – a large pinnacle in Vaagali Chanel, home to beautiful coral and marine life. Owing to the incoming currents, there is a good possibility of seeing a school of sharks voyaging in the current.

DAY 3 - Island of Rannalhi

Today will consist of a short cruise within the atoll to Rannalhi.

Morning and afternoon you will visit the Resort island Rannali, a small boutique resort located on the western edge of South Male’s Atoll. The surrounding reefs are easily accessible for snorkelling. On dry land, you will have the opportunity, if you wish, to book a relaxing spa treatment or activity which can be booked directly through the hotel.

In the evening, you will have the opportunity to go night fishing, the trip will be organised by the crew between 17:30 – 19:30, where you will be able to have a go at using traditional hand lines.

Diving - Guraidhoo Corner & Villivaru Giri

Owing to its reef formation and abundance of fish life, Guraidhoo Corner is known for being one of the best dive sites in South Male atoll. Its current often brings Grey Reefs, White Tipped Reef Sharks, Schooling Eagle Rays and Dog Tooth Tuna’s for you to observe during your dive.

Next we will visit Villivaru Giri, a small pinnacle inside the atoll teaming with marine life and beautiful overhangs. It is also a good dive site for seeing smaller species such as frogfish, ghost pipe fish, and many more.

DAY 4 - Alimatha - Night snorkelling

We will set sail early morning and cross the channel into Vaavu Felidu Atoll to reach Alimatha Sand bank – a large turquoise lagoon surrounds the sand bar making it an attractive reef to snorkel – the journey there should take approx. 5 hours.

Late morning and afternoon will be spent here with lunch served back on the boat. Sun Umbrellas will be placed for shade if the conditions are favourable.

Optional: Night Snorkelling Session on Alimatha Resort House Reef, this excursion is a firm favourite with GoSingles travellers. Huge Nurse Sharks, Sting Rays and Travally fish can often be spotted throughout this experience. Chargeable USD 15

Diving:  Miyaru kandu & Devana Kandu

Miyaru kandu – Today you will go on a channel dive, crossing the channel from one side to the other, looking out for large ocean fish, such as Sharks and Eagle rays.

Devana kandu – this drift dive, in a narrow channel with a reef in the middle provides another perfect opportunity for spotting sharks, Napoleon and Eagle Rays. Turtles can be also sighted on the shallower part of the dive.

DAY 5 - Anbaraa - BBQ night

The day will start with a leisurely cruise to Anbaraa, a small picnic island located on the north western side of Vaavu Atoll, providing easy access to the reef for snorkelers.

In the evening a BBQ will be provided by the crew who will set up for dinner under the stars on the beach. This is probably one of the favourite and most memorable evenings of our cruise. Our chefs will prepare a Maldivian beach BBQ, with drinks and music, whilst we enjoy the amazing beauty, warm climate and dining under a canopy of stars.

Diving: Rakeedhoo Kandu

Rakeedhoo Kandu – Rakeedhoo Kandu is a challenging dive in a deep channel, where you can see coral and overhangs, covered with soft corals on the roof. Bigger fish can be spotted with the incoming current.

DAY 6  -  Oshagali Finolhu

We will set sail early morning to cross the channel to reach Oshagali Finolhu on the South Ari Atoll, this should take approximately 6 hours.

The reef surrounding this sandbank is loved by snorkelers world over, owing to it having an abundance of healthy hard corals. Lunch will be served on the boat and you will return to the sand bank in the afternoon.

In the evening a night fishing trip will be organised by the crew from 17:30-19:30, where a traditional hand line will be used.

Diving:  Kuda Rah Thila & Hudhu Thila

Kuda Rah Thila – This is a protected dive site, starting with a small pinnacle at the top of the reef, around 16m with soft corals and overhangs. Thousands of Blue Stripped Snappers can be found at the top of this reef.

Machafushi Wreck – This is the only wreck in the region, a purposely sunk, small cargo freighter, where coral has grown creating a healthy artificial reef. Lots of Glassfish can be found inside crevices, including lionfish, scorpion and stonefishes.

DAY 7 - Ariadhoo

We will set off on a short cruise from Oshagali to Ariadhoo, an agricultural island with an abundance of plantation and access to a sand stretch to relax, all within easy access to the ocean for swimming and snorkelling.

Optional: Whale shark excursion, guests will go out on the dive dhoni in search of these gentle giants. This region in the Maldives has the highest potential in spotting the Whale Shark. (Chargeable at USD15)

In the afternoon we’ll visit the local island of Maamagili where you’ll get to experience the local culture and lifestyle, also providing a good opportunity to do some shopping for souvenirs to take home.

Diving: Maamagili Corner/Kudadhoo Beyru

Both dive sites are outside of the atoll with easy wall dives, and the chance of spotting a whale shark.

DAY 8 -  Departure to the UK 

The boat will be anchored off Maamagili Domestic Airport for you to pick up your return flight and connections home.