Atoll Explorer has created two unique live aboard itineraries highlighting the best of the Maldives. Many guests choose to complete both itineraries’ to make the most of this no concerns and all inclusive Maldives cruise. Both itineraries offer different scuba diving, snorkelling, excursion options allowing you to see the best Maldives marine life, reefs, beach’s and Islands.
The listed diving sites are sample dive sites and are subject to change depending on weather and monsoon period.
Welcome to the Maldives. Atoll Explorer is anchored just off of Kurumba Maldives, a convenient 15 minutes from Male International Airport. A representative will greet you on arrival and assist you to the boat’s private tender for your transfer.
This afternoon we will help get you checked into your cabin and complete a welcome briefing and introduction to your Atoll Explorer experience. This is an informal session where you will meet other guests, the dive team and the crew members who will assist you throughout your cruising holiday.
It is always pleasant to have a pre-dinner cocktail on the top deck and watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. Dinner is served in the main dining room, and is always a social experience.
DAY TWO (TUESDAY)
Depart from Kurumba and anchor at Koajaadi Finolhu at North Malé Atoll.
Koajaadi Finolhu NEW
Koajaadi Finolhu is an uninhabited and isolated sand cay in North Malé Atoll. On the sand cay, which changes in dimensions, there is a beautiful lagoon for swimming and a vibrant reef for our snorkelers. For the divers, there are numerous amazing dive sites within reach including a manta ray cleaning station in the summer season. We will provide tents and umbrellas for shade and offering beverage service throughout the day. At sunset, if weather is supportive, we will have cocktails on the sand cay.
Diving : Manta Point, Rasfari Beyru & Boduhithi Thila Manta Point is the best location for Manta Ray sightings in North Malé Atoll in the time of the North East Monsoon (Dec - Apr). Thousands of cleaner fishes attract the attention of the Manta Rays. During this period, there are cleaning stations for the Mantas located on the reef top in a depth between 3 to 6 metres. Expect to also see batfishes, napoleons and turtles. Rasfari Beyru is a long outside reef covered with pretty hard corals and some soft white sandy bays where white tip reef sharks come to have a little rest lying in the sand. Sometimes you can even spot grey reef sharks and groups of eagle rays passing by. Boduhithi Thila allows a 10 - 30 metre dive and strong currents can be present which sometimes makes it a challenging dive. This is a big reef with a lot of overhangs and beautiful corals. White tip reef sharks, sting rays, old dog toothed tunas and big groups of fusiliers are common here. During the period of December to April, the main atrraction are manta rays catching plankton. The chance of sighting these marvelous huge creatures are high.
Underwater Marine Slide Show The ocean is full of uncharted territory and of breathtaking natural wonders. This evening, our Dive Team from Euro Divers will present an introduction to marine life of the Maldives. They will reveal the vast variety of fish species, corals and vertebrates that make these turquoise waters home, and explain about the fragile ecosystem and co-existence of the underwater world.
DAY THREE (WEDNESDAY)
Kuramathi Island Resort
Depart from Koajaadi Finolhu and cruise through to the well known resort Kuramathi. This Island is over 2 kilometres long and is home to some of the best house reefs for snorkeling, as well as a 600-meter sand spit on the western end of the Island. It also has a rainforest walk – take an amble through the most mature endemic forest in the Maldives. We will be on island between 10.00am and 12.30pm
Diving : Madivru & Rashdhoo
For the morning dive, we will drop in at Madivru, another steep wall with a spur leading from the main reef. Expect to see white tip and grey reef sharks, groupers, eagle rays, jack fish and on occasion, the majestic hammerhead sharks. In the afternoon, we will try Rasdhoo. This is another steep wall dive, though we start at a sandy bottom with a big cleaning station. This dive is famous for manta rays, turtles, white tip reef sharks & jack fish.
Rashdhoo Fishing Village
Rashdhoo Island is a local fishing village with many small arts and craft shops. Whilst on this tour, you will get to see some local mosques, schools and the local village. It is a relaxed and low key village and we request that you dress conservatively whilst on this Island. There are some good cultural photo opportunities.
Night Fishing Excursion
The Maldives offers the fishing enthusiast the opportunity to test their skills against the finest and fastest the Indian Ocean has to offer. Tonight’s fishing trip is targeting reef fish with deep sea fishing techniques. Whilst we encourage the practice of “catch and release” and sustainable fishing practices, we are also happy to help out and take back a fish for dinner.
DAY FOUR (THURSDAY)
Velidhu Island Resort
Depart from Kuramathi to the Velidhu Island Resort. This resort on North Ari Atoll is a comfortable and relaxed holiday resort. Ideal for a spot of snorkelling on the magnificent house reef or relaxing on the beach. It has a beachside restaurant and a bar. High quality coral and a large variety of marine life.
Diving : Hafsa Thila & Mayaa Thila
Hafsa Thila is a circular reef about 80 meters in diameter and can be easily covered in one dive depending on the current. Plenty of overhangs, soft corals on the cliff faces, fusiliers, blue striped snappers and turtles are an attraction. When strong currents pass its possible to come across species like dog-tooth tuna, great barracudas, butterfly fish, grey reef sharks, clown triggerfish, moorish idol and parrotfish. Tonight is an opportunity for a night dive at Mayaa Thila. Quite different to the day dive, with plenty of lion fish, sea slugs, frog fish and the coral will certainly come out in full colour. This is certainly a memorable night dive.
Local Dance Performance, Boduberu
Boduberu evolved among the Maldivians citizens as an alternative to court music. In the early days, the people gathered together to perform Boduberu, and it became widely accepted as the music of the Maldivian people. The performing of the music is often referred as "vibrating the island". A notable point about Boduberu is its noise and sometimes meaningless lyrics sung, because it consists of a mixture of local, neighbouring and some African words. Today, meaningful songs written in the local language Dhivehi are sung to the rhythm of Boduberu.
DAY FIVE (FRIDAY)
Meerufenfushi Island
Depart from Bathala to the uninhabited Island of Meerufenfushi. This Island is peaceful and quiet - perfect for a snorkel or just a relaxing swim and some time to work on your tan. The Island is about 500 meters long with some walking tracks. Look out for the famous Maldivian white feathered tropic bird and the white crab plover. We have two transfers: a morning trip between 1000 hrs - 1230 hrs or the afternoon between 1400 hrs - 1530 hrs
Diving : Hoholha Thila
This morning we will dive Hoholha Thila - a submerged round reef. Expect to see white tip reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, and groupers. This afternoon, we will try our luck on Fish Head reef. This has plenty of marine life from smaller to larger species. We hope to see sweet lips, parrot fish, white tip and grey reef sharks, napoleon wrasse & turtles.
Beach BBQ Dinner On Dhiggiri Island
Arrive this afternoon at Dhiggiri where we 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 and a spot of stargazing.
Stargazing
During our beach dinner, we offer an informal star gazing session. As we are close to the equator, you can see the constellations of both the northern and southern skies at the same time. What's more, with the nearest inhabited island 10 kilometres away, there's no light pollution to dim the celestial panorama. Our telescope will be available for you to enjoy through our beach dinner.
DAY SIX (SATURDAY)
Beach Picnic On Dhiggiri Island
Today is a relaxing day on Dhiggiri. The Island is naturally beautiful and has a long sand spit that makes it especially picture-perfect. The island has some high quality reefs for an excellent snorkel experience. The team will serve up a casual beach picnic and works well with a cold beer.
Diving : Fish Head/Fesdu Wreck & Dhiggiri Thila
Depending on the weather and the currents, this morning we will dive either Fish Head or Fesdu wreck. These are both submerged round reefs. The afternoon is an interesting dive on Dhiggiri Thila. We will certainly see lots of activity and all the normal culprits, but this afternoon we will be on the lookout for scorpion fish, bat fish & turtles.
Captains Dinner & Presentation of New Fish Club Members
The Captain’s Dinner as we near the end of the week and is a favourite of ours. If you are celebrating a special occasion, we will invite you to join the Captain at his table. The dress code is informal but most people make a special effort tonight or dress in tradition Maldivian attire. You can purchase a selection of Maldivian clothing from our retail shop. We do present our team, as well as any new Fish Club members on this special evening.
DAY SEVEN (SUNDAY)
Kurumba Island Resort
We arrive at the end of our cruise in Maldives at Kurumba Maldives. You can enjoy a visit to the resort for a swim and relax by the pool, or have another snorkel in the resort’s excellent house reef. After so many days onboard, perhaps a massage would be the perfect end to the week or if you are feeling energized, you can use the gym and tennis courts. Kurumba Maldives offers a 20% discount to Atoll Explorer guests on Food & Beverage, as well as at The Spa (please let us make treatment appointments for you in advance). The gym and tennis courts are complimentary.
Malé Excursion
The capital city of Malé will be the final excursion of the cruise. This city offers you the opportunity to experience the history and culture of the small island nation of the Maldives. Apart from observing interesting monuments and museums, you will also have an enjoyable shopping experience in the craft shops, local bazaar and markets as you pick up souvenirs to strengthen the memories of the previous week.
Live Band Entertainment On Board
Join us on the top deck and be entertained by our Maldivian live cover band on the last night of your cruise. This is a fun night to dance under the stars, to the best of the 70’s and 80’s and celebrate the week that was, with our new friends.
DAY EIGHT (MONDAY)
The End Of A Cruise Week
A nice relaxing breakfast overlooking the Indian Ocean before we arrange your departure, whether to the airport or onto another Island/resort. Guests staying onboard for a 2nd week itinerary can enjoy a day of relaxation, either on Atoll Explorer, or at Kurumba Maldives.
