Maldives Small Group Tours
Ever wanted to combine traditional dhoni sailing with stays on local islands? The wooden boats travel through South Male and Felidhu atolls, where crews organize beach BBQs and share insights about marine life and Maldivian traditions. Island tours based on Maafushi or Guraidhoo include guided snorkeling excursions where you'll swim with turtles, reef sharks and manta rays. Paradise? Definitely.
10 best Maldives small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaMaldives travel expert at TourRadar
- Dream Escape To Maldives
- 7N Maldives Whale Shark Conservation Cruise
- Luxury Maldives beach and water villa experience, ALL INCLUSIVE
- Maldives Uncovered
- Maldives Goidhoo Atoll Adventure - 8 days
- The Beauty of the Underwater World in the Maldives
- Maldives All-round Experience
- Local Island & Luxury Water Villa
- Quick Visit To Maldives
- 10 day Unforgettable Maldives with adventures
Dream Escape To Maldives
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Beach was beautiful with perfectly clear water. Would definitely go back again!”
Nicholas, traveled in January
Duration 6 days Destinations Male, Maafushi, Gulhi Island Age Range Ages 18-55 Operated in English, German, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 2 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator BH Lanka Tours From
- US$1,790
MV Felicity accommodates 8-12 passengers for personal whale shark encounters in South Ari Atoll. The boutique vessel enables remote sandbank access and direct engagement with Save the Beach NGO conservation projects.
Duration 8 days Destinations Male, Gulhi Island, Maafushi, Dhangethi, Dhigurah Island Age Range Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Secret Paradise From
- US$2,349
Luxury Maldives beach and water villa experience, ALL INCLUSIVE
12 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Island and hotel were beyond our expectations!! We loved the hotel for its chic simplicity and cleanliness.”
Chris, traveled in April
This luxurious resort limits guest numbers across beach and water villas, ensuring personalized service. Individual attention allows for tailored activities like private snorkeling sessions and exclusive dining on secluded coral terraces.
Duration 7 days Destinations Male Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Payless tours india From $5,424
50% Off- US$2,712You save $2,712
Maldives Uncovered
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The overall trip was excellent value and the itinerary enabled us to experience the Maldives in so many ways.”
Groups of 2-18 travelers (average age 32) share local experiences including family dinners in Gulhi, beach BBQs in Guraidhoo, and traditional 'hedika' tasting sessions.
Duration 8 days Destinations Male, Guraidhoo, Maafushi, Gulhi Island Age Range Ages 8+ Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Encounters Travel From
50% Off- US$1,480
Duration 8 days Destinations Male, Hulhumale, Goidhoo , Fehendhoo, Fulhadhoo Age Range Ages 13+ Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type Group Operator On The Go Tours From
50% Off- US$2,205
Duration 11 days Destinations Male, Maafushi, Thinadhoo, Felidhoo, Maldives, Fulidhoo, Gulhi Island, Dhigurah Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 5 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Worldee From
50% Off- US$811
Groups of 6-8 travelers uncover Maafushi Island's pristine beaches and marine life. Three distinct reef spots offer personal snorkeling experiences, while guides lead intimate dolphin watching expeditions.
Duration 8 days Destinations Maafushi, Male, Hulhumale Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Capital Lanka Tours From $1,280
15% Off- US$1,088You save $192
Small groups enjoy dedicated attention during snorkeling sessions and island hopping excursions. Comfortable speedboat transfers connect three snorkeling spots, with intimate viewing at Shark Bay and whale shark encounters.
Duration 7 days Destinations Male, Maafushi, Gulhi Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Capital Lanka Tours From $1,130
15% Off- US$961You save $170
Quick Visit To Maldives
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Nice place, beautiful weather. Good, polite service.”
Gabor, traveled in January
The intimate setting accommodates a small group, with participants averaging 69 years in age. Half-day island hopping tours visit 3 different snorkeling spots, while dolphin watching and quiet moments on tiny desert beaches offer personal space for all.
Duration 3 days Destinations Male, Maafushi Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Capital Lanka Tours From $490
18% Off- US$402You save $88
10 day Unforgettable Maldives with adventures
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The hotel was nicely decorated and really comfortable in terms of rooms, hotel staff and location just by the beach.”
Natalie, traveled in December
Groups of 2-3 travelers (average age 26) receive focused attention during whale shark encounters. The 3-point snorkeling adventure off Maafushi island's crystal waters offers prime viewing spots.
Duration 10 days Destinations Male Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Payless tours india From $3,874
50% Off- US$1,937You save $1,937
Reviews of Small Group tours to Maldives
- Luxury Maldives beach and water villa experience, ALL INCLUSIVE
Our honeymoon in Maldives passed without any problems and stress. Paylesstoursindia arranged for us additional activities and one night in a water villa after our stay in Maafushi. It was a great time and holidays as well.
- Deluxe and Adventures bestseller of Maldives
Fantastic hotel with a great spacious room overlooking the sea. Excursions included in the package are a must! in order to explore rich marine life of Maldives. You can even get some more excursions in the hotel if you feel you need to see more. We recommend this adventure and this tour operator.
- 7N Maldives South Male Local Island Hopping
After staying one night in Hulhamale, this trip visited three islands on the South Male Atoll - Guraidhoo, Maafushi and Gulhi. These are local islands with tourist facilities, within 35 km of Male. The accommodation was good on the three islands with air conditioning, friendly staff, comfortable beds and positioned near local areas and 'bikini' beaches. Our guide (Archie) was very knowledgeable, easy to get along with and helped to make the trip very enjoyable. Snorkelling and swimming trips were generally with other tourist groups on a local tour boat. Transportation to and between islands were by local ferry (except for one occasion with a speed boat).
What our customers ask about Maldives Small Group Tours
Q tours typically visit in the Maldives?
A typical 7-day small group tour encompasses visits to 2-4 islands primarily in the North Male Atoll and Felidhu Atoll regions. Tours often combine stops at local islands such as Maafushi Guraidhoo and Thulusdhoo. Dhiffushi Island draws visitors with its quiet beaches while Fulidhoo Island offers cultural activities including evening performances of traditional Maldivian drumming.
What is the recommended duration for a small group tour in Maldives?
Seven to eight days provides the right balance for experiencing the Maldives' marine life cultural offerings and island destinations. The week-long Maldives Dhoni Explorer takes travelers through South Male Atoll and Felidhu Atoll. Eight-day programs like those at Bibee Maldives in Dhiffushi let visitors settle into the relaxed pace of island life and fully explore local communities.
What type of accommodation can I expect on a small group tour in Maldives?
Accommodations center on intimate guesthouses and locally operated hotels rather than large-scale resorts. Properties like the Stingray Beach Inn on Maafushi Island and Bibee Maldives on Dhiffushi provide modern comforts while maintaining local character. A TourRadar traveler noted: "staying at Arena Hotel gave us the perfect balance of comfort and local interaction that you don't get at big resorts."
What is the dining experience like on small group tours?
The culinary offerings blend Maldivian specialties with international dishes in intimate settings. Properties such as the Thoddoo Retreat serve home-style meals and arrange beachside BBQ dinners. Boat tours feature dedicated chefs preparing fresh meals. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The food was excellent and plentiful. The chef adapted to sudden changes in dietary requirements cheerfully something that's only possible with a smaller group."
What is the best season for small group tours in Maldives?
While tours run throughout the year the December to April window offers ideal conditions. This period brings excellent visibility for snorkeling and whale shark encounters at South Ari Atoll. According to a TourRadar traveler: "We went in March with a small group and the weather was perfect for all our activities from island hopping to snorkeling with manta rays at Madivaru."
How far in advance should I book a small group tour to Maldives?
Booking windows of 3-6 months are recommended due to limited space at preferred accommodations like Arena Beach Hotel and Bibee Maldives. The peak season from December through March sees particularly high demand. A TourRadar traveler advised: "We booked our small group tour 4 months ahead and were glad we did - some of the best local guesthouses in Maafushi were already full for our dates."
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