Itinerary
- Day 1
Male to Maafushi
You'll arrive at Male International Airport and head out by dhoni to reach MV Felicity. Once you're settled in your cabin, the boat sails to Maafushi in the South Male Atoll for your first snorkel. Your Tour Leader walks through a responsible snorkelling briefing and points out the marine life as you explore the reef. Later in the evening, there's a talk on coral reefs covering their biodiversity and conservation challenges.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided snorkel in Maafushi, South Male Atoll with responsible snorkelling briefing
- Coral reef talk on biodiversity, marine ecosystem role, and human impact
Landmarks Male International Airport Maafushi - Day 2
Maafushi
The day focuses on Maafushi and how tourism affects small island communities. You'll visit a coral rehabilitation site to see coral propagation happening firsthand, then snorkel over seagrass meadows to understand these important ecosystems. After lunch back on the boat, there's an afternoon snorkel before sailing further south. A Sea Turtle Expert shares information about the turtles of the Maldives, including their biology, anatomy, and behaviour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided visit to coral rehabilitation site with coral propagation demonstration
- Guided snorkel over seagrass meadows
- Afternoon snorkel
- Educational talk on Maldivian sea turtles by Olive Ridley Project expert
Landmarks Maafushi Coral Rehabilitation Site 
- Day 3
Vaavu Atoll
Start with a sunrise snorkel looking for turtles. You'll participate in photo identification research using unique facial markings to track individual turtles. Following a turtle snorkelling code of conduct briefing, you'll cross into Vaavu Atoll and visit two more snorkel sites known for turtle activity. When you snorkel alongside turtles, you'll record data on size, markings, and behaviour to support research and conservation policy.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sunrise snorkel with turtle spotting and photo identification research assistance
- Turtle snorkelling code of conduct briefing
- Two guided snorkels in Vaavu Atoll at sites with frequent turtle activity
- Turtle data collection training and participation
Landmarks Vaavu Atoll - Day 4
Vaavu Atoll
Begin with a reef snorkel searching for turtles, rays, and reef sharks. The afternoon takes you to an uninhabited island that serves as a turtle nesting site. You'll learn about the nesting process and dangers to eggs and hatchlings, then help with a beach clean-up. As evening comes, there's a BBQ dinner under the stars with the ocean as your backdrop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (BBQ dinner under the stars)
Included Activities
- Morning reef snorkel with turtle, ray, and shark spotting
- Guided visit to uninhabited turtle nesting island
- Educational talk on turtle nesting and protection
- Beach clean-up activity
- BBQ dinner under the stars
Landmarks Turtle Nesting Island (Vaavu Atoll) - Day 5
Vaavu Atoll
Multiple snorkelling sessions focus on turtle sightings and data collection to track population health and important habitats. In the afternoon, you learn about threats turtles face like ghost nets, habitat destruction, and bycatch. The trip covers rescue and rehabilitation efforts, plus you develop skills in safely helping entangled turtles.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Multiple guided snorkels with turtle spotting and data collection
- Educational talk on turtle threats and conservation
- Training on turtle rescue and rehabilitation techniques
- Day 6
Gulhi Island
One last snorkel happens while heading back toward Male, continuing turtle data collection among the reefs. The boat anchors near Gulhi, a local island where fishing is the main livelihood. You'll check out the boatyard with the oldest dry dock in the Maldives and chat with locals over fresh kurumba (coconut), experiencing traditional island life. That evening features a Maldivian theme night on board with bodu beru drumming and dancing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Maldivian theme night dinner on board with bodu beru drumming and dancing)
Included Activities
- Final snorkel with turtle data collection
- Guided visit to Gulhi Island boatyard with cultural interaction
- Maldivian theme night on board with bodu beru drumming and dancing
Landmarks Gulhi Island Boatyard Gulhi Island - Day 7
Maldives
Your final full day starts with one last snorkel to collect remaining data and spend time at the reefs. The afternoon involves reviewing all the data gathered throughout the week. You may have the chance to identify a new turtle for the Olive Ridley Project's database and name it, or adopt a turtle you've met, leaving your own legacy from this trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Final snorkel with turtle data collection
- Weekly data review and analysis session
Optional Activities
- Adopt a turtle encountered during the week
- Day 8
Male Departure
After breakfast, you'll disembark MV Felicity and transfer to Male International Airport for your departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Male International Airport
