Maldives: Optional Extra Activities
We’ve hand picked what we think are the best activities in the Maldives, designed to make the trip feel like one bucket list experience after another.
We genuinely recommend doing as many as you can. These are the experiences that make the trip, from the big wildlife encounters to the boat days, sandbanks and local island experiences.
Everything is still completely optional, so you can join the activities you want and skip anything you do not fancy. Our local guides will go through each one in more detail during the trip.
The prices below are a good guide for budgeting. Some activities are operated by local suppliers, so prices can occasionally change slightly.
Payment: Excursions are paid directly to your rep in USD cash while on tour. Please bring enough USD with you, as you cannot withdraw USD from ATMs in the Maldives. Notes must also be in clean, undamaged condition, as worn or marked notes may be refused.
Whale Shark Excursion: Included
The whale shark is the world’s largest fish, and South Ari Atoll is one of the best places in the Maldives to see them. After breakfast, we’ll head out by boat and spend the day searching the waters around Dhigurah and Maamigili for these incredible gentle giants.
For lunch, we'll set up an included buffet on Dhigurah island, we'll then have some time for some epic drone photos/videos.
Whale shark tourism in the Maldives is still largely unregulated, so we work alongside the Maldives Whale Shark Research Project to make sure the experience is responsible, informed and respectful of the animals.
Shipwreck, Shark Point & Sandbank breakfast: Included
One of our favourite ocean days on the trip starts with an incredible nurse shark swim, followed by breakfast on a remote sandbank island, then a stop at a shallow water shipwreck.
We’ll swim alongside the wreck, snorkel over it and, if you’re confident, freedive down for a closer look. The bow sits close to the surface, so you do not need to be an experienced freediver to enjoy it.
It’s a brilliant mix of wildlife, scenery and adventure, and one of the best days on the trip for photos and underwater videos.
Bonfire Beach Dinner: $30 USD
No Maldives trip is complete without a beach night under the stars. We’ll head out in the evening for a BBQ dinner and campfire on a secluded stretch of sand.
Water, soft drinks and dessert are all included, and you can eat as much as you want.
There is also the option to sleep under the stars and camp on the beach, just outside the hotel. If you change your mind at any point, you can simply head back to your room.
Scuba Diving: $55 - $77 USD
The Maldives is one of the best places in the world to try scuba diving, with warm water, great visibility and incredible marine life.
If you’ve never dived before, try a Discover Scuba Dive. It’s made for complete beginners, you only go a few metres down and an instructor stays with you the whole time. No experience needed.
Certified dives: $55 USD per dive
Intro dive: $77 USD
Depending on the site and conditions, you could see reef sharks, turtles, rays, huge schools of fish and plenty of colourful coral.
As Friday is a free day, certified divers can book two additional dives, giving them the option to do three dives in total during the trip.
Sunset Cruise/Fishing: $30 USD
At around 5pm we head out for one of the most relaxed evenings of the trip, cruising to a nearby reef with music, fishing and a Maldivian sunset.
Even if fishing or eating fish is not your thing, this one is still well worth doing. You can chill on the boat, watch the sunset, enjoy the reef and keep an eye out for marine life.
A full buffet dinner is included for everyone with this activity.
If you do fancy fishing, anything we catch can be cooked up for dinner, so you get to eat some of the freshest fish you will ever have, straight from the ocean to the plate.
Resort Visit: $160 USD (All Inclusive)
This is your chance to experience the classic luxury Maldives for a day.
The all inclusive package includes return boat transfers, resort entry, an international buffet lunch and unlimited beer, wine and cocktails.
We’ll spend the afternoon enjoying the beach and pool, exploring the island and getting up close to the overwater villas before finishing at the swim up bar for sunset.
It’s a very different side of the Maldives compared with the local islands, and one of the best days to properly switch off and enjoy the resort experience.
Final Beach Dinner - White Night! $30 USD
Our final White Night Dinner is the perfect way to finish the trip.
We’ll head down to the beach dressed in white for a relaxed private final evening together with great food, drinks and one last Maldivian sunset.
Expect fresh seafood, local dishes, plenty of laughs and a chance to look back on the week before the trip comes to an end.
Simple, social and one of the nicest ways to wrap up an unforgettable few days in the Maldives.
Water Sports: Prices Vary
Water sports are a huge part of island life in the Maldives, so this is a great chance to try something new.
You can keep it relaxed with kayaking or SUP, or go bigger with jet skis, wakeboarding, water skiing and other activities depending on availability.
For the best value, we recommend the water sports package for two people. For around $80 USD per person, you can usually do jet skiing, parasailing, fun tube and SUP/kayaking in one package.
It’s one of the best value optional activities on the trip and a great way to try a few different things without paying for each one separately.
Food & Drink
Buffet breakfast is included every day, with some lunches and dinners included throughout the trip.
If you join the optional resort day, an international buffet lunch and unlimited drinks are included.
Food and drinks on the local islands are generally very affordable.
• Meals are around $7 USD, or up to $15 USD with extras and drinks
• Ice cream, snacks and soft drinks are usually $2 to $3 USD
• At the Maafushi floating bar, beer, wine & cocktails are $7 to $15 USD
We genuinely believe the Maldives is best experienced with a group.
From swimming with whale sharks, manta rays and turtles to exploring shipwrecks, sandbanks, boat trips and five star resorts, this trip is packed with bucket list experiences that are even better shared.
Our Maldives Island Hopping trip is designed to bring people together, experience the best of the islands and make the most of every day.