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25th Sep 2027 - 3rd Oct 2027
9 days/Maldives /Project Trip
Set sail on an unforgettable marine adventure through the Maldives, exploring its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and remote island communities. This unique liveaboard journey offers the perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and marine conservation.
Cruising from Male through the stunning South Male and Vaavu Atolls, you’ll snorkel with turtles, rays, and reef fish, visit traditional fishing villages, and learn about the delicate ecosystems that make the Maldives so extraordinary. Each day brings a discovery, from sunrise snorkels and uninhabited island visits to beach clean-ups and citizen science projects like turtle identification and nurdle hunts. Along the way, you’ll gain hands-on insight into reef conservation, responsible snorkelling practices, and the role of NGOs working to protect endangered species such as sharks and turtles.
Cultural experiences, such as Maldivian line fishing, a traditional ‘hedika’ snack tour, and an evening of Bodu Beru music and dance, enrich your understanding of this fascinating island nation. Whether spotting dolphins from the sun deck or collecting data beneath the waves, this journey offers an immersive and meaningful way to experience the Maldives—one that leaves a positive impact on the environment while deepening your connection to the ocean and its wonders.
This Maldives: Conservation Gulet Cruise trip is rated as ‘easy’. It is suitable for those with a reasonable level of fitness who are comfortable in the water, as daily snorkelling sessions form a core part of the experience. While no prior snorkelling experience is required, participants should be confident swimmers and at ease in open water. Living aboard a safari boat for several days requires some adaptability, particularly to limited space, potential motion from waves, and the tropical climate.
The Maldives is a stunning island nation located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India. Comprising around 1,200 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls, the Maldives is renowned for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and vibrant coral reefs. It is one of the world’s most unique and fragile ecosystems, home to an extraordinary variety of marine life, including turtles, manta rays, reef sharks, and hundreds of tropical fish species.
Traditionally a fishing-based society, the Maldives has grown into a global tourism hotspot, attracting visitors with its overwater villas, world-class diving, and serene island lifestyle. The capital, Malé, is a bustling city, but most travellers explore the quieter, more remote islands and atolls.
The country is particularly vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels, making marine conservation and sustainable tourism key national priorities. The local culture is shaped by Islamic traditions, with strong community values and a rich heritage expressed through music, crafts, and cuisine.
Whether you’re exploring vibrant coral gardens, relaxing on a sun-drenched deck, or learning about marine conservation efforts, the Maldives offers an unforgettable blend of natural beauty, cultural insight, and environmental awareness.
On this trip, you can make a meaningful difference by actively contributing to marine conservation efforts and supporting sustainable tourism in the Maldives. Through guided snorkelling sessions, you’ll help collect valuable citizen science data, including turtle photo identification and fish species monitoring, which aids ongoing research into marine populations and reef health. This non-invasive data collection helps scientists better understand and protect endangered species and fragile ecosystems.
By taking part in beach clean-ups and nurdle hunts, you’ll directly reduce plastic pollution in the marine environment and contribute to global pollution-tracking databases, helping researchers monitor environmental trends. You’ll also learn about threats facing coral reefs, such as climate change and human impact, and gain practical knowledge on how to snorkel responsibly and reduce your ecological footprint—skills you can apply and share long after the trip ends.
Supporting local communities is another important aspect. By engaging with Maldivian islanders, learning about their culture, and participating in responsible tourism practices, you help foster economic opportunities that value conservation over exploitation.
Ultimately, your presence supports grassroots NGOs, local livelihoods, and long-term sustainability efforts, making this trip more than a holiday, it’s a chance to be part of a positive, lasting impact.
Activities are generally low-impact and relaxed, with no long or strenuous hikes. Island exploration typically involves light walking on sandy paths, making the trip accessible to those with a moderate level of fitness and mobility.
A traditionally crafted and built Turkish gulet complete with sails, the MV Felicity has a length of 28m, a beam of 6.85m and a draft of 2.60m.
With two decks and 7 cabins, Felicity accommodates 12 passengers comfortably. All cabins are air-conditioned with an attached bathroom including shower, small wardrobe, drawer and storage facilities, portholes and a DC wall fan. Comfortable but not luxurious is how we would describe the cabins!
There is an outdoor dining area and an indoor area just in case of rain!
The indoor saloon area is furnished with a dining table and seating, plus banquette seating and is equipped with a TV-DVD-Stereo area and an equipment charging area. The communal open-air deck space is furnished with sun mats and banquette seating.
A gulet is a traditional wooden sailing vessel originally used for fishing and sponge diving. Today, gulets are popular for leisure cruises and are equipped with modern comforts, including spacious cabins and en-suite bathrooms. They typically have two or three masts and can sail using both wind and motor power. Combining classic design with contemporary amenities, gulets offer a relaxed and comfortable way to explore coastal waters on group holidays or private charters.
All meals are fully inclusive, with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon snacks freshly prepared each day by the onboard chefs. The cuisine is a delicious blend of Maldivian and European dishes, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Traditional Maldivian food centres around tuna, coconut, and chilli, with staples such as white rice and roshi (a local flatbread). Fish is typically prepared smoked, fried, barbecued, or roasted.
Common ingredients include onion, ginger, garlic, lemon, and a variety of spices, adding rich flavour to the meals. To support sustainability, pork products are not served, and beef is excluded to help reduce carbon emissions. The chefs are happy to cater for most dietary requirements. Please ensure any specific needs are noted on your booking form.
Unlimited drinking water is available – bring a reusable water bottle!
An ideal person for this trip is someone with a genuine interest in marine life and conservation, who enjoys being in and on the water, and is comfortable snorkelling in open sea conditions. They should have a reasonable level of fitness, be a confident swimmer, and open to living aboard a boat for an extended period, with the shared facilities and close-quarters lifestyle that involves. This trip would particularly suit individuals who are curious, adaptable, and environmentally conscious, and who appreciate a mix of education, relaxation, and soft adventure. It’s ideal for those who enjoy learning about marine ecosystems, participating in citizen science, and being part of a small, like-minded group. While not physically demanding, the trip requires a positive attitude, a willingness to follow safety guidelines, and an interest in immersive, hands-on experiences with nature.
You must be at least 18 years old to participate in this trek. It may be possible for you to participate if you are 16 or 17 years old, but you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit
UK – Male
Depart for Male on an overnight flight.
Upon arrival at Male’ International Airport you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your safari home for the next 7 days. You will be settled into your cabin and given a full tour of the boat before beginning your voyage of discovery!
Late afternoon, you will cruise south to Guraidhoo in South Male’ Atoll. This is the time for you to do as you please, relax on the sundeck, sit in the shade of the sun canopy and watch the beauty of the Maldives pass you by and maybe catch sight of dolphins. When at anchorage, you can choose to do as much or as little as you please. Options include snorkelling and swimming, fishing, or just relaxing.
Once anchored, we hit the water for your first Maldives underwater encounter. Your tour leader will provide a safety briefing on responsible snorkelling and act as your ‘spotter’, pointing out marine life that may not have caught your eye. Coral reefs are fragile ecosystems, so learning how to snorkel responsibly can help minimise your impact on the marine environment and protect the delicate balance of marine life.
A presentation focuses on the vital role of coral reefs, their biodiversity, and the threats they face due to climate change, pollution, and human activities. The Maldives is rich in marine life, but unfortunately, our marine life is under threat because of activities carried out by us humans. Your Tour Leader will highlight the harmful practices that are pushing the balance in the ecosystem and what we can do to limit the impact.
Following breakfast, you have the opportunity to tour the local island of Guraidhoo. Accompanied by your guide, time is spent exploring the island with the opportunity to meet the local people going about their daily lives. As you wander the narrow maze of sandy lanes, discover local fruit trees, learn how Islam frames daily routines, and perhaps see fishermen at the harbour with their catch.
Back on board the Felicity, we cruise into Vaavu Atoll during which time we learn about turtles, their biology, anatomy and behaviours in preparation for our encounters! Once anchored in Vaavu, we head out for snorkelling in search of turtles – have your camera at the ready so we can capture ID photos. Photo identification is a non-invasive method to study marine population dynamics, and has been used on a variety of different marine species such as dolphins, whales, manta rays and sea turtles. The images use unique, naturally occurring marks on each creature’s body to identify different individuals. A turtle’s facial profile is unique to them, similar to human fingerprints!
Before entering the water, your guide will explain the turtle snorkelling code of conduct to ensure a respectful and memorable experience for both you and the turtles. As we are observing marine life in their natural habitat, sightings cannot be guaranteed; we may encounter two or three turtles in an hour, or perhaps only one during the entire search. This unpredictability is part of the adventure and deepens our appreciation and understanding of these incredible creatures.
This morning, we will snorkel before breakfast, capturing ocean life as it wakes up and then cruise through Vaavu Atoll to a beautiful picture picture-perfect sand bar. Here you have the opportunity to swim, snorkel or just lie back and relax. We will also complete a nurdle hunt, a therapeutic treasure hunt to collect these plastic pellets that have been washed ashore and contribute our findings to a global pollution tracking database.
This afternoon, we will once again go snorkelling in search of turtles. The coral reefs of the Maldives are inhabited by a diverse range of marine life and are teeming with colourful fish and corals. Keep your eyes open for sharks and rays, you never know what may be in the blue! Your tour leader will act as your ‘spotter’, pointing out marine life that may not have caught your eye.
This morning we cruise to Felidhoo, where there will be snorkelling opportunities as well as an island visit. If conditions are right, we will snorkel the famous Vaavu wreck. Make sure to have your camera at the ready!
In the afternoon, we visit an uninhabited island. The island’s beaches will invite you to wander and explore their hidden corners. Unfortunately, plastic is often not hidden and we will spend time completing a beach clean-up activity, ensuring we leave a positive mark on the island.
This evening, we delve into the work of NGO Miyaru, custodians of the protection of sharks in the Maldives. The Maldives is one of the most important shark sanctuaries in the Indian Ocean and home to globally significant populations of large predatory sharks, including several critically endangered species.
Following breakfast, we continue our cruise through Vaavu Atoll during which time is yours to do as you please, relax on the sundeck, sit in the shade of the sun canopy and watch the beauty of the Maldives pass you by and maybe catch sight of dolphins. Once at anchor, we will head out snorkelling before visiting the local island of Fulidhoo and transferring ashore for traditional ‘hedika’ – Maldivian savoury and sweet snack served with black tea and the opportunity to tour the island before returning on board for a relaxing evening.
This evening at sunset, experience the art of Maldivian line fishing! The Maldives is unique in that its history depends on tuna fishing, and the locals are excellent fishermen using pole and line and are happy to share their skills with you. Your catch will be freshly prepared for you to enjoy.
We start our cruise back towards Male today. Snorkelling will provide the opportunity to continue our turtle data research, as well as to encounter a variety of fish species, and appreciate the intricate balance of these underwater ecosystems.
Late afternoon, visit the local island of Gulhi. This tiny, quiet island’s main economy is fishing, and it is also home to the oldest dry dock boat yard in the Maldives. Stand in awe at the size of the boats under renovation in the boat yard, chat with the ladies sweeping the streets and finally refresh yourself with a cool Kurumba (coconut).
In the evening, a Maldivian-themed night is organised on board, featuring a Bodu Beru musical performance, showcasing traditional Maldivian music and dance. This cultural immersion further deepens your understanding of the Maldives and enhances the overall learning experience.
We start the day with another snorkelling session, allowing you to further explore the marine life and habitats of the Maldives. On route back to Hulhumale lagoon, we stop off at Villimale, where we join a member of the local NGO Save the Beach who will take us through the process of fish identification. Learn to identify key fish species, including important indicator species whose population trends can reveal vital information about the health of the reef. Understanding these species helps us monitor and protect the delicate balance of life within these underwater ecosystems.
Develop expertise in recognising and distinguishing fish at the species level, and differentiate between various fish families and their unique characteristics. Learn how data will be collected and recorded as we snorkel the reef just off the beach of Villimale. Discover the process of fish identification and how data will be recorded as we snorkel the reef just off the beach of Villimale.
Breakfast on board. Check out 08.30am when you will be transferred back to Male’s airport in time for your departure flight.
It is our goal to maximise the chances of marine life encounters, and in order to do that, we will adapt the itinerary to take into account conditions, weather forecasts and the presence of marine life.
Total trip cost: £3,395
Please contact us at accounts@different-travel.com for details on how to pay your deposit or trip costs by instalments.
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