A relaxed cruise in the warm turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean, explore the marine wonderland by snorkel or diving and relax at secluded white sandy beaches
Day 1 - Flight
Day 2 - Malé
Day 3 - South Malé Atoll
Day 4 - Rannalhi
Day 5 - Alimatha
Day 6 - Anbaraa
Day 7 - South Ari Atoll
Day 8 - Ariadhoo
Day 9 - Maamigili
Day 10 - Hurasdhoo
Day 11 - Embudu
Day 12 - Raiydhigaa
Day 13 - Alikoi Rah
Day 14 - Maayafushi
Day 15 - Malé
Day 16 - Return Flight
The Maldives, a tropical nation composed of 26 ring-shaped atolls and more than 1,000 coral islands, is draped pearl-like across the Indian Ocean. Known for its crystal white sands, sheltered blue lagoons and marvellous coral reefs teeming with marine life, it redefines paradise.
A comfortable yacht with a relaxed on board ambience is the best way to explore the world’s most beautiful archipelago, a paradise of white palm-fringed beaches and turquoise seas.
The islands have an excellent reputation for superb snorkelling and world-class dive sites. Cruise the Central Atolls of South Male’, Vaavu and Ari Atoll. The itinerary is designed for snorkellers and divers covering the best in the region. Highlights include Alimatha night snorkelling with Nurse Sharks and Sting Rays; a whale shark excursion on the Ari atoll and a Manta Ray excursion.
This magical Maldivian realm is the ultimate destination for total relaxation, a place where you can expect to lose all sense of time, kick off your shoes, lay back and relax. Truly ‘barefoot’ living at its most delightful.
Natural Wonders
Small Ship Sailing
Drinks Included
Group Size: 2 – 20
Day 1 Fly overnight from your chosen airport via Colombo, Dubai or Doha to Malé.
Day 2 Transfer to MV Yasawa Princess, a 20 minute boat ride from Malé. Enjoy a cocktail and watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. (L, D)
Day 3 Depart from Malé and cross Vaadhoo Channel to South Male’ Atoll. Visit beautiful Kalhuhuraa to relax, soak up the sun and take a dip in the warm Indian Ocean. Diving options: Vaagali Caves, an easy dive site with overhangs and an abundance of schooling fish, and Vaagali Thila, a pinnacle in the channel with fine coral and marine life and maybe schooling sharks. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Cruise to Rannalhi Island, a small boutique resort island located on the western edge of South Malé Atoll. Evening fishing trip using traditional hand lines. Diving options: Guraidhoo Corner, a super site known for its reef formation and colourful marine life. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Cross the channel into Vaavu Atoll and cruise to Alimatha on the eastern edge of the Atoll where a beautiful turquoise lagoon surrounds the sandbank. Optional night snorkelling (payable locally $15). Diving options: Miyaru kandu, a channel dive known for larger pelagic, shark, eagle rays and Devana kandu, a channel with a central reef. Turtles have been sighted in the shallower waters. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Morning cruise to Anbaraa located in Vaavu Atoll, with easy access to the reef for snorkellers. Enjoy an evening Maldivian BBQ under the stars, experience the amazing beauty of the area and enjoy a spot of stargazing. Diving option: Rakeedhoo kandu, a corner of the channel with well grown hard coral and overhangs, covered with soft corals overhead. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Cross the channel to South Ari Atoll and Oshagali Finolhu. A tender will be ready on arrival. This is a particular favourite with healthy hard coral. Diving options: Kuda Rah Thila, a protected dive site and small pinnacle with soft corals and overhangs and Machafushi Wreck, a deliberate scuttle of a small cargo freighter, where much fresh coral has grown, making it a healthy artificial reef. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Short cruise from Oshagali to Ariadhoo, a plantation island, with access to its beaches to relax and easy access to the ocean for swimming. Visit Maamagili to experiencing the local lifestyle and perhaps purchase some handicrafts. Optional whale shark excursion (payable locally $15). Diving options: Maamagili Corner and Kudadhoo Beyru. Both are dive sites outside of the atoll and are easy wall dives with the opportunity to spot whale shark. (B, L, D)
Day 9 The boat will be anchored in Maamagili for mid cruise arrivals/departures. At least one excursion will be provided to the guests staying on board. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Short cruise to Hurasdhoo, a small deserted island with white sandy beach surrounding it. Optional manta ray excursion (payable locally $15). Evening fishing trip using traditional hand lines. Diving options: Angaga Thila, a small pinnacle where turtles feed on the corals while sharks cruise in the current. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Full day at Embudu Island, a small island with a long stretch of white sandy beach. Reef around the island is good for snorkelling, with a bit of luck turtles and eagle rays can be seen. Evening fishing trip using traditional hand lines. Diving options: Moofushi Kandu, a channel dive with a manta ray cleaning station. Embudu Thila, a small pinnacle with a healthy coral home for many colourful reef fishes. (B, L, D)
Day 12 Full day at Raiydhigaa Island with a long white sandy beach enabling easy access for snorkellers to swim from the beach. Picnic lunch and BBQ evening. Diving options: Dega Thila, full with soft corals and schooling fish. Miyaru Gaa Thila, an ideal place to dive in search of octopus, scorpion and lionfish. Sharks and sting rays can be found resting on the bottom. (B, L, D)
Day 13 Full day at Alikoi Rah sand bank, surrounded by a well grown reef which houses an array of colourful fish, perhaps spot turtles and rays. Sunset cruise to Maaya sandbank. Diving options: Fish Head, one of the best pinnacles for fish life or Kandu Thila, a narrow submerged reef where white tip and grey reef sharks can be seen. (B, L, D)
Day 14 Full day at Maayafushi sandbank where flocks of common seabirds can be found. Diving options: Maaya Thila, one of the most famous night dive sites in the Maldives, sharks and sting rays hunt at this site at night or Bathala Maagaa Kan. (B, L, D)
Day 15 Cross Alihuras Kandu, at the North Ari Atoll, to Malé. Last swim in the Indian Ocean before cruising back to Malé. Visit the local and fish market of the capital of the Maldives. (B, L, D)
Day 16 Morning return flight from Malé via Colombo, Dubai or Doha to your chosen airport.
Notes
Marine sightings cannot be guaranteed. Excursions may involve transferring to smaller craft.
The ship has a fully equipped dive school run by professionals, so you can learn to dive, or if you are certified, you can dive in each location, chargeable locally at $50 per dive. Diving courses are bookable and equipment hire available on board (full details on request).
Whist our minimum group size is 2, the cruise will not operate with less than 13 people.
Whilst the vessel carries more, the group size specified refers to transfers and excursions.
The programme may be altered due to navigational factors with locks, water levels or congestion at certain sites.
Built in Fiji in 1984 and refurbished in 2015, the MV Yasawa Princess is operated by Maldivian Deep Blue Holidays.
All drinks are included throughout the cruise as Jules Verne guests are on an all-inclusive basis during the cruise. Enjoy excellent buffets of local and international cuisine in the single sitting restaurant with some evening barbecues on the beach.
A comfortable cruise vessel offering a very relaxed and informal atmosphere on board with an attentive and friendly crew. The bar/TV lounge contains a small library, whilst the sun deck offers sun loungers to relax and WiFi (free/limited).
28 air-conditioned simple yet tastefully decorated cabins, with private facilities, hairdryer, safe and fan. 7 twin/double cabins (142 sq. ft.) on the Lower Main Deck with portholes, 14 twin/double cabins (117 sq. ft.) on the Middle Deck (A Deck) with picture window and 7 twin/double cabins (115 sq. ft.) on the Upper Deck (Bridge Deck) with picture window.
2020
per person in a twin/double Lower Deck cabin
Sri Lankan Airlines from London Heathrow
| February 2 | £3595 |
| March 1 | £3595 |
| April 26 | £3295 |
| May 10 | £2995 |
| October 25 | £3445 |
| November 22 | £3645 |
| December 6 | £3645 |
2021
per person in a twin/double Lower Deck cabin
Sri Lankan Airlines from London Heathrow
per person in a twin/double Lower Deck cabin
Sri Lankan Airlines from London Heathrow
per person in a twin/double Lower Deck cabin
Sri Lankan Airlines from London Heathrow
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
Single supplement £695
Cabin Upgrades
Middle Deck £325
Single supplement £665
Upper Deck £645
Single supplement £1020
Flight Options
Sri Lankan Airlines from London Heathrow nil
Qatar Airways from Manchester £250
Independent Arrival
Save £700
Arrival transfer add £30
Departure transfer add £30
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, all port charges, transfers, 14-night cruise, full board and drinks on cruise vessel, snorkelling equipment, expert local guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, visa procurement, tipping, porterage, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
© 2020 Jules Verne - 96 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0BE
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