- Spend 6 nights on a gulet in the Maldives
- Discover unspoilt islands, pristine beaches and idyllic atolls
- Snorkel with Whale sharks, sea turtles, a variety of marine life and Manta rays (in season)

Marine Wildlife of the Maldives
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Reviews
Add your own reviewAwesome and amazing
I actually did this trip 4 years ago, but it was even better this time. We had excellent viewings of whale sharks and manta rays over 2 days focused on finding these. Our final snorkel on the last day as with stingrays and that was a whole new experience for me. In addition the reef snorkels were also beautiful with a stunning variety of fish and a few turtles. The experience on board was lovely, with plentiful food.
I also did a trial dive that took me down to the manta rays – something I never thought I would do.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many, but I will choose one. Just 4 of us had gone for an extra whale shark search, and one was spotted. I jumped in ahead of it, and it came right towards me. It swam slowly under me and it was so clear in the beautiful blue water. I felt like it was just the 2 of us in the water. I followed it for a while until it dived.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Zav was brilliant. He was funny and entertaining. Not all of the group were confident in all environments and he looked after them and ensured that they got the best experience possible.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring several swimming costumes and ensure you have something like swim shorts as well as a rash vest/ other top as the top of your legs are as likely to burn as back and shoulders. I learned this many years ago.
An amazing boat trip in the Maldives
An amazing tour during which we were lucky enough to snorkel with turtles, dozens of spinner dolphins, huge manta rays, a whale shark on two days, eagle and sting rays, moray eels, reef sharks and of course a wide variety of numerous reef fish large and small.
We were all keen snorkelers and were able to snorkel at least twice a day.
The boat was roomy and comfortable to spend time on during the day as were the cabins at night. The latter had both air conditioning and a fan to keep things cool. The crew were welcoming and helpful.
The food was tasty and plentiful, the group were all keen snorkellers who got on well together.
Most Inspirational Moment
Snorkelling with five manta rays which were feeding in the water beneath us, flying/swimming gracefully in formation, spiralling and going round in small circles near the sea bed. We were able to easily keep up with them for about half an hour. An enormous manta ray joined the loose group for a while before disappearing into the plankton haze. Visibility was surprisingly good, given the plankton, and we able to duck dive a few metres to get clearer photos. Swimming above and briefly alongside a whale shark with only our group present in the water on our second encounter with it, was also magical. We were lucky to see several whale sharks at night pass very close by at the surface by the stern illuminated by a powerful light used to attract small fish eaten by the whale sharks.
Thoughts on Group Leader
UB (Ubai) was personable, had an easy and infectious laugh and who “got” the English sense of humour, looked after all members of the group very well, and quietly and efficiently ensured that everyone was happy and that everything ran smoothly and without drama.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Practise snorkelling and duck diving, go on a course if you can, it will pay dividends when it comes to getting closer to the wildlife underwater. Although snorkelling gear is available on the boat, take your own mask (and fins ) to ensure a comfortable fit. Take a camera suitable for underwater photography and practise with it before you go. A rash vest, preferably but not essentially a thermal one (see on Amazon), is really useful for up-to one hour plus snorkelling sessions. Take along some luck with you to help you find plenty of all the creatures you want to see.
Suggestions
Our first encounter with the whale shark felt rather uncomfortable at times, having to swim along with more than fifty other snorkellers , although the whale shark itself seemed unperturbed and continued to swim along on its way. On our encounter the next day we were the only ones in the water. There was, as expected, a lot of dead coral around, though there were also plenty of signs of recovery. I should thoroughly recommend this trip.
You can be single and do the Maldives without feeling like the odd one out!
From day one you are part of the Felicity family. From being welcomed on board and shown your surprisingly comfy cabin, to the last breakfast on board, you are looked after and made to feel so welcome, you will not want to leave.
Captain Shafy, Guide Kamey And all the crew work tirelessly to get you the best wildlife experiences. Their knowledge of the Maldives and all its creatures is endless and no doubt why you get to see, and experience, so much.
Most Inspirational Moment
Swimming for an hour and 10 minutes with Fernando the 8 metre long Whale Shark has to be the most inspirational part of my trip. Scuba diving after a 20 year break from it felt daunting until Captain Shafy took charge. His patience, confidence and expertise was inspiring. This too was an experience I’ll cherish.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader Kamey has very good English and navigates you through you Maldives experience with his laid back charm. Laid back, but hard working! On snorkelling trips he does his best to get everyone engaged in their surroundings. From identifying species to sorting your camera problems - he can do it.
Advice for Potential Travellers
You need to be able to swim for this trip, and the fitter you are the more you will get out of it. Having said that there is plenty of opportunity for chilling out on deck with a good book. Surprisingly spacious, you can find your own space on the Felicity should you so desire some time to yourself. Don’t pack much. Rash vest, sunscreen, 2 lots of swimwear (one on, one drying), flip flops for shore excursions, sun glasses and hat are a must. If your thinking of getting a waterproof camera - do! It’s great fun and they will help you with it! If you don’t sleep on airplanes go a night early and stay in a hotel in Male to gather yourself before your trip (it’s well worth it).
Suggestions
You and your belongings are safe on board. There aren’t any safes but you don’t need one. I didn’t even lock my cabin door. The food on board was outstanding- you are left wondering how do they do that on a boat. There was a vegetarian and a celiac in our group and their food looked as good as, if not better than everyone else’s! Nothing was too much trouble. There are so many places to see in the world, but the Felicity in the Maldives will get another visit.
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED: EVERY DAY IS EPIC.
This was a magical ‘out of this world’ adventure that went way beyond my wildest dreams. Dive in – a spectacular tropical paradise awaits below and above the warm turquoise water. It was incredibly spine-tingling getting up unbelievably close to whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, eagle rays, dolphins, sharks and a vast array of stunning colourful fish. ‘MV Felicity’ was THE ideal way to have these unforgettable encounters with marine wildlife and ‘chill out’ at the same time. I can not recommend this more highly and it totally ‘recharged’ my batteries. Captain Shafi and crew were outstanding and from the moment I stepped aboard this gulet, I felt at home.
Most Inspirational Moment
Swimming along beside ‘Fernando’, a magnificent 7.2m long whale shark.
Thoughts on Group Leader
KAMEY is THE BEST, the finished article, the ‘real deal’. He is perfect in this role - going the 'extra mile’ at every opportunity to make this the trip of a lifetime for the entire group.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book it!
Suggestions
Spend at least 1 night on deck gazing up at the stars and listening to the waves as you drift off. It is so therapeutic.
Don't Think About It ...Do It !!
Just stunning :0
One of the best holidays I have had and just what I needed to de-stress
Wanting to visit the Maldives and travelling on my own this is a fabulous way of seeing it
As soon as you step out of the airport …there it is ! absolutely stunning turquoise sea !!
You get transferred to the gullet via boat. Stepping on board kick your shoes off and RELAX 🙂
My double room was a decent size as was the bathroom
The rest of the group (5) were lovely and we got on well
All of the staff were lovely and nothing was too much trouble
The food was gorgeous and fresh and also plentiful !! You will not go hungry
Most Inspirational Moment
Inspirational ....all of it !! We managed to get an private showing of a whale shark after most of the other boats had gone :) Utterly mind blowing and blissful also the delight of watching the manta rays gliding around so elegantly. I have dived in the red sea and THIS knocks spots of it !! Some of the snorkels were like swimming through an aquarium and overall what we didn't see isn't worth mentioning quite a lot of it due to the leader Kamay and Shafy (Captain) and also Oubi pointing things out to us that we could of easily missed The two presentations were interesting and great to hear such work is being done to preserve the wildlife and the corals
Thoughts on Group Leader
Fabulous !! I thought he was warm, professional, informative and funny. He clearly is passionate about what he does but with a relaxed attitude I'm envious of his office :) Overall everyone were friendly attentive and a total pleasure to be around Let's put it this way I didn't want to come home !!
Advice for Potential Travellers
It will help to be a reasonable swimmer and wearing a rash vest or UV suit is helpful to prevent from getting burnt also giving you a bit of warmth. Don't get me wrong the sea is warm but if your doing a drift snorkel you can still get chilly
Suggestions
If you want a holiday to kick back and relax this is the one for you The boat is a good size with plenty of covered space and uncovered for this who want to get that tan It is a great way to visit the Maldives at least our island (the boat) moved around to different places rather that being stuck on one island !! I would do it again in a heartbeat !!
Spectacular wildlife, wonderful crew and great fun group
What a week! Everything you might wish for and more. We spent time with whale sharks, mantas, stingrays, turtles, and all reef life. Also had a great laugh in a beautiful place – lovely group who looked after each other, crew were attentive and focussed on all the details of wildlife spotting and safety. A big bonus for me was the diving. Shafi was truly superb as dive leader (and ships captain). Did 4 memorable dives with him.
Most Inspirational Moment
So many. Swimming with the whale sharks, the pirouetting of the mantas, following turtles across the reefs, floating above 15 to 20 sting rays, laughing all through dinner, breakfast with the sunrise etc etc
Thoughts on Group Leader
Kamey was a great guide and combined great knowledge with an easy and supportive manner. He pointed out countless sights on the reefs we would not have spotted while quietly supporting the lesser swimmers. Shafi was a great captain and dive leader. He has a sunny personality and huge skill and experience in all of his roles in managing the boat. He has done 4,500 dives and is completely first class at managing a relatively novice diver like me.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Rash vest and go pro/tough camera are musts! Bring loads of sun cream. A travel towel was great as an addition to my bed sheet as the air con is efficient. Bring your favourite shampoo, conditioner and shower gel as only hand soap provided. Also - let the crew tell you what the best opportunities are on each day rather than hark back to the itinerary. You will see more and better wildlife that way! And maybe have a party night too!
Suggestions
A big thank you to the crew and the local guides at Secret Paradise. It was an amazing week that I am certain we all enjoyed very much.
Marine Wildlife of the Maldives
We boarded our boat, Felicity, and set off almost straight away for a lovely trip around the islands of the Maldives. They say it is a romantic place and it is but it is also very suitable for any occasion for friends or even singles. There were 11 of us, 5 singles and 3 couples, mostly British. I would definitely recommend doing the Maldives on a boat, as you get to see different islands and you are not just stuck on one island. There are only 7 double cabins so 14 is maximum.
Most Inspirational Moment
We were able to go a long way in search of the whale shark and manta rays and they took us to where they were. The sea was so warm to swim in so you don't need a wetsuit but be careful to put plenty of SPF on the backs of your legs and your back or wear a rash vest. Snorkel gear is provided and it was of good quality AND one of the crew cleans it for you and makes it so the mask doesn't fog up. I've only ever had to it myself before so that was a real luxury. All the crew are very helpful in every way.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader spoke perfect English and was very passionate and helpful in every way. He asked the question that we were strong swimmers and there was one lady who said no so he kept her by his side the whole time, and let her hang on to a ring which gave her more confidence. He took us to all the sites where we would get good snorkelling, see beautiful fish and we also had another crew member with us in case anyone got into trouble. All the crew couldn't have done more to make my holiday perfect and safe. I felt perfectly safe with all of them.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you are worried about boats/seasickness then this probably isn't for you. The food on the boat was very good if a bit basic and they catered for a lot of fussy eaters (vegetarians etc). Most of the food is fish/rice based. I put on 5lbs in a week so there is always plenty of food, so much so we felt guilty because there was always a lot that went back, hopefully the crew ate well too. Also lots of fruit which was good, nice fruit too, mangos, papaya, pineapple, bananas etc as well as oranges and apples. There was nothing the cook wouldn't do for the fussy eaters.
Suggestions
The configuration of the boat was superb, outdoor (under cover) eating for every meal. The cabins were much bigger than I expected with different type beds, I guess you just ask if you want a double or singles etc. One thing I was disappointed though was that although it is a yacht, they have no sails so everything is under power of the engine. So don't expect to go for a lovely sail. Also, I found when I got there that there was no safe in my cabin so I asked the group leader. He said everything is quite safe and I actually put my money and passport in my suitcase and it was fine. Anything else left out was also quite safe, no one touched anything that didn't belong to them. That was quite refreshing.
Marvellous Maldives
Great variety of marine life to experience.
Turkish Gullet was an experience – not luxurious but more character than a modern boat.
Excellent food.
Knowledgeable and trustworthy crew.
Snorkelling at 7:30 each morning before breakfast – very refreshing !!
Most Inspirational Moment
Swimming above eleven manta rays and watching a turtle feed up close. Sleeping on deck undermeath the stars. Eating freshly caught fish. Enjoying different reefs every day thus seeing something different each day.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Kamay ( nickname Angabaddy - ask him what it means ) was very knowledgeable about the marine life, the environment and local politics and could even get the footy results on his phone as there's no wifi available. Moreover, as my wife is not a strong swimmer, he kept her beside him using the life ring which allowed me to relax more during the snorkelling. Plus the Captain brought up the rear to check we didn't lose anyone and the Dhoni was always available if anyone needed to get out the water. Can't praise Kamay and the all the crew highly enough including the chef (marvellous food and catered for vegetarians) and Eddy the barman.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take your own hair shampoo / conditioner / shower gel as it's not supplied. Take insect repellent as only on the last night, mooring near Male, our legs were covered totally in bites. The other nights were fine. You don't need to take a towel - plenty available. We bought full face masks with attached snorkels but had to switch to standard mask and separate snorkel ( supplied by Kamay) as we couldn't breathe properly - left the masks with Kamay for kids to play with in rock pools. All in one swimsuit is a good idea or rash vest, otherwise cover exposed areas with sunscream - very hot and easy to get burnt. AC is very loud and used with the fan can be a bit of a pain. Take a light blanket in case you need it at night.
Suggestions
The whale sharks are generally young adults of about 15 years old and 5 meters in length ( I thought they would be bigger) and for us were difficult to find. In fact we only saw one once in two days. We then had the choice of staying to try again or moving on and being able to experience a Maldivian feast and music / dance. We all chose the latter and had great fun at no extra cost. The cabins are reasonable though some found the beds a bit hard and on our side of the boat, the toilets were sometimes rather smelly ( no paper of any sort to go down the loo as it clogs the system!) No shoes to be worn on deck - bare feet all the time. Don't overpack - we took three times the amount of clothing and hardly used any of it!!
An absolutely fabulous trip
I had a fantastic time on this trip. The boat crew is great. Whether it’s serving your meal, helping you on and off the boat, or taking your hand in the water to show you whatever’s been spotted, every member takes their role very seriously and strives to ensure that they give you the best experience possible.
The ship’s captain accompanied me on a dive and filmed it on his own camera. He then presented me with the disk on the last day, which was so thoughtful and unexpected.
The amount of fish, sharks, mammals etc to see is vast and the colours are amazing. I swam with a whale shark called Fernando, who is 22ft. I also saw huge manta rays and lots of sharks.
Most Inspirational Moment
The members of the crew who accompanied us in the water during snorkelling trips took the time to teach me how to dive down to get closer to whatever was there. Not being a particularly confident swimmer, this was great and I was soon practicing with confidence.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Kamey, the tour leader on my trip, is so knowledgeable and his passion for marine wildlife is tremendous and he is very respectful of it.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I agree with the previous reviewer regarding the amount of other holiday makers and boats scrambling to get to the whale shark. My first experience was great as it was with just my fellow Exodus group but the second day was not enjoyable due to the sheer amount of people in the water. However, I would urge anyone considering this trip not to let this put you off as the Maldives has so much more to offer.
Suggestions
This holiday has piqued my interest in cruises of this type and I'm already looking at the Exodus site for something similar for next year.
Mantas, extreme weather and good company
The prospect of sighting whale sharks was the big attraction for this trip, along with plentiful snorkelling opportunities. The MV Felicity has great character and a wonderful crew who couldn’t do enough for their guests. We had a lovely group of people and who got along famously from day 1. Snorkelling was well organised and well led by guide Kamey and our multi-talented Captain.
However the whale shark experience was a huge disappointment, not because the crew didn’t do their best to get us an encounter, but because the whole thing in the Maldives appears unregulated with scant regard for the welfare of the creatures. As soon as a whale shark was spotted, boats sped up from all directions dropping snorkellers and divers in the water. There are no speed restrictions in force, and no limits on numbers and we were surprised to find scuba in use around the whale sharks. We had a talk from someone from the whale shark research project on the boat, which set out guidelines for encounters, but these seemed to be disregarded by many of the boats in the area.
Most Inspirational Moment
Snorkelling with manta rays over the reef early one morning. The crew worked really hard to get us in the right spot and I got some lovely photos
Thoughts on Group Leader
Kamey worked really hard to get us the best snorkelling despite the adverse weather conditions, and was very knowledgeable and helpful
Advice for Potential Travellers
I would hesitate to recommend this trip to anyone who wants a whale shark encounter, and come away feeling that the dignity and well-being of the creatures has been respected.
Start
Finish
Availability
Adult Price From
Optional Single Supplement
Sunday Saturday
12 Nov 2023 11 Nov 2023
Saturday Saturday
18 Nov 2023 18 Nov 2023
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Adult Price From CAD 4,775
Optional Single Supplement Single Rooms sold out
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
26 Nov 2023 25 Nov 2023
Saturday Saturday
02 Dec 2023 02 Dec 2023
Availability Available
Adult Price From CAD 4,775
Optional Single Supplement +CAD 1,131
Special departure- in collaboration with The Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP)
Special departure- in collaboration with The Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP)
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
17 Dec 2023 16 Dec 2023
Saturday Saturday
23 Dec 2023 23 Dec 2023
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Adult Price From CAD 4,775
Optional Single Supplement Single Rooms sold out
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
21 Jan 2024 20 Jan 2024
Saturday Saturday
27 Jan 2024 27 Jan 2024
Availability Available
Adult Price From CAD 5,345
Optional Single Supplement Single Rooms sold out
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
28 Jan 2024 27 Jan 2024
Saturday Saturday
03 Feb 2024 03 Feb 2024
Availability Available
Adult Price From CAD 5,345
Optional Single Supplement Single Rooms sold out
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
18 Feb 2024 17 Feb 2024
Saturday Saturday
24 Feb 2024 24 Feb 2024
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Adult Price From CAD 5,345
Optional Single Supplement Single Rooms sold out
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
25 Feb 2024 24 Feb 2024
Saturday Saturday
02 Mar 2024 02 Mar 2024
Availability Available
Adult Price From CAD 5,345
Optional Single Supplement Single Rooms sold out
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
10 Mar 2024 09 Mar 2024
Saturday Saturday
16 Mar 2024 16 Mar 2024
Availability Available
Adult Price From CAD 5,345
Optional Single Supplement Single Rooms sold out
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
24 Nov 2024 23 Nov 2024
Saturday Saturday
30 Nov 2024 30 Nov 2024
Availability Available
Adult Price From CAD 5,345
Optional Single Supplement +CAD 1,235
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Saturday
15 Dec 2024 14 Dec 2024
Saturday Saturday
21 Dec 2024 21 Dec 2024
Availability Available
Adult Price From CAD 5,345
Optional Single Supplement +CAD 1,235
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesWould you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
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