Reviews

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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.

Most Inspirational Moment

There is no doubt that swimming with a variety of sea life in warm waters is why one comes to the Maldives. Throw in some great sunrises and sunsets, remote and not so remote islands and a few storms and you have a nice variety. These islands are unique in of themselves and alone worth the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A good group leader is someone who knows what they are doing, leads and makes sure everyone is enjoying themselves. My fellow travelers summed it up well--Kamey is a genuinely nice person who likes to have fun and wants others to have fun as well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Our departure was the inaugural Marine Wildlife of the Maldives excursion. We were fortunate to have an Exodus representative on the trip and the updated trip notes will cover some of my points. To be clear, the focus of this trip is snorkeling and not diving. There was only one day, Thursday, that diving was a true option. I arrived on the island early and did my diving with the local operator for our trip, Secret Paradise. I had some excellent dives and saw some great sea life. Gear--while the gear on the MV Felicity was very good it is always best to bring your own mask and snorkel to insure no surprises. I brought a shorty but didn't need it. There is no need to bring any towels. What you do need is plenty of good waterproof sunscreen--suggest SP 50. A rash vest with a good SP factor is also a must. For those of you with thin hair on top you should bring a swimming hat. The underside of your arms, tops of your feet and the back of your legs should be given special attention. The MV Felicity has teak decks which means no shoes can be worn while on board. Some boats allow for non slip socks which you might inquire about. I also brought my own bar of soap and liquid laundry soap. Reading material is a must for this trip. There is plenty of leisure time on board. I brought binoculars but never used them. Our captain was kind enough to turn on his Wifi for a few of hours in the evening on a couple of nights. Beer cost 3 dollars US and I believe a bottle of wine went for 22 US. You record how much you drank and settle up at the end.

Suggestions

As my fellow travelers stated--it is a great trip in all aspects.

Most Inspirational Moment

I had the privilege to snorkel with some of the most beautiful biodiverse creatures in the world including whale sharks, manta rays and sea turtles which were each awe inspiring and magical. I also had the pleasure of scuba diving for the first time in my life which is an experience I will never forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kamey was a good leader and certainly knew a lot of information about the areas we visited. He enjoyed having fun with the group and worked well with the ships crew to ensure all needs were met. Kamey is a confident swimmer, snorkeler and diver, so you are in safe hands!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Felicity has a generator that runs throughout the day and night, if you are a light sleeper or if noise disrupts your sleep then I would advise ear plugs for this trip. Plugs in the cabins are English (or at least it was in my cabin). Snorkel equipment and fins are provided so you don't necessarily need to purchase your own. Some of the group were cold at night due to the air conditioning/fan, therefore it might be worth packing a blanket. Alternatively you can turn the air con or fan off. Beach towels and bathroom towels are provided. Beware of stormy weather - its tropical and it happens! The sun is very strong in the Maldives, take a t-shirt to swim in. I ended up wearing more clothes swimming than when I was on the boat! Take a spare pair of socks - if your fins start to rub your toes (like mine did) just snorkel with socks on :) Underwater camera is a must if you wish to take unforgettable shots! Factor 50 sun cream is recommended but its up to you. I used 30 and crisped up too much and too easily. You need to be confident in the water. You are not swimming in a milk pond, there are currents and you can spend a couple of hours in the water at a time. The water is warm day and night, even in rain. Evenings are warm and pleasant I was unsure if I would need a wrap in case the temperature dropped. It didn't drop much and was nice after a hot day.

Suggestions

Loved the trip, loved the group, loved the food. Will return in the future.

Most Inspirational Moment

Snorkeling with whale sharks. Seeing the manta rays doing somersaults to catch the plankton too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kamey was so friendly and great fun. He knew so much about the marine life we saw. He really took care of us and made sure we were safe and confident in the marine environment. He made sure I felt welcome right from when he met me at the airport until he took me back. Really great.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need to be a reasonably confident swimmer to really enjoy this trip. Although the crew were great and ensured we were always safe, I feel a love of the water and the life in it certainly made the trip more fantastic.

Suggestions

You will want to go back. I am already planning another trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

Snorkelling alongside a whale shark! Unforgettable & very precious memory which I will never forget! Food was outstanding! (and I say this as a discerning foodie), it defies belief how the chef managed to produce 3 meals a day in a small galley/kitchen!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kamey, was superb, a genuinely nice/fun, truly sincere guy and keen to help us wherever possible. The captain (Shafi) also looked after us when snorkelling, always keen to point out anything of interest, hung on to our hand if ever we needed a bit of help speeding up to catch up with any sea creatures. I felt in very safe hands!

Advice for Potential Travellers

1. Can't flush paper down the loo, so based on a previous bot trip, I brought some nappy bags with me (although cabin bins emptied every day). 2. Got a bit cold I the cabin at night with the A/C and fan on, so a very lightweight blanket might be useful as you only get a sheet to cover you. 3. A rash vest may be useful to reduce the risk of sun burn when snorkelling! The sun is very strong, I'm dark skinned but needed factor 30 reapplied several times.

Suggestions

I just want to do it all again! :-)