Maldives cultural experience holiday
Description of Maldives cultural experience holiday
The Maldives has a reputation for being an exclusive destination, but thanks to changes to local law made in 2011, tourists can now stay in accommodation on a local island rather than in one of the resorts here. It's the perfect way to get a flavour of the real Maldives, without the hefty price tag. You will still enjoy the gorgeous beaches, excellent snorkelling and diving and fresh food any visitor to the Maldives expects, but will also have the chance to experience local island life.
This four day adventure includes water sports, exploration and lots of time to relax. For an authentic experience, you’ll use the ferry, have a meal with a local family and even try some Maldivian singing and dancing. There’s the opportunity to find out how boats are built and to simply enjoy being part of the local life of one of this beautiful archipelago’s inhabited islands.
You can also try some of the activities that the Maldives is rightly famous for, including snorkelling, diving, fishing, surfing, dolphin cruises and beach barbecues. The Maldives is a Muslim nation, so drinking alcohol and wearing bikinis on beaches restricted, but all our guests have the option to enjoy the freedom of tourist beaches, picnic islands and resorts where these restrictions are not in effect.
This is an affordable and enriching way of visiting the Maldives, which you can combine with a resort stay or as part of a holiday in Sri Lanka or India, for example. All packages begin and finish at Male International Airport and they can all be customised to your timings and interests.
Accommodation is in small, locally owned guesthouses, usually on the island of Guraidhoo, although we do offer holidays on other islands. All accommodation is chosen for its comfort, excellent service, great value, good food and friendly feel. Rooms are well kitted out with ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning and fans. There is Wifi, too, as well as tea, coffee and water. Some overlook the sea while others have a private garden or beach, and there are usually cafes and restaurants nearby.
Price information
Departure information
Travel guides
Holiday information
Accessibility
Reviews
3 Reviews of Maldives cultural experience holiday
Reviewed on 16 Dec 2024 by Nigel Hunt
Excellent trip from a company committed to environmentally friendly holidays Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Jan 2018 by Rosemary Chinchen
Our most memorable moment was being surrounded by a pod of around 300 spinner dolphins and seeing lots of fish while snorkelling. Sitting on a white sandy beach and walking out into the sea to snorkel in warm clear blue waters. Read full reviewResponsible Travel
Planet
CARBON REDUCTIONWe are committed to reducing our environmental footprint while raising awareness of responsible travel. As a Travelife Partner certified company, we continuously measure and review our impact. We promote low-carbon activities such as public ferries, cycling, and walking tours, and we educate our supply chain through sustainability criteria, partnerships, and training. We are a Carbon Literate company certified by Carbon Literate Trust and our team undergoes climate literacy training, including the Tourism Cares Climate Justice Programme, to embed carbon awareness into our operations and guide practices.
ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
We actively support the protection and conservation of the Maldives’ delicate marine and island ecosystems. Our marine life education hub, conservation partnerships, and code of conduct for marine wildlife interactions encourage respectful snorkelling and diving. Our tours contribute directly to marine research and coral health through citizen science initiatives, beach clean-ups, and educational collaborations.
We support NGOs like Save the Beach Maldives, Maldives Resilient Reefs, MWSRP, and Olive Ridley Project, focusing on coral rehabilitation and protection of marine life, with donations made on tours where we engage with representatives of the NGO.
Guests receive pre-arrival resources and are guided on responsible snorkeling conduct, local threats, such as the introduction of invasive species (e.g., crown-of-thorns starfish), and how they can help mitigate spread through responsible behavior and awareness.
People
PEOPLEWe exclusively support and promote locally-owned guesthouses, restaurants, and community businesses. Our tours maximize local impact through community experiences, cultural exchange, handicraft visits, and the use of local guides and transport. We ensure our guests contribute directly to the Maldivian economy, with every tour designed to benefit the communities we visit.
EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
100% of our team is Maldivian, and we prioritise hiring from local communities, providing training and upskilling opportunities for our team. We comply with and exceed local labour standards, and as a female-led business, we foster a strong inclusivity ethos, promoting equal opportunities regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or background.
Our trips are LGBTQ+ friendly, and we actively create safe, welcoming experiences for all travellers.
Popular similar holidays
Maldives budget small group tour
From £1139 8 days excluding flights
8-day Maldives tour with local cultural experiences
Maldives local islands tour, 5 days
From US $1499 - US $1649 5 days excluding flights
An immersive Maldives trip both above and below the ocean
Maldives local island hopping holiday
From US $1899 - US $2499 8 days excluding flights
Immersive tour combining local life and ocean experiences
