Island Hopping Across The Southern Atolls
Emily C, Eleanor and Jacqui are here to help give you the inside track.
Spend two weeks exploring the Laamu and Thaa atolls, arguably the best atolls in the Maldives. Stay in two private island paradises, snorkel with whale sharks, hover below manta rays and drift along channels. Above water, picnic on deserted islands, indulge in spa treatments and surf superb local breaks.
Itinerary at a Glance:
- Snorkel with whale sharks at COMO Maalifushi
- Dive with manta rays at Hithadhoo Corner, then learn more about them at the Manta Trust station located at Six Senses Laamu
Why Book with Original Diving?
When To Travel
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
Day 1: International Flight
Leave London for the Maldives on an overnight flight or flights. At certain times of year there are direct flights but at all times of year there are connecting flights via the Middle East or Sri Lanka. The direct flights take just over ten hours in duration and the indirect flights (with bags checked through to Male) take more like 12 to 14 hours.
Day 2: Arrive in the Maldives
Whatever your route, your international flight to Malé International Airport will most likely land in the morning. Once you have cleared customs, you will be met by a representative of COMO Maalifushi who will escort you to your seaplane to the resort.
The scenic flight should take around an hour, so make sure to look out the window to see the Maldives' signature white islands dotted in an impossibly turquoise ocean.
Days 3 – 9: COMO Maalifushi
For the next six nights you will be staying at COMO Maalifushi, spending days relaxing into island life and exploring the best the resort has to offer.
Spend days unwinding in the Shambhala Retreat Spa with an Ayurvedic treatment or massage; stretching yourself in the yoga pavilion; kayaking in the turquoise lagoon and surfing the nearby breaks. For something really special, we can arrange a sunset cruise or picnic on the deserted neighbouring islands.
Diving-wise, COMO has a colourful house reef. While venturing out to the deeper channels for a morning two tank dive you may be greeted by schools of reef sharks, curious table-sized stingrays and lazy Napoleon wrasses - all in superb visibility. Most importantly, sign up to the evening whale shark snorkelling programme to get into the water with these gentle giants.
Days 10 – 15: Six Senses Laamu
Today it's time to say goodbye to Como Maalifushi as you head to Six Senses Laamu by private speedboat. The journey should take around an hour-and-a-quarter, depending on how calm the sea is.
You will be spending the next six nights at Six Senses Laamu, the only resort in the atoll of the same name, so ensuring a really Robinson Crusoe remote experience. The diving in this region is pretty spectacular, with the recently discovered manta cleaning station Hithadhoo Corner only a ten minute boat ride away (the Manta Trust research centre is also based here). Aside from mantas there's a huge range of diving on offer, including exciting channel dives with strong currents, sloping reefs, walls and more. There's also a house reef for guests to dive and snorkel reached straight from the beach.
Diving aside, the island offers a whole range of watersports, barbecue dinners, island hopping, private picnics and a signature Six Senses spa. Or you can spend hours relaxing in Sip Sip enjoying homemade pizzas and delicious cocktails.
Day 15: Home Time
Sadly today it's time to say goodbye to Six Senses Laamu. You will be transferred back to Malé by speedboat and domestic flight in good time to catch your flight home. Fly either direct or via Sri Lanka or the Middle East as on the way out, and arriving back into London in the late afternoon or evening.
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
A Rough Idea of Price
This Itinerary
If you would like to book the exact itinerary mentioned above, with economy flights, during mid-season and staying in our preferred room category at our preferred hotels.
From
£10,687pp
Bells & Whistles
If you are looking for something extra special and would like to add business or first class flights, stay in top room categories at some of the most luxurious hotels we work with, and add more activities and guiding.
From
£13,053pp
Emily C, Eleanor and Jacqui are our experts for this itinerary and as seasoned travellers they have the inside track on the most memorable adventures.