Nine days across two of the Maldives’ most extraordinary local islands - nurse sharks, manta rays, private sandbanks, a sunset bonfire at sea, and an award-winning eco boutique hotel.

Touch down at Velana International Airport in Malé and meet your private speedboat transfer at 10 am to the island of Thinadhoo in Vaavu Atoll. Check in to the beautiful Ecoboo Hotel and take your first swim in that impossibly blue lagoon. This evening, enjoy a welcome drink on arrival before gathering for a private welcome dinner set up for us on the beach — the perfect start to what’s going to be an unforgettable week.

Board the boat and head out to the breathtaking Bodumohora — a sandbank surrounded by one of Vaavu Atoll’s most spectacular lagoons. Snorkel the reef, explore the shallow turquoise waters and then settle in for a fresh BBQ lunch on your own private uninhabited island. Afternoons are yours to relax, swim and soak it all in back on Thinadhoo — dinner is included back at the hotel this evening.

Your free day on Thinadhoo — and it couldn’t be more perfect. Spend the morning on the water with complimentary paddle boards and kayaks included for all guests. For those who want more, an optional scuba diving excursion is available (at your own cost) — Vaavu Atoll’s dive sites are world-class. In the evening, the night comes alive with something truly special: a sunset bonfire ceremony aboard the Ecoboo Cruise liveaboard, anchored at a private sandbank. Think open ocean, fire at dusk, and the Maldives sky above you. Drinks are available at your own cost. Dinner is included back at the hotel to round out the evening.

Rise early and get in the water. This morning’s guided snorkel expedition takes you to Vaavu Atoll’s most incredible marine sites — gliding alongside friendly nurse sharks in their natural habitat and swimming above graceful stingrays in crystal clear shallows. These are the encounters that make the Maldives legendary, and you’re doing them with expert local guides by your side. Dinner is included this evening before tomorrow’s island transfer.

Time to island-hop. Transfer from Thinadhoo to the gorgeous island of Dhiffushi and settle into the stylish Stone Hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring the island’s famous white-sand beach and snorkelling the surrounding reef at your own pace. As evening falls, join the group on the Stone Hotel’s iconic rooftop bar for sunset drinks with panoramic lagoon views — dinner included tonight.

Today we head out by boat to the best manta ray sites in the area — where these majestic creatures glide gracefully just beneath the surface. Snorkelling with manta rays is one of the most awe-inspiring wildlife encounters in the world, and with expert local guides reading the conditions, we’ll find the very best spots. Afternoons are yours to relax by the beach and swim, with dinner included this evening.

The day everyone’s been looking forward to. Transfer to a stunning 5-star Maldivian resort for a full day experience — and we mean all-inclusive. Food, drinks, cocktails, the pristine resort beach, overwater facilities — all covered. This is your one day to live that classic Maldives resort fantasy, with the added bonus of knowing you’re spending the rest of your trip on a far more authentic adventure.

The best last day imaginable. Begin with a dolphin cruise through the open ocean, watching pods of spinner dolphins leap and play around the boat. Then snorkel with sea turtles gliding over vibrant coral gardens before being dropped at a remote sandbank with fresh tropical fruit and snacks — nothing but white sand and ocean in every direction. As the sun sets, gather on the beach for a farewell BBQ dinner under the stars. The perfect end to the perfect week.

Savour your final Maldivian morning — one last breakfast, one last dip in the lagoon, one last look at the turquoise horizon. Then it’s time for your speedboat transfer back to Velana International Airport in Malé. Exchange numbers with your new favourite people, and start planning when you’re coming back