Explore with us the Magical Marine Life of the Maldvies!
The Maldives is a true paradise, with crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life, and breathtaking underwater landscapes. We’ll take you to our two favorite islands, Dharavandhoo and Fulidhoo, to experience the very best this magical destination has to offer. Prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime journey, freediving in paradise with an amazing group of ocean lovers!
Where
Dharavandhoo & Fulidhoo Islands ​- Maldives.
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Two beautiful local islands (not resort islands) with incredible marine life around. Dharavandhoo is famous for Hanifaru Bay, the only place where you can swim with literally hundreds of mantas and whale sharks. Fulidhoo is our other favorite island where we will swim with nurse sharks, visit a sunken ship wreck full of corals and look for sting rays at the white sand beach.
When
3- 9 Sep 2025 (Full Moon)
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September around full-moon is considered the best season for wildlife encounters as it's the time of plankton boom.
The weather and the ocean conditions are warm tropical, perfect for freediving even without a wetsuit. ​
Weather temperatures are around 28-30°C (82-86°F), and the ocean temperature is around 28°C (82°F).
What
Lots of exploring and freediving with amazing marine animals, and living the local tropical island life. We will go on private boat tours every single day looking for mantas, whale sharks, dolphins, turtles, nurse sharks, sting rays amazing coral reefs, and more.
We will also give back a little bit by organizing a beach cleaning activity, we will enjoy a bonfire,a beach dinner, and table games.
Who
A small group of awesome adventure seekers and marine life lovers like You!
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Whether you're traveling alone, with friends, or with your partner, you're welcome to join us. We LOVE to travel and share amazing underwater experiences with others - making new friendships and unforgettable memories that stay with us. For us there is no better way of traveling & we look forward to having You!
maldives islands
dharavandhoo island
Dharavandhoo is a tranquil island in the Baa Atoll, known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant reefs, and abundant marine life. Nearby Hanifaru Bay is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve famous for seasonal gatherings of hundreds of manta rays and whale sharks, offering an unforgettable experience for marine enthusiasts.
The Maldives, located in the Indian Ocean, is a tropical paradise made up of 26 atolls (group of islands) and over 1,190 islands, most of them surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and crystal-clear waters.
While it’s famous for the luxurious resort islands, the Maldives offers SO MUCH MORE. It's a haven for marine enthusiasts, with its stunning underwater ecosystems and spectacular marine life. While nature can be unpredictable, here you have very high chances of encountering manta rays, whale sharks, dolphins, turtles, black tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, sting rays and much more.
The warm, turquoise waters and rich biodiversity make it a dream destination for freediving, offering endless opportunities to explore the natural beauty of this magical archipelago.
fulidhoo island
Fulidhoo is a charming island in the Vaavu Atoll, known for its untouched beauty, clear turquoise waters, and welcoming local culture. Sting rays and nurse sharks often like to visit the beaches of this small island. It is also famous for a sunken ship wreck close by covered by beautiful corals and fun playground for freedivers.
Your Hosts
We are a professional freediver and creator couple, passionate about the nature, traveling, and sharing our stories.
This time we do not only want to share stories with you, but the whole experience in a wild paradise.
We look forward to having You with us in the Maldives!
nusy horvath
Freediving Instructor & Athlete
I’m a Molchanovs Freediving Instructor for beginner and advanced freedivers and I am part of the Molchanovs Athlete Team. I’m from Hungary, and I used to live in Italy & in Ecuador. Traveling has always been a big part of my life, and it's a dream come true for me to be able to connect it with freediving and work. Maldives has a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to share this amazing experience with other nature and ocean lover people!
Carlos luna
Freediver & Professional Filmmaker
I’m a freediver, a filmmaker, and a passionate Underwater Videographer & Photographer. I’m from Ecuador, and I spent my whole life by the sea, surfing and diving. Maldives is a truly unique place that has inspired me in many ways. My goal for this expedition is to make you have the best time of your life and to capture the best moments of the trip, that we will share with you at the end.
Highlights of the trip
Accommodation
DHARAVANDHOO ISLAND
We will stay 3 days in Biosphere Beach Front, a brand new beautiful guesthouse right at the beach of Dharavandhoo. What we really love about this place is the exceptional kindness, service and attention they have given us, therefore we chose them as a partner for our expeditions. The hotel also has a private beach area, where we can enjoy rest times under the palm trees.
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Each room is equipped with air conditioning, private bathroom with shower (towels, shower gel, shampoo), and WiFi access. ​
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Full-board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are included.
FULIDHOO ISLAND
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We will also enjoy 3 days in Kinan Boutique Hotel in Fulidhoo, which is also a beautiful hotel with a private beach are and extremely kind and attentive service. The on-site restaurant serves a blend of local Maldivian and international cuisine, ensuring a unique culinary experience. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, private bathroom (towels, shower gel, shampoo), and WiFi access. ​Rooms are also provided with a coffee machine, a flat-screen TV and minibar. We will also enjoy bonfire and beach dinner on this island.
Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are included.
Program
Highlights of the week
Day 1
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Arrival at Male Airport
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Speedboat to Fulidhoo
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Checking in at our accommodation
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Welcome drink & briefing
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Welcome dinner on the beach
Day 2
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Private morning excursion to explore the Shipwreck
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Beach cleaning activity in the afternoon
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Visiting sting rays and nurse sharks at night at the shore
Day 3
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Private excursion to the Shark Point
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Afternoon SUP/Kayak activity
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Bonfire at night at the beach
Day 4
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Speedboat to Male and flying to Dharavandhoo on a small domestic flight (included in the price!)
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Welcome drink at our beach front hotel
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Join the group for a beach dinner
Day 5
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Morning freediving at Hanifaru Bay with mantas - potentially with hundreds of them! During this day, anytime we get a call from the rangers about spotted mantas or whale sharks, we will be jumping on a boat to see them.
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If they are spotted at night, we will go at night, too.
Day 6
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Morning freediving at Hanifaru Bay again to get more chance to see mantas and whale sharks.
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Afternoon Coral Reef and Sandbank excursion
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Join the group at the Floating Bar for some drinks and table games.
Day 7
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Breakfast & some beach time in the morning
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Departure to Male
* The above program may be subject to changes depending on weather and ocean conditions.
our mission
Our main goal is to make people do more of what they love, to inspire them to explore our beautiful world above and under the surface of the sea, to help them disconnect from the daily rush and re-connect with themselves and other like-minded people.
Through our freediving expeditions, we also want to inspire people to be curious about the world, nature and our oceans, to learn about them and to protect them. We often pass by litter on the beaches instead of picking them up, and on the Maldives it is a real problem as it is made up of thousands of islands with strong currents that wash the littler to the shores. We will organize a beach cleanup during our stay, giving back a tiny bit to the islands, and we hope that this can create a habit for everyone while traveling to other places.
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We also prioritize supporting local communities and authentic cultural experiences. In the Maldives, we stay on local islands and carefully choose our local partners to contribute directly to the economy and offer an insight into the region's true essence. This also allows us to have mutual benefits and create affordable experiences.
things to know
about the maldives & local islands
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Cultural Norms: The Maldives is a Muslim country, therefore you should dress appropriately on local islands.. Swimwear like bikinis is allowed only at designated "bikini beaches" or on boats.
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Alcohol: Alcohol is not available on local islands but can be enjoyed on nearby "floating bars."
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Kind Locals: Maldivians are incredibly kind, respectful and hospitable.
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Friday Closures: Many businesses may open late or close for prayers on Fridays.
requirements
Open Water Experience
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While it's not a requirement to have a freediving certificate, we will spend a lot of time in the ocean, and it is important that you feel comfortable swimming in open water.
speaking english​
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The official language of our expeditions is English and it is important that everyone feel comfortable speaking the language, so we can all enjoy and connect as a group.
freediving gear​
You should bring your own gear (mask, snorkel, fins, belt - the water is warm so you don't need a wetsuit). Weights for belts will be provided. You may also rent snorkeling equipment on the islands, but not professional gear.
packing list
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Freediving Gear:
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mask & snorkel
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freediving fins
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weight belt (lead will be provided)
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*no need for wetsuits as the water is warm, but your can bring thin (1-2mm) half suits
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*gear rental is also available (only snorkel/diving type of gear), but we really recommend to bring your own
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Camera/action camera (flash and drones without permission are not allowed) - We will have Carlos taking photos of the trip of course, which we will share with everyone, but it’s recommended to bring your own cameras, too!
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Comfortable clothes for warm weather, beach and boat rides
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Sandals, flip flops - but we will mostly be barefoot :)
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Swimsuits, bikinis, board shorts, rash guards, etc.
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Windbreaker jacket, poncho, rain jacket in case
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Mosquito repellent
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Sun protection: sunscreen (min 50 UV), sunglasses, hat/cap
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Backpack and waterproof bag for your personal items
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Water bottle
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Seasickness medication
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Plug converter: type D and type G are used, standard voltage is 230 V
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SIM Card: You can buy SIM cards at the airport in Male upon arrival
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Some cash for extra expenses - Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)
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Travel Insurance (including freediving - we recommend DAN who specialize in diving insurance, but you may find other providers)
pricing
2450 EUR
Limited participants. Max 12 participants
(Only 4 spots left!)
The trip includes double rooms (shared bed or twin bed) and we will arrange rooms based on age and gender. Single rooms are available in limited numbers and can be arranged upon request. To ensure we can accommodate your preference, please let us know at your earliest convenience so we can coordinate with the hotels. The additional fee for a single room with full-board for the week is €500.
via WhatsApp
what's included
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Accommodation for 6 nights
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Full Board (all meals included) on both islands
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All transportation once you arrive to the capital, Male
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Domestic flight between the islands
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Speedboat transfers
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Private boat tours every day
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Paddle/kayak activity
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Beach cleaning activity
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Bonfire night
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Beach dinner
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Lots of freediving and wildlife encounters
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Professional photos of the trip​
what's not included
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International flight tickets
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Travel & Freediving insurance
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Alcoholic beverages on the "floating bar"
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Personal expenses
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Freediving gear (except for lead)
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Transportation outside the official program
reservation
To secure your spot a deposit of 990 EUR is required (partially refundable, see cancellation policy below). The remainder amount must be paid in full maximum 75 day prior departure.
payment
For reservations, please contact us at bluespirit.freediving@gmail.com or via WhatsApp at this link.
cancellations
Because this expedition is for a small group of people, cancellation options are limited. If you cancel more than 75 days prior to the trip, we can refund you half of the deposit. If you cancel within 75 days prior to the trip, then unfortunately we will not be able to make a refund. However, if you find someone else to fill your spot, we can refund you the full amount (except any bank fees).
important note
The expedition is subject to a minimum number of participants. We will confirm the trip to everyone as soon as possible (at latest 90 days before departure) therefore, we recommend to only purchase refundable and flexible flights in the meantime. If we don’t reach the minimum number of participants, the trip will be cancelled and you will receive a full refund.
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Is this trip for me?If you love the ocean, wildlife, nature and adventures, this trip is definitely for You! We will be constantly on the go on exciting excursions and spending hours in the ocean looking for magical encounters. However, if you’re looking for something more relaxing or if you’re not really a good swimmer, this trip might not be for you.
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Do I need a freediving certificate?You do not need a freediving certificate, but it’s very recommended to take a course before, so you can take more advantage of the trip and enjoy the incredible underwater activites and marine life on another level. However, it is required to be a good swimmer and be comfortable in open water using snorkel equipment.
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Will there be freediving trainings?This trip is focused on exploring marine life, not specifically freediving trainings. We will practice recreational freediving at its best every day.
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Will there be any scuba diving activities?No, this is a freediving expedition, where we won’t be doing any scuba diving activities. However, if you wish to stay longer to do scuba diving too, we are happy to help you organize it.
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Where do I need to book my flight?San Cristóbal, Galápagos (SCY). You may book your international flights directly to San Cristobal Island, but it will have stop over in either Guayaquil or Quito, so it may be more economic to book a flight to Guayaquil or Quito and then separately buy a domestic flight to San Cristobal Island. Common international airlines flying from Europe are: Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, KLM via Amsterdam, Avianca/Iberia via Madrid. Common airlines for domestic flights are: LATAM, Avianca.
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Do I need a visa for Ecuador/Galapagos?No visas are required for U.S., Canadian, and most European citizens unless you plan to stay more than 90 days. In other cases, please check with local immigration offices or the Ecuadorian consulate.
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Do I need any vaccines to enter the Galapagos Islands?There is no vaccination requirement for traveling to the highlands, coastal and Galápagos regions of Ecuador.
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What's the local currency?The local currency is United States Dollar (USD).
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What are the payment options on the island? (cash, ATMs, cards)Cash: We recommend to bring some cash with you for the National Park entrance fees (230 USD); some local stores and restaurants that may only accept cash (average spend in restaurants is between 6-30 USD per meal depending on the place); optional tips for guides. ATMs: There are a few ATMs on the island. You may withdraw up to 200-300 USD at once at a cost of 4.60 USD per transaction. Card payments: You may also use card payments in most local businesses - depending on the business you may be charged 8-10% extra fee.
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Will we really see all these animals?We can guarantee that you will see most animals described, like sea lions all around, sea turtles, giant Galápagos turtles, lots of local bird species, and with a very good chance dolphins, school of fish and different kinds of sharks too, BUT remember, that nature is nature, and we cannot guarantee wildlife encounters.