Half-Day Original Eco Tour to Villimale From Malé

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Highlights

Explore the quiet streets of Villimale.
Gain insights into Save The Beach’s marine conservation work in Villimale.
Learn about the unique Maldivian ecosystem and the conservation challenges.
Experience traditional evening tea.
Includes donation to support Save the Beach

Summary

Join “Save the Beach” and discover the quieter side of city life by exploring the smaller island of Villimale’, located south west of Male’. Our guide will meet you and travel with you by public ferry to Villimale’. Wander the quiet streets, learn the names of local trees and learn more about the conservation work being carried out by “Save The Beach”. Before returning to Male we take time to sample traditional ‘hedika’ at a local café on the beach. Hedika is traditional sweet and savory snacks traditionally served with black tea and taken between 3.00 and 5.00pm. A percentage of the rate is donated to Save the Beach.

Tour info

Duration

4 hours

Group Size

Pricing (From)

Adult: (18-99 years)

$70.00

Child: (6-12 years)

$35.00

Infant: (0-5 years)

$0.00

Commentary

English

Meeting Point

Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Malé, Male, MV

Why take this tour?

Discover the quieter side of city life by exploring the smaller island of Villimale, located southwest of Male on the original Villimale eco-tour with TripAdvisors' leading Maldives tour company. Travel with your guide by public ferry from Male to Villimale. Wander the quiet streets, learn the names of local trees and spend time with an NGO conservation group to learn about the work they carry out and how you can support the environment during your stay in the Maldives. Sample traditional ‘hedika’ at a local café on the beach and enjoy the sunset before returning to Male.

Safety has always been important to our business, this is why our guides are Emergency First Responders & Life Guard Certified. We are now working on ensuring our tours will meet the criteria required in a post COVID world including but not limited to social distancing and sanitation.

From the meeting point, jump into a taxi with your guide in order to reach the terminal where your ferry departs to Villimale from.

Experience the hustle and bustle of the ferry terminal, local people will be coming and going between their home island and Male. Observe the variety of items that are being transported after a days shopping in the capital. The ferry journey to Villimale is a short 15 minute crossing but don't be afraid to start up a conversation with those sitting next to you. They will be interested to know where you have come from and what you think of the Maldives.

The island, once a resort and also a prison, was 'developed' to assist with the ever growing population of Male. It offers the ideal escape from the ever busy capital city. Wide, open streets, an abundance of greenery so unlike Male, two local beaches and peaceful almost tranquil atmosphere.

Stepping off the ferry in Villimale, you may not be stepping back in time but you will be able to understand and visualise how the city islands would have been prior to urban modernisation. After an introduction to the NGO Save the beach representative, they will conduct a 60-minute walking tour of the island, which will allow you to understand and appreciate the local way of 'city' life.

Learn about the Maldivian ecosystems and conservation challenges arising from coastal development, unique to small island nations. Observe the before and after of reclamation works and harbor development. Identify trees and learn the Dhivehi names for species that may be common to you back home.

Traditional evening tea at one of the local cafes on the beach provides time to chat further with your guide and the NGO representative. Save the Beach is passionate about conservation, waste management, coral planting and more and they will willing share information and insights into how improvements are being made in these areas throughout the Maldives.

Sample 'hedika' local savoury snacks served with black tea and allow your taste buds to discover Maldivian flavors. Before returning to the 'big city,' we take time to sit back and relax in true Maldivian style and watch the sunset colours fill the sky.

What’s included?

Round-trip shared transfer from Male to Villimale
Local guide
Afternoon tea and snacks
Local taxes
Donation to Save the Beach NGO
Gratuities
Personal expenditure ( souvenirs, snacks etc)
Food and drinks, unless specified

Things to know

Before you book

While participating in tours & activities provided by Secret Paradise Maldives social distancing must be practiced and face coverings worn at all times to reduce the risks of exposure to COVID-19. Secret Paradise has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, however, Secret Paradise cannot guarantee that its guest's, partners, or others will not become infected.
By joining the tour you knowingly and freely acknowledge all such risks related to illness and infectious diseases, such as COVID-19.
Guests agree to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and contact Secret Paradise by email if he/she experiences symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days after participating in a Secret Paradise tour or activity.

Before you go

Face Mask
Hand Sanitizer
Re-fillable water bottle
Insect repellent
Camera
Money for personal expenditures

Covid Policy

Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms

All our guide team are: * Have been trained on HPA (Maldives Health Protection Agency) How to Identify & Manage Suspected cases of COVID19 for Tourist Operations. * Emergency First Responder Certified * Level Three International Life Guard Certified. Our guides receive monthly PCR test. Guides will conduct a health screening questionnaire and check your temperature at time of meeting.

Cancellation Policy

Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

Redemption information

• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
• A dress code is required to enter the grounds of the mosques. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
• For cruise passengers: If you have not already specified, you MUST advise supplier as soon as possible your Ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and departure time so that appropriate arrangements can be made

Tour departs within walking distance of the cruise port

Hotel pickups commence approximately 30 - 60 minutes prior to this time, exact pickup time will be advised on reconfirmation.

Hotel pickups in Greater Male' are an additional charge and commence.

We are unable to collect from resorts and local islands outside of the Greater Male' Area.

Your voucher will be collected or scanned on redemption

Operator Website

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About operator:

Traveling with Secret Paradise isn’t just about exploring the Maldives and enjoying the natural beauty, it’s about discovering authentic experiences and off-the-beaten-path locations that you didn’t even know were there to discover.

Secret Paradise guides enable you to connect with both Maldivian culture, local communities and the environment, going beyond the realms of a traditional Maldives holiday.

Based in the Maldives we ensure our sustainable actions are not just limited to our tours. Our team and our guests are involved with local NGOs – Nonprofit making organizations that are independent of the government and focus on environmental and social issues. We support coral planting and reef rehabilitation programs, the protection of seagrass, local island clean up events and plastic recycling to just name a few.

So if you are looking to discover the Maldives beyond the luxury resorts as the team at Secret Paradise say #letusguideyou.