Pelagic Paradise

The official beginning of the Retreat will be in the afternoon/evening of the 19th of April 2026, based on everyone’s arrival time.

That will be in the morning of the 25th of April 2026. We will organize domestic flights according to your return international flight.

You only have to worry about purchasing an international flight from your country to Velana International Airport (MLE) in the capital of Malé in the Maldives. Once you have arrived there you will walk 2 minutes to the domestic terminal to catch your internal flight directly to Fuvahmulah. While the international flight is excluded from the package price (for obvious reasons), the internal flight from Malé to Fuvahmulah (and back) is included and will be handled by our team. The daily planes from Male to Fuvahmulah generally leave at 15:00 and 23:00 but these are indicative times. Please select an international flight that arrives at least 3 hours ahead of your desired domestic flight. If necessary, we recommend arriving a day early in Malé, sleeping next to the airport one night, to then catch the early connection for Fuvahmulah the following day.

On the way back flights are at 5:00 or 17:00 approximately with 1.20h flight time, again subjected to delays. Please allow at least 3 hours before your international flight.  

Please reach out to us about this, we would love to help you handle it all.

Yes! Fuvahmulah offers amazing diving but conditions can be challenging at times. Many dives will be drift dives in strong currents and others will require good buoyancy control with large animals, so you need to be a good diver.

The minimum requirement is to be Open Water Certified with over 30 dives logged and with the desire to take the Deep Specialty (at an extra cost during the trip). You can also do your Advanced Open Water Certification during the trip (at an extra cost).

Alternatively you have to be Advanced Open Water certified. 

If you have any doubts about your level don’t hesitate to contact us, we will verify that all participants are good divers before accepting them.

The Maldives are a muslim country so this implies a few things:

1. No alcohol on the islands. It is forbidden to own and serve it.

2. There’s a dress code to be followed. If you decide to explore the island and head into the village, you will have to cover up by wearing a t-shirt and shorts.  In the hotel you’re free to wear what you please as long as you cover up your bikini/bare chest.

3. In Fuvahmulah it is not possible to wear bikinis or board shorts on the beach. Muslim law requires that you cover up with a t-shirt and shorts. However, there is a pool in the hotel where you can sunbathe in bikinis.

4. Fuvahmulah is a particular island as local life is plentiful, population is over 10 thousand people and the local culture is very friendly.

Yes we offer extra scuba diving opportunities, fishing trips and surfing.

Depending on your international flight on the 25th, you could scuba dive also on the 24th without health risks and have another amazing morning of diving with your pelagic friends.

These extras have separate prices. Please send us an email/dm for further information.

Yes they do, but it is also released and granted automatically upon arrival. Just bring your passport (make sure it’s valid for 6+ months) and have proof of a flight departure from the Maldives.

Depending on your citizenship and residence this may vary, please check here. We are here to help, but VISA permits are the guest’s responsibility. 

Yes, and it should be good enough for everyone. Alternatively you can always purchase a sim card at the airport before arriving in Fuvahmulah or an esim online.

You might want need cash for: extra meals, souvenirs and gifts, for snacks or extra activities. Card is usually fine, but we recommend to bring a small amount for quick purchases. Make sure you either have American Dollars $ or Maldivian Rufiyaa. If you have neither, you can find exchange booths at the airport and on the island which will give you a fair exchange both ways.

You can either have a private double or twin room (this you can either have on your own at a higher price or you can share it with a friend or partner travelling with you). Otherwise you can share it with someone else joining the retreat.

Twin rooms are limited and they are chosen on a first come first serve basis, everyone else get’s a double room with shared large bed and bathroom.

Please let us know of any dietary requirements and we will do our best to fit your needs. 

For the excluded meals, you won’t have too much trouble finding different options. There are many restaurants in Fuvahmulah.

The meal plan is bed & breakfast. Lunches and Dinners will be at your own cost, Fuvahmulah offers many dining options and the best way to take advantage of this is to change restaurant each day.

One welcome dinner is included in the package.

No alcohol as it is forbidden in muslim countries.

No, this trip will be guided by Anna and a local team of guides. With the goal of giving more and more people the opportunity to realise their underwater dreams we realised we cannot lead every group trip we organise. For this reason the selection of our guides will always be a meticulous process and you will always be in the best hands when choosing to travel with Bonny&Gava.

We have personally done all that is described in this itinerary and we carefully selected and decided each activity planned for this amazing trip. It will truly be one of the best diving weeks of your life!

The temperatures in the Maldives in April  are absolutely amazing so you really won’t need any warm clothes. But be sure to bring:
– For men: light t-shirts and shirts, as well as light shorts. You won’t really need long pants.
– For women: light t-shirts and wide airy shirts will be your best bet against the heat and to cover up a bit. Sarongs are perfectly okay if they aren’t too short or see-through. For the evening long dresses and skirts or light pants are recommended but not-too-short-shorts and skirts are also fine.
– Sandals and filpflops, no need for closed shoes.
– Bikinis and board shorts.
– Masks, snorkels, weight belts, fins and shorties: please bring anything you have for scuba or freediving. Let us know if you are missing something so we can help you out.
– A waterproof bag is not required but may be convenient for the excursions.
– Sun screen.
– Mosquito spray.
– Underwater camera.

Yes absolutely! As explained here, we only ask for the deposit this year, then the trip should be payed by February 1st. You can split this in how many payments fits you best. If you need extra time we can probably help you, just make a note in your application or contact us directly at retreats@bonnyandgava.com