6 - 12 April 2025
📍 Fuvahmulah, Maldives
👫 Maximum 7 guests
🤿 Dive Certification Required
🛏️ See all inclusions here
Starting from 2290 CHF
Fuvahmulah, the shark paradise
Fuvahmulah, often referred to as the “shark paradise” of the Maldives. This is the only Atoll composed of only one island which is basically an underwater mountain of over 2000m that just emerges from the surface. All around the island there is a wall of reefs that go kilometres deep into the ocean and one plateau in the south of the island. This unique landscape paired with nutrient rich currents guarantees amazing visibility and incredible pelagic life, just like:
Tiger Sharks: Guaranteed throughout the year, Fuvahmulah is renowned for its healthy population of resident tiger sharks, offering divers consistent and thrilling sightings.
Thresher Sharks: Frequently observed from April to December, these elusive sharks are a highlight for many divers.
Whale Sharks: Present year-round, these gentle giants are regularly spotted in the nutrient-rich waters of Fuvahmulah, offering divers and snorkelers the chance to marvel at their immense size and grace.
Hammerhead Sharks: Encounters are possible, particularly between September and December, adding to the island’s allure for shark enthusiasts.
- Oceanic Manta Rays: Predominantly sighted from March to May, these gentle giants are a mesmerizing presence. These are not your typical reef mantas, they can reach up to 7 meters.
Highlights of the trip
Accommodation
Fully enjoy island life by sleeping at Maa Thundi, a modern local guesthouse with all the amenities to best enjoy your vacation. This hotel is literally the best of the local islands in the Maldives. (Note: this is NOT a resort, it’s a beautiful local guesthouse).
Maa Thundi is situated in a great location, just a few steps from the best beaches in the island. Only a few palms separate this lovely property from the Indian Ocean’s clearest waters.
The hotel also has a rooftop restaurant, with tasty dishes and a variety of food options. Here you will enjoy your welcome dinner under the stars.
Each room is equipped with AC and en-suite bathroom.
Accommodation options include double (shared bed), twin (subject to availability) and single occupancy rooms.
Program
Day One - 6th April
Arrive in Malé and take your domestic flight to Fuvahmulah. Your transfer will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel. If you get there in time for dinner, join the whole group at a big table on the rooftop for a starlit dinner.
Day Two to Five - 7th to 10th April
These 4 days will be dedicated to scuba diving. You will have 10 scuba dives during these 4 days of which 4 will be with the Tiger Sharks. These have 100% guarantee of seeing them. The other dives will be decided by the dive guides depending on the conditions and the desires of the group to give you the best chances to see the other pelagic animals that pass by this beautiful island including, in this season, oceanic manta rays, all kind of shark species, thresher sharks, hammerheads, whale sharks and amazing coral reefs.
This trip will easily be the most epic diving weeks of your life, with endless visibility and amazing pelagic encounters.
Day Six - 11th April
This day is dedicated to exploring the island, enjoying some tropical vibes and exploring the nature above the water.
If your international flight on the 12th allows you to take a domestic flight later in the day then you will have the option to dive also this morning. This is an optional extra.
Day Seven - 12th April
Before we say our farewells, join us for a tropical breakfast on the beach, served with your feet in the sand and in the shade of the palm trees.
After that, depending on your flight arrangements, head back to Malé to catch your flight home.
Meet your group leader: Anna
Advanced Scubadiver
Anna has been part of the Bonny&Gava team for a year and her passion and knowledge about travel has helped us expand our retreats to offer you more destinations and more amazing underwater animal encounters.
After leading the last Dolphin Dream Retreat in Egypt she will now lead your group to explore the most magical island in the Maldives, making this her 8th trip to this amazing country. Her love for the underwater world is second to none and her passion will make this trip even more extraordinary. You can check her Instagram here.
A team of expert local guides will be helping Anna in the water to ensure the highest safety standards so you can enjoy your dives making the most of your time in the Maldives.
What's Included
What's included
- Bed & Breakfast: 6 nights accommodation in a local guesthouse with breakfast.
- 10 scuba dives over 4 diving days including 4 tiger shark dives.
- Scuba diving gear
- Beach clean-up to give back some gratitude to the ocean.
- 1 Beach barbecue dinner.
- Daily transfers to the dive center from the hotel.
- Return domestic flights from Male to Fuvahmulah.
What's not included
- Lunches & Dinners: We have included 1 dinner, a barbecue dinner on the beach. The other meals are not included because the island has quite a few restaurants and exploring different tastes is the best option to make the most of Fuvahmulah.
- Extra activities: if you are interested in filling up your days with optional activities or booking extra scuba dives this will be possible but at an extra charge.
- International flights: we will take care of you from the moment you land at Malé (MLE airport). Return domestic flights to Fuvahmulah are included, but the trip from your home to the Maldivian airport is not included in the price. We are happy to help you arrange it if you need any advice.
- Diving insurance: A dive insurance is mandatory for this trip. We recommend DAN or DiveAssure. It is possible to do one for the week directly on the island for 35 USD. Travel insurance is not mandatory but recommended.
- Anything not explicitly included.
Dive Deeper, Leave No Trace
Our mission is simple: inspire people to embrace adventure, explore the underwater world, and protect it for generations to come. The ocean is our playground, and we’re committed to keeping it as healthy and awe-inspiring as it is today.
That’s why this trip is all about giving back to the ocean and ensuring we leave it better than we found it. During our journey, we’ll organize a beach cleanup to collect plastic that has washed ashore, stopping it from re-entering the ocean and helping restore the beauty of the coastline.
We’ll also stay on a local island, supporting community-based tourism instead of luxury resorts. By contributing directly to the local economy, we’re helping to create financial stability for the residents. This, in turn, empowers them to prioritize environmental care, reducing waste and fostering a sustainable way of life.
And perhaps most importantly, the unforgettable memories you create on this trip will inspire both you and those around you to take small but meaningful actions to protect our oceans. Together, we’ll keep the underwater world as awesome as it deserves to be.
Pricing
CHF 2'290 pp
approx: 2390€ or 2490$
ROOM ARRANGEMENTS: Double bed (shared) with private bathroom or twin bed with private bathroom (subject to limited availability).
We will pair up participants in the shared rooms based on sex, age and interests to make it the best experience for everyone!
Single occupancy is available at 2’690 CHF p.p.
This could be you 🤩
Diving with Purpose: Safety and Conservation Efforts
Diving with tiger sharks in Fuvahmulah is not only safe but also deeply rewarding, thanks to the strict guidelines and experienced dive operators who prioritize both diver safety and the well-being of these magnificent creatures.
Shark feeding, when done responsibly under controlled conditions, plays a vital role in conservation. By creating opportunities for locals and tourists to encounter these sharks alive and thriving, we provide economic incentives to protect them rather than hunt them. This shift in perspective is crucial for endangered species like tiger sharks, turning them into symbols of natural heritage rather than sources of income through fishing.
Additionally, these encounters help raise your awareness and of those around you about the importance of preserving shark populations, dispelling fears and promoting education about their role as apex predators in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.
Requirements
Scuba Certification
To join this trip you must either have Advanced Open Water certification or Open Water certification + minimum 30 logged dives + willing to do Deep specialty or full Advanced Open Water course during the trip.
Insurance
A dive insurance is mandatory for this trip. We recommend DAN or DiveAssure. It is possible to do one for the week directly on the island for 35 USD.
Travel insurance is not mandatory but recommended.
Gear
Full scuba diving gear will be provided on location. Please bring your own gear if you own it (masks, fins, wetsuits, cameras, weight belts..etc). We will provide everyone with weights.
Language
It’s important for every participant to speak English at a basic level so that we can all have a fun time together without leaving anyone out.
Terms & Conditions
Deposits
To secure your spot on this retreat you will have to agree to our T&Cs and pay a non-refundable deposit of CHF 200.
Book your spot HERE
Payment
You will then receive an invoice for the remainder of the payment to be made through bank transfer, once the trip is confirmed with a minimum number of guests.
Cancellation
Once the deposit has been made, if you cancel before 90 days prior to departure, then you will not be charged anything extra, although we will keep the deposit.
If you cancel after 90 days prior to departure, then unfortunately as we are a very small business we will not be able to refund you. Should we be able to find someone else to fill your spot in time then we might be able to return the full amount (excluding the deposit of CHF 200 and any bank fees).
Very Important Note for Everyone: this retreat is subject to a minimum number of participants. Please refrain from purchasing flights or from making other non-refundable expenses to avoid incurring in useless fees. Reach out to us to find out if the trip is confirmed.
F.A.Q.
What is the starting time of the trip?
The official beginning of the Retreat will be in the afternoon/evening of the 6th of April 2025, based on everyone’s arrival time.
What is the ending time of the trip?
That will be in the morning of the 12th of April 2025. We will organize domestic flights according to your return international flight.
How do I get to Fuvahmulah? Which flights should I buy?
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.
Do I need to be Scuba Certified?
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.
How does being on a local island affect me?
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.
Are there any optional activities?
Yes we offer extra scuba diving opportunities, fishing trips and surfing.
Depending on your international flight on the 12th, you could scuba dive also on the 11th 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.
Do the Maldives require a VISA?
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.
Is there wifi in the hotel?
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.
Should I bring extra cash?
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.
What are the sleeping options?
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.
What if I am vegan?
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.
What is included in the meal plan?
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 and one barbecue on the beach are included in the package.
No alcohol as it is forbidden in muslim countries.
Will Miki & Carlo be part of this trip?
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!
Packing List?
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.
Still not sure?
Write to us so we can clear your doubts!