Ari Atoll local islands: Rasdhoo, Ukulhas and Dhigurah · 9 nights

Day 1: Arrive in Hulhumalé

Hulhumalé

• Sunset dolphin cruise from Hulhumalé · 2 h. Spinner dolphins are seen on most trips but not guaranteed; boats should not chase or circle them.

Local tip: Spinner dolphins are seen on most trips but not guaranteed; boats should not chase or circle them.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Hulhumalé → Rasdhoo

Rasdhoo · Hulhumalé to Rasdhoo, Shared speedboat ~1.5h (about US$45–60)

• Turtle and reef snorkel trip · 3 h. Turtles and reef sharks are common around the atoll rim; reef-safe sunscreen only.

Local tip: Turtles and reef sharks are common around the atoll rim; reef-safe sunscreen only.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Explore Rasdhoo

Rasdhoo

• Early-morning hammerhead dive at Rasdhoo Madivaru · 3 h. Advanced divers only: a deep blue-water dive leaving around dawn. Scalloped hammerheads are seen on some mornings, not most; calm Dec–Apr seas help.
• Madivaru Finolhu sandbank picnic · 4 h

Local tip: Advanced divers only: a deep blue-water dive leaving around dawn. Scalloped hammerheads are seen on some mornings, not most; calm Dec–Apr seas help.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Rasdhoo → Ukulhas

Ukulhas · Rasdhoo to Ukulhas, Speedboat ~30 min; public ferry on set days

• Ukulhas bikini beach · 3 h. A long, well-kept beach with a house reef; cover up away from the designated area.
• Ukulhas village and island walk · 1 h. The island is known locally for its waste-sorting and clean streets; a slow loop takes under an hour.

Local tip: A long, well-kept beach with a house reef; cover up away from the designated area.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Explore Ukulhas

Ukulhas

• Manta snorkel trip in North Ari · 3 h. Best about December–April; operators check recent sightings before going.
• Sandbank picnic from Ukulhas · 4 h

Local tip: Best about December–April; operators check recent sightings before going.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Whale shark day trip to South Ari

Ukulhas

• Whale shark day trip to South Ari · 8 h. A long boat day (about 1.5h each way); choose an operator that follows the South Ari MPA code. Staying on Dhigurah gives better odds.

Local tip: A long boat day (about 1.5h each way); choose an operator that follows the South Ari MPA code. Staying on Dhigurah gives better odds.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Ukulhas → Dhigurah

Dhigurah · Ukulhas to Dhigurah, Speedboat ~1.5h, shared on some days or chartered

• Turtle reef snorkel trip · 2.5 h
• Walk to Dhigurah's sandbank tip · 2 h. The long, narrow island ends in a sandbar that extends at low tide; check tide times and take water.

Local tip: The long, narrow island ends in a sandbar that extends at low tide; check tide times and take water.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Explore Dhigurah

Dhigurah

• Whale shark snorkel in the South Ari Marine Protected Area · 4 h. Year-round but never guaranteed. Book a licensed operator that follows the MPA code: keep at least 3m from the shark and 4m from the tail, no touching, no flash, limited swimmers per shark. Open water with current — confident swimmers only.
• Dhigurah bikini beach · 3 h. Swimwear only on the designated beach; the reef is close to shore for snorkelling.

Local tip: Year-round but never guaranteed. Book a licensed operator that follows the MPA code: keep at least 3m from the shark and 4m from the tail, no touching, no flash, limited swimmers per shark. Open water with current — confident swimmers only.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Explore Dhigurah

Dhigurah

• Manta snorkel at a South Ari cleaning station · 3 h. Most reliable about December–April on the west side of the atoll; often combined with the whale shark trip.
• Sunset dolphin cruise · 2 h

Local tip: Most reliable about December–April on the west side of the atoll; often combined with the whale shark trip.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Depart from Dhigurah

Dhigurah

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.