A great way to see more than one atoll the Dhoni Explorer cruise gives clients a great opportunity to see more of the Maldives and a way to escape the typical all inclusive holiday many experience in this island nation.

The trip starts and ends in the capital Male, at the airport, where you meet your tour leader and rest of the group. The ship can accommodate 30 people including crew but the maximum group size for this tour is 15 so the ship feels really spacious.

Activities:
You can snorkel twice a day and it truly is some of the best snorkelling in the world. As you are visiting the more remote reefs you get to see them in excellent condition As a result the variety and abudance of marine life is stunning. As well as the many, many colourful fish we also saw Sting-rays, Turtles, Nurse Sharks, Moray Eels and Lionfish. In addiiton to the snorkelling we visited remote sandbanks where we had sunset drinks, did a litter pick on a remote island, saw a local village and even had a full evening meal on an uninhabited atoll. In between snorkelling there are numerous places to chill out on the boat, with and without cover from the hot sun. Many of group also enjoyed jumping from higher and higher points on the boat!

Food & Drink:
All food onboard is included in the tour rate. There is a dedicated chef onboard and it is amazing the quality and variety of food he produced. You get 3 big meals a day, as well as refreshing snacks in-between. On arrival you are given a reusable drinks bottle and there is filtered water in the communal lounge area where you can top up anytime. There is an onboard bar where you can buy alcohol. Soft drinks such as Sprite and Coca Cola were $3 (USD) a can of beer was $5 and a large bottle of rum or vodka was $40. You simply keep a tab of what you have spent and pay at the end by cash or card.

Accommodation:
All cabins are twin or double. As is usual on these tours you are paired up with someone of the same gender unless you have paid for your own room. Each room is comfortable, clean and cool with efficient AC. There is a flushing toilet and hot freshwater shower too. There is one larger room on the top deck with a better view but realistically you’re hardy in the bedrooms.

Crew:
Our tour leader was excellent and he was the one who took us on all the snorkels. There is also the ships captain and first mate who safely navigated us around the atolls and coral reefs. The cabin boy is there to keep everything clean and tidy, and as mentioned the chef who cooked such great food. All crew were local Maldivians.

All in all the Dhoni Explorer small boat cruise is highly recommended for those who dont want to stay in a Maldivian resort for more than a few nights. It is recommended for keen snorkellers but this isn’t essential (One of our group was a weak swimmer but with the help of the captain and a lifejacket was able to enjoy the reefs like everyone else!). It really was a chilled week with some unbeliveable snorkelling and experiences that will last a lifetime!

Just watch out for those Red Snappers!