C l a s s i c * I t i n e r a r i e s

Cruising in the Maldives offers you the best of both worlds. The chance to see many of the 1,200 beautiful islands, and the opportunity to experience firsthand some of the world's greatest underwater wonders. Find out how to get the best out of your cruise, both ways. You may choose a route à la carte, by boarding Dhoni Stella private charters for your convenience from Malè or from any Maldivian resort and planning day by day your itinerary along with our captain on board, or you may opt for one of our Classic Itineraries. Our classic itineraries bring you on board of our private charters though the atolls of Baa, Ari, Felidhe and Mulaku. All our 1-week classic itineraries start from Malè International Airport the day you wish. A comfortable taxi-boat will transfer you on board of Dhoni Stella with your family and friends. The itinerary through Ari Atoll could be planned with the option 'Coconut Spa Cruise' with stops in three of the archipelago’s Coconut Spa. The following itineraries could be modified on site accordingly to the weather conditions of the period.

F e l i d h e - M u l a k u

Departure: Malè International Airport. Arrival: Malè International Airport. Duration: 7 nights. Atolls visited: 4 (Malè South, Felidhe, Vattaru, Mulaku). Best period: all the year long. Best for: experienced divers, fishermen, getaway lovers. Highlights: dozens of wonderful sand-strips, genuine local islands, the capital Malè, the underwater marine reserves of Guraidhoo and Dewana kandu, the sharks points of Kandhooma Thila, Myaru and Gaahuraa kandu, the colorful caves of Fotteyo pass. The cruise: this cruise touches two of the most remote and uninhabited atolls of the Maldives: Felidhe and Mulaku atolls. The eastern side of Felidhe is one of the most popular choices for cruising boats in all seasons. There are many reasons: short stretches of open ocean - easy to cross during any monsoon - separate the atoll from Malé; navigation is effortless throughout the year; the diving and snorkeling sites are among the most worthwhile in the archipelago; there are only two resorts and therefore little tourist traffic; and lastly the eastern tip of the atoll is one of the points with an abundance of fish on a par with anywhere in the archipelago during the dry monsoon. There are little less than 10 miles of the Vattaru Kandu which separate the atolls of Felidhe and Mulaku. Diving & fishing: mantas during the wet monsoon and pelagic fish all the year long: this is the promise of the waters and passes around Alimatha and the eastern side of Felidhe atoll. Myaru Kandu, the Dewana Kandu marine reserve and the Fotteyo pass are the three current dives not to be missed by more expert divers. The outer reef at Fotteyo Falhu is considered one of the spots with an abundance of fish on a par with anywhere in the archipelago from December to April, but there are also plenty of fish at Dhiggiri Point, in the dry monsoon, and in the stretch between Rakeedhoo and Fussaru Falhu during the rest of the year. Also the narrow passes and the long, uninterrupted coral reefs of Mulaku Atoll provide an ideal habitat for large pelagic fishes. Diving and fishing thus provide plenty of satisfaction, above all during the dry monsoon. Mulak Kandu and Gaahuraa Kandu certainly feature among the most spectacular current dives in the Maldives. The first offers an extraordinary variety of pelagic fishes around its entrance, with a series of caves and blocks of coral covered with soft corals and sea fans to colour its western corner. The pass’s sandy seabed provides a kind of light which is particularly appreciated by underwater photographers. The step of the Gaahuraa Kandu is crossed from side to side by a series of caves covered with marvellous, saffron-coloured soft corals and sea fans. This is one of the passes with the highest concentration of grey sharks in the archipelago when the current flows inside the channel.

A r i

Departure: Malè International Airport. Arrival: Malè International Airport. Duration: 7 nights. Atolls visited: 2 (Malè South, Ari). Best period: all the year long. Best for: snorkelers, beginners and experienced divers, spa and resorts enthusiasts. Highlights: beautiful uninhabited islands, luxury resorts islands and spas, the capital Malè, the Cultural Center of Dangethi and the Fenfushi mosque, the underwater marine reserves of Mushimasmigili and Kudarah Thila, the spectacular shoals of Malhoos and Broken Rock, the snorkelers paradises of Bulhaalhohi and Hurasdhoo, the mantas and whale sharks watching of Dhonkalo and Maamigili Beiyru. The cruise: this cruise explores one of the most famous atolls of the Maldives, Ari or Alifu atoll, with its several places of interests. Fenfushi is without doubt a must for those in search of the fundamental aspects of Maldivian tradition. The inhabitants were skilful sculptors and carvers of coral and their art is still to be seen on the finely decorated walls of the island’s mosque and the tombstones in the nearby cemetery. Another place of interest in Ari atoll is the Cultural Centre in the village of Dhangethi. The centre reproduces certain types of ancient Maldivian houses and exhibits numerous objects associated with daily life in the Maldives as it once was. Several deserted islands are suitable for a good swim or some excellent snorkeling. These include: Innafushi, Bulhaalhohi and Hurasdhoo. You might also decide to spend the night in the inner lagoon of the tourist complex, part of the Conrad-Hilton group, which connects the islands of Rangali and Rangali Finolhu: you will be able to enjoy an excellent spa centre and the many restaurants on the island (including one under water). For a truly relaxing experience, where the soft breeze of the sea takes you to the tranquil atmosphere of Coconut Spa, the option 'Coconut Spa Cruise', through Malè South and Ari Atolls, touches three of the archipelago's Coconut Spas on the islands of Bathala, Angaga and Rannalhi. You may choose your favorite treatments by consulting the Coconut Spa menu on board and we will make the reservations for you during your cruise. Diving: Ari Atoll is also a diver’s paradise. The best diving sites include: the Panettone, with its underwater rocks completely covered by yellow and orange soft corals and sea fans; the marine reserves of Kudarah Thila and the manta point of Madivaru; or the fascinating and suggestive Broken Rock. The reef outside the island of Maamigili is plied in both directions by several local cruising boats in search of the giant of the seas, the whale shark, whose formidable shape is clearly visible even with just goggles and flippers.

B a a

Departure: Malè International Airport. Arrival: Malè International Airport. Duration: 7 nights. Atolls visited: 3 (Malè North, Gaafaru, Baa). Best period: July to October. Best for: snorkelers, beginners and experienced divers, spa and resorts enthusiasts. Highlights: beautiful uninhabited islands, luxury resorts islands and spas, the capital Malè, the underwater marine reserve of Dhigalhi Haa, the wonderful shoals of and Dhonfanu and Dhigu Thila, and the amazing whirling feast of the mantas and whale sharks of Hanifaaru Bay (video by National Geographic available here). The cruise: this cruise brings you though the coral reefs of Malè North Atoll till the fantastic Baa Atoll. On your way, you can visit two of the most luxurious resorts of the archipelago: the One&Only Reethi Rah, which is the largest investment so far made in the tourism sector, and the prestigious Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru, where visitors can book to use the excellent spa centre and sample its restaurants, above all the Blue, for a refined lunch and a breathtaking view over the surrounding lagoon. Diving & snorkeling: Baa Atoll is rapidly becoming a well-known destination for diving enthusiasts, above all during the period between May and November. There are plenty of fish in the small shoal of Dhonfanu and in the marine reserve of Dhigalhi Haa. But the most interesting spot in the atoll is the coral ring of Hanifaaru. On the western side the coral reef splits into two, creating a cul-de-sac corridor, which you enter opposite the fine deserted island of Hanifaarurah. During the South-West monsoon, in the presence of an out-flowing current, large quantities of plankton are drawn inside the corridor, with high concentrations at the dead end. This occurrence attracts many mantas and some whale sharks, both great predators of plankton: a sight which is unique in its kind (video by National Geographic available here). All you need is a mask and a pair of flippers.