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North Malé & Ari Atoll – Maldives Adventure with Peyton Kennedy

Mar 21, 2027 - Mar 28, 2027

Adventure Adventure

$1,599 USD

BOOK WITH 25% DEPOSIT

North Malé & Ari Atoll – Maldives Adventure with Peyton Kennedy

Mar 21, 2027 - Mar 28, 2027

$1,599  USD

BOOK WITH 25% DEPOSIT

Set in the heart of the Maldives’ surf scene, this unforgettable 7-night island escape brings together ocean adventure, laid back luxury, and a tight knit group experience hosted by Peyton Kennedy alongside experienced local guides. Based on the vibrant island of Thulusdhoo, you will spend your days chasing waves, exploring crystal clear waters, and settling into the rhythm of island life, all while being supported by expert coaches and a crew that knows these waters inside out.

This is the perfect balance of adrenaline and switch off. Build your skills with two guided surf lessons, then dive beneath the surface for incredible marine encounters, from snorkeling alongside nurse sharks and rays to a full day expedition in South Ari Atoll in search of whale sharks and manta rays. In between, slow things down with beach time, water-based activities, café hopping, local island exploration, or simply just relaxing in paradise.

What truly sets this trip apart is the energy of the experience. From your first sunset dinner to your final beachfront celebration, every moment is designed to feel effortless, social, and memorable. Think salt in your hair, long warm evenings, shared stories, and a private beach BBQ under the stars to close it all out. It is the perfect blend of surf, ocean adventure, and laid back island living, designed for those who want more than just a holiday.

Trip Start: Akiri Surf Retreat Thulusdhoo - Sunday March 21st 2027

Trip Finish: Akiri Surf Retreat Thulusdhoo - Sunday March 28th 2027

Trip Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Accommodation: 7 Nights Twin Share Accommodation at Akiri Surf Retreat

Included Meals: Breakfast Daily, Dinner Daily

Group Size: Up to 15 Guests

Inclusions

Accommodation: 7 Nights Twin Share Accommodation at Akiri Surf Retreat

Included Meals: Breakfast Daily, Dinner Daily

Arrival & Departure Airport Transfers by Speedboat from Velana International Airport

Hosted by Peyton Kennedy + Local Guides

Sunset Welcome Dinner

2 Surf Lessons with Experienced Coaches

Reef Snorkeling Boat Excursion

Snorkeling with Nurse Sharks and Rays

South Ari Atoll Full Day Boat Trip

Whale Shark and Manta Ray Search

Sandbank Picnic Experience

Local Surfboard Shaping Workshop

Maldives Cultural & Community Immersion

Free Time for Island Exploration

Farewell Beach BBQ Dinner & Celebration

All Local Taxes incl Green Tax

Exclusions

Arrival/Departure Flights

Visa/Entry Requirements

Meals Not Mentioned in Inclusions

Optional Resort Day at Club Med Kani

Personal Expenses incl Tips

Travel Insurance (Required)

Your Host

Peyton Kennedy

Hi, I’m Peyton – a travel creator who loves bringing people together through unforgettable experiences. I created these group trips for adventurous, like-minded travelers who want to explore beautiful destinations, try new things, and make genuine connections along the way. I carefully choose destinations and experiences that feel unique, exciting, and memorable, so you can focus on enjoying the adventure while meeting amazing people and creating memories that last long after the trip ends if we don’t end up extending our trip. 🙂

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival & Island Welcome

Touch down in the Maldives and feel the shift instantly. After arriving at Velana International Airport, you will be met and transferred by speedboat across shimmering turquoise waters to the island of Thulusdhoo, your home for the week. As the island comes into view, expect palm fringed beaches, warm ocean air, and that unmistakable sense of escape.

After settling into your guesthouse, meet your Host and fellow travellers for a relaxed welcome briefing before heading out for a sunset group dinner. It is the perfect way to ease into island life, connect with the group, and set the tone for the unforgettable days ahead.

🏨 Accommodation

🍽️ Included Meals

  • Dinner

✅ Activities

  • Airport Meet and Greet
  • Speedboat Transfer to Thulusdhoo
  • Welcome Briefing
  • Sunset Group Dinner

Day 2 Surf School & Local Life

Ease into your Maldivian rhythm with your first surf session of the trip. Whether you are brand new to surfing or refining your technique, experienced coaches will guide you through the fundamentals and help you build confidence in the water at some of the island’s iconic breaks.

In the afternoon, slow things down and soak up the island atmosphere. Wander through local surfboard shaping workshops, chat with craftsmen, or simply stretch out on the white sand beaches as the Indian Ocean rolls in beside you.

🏨 Accommodation

  • Akiri Surf Retreat

🍽️ Included Meals

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

✅ Activities

  • Surf Lesson
  • Visit Local Surfboard Shaping Workshops
  • Beach Time

Day 3 Sharks & Rays Expedition

Today delivers one of the most memorable moments of the trip. Head out by boat into crystal clear waters for an incredible snorkeling experience alongside nurse sharks and rays, known for their calm nature and graceful movements.

Drift through the warm ocean surrounded by these gentle creatures, capturing unforgettable underwater moments and experiencing the Maldives at its most raw and magical. It is equal parts thrilling and surreal.

🏨 Accommodation

  • Akiri Surf Retreat

🍽️ Included Meals

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

✅ Activities

  • Snorkeling with Nurse Sharks and Rays
  • Boat Excursion

Day 4 Morning Swell & Afternoon Leisure

Return to the ocean for your second surf session, building on everything you learned earlier in the week. With more time on the board and guidance from your coaches, you will start to feel the flow and rhythm of the waves.

The afternoon is intentionally left open for you to enjoy however you like. Cycle around the island, find a quiet stretch of beach, or settle into a laid back café with a fresh juice and ocean views.

🏨 Accommodation

  • Akiri Surf Retreat

🍽️ Included Meals

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

✅ Activities

  • Surf Lesson
  • Free Time for Island Exploration

Day 5 South Ari Atoll Full Day Trip

Today is a true bucket list experience. Set out early for South Ari Atoll, one of the Maldives’ most famous marine regions, known for its thriving population of whale sharks and manta rays.

Spend the day exploring open waters, searching for these incredible creatures and snorkeling when conditions allow. Break up the adventure with a picnic lunch on a remote sandbank, surrounded by nothing but endless shades of blue.

🏨 Accommodation

  • Akiri Surf Retreat

🍽️ Included Meals

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

✅ Activities

  • South Ari Atoll Boat Trip
  • Whale Shark and Manta Ray Search
  • Sandbank Picnic

Day 6 Island Reset & Free Day

Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace, with nothing scheduled and no rush. Ease into the morning with a swim in the warm, crystal clear water, a slow coffee by the beach, or simply sleep in and recharge after the past few days of adventure.

Spend the day however you like. You might head out for a casual surf, snorkel the house reef, cycle around the island, visit local cafés, or just stretch out on the sand with a book. However you choose to spend it, this is your moment to fully switch off and soak up the laid back magic of the Maldives.

🏨 Accommodation

  • Akiri Surf Retreat

🍽️ Included Meals

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

✅ Activities

  • Free Time for Island Exploration

🏝️ Optional Resort Day at Club Med Kani

  • Enjoy an optional resort day at Club Med Kani. The full-day visit includes return transfers, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (excluding premium spirits), a buffet lunch, house reef snorkeling, and non-motorized water sports. $200 USD per person, bookable locally, requires min. 4 people.

Day 7 Final Waves, Island Moments & Farewell Celebration

Make the most of your final full day in paradise. Start with an optional sunrise surf or a peaceful snorkel over the house reef, where vibrant marine life moves beneath you in crystal clear water. This is your time to revisit your favourite moments, whether that is catching one last wave, relaxing on the sand, or exploring more of the island at your own pace.

As the sun begins to dip, the energy shifts into celebration mode. Gather together on the beach for a vibrant farewell evening, complete with a beachfront BBQ, fresh seafood, music, and shared stories from the week. Expect laughter, connection, and that bittersweet feeling of a trip that has delivered far more than expected. It is not just a dinner, it is a proper send off to an unforgettable experience.

🏨 Accommodation

  • Akiri Surf Retreat

🍽️ Included Meals

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

✅ Activities

  • Optional Sunrise Surf
  • House Reef Snorkeling
  • Free Time
  • Farewell Beach BBQ Dinner
  • Beachfront Celebration

Day 8 Fond Farewell

Enjoy one final Maldivian breakfast as the ocean sparkles beside you. Take a moment to soak it all in before your speedboat transfer back to the airport.

Depart with sun kissed skin, new friendships, and a collection of memories that will stay with you long after you leave the island.

🍽️ Included Meals

  • Breakfast

✅ Activities

  • Speedboat Transfer to Velana International Airport

Trip Photos

Important Notes

ARRIVAL:
You will need to make sure your travel plans allow you to arrive at the meeting point by the scheduled guest meeting time. More information on this will be provided once the trip is confirmed. Your arrival airport is Velana International Airport (MLE).

DEPARTURE:
On the final day, you are free to depart at any time. Your departure airport is Velana International Airport (MLE).

AIRPORT TRANSFERS:
Airport transfers are included as part of this trip and will be organised based on your flight arrangements.

If you are planning on arriving in the Maldives earlier than day 1 of the trip or staying longer after the final day, you may need to make your own arrangements. More specific information on transport options for your arrival and departure airports will be available on the airport’s website.

Pre-booked airport transfers are available for most airports via Expedia – please select “Cars” and then “Airport Transportation”: https://bit.ly/expedia-best-in-travel-vip

ADDITIONAL NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION:
We are unable to organise additional nights accommodation on your behalf. Our exact hotels will be finalised and advised roughly 2-3 months prior to the trip starting. We will advise guests once that happens, and we then recommend booking accommodation via our affiliate link at https://bit.ly/booking-com-best-in-travel

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Be sure to check entry requirements based on the passport that you will be travelling with. It is your responsibility to ensure that your passport meets minimum requirements, and that you have arranged any required visas before arrival. Visa information is available in the destination guide linked below.

DESTINATION GUIDE:
For a detailed destination guide for this trip’s location, head to https://bestintravelgroup.com/maldives-destination-guide/

TRIP CONFIRMATION:
A trip is listed as PENDING until the minimum guest numbers are reached, at which point the trip becomes CONFIRMED. Guests will be notified when a trip becomes CONFIRMED.

BOOKING T&Cs:
We recommend you familiarise yourself with our Booking Terms & Conditions for more information about our booking, deposit and cancellation policies.

BOOKING FLIGHTS:
We recommend booking flights as soon as your trip is CONFIRMED, but not before unless you are able to secure flexible tickets.

TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Travel insurance is required for this trip and must be arranged independently. Please ensure you purchase a policy that suits your personal needs and covers the destination and activities included in your itinerary. We strongly recommend organising your travel insurance as soon as your trip is CONFIRMED.

For more information on travel insurance and to view our recommended travel insurance providers, head to https://bestintravelgroup.com/protect-your-adventure-best-in-travels-guide-to-travel-insurance/

ISSUES & CONTACTS DURING THE TRIP:
If you experience any issues that you need resolved during this trip, please chat to your host or your local driver/guide. Emergency contact details for your local trip operator will be provided prior to the trip starting.

For more information on the correct process for handling issues during a trip, including emergency situations, please read the following guide: https://bestintravelgroup.com/managing-emergencies-other-issues-on-your-best-in-travel-adventure/

INCLUSIVITY:
For information on how Best In Travel creates a welcoming space for all travellers, please head to: https://bestintravelgroup.com/everyones-welcome-inclusivity-on-best-in-travel-group-trips/

TRAVELLER CONDUCT & WELLBEING:
For a quick guide on how to enjoy our group trips safely, respectfully, and with the right balance of fun and wellbeing, head to: https://bestintravelgroup.com/group-trips-great-times-how-to-eat-drink-stay-well-on-the-road/

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North Malé & Ari Atoll – Maldives Adventure with Peyton Kennedy



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