The Maldives: not just to relax on an island, but to explore a few of the 1,192 islands and 26 atolls that make up this stunning archipelago. The Maldives Dhoni Explorer tour, a small ship, live aboard expedition, seemed like the perfect way to relax, watch the world go by and explore the beautiful waters and a variety of pristine reefs. The perfect combination.

I always thought the Maldives was just stunning beaches and delicious cocktails by the pool, which it definitely is! However, the dhoni boat expeditions can give you that extra sense of adventure and immersion in the scenery and culture of this stunning area. As much as I knew the Maldives was a great place to go, I definitely didn’t think that the waters could really be that blue or the reefs teeming with that many colourful fish and different species of turtles. The Maldives looks as good as any postcard or social media post you’ve ever seen and snorkelling a reef is like being in a scene from Finding Nemo. I cannot articulate how impressed and amazed I was on a daily basis at the views.

Every morning and afternoon you go on a snorkel safari with your experienced guide, see different islands and meet some wonderful locals that live on the islands. The cabins on the ship are relatively basic but you spend no time in them as you’re either chilling on the sundeck with a good book, diving into the crystal-clear waters to snorkel amongst the schools of fish or enjoying a delicious homecooked meal with your fellow adventurers.

It might ruffle a few feathers, but this tour is regarded as a bit of an industry secret and a Trailfinders staff hidden gem – so if you want a bit of adventure with your Maldives holiday, book it before the word gets out!

There are too many highlights, but I will list a few; snorkelling around a shipwreck amongst thousands of colourful fish, drifting through a group of hefty but harmless nurse sharks and the cherry on the cake – serendipitously coming across a magnificent whale shark as we were cruising along and immediately diving in to swim alongside this beautiful creature for ten magical, unforgettable moments. It was, like much of the Maldives, a surreal experience.

It’s not a surprise that this tour can be fully booked well in advance so get sorted as early as you can. Additionally, as much fun as the dhoni adventure was, I didn’t want to leave afterwards, so I was lucky to pair the adventure with a spot of luxury – spending the following week in a relaxing Maldives resort. It’s such a good combination of adventure and pure indulgence, I would do it again in a heartbeat.