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Explore Maldives on Paddle Board
Join our journey to explore Thaa atoll.
Maldives is a nation of 1200 islands naturally grouped into 20 atolls. Thaa Atoll also known as Kolhumadulu is home to some of the most beautiful and untouched islands of the country.
We are a couple from Thaa Atoll, Maldives, who recently moved to Calgary for higher studies for one year. While in Maldives, stand up paddle boarding became part of our lifestyle and we have always wanted to explore the atolls of the Maldives. It was surprising for us how popular stand up paddling is in Calgary and Canada, so we decided to share our notes and plan to explore Thaa atoll this summer.
The clear and shallow water of the lagoons of the Maldives enclosed by the coral reef of the atolls provide an ideal field to be explored peacefully on a paddle board while in-sync with the rich marine life within it and we welcome and invite paddle boarding enthusiasts in Canada to join our experience.
Journey Notes
- 7 days of paddling to explore Thaa atoll during summer holidays
- Must have a rest after a long flight. Plan is to stay at a resort near the airport and travel to Thaa atoll the next day
- Why Thaa atoll? It is one of the most beautiful atolls in Maldives. Especially the string of small islands in a chain within the same reef and shallow lagoon all the way, which makes it safe for paddling
- Start from Thimarafushi island and end in Fahala, the longest uninhabited island in Maldives, visiting a total of 27 islands. Definitely visit the small uninhabited islands which are about 300m in length
- Last time we visited Thaa atoll we encountered sea turtles, untouched corals and beautiful marine life at a snorkeling point near Usfushi island and we would like to visit there again. Also we plan to invite a snorkeling veteran to show and guide us through the best snorkeling points within the journey route.
- Go on a traditional sunset fishing trip with BBQ
- Have a traditional picnic in an uninhabited island
- Do some community work when we stop at a local inhabited island
- Watch sunrise at a sandbank
- Explore the option of staying at a luxury resort and affordability
- Invite a professional paddle board instructor to accompany us for guidance and safety throughout the journey.
Journey Overview
Maldives is a nation of 1200 islands naturally grouped into 20 atolls. The clear and shallow water of the lagoons enclosed by the coral reef of the atolls provide an ideal field to be explored peacefully on a paddle board while in-sync with the rich marine life within it.
While in Maldives, stand up paddle boarding became part of our lifestyle not only as a form of daily exercise but as a way to disconnect from the hectic city life. The sense of freedom we felt by the limitless horizon in view throughout the journey led us to a mindful connection with nature and its beauty and tranquility. We have always wanted to explore the atolls of the Maldives, and the meditative connection with the ocean that paddling allowed, led us to the idea of a paddling journey of atoll exploration.
Being originally from Thaa atoll, we decided to start our atoll exploration from there. Thaa atoll also known as Kolhumadulu is home to some of the most beautiful and untouched islands of the country, 13 inhabited and 47 uninhabited. Our journey will cover about 35km of a unique string of islands along an undisrupted lagoon on the southeastern perimeter of Thaa atoll. We will start our paddling journey from Thimarafushi island where the international airport of the atoll is based and end at the longest uninhabited island of Maldives, Fahala, exploring a string of secret beaches and breathtaking snorkeling points along the way.
To bring expertise and knowledge to our journey we are inviting a paddle board instructor to lead and guide the way and a snorkeling veteran well acquainted with the coral reefs and the tropical marine life of Thaa atoll. A boat will accompany the journey as a form of safety support if needed.
Journey Plan
Day 1-2: Arrive in Maldives and Travel to Thaa Atoll
Resort Boduberu(music) islands
Click image to view Maldives on Google map
- Arrive in Maldives
- Stay at resort near airport
- Travel to Thaa atoll
- Join a Boduberu session, the traditional music of Maldives
Day 3, Paddling Journey Starts
Paddling Snorkeling Beach Sunset Fishing BBQ
Click image to view Thaa Atoll on Google map
- Review fundamental paddle boarding skills and get familiar with the equipment and area
- Start paddle journey at Thimarafushi island
- Cover 5 km distance, snorkeling at the reef edge to discover unspoilt corals and ambient marine life
- Anchor position and head back to accommodation to go for sunset fishing and BBQ.
Day 4 Snorkeling and Picnic in Uninhabited Island
Paddling Snorkeling Beach Sunset Fishing BBQ
- Travel to the last anchor point by boat (Each continuing day)
- Paddle to the beautiful uninhabited island of Usfushi
- Explore a locally favorite snorkel spot near Usfushi island
- Go on an island discovery walk.
- Have traditional picnic
Day 5 Visit String of Six Beautiful Islands
Paddling Snorkeling Beach Sunset Fishing BBQ
- Start at Usfushi island
- Stop at the local inhabited island Gaadhiffushi, with a resident population of about 200.
- Observe thatch weaving and coir rope weaving mainly carried out by island women
- Go on a peaceful walk on the island stopping off to observe some important locations in the island
- Continue paddling journey on one of the most beautiful sceneries anywhere in Maldives, a string of six beautiful islands (Hulhiyanfushi, Kolafushi, Ekuruffushi, Bodurehaa, Fenmeerufushi, Olhudhiyafushi) one after another.
- Snorkel and explore the secret beaches along the way
- End at the island of Olhudhiyafushi.
Day 6 Visit Sandbanks and Watch Local Birds
Paddling Snorkeling Beach Sunset Fishing BBQ
- Start at Olhudhiyafushi island
- Sandbanks at low tide all the way until Kaaddoo island is reached
- Explore Kaadoo island which is larger compared to the other uninhabited islands on the route with lush greenery and diverse vegetation
- Visit small land area just nearby Kaaddoo, filled with ironwood trees locally known as Kuredhi. This is known as a nesting place for Black-crowned Night Heron locally known as Raabondhi which lay light shaded green eggs on well built nests on top of these ironwood trees.
- Move along passing 4 more islands Kudakaaddoo, Hathifushi, Rihaamaafushi and Fenfushi.
Day 7 Visit Inhabited island and Do Community Work
Paddling Snorkeling Beach Sunset Fishing BBQ
- Pass a luxury resort with views of exquisite water villas that Maldives is well known for.
- Stop at inhabited island Guraidhoo
- Visit the Guraidhoo island mangrove
- Do community work in collaboration with local NGO
Day 8 Visit a Historical site and More Uninhabited Islands
Paddling Snorkeling Beach Sunset Fishing BBQ
- Start at Dhiyamigili island
- Explore two larger uninhabited islands Medhafushi and Mathidhoo.
- Stop at Madifuhi island to have lunch in a local home.
- Madifushi has a population of around 1300 people. In the 2004 Tsunami, most of the historical sites of Madufushi were destroyed. A visit is planned to the only remaining historical site, Boduvalhu, a traditional water well that locals used to collect water from.
- Visit two more uninhabited islands, Ufuriyaa and Kolhufushi.
- Snorkel at a popular diving spot near Kolhufushi island.
- End at the tip of Fahala island.
Day 9 Explore Fahala, the Longest Uninhabited Island in Maldives
Paddling Snorkeling Beach Sunset Fishing BBQ
- Paddle along the longest uninhabited island of Maldives, Fahala
- Connect intimately with nature and beauty of Maldives at the white sandy beaches of Fahala island stretching for around 7 km and the crystal clear water along the way
Day 10 End of Paddle board journey
- Back to international airport and the conclusion of our trip
Do you want to be a part of this exciting journey?
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