Northern Maldives Freediving Expedition | Trips

Explore Northern Maldives, where tourists are few, yet dive sites and marine life pristine and plentiful!

The Diving

Discover the untouched beauty of the Haa Alif Atoll in the northernmost region of the Maldives. This remote location offers pristine dive sites and thriving marine life, all within short 10–20-minute boat rides from our base island of Kelaa. We've timed this trip for late January, which falls within the optimal diving season (November–April) for calm seas and excellent visibility (20–30m).

Over six days of diving, you'll explore diverse underwater landscapes—from gentle lagoons to underwater caves and lush mangroves to extensive reefs. Expect to see grey reef sharks, whitetip and blacktip sharks, manta rays, dog-toothed tuna, trevally, eagle rays, turtles, dolphins, and with luck, whale sharks! You'll also explore a sunken wreck encrusted with marine life and shallow reefs at night for nocturnal marine life encounters. Throughout the week, we'll also include several depth training sessions in crystal clear water.

Featured Dive Sites:

Kelaa South Side Reef: A breathtaking coral garden teeming with marine life
Kelaa House Reef: Drift diving with abundant reef life and sharks
Kelaa West Neru: A calm lagoon diving where plankton-rich currents may bring in large filter feeders such as manta rays
Filadhoo Wreck: Explore a wreck home to schooling fish and hiding predators
Dhapparu/Filadhoo: Pelagic action with tuna, dolphins, and eagle rays
Dhapparu Kulhi: Dhapparu Island’s mangrove forest, teeming with juvenile fish
And many more spectacular sites depending on conditions

All dive sites are subject to weather and current conditions. Our diving itinerary will be optimised based on conditions to ensure the best possible diving experience.

Schedule and Itinerary

Day 1 (25 January): Arrival day

15:20 domestic flight from Malé to Hanimaadhoo
Speedboat transfer to Kelaa
Check-in and welcome briefing
Dinner and rest

Days 2–6 (26–30 January): Diving days

2–3 dives per day, conditions permitting
Mix of line diving, drift dives, coral garden exploration, wreck diving, and night dives
Breakfast and either lunch or dinner included daily

Day 7 (31 January): Departure day

Morning dive (optional, conditions permitting)
17:00 domestic flight from Hanimaadhoo to Malé (included in package)
On to your next destination!

Your Guides

Umair Badheeu — Expedition Leader

Marine explorer and freediving athlete, Umair leads with a deep respect for the ocean. With years of experience in Maldivian waters and a background in cultural and environmental conservation, he guides each expedition with curiosity, safety, and a spirit of adventure. Having spent years living in the northernmost atoll, Umair is now ready to guide you through its remote reefs and islands—places rich in nature, culture, and quiet wonder.

Michelle Ooi — Freediving Instructor

Michelle discovered freediving in 2011 and has never looked back. As a veterinarian with a deep appreciation for nature and animals, she found that freediving uniquely transformed how she connects with the ocean and its inhabitants. As a freediving instructor and athlete, she appreciates the disciplines of training, but her true passion lies in sharing unforgettable underwater encounters with fellow freedivers—whether drifting alongside manta rays, exploring coral gardens, or witnessing the quiet magic of marine life at night—and creating meaningful experiences that inspire others to protect the ocean we all love.

David Horvath — Freediving Instructor

David began freediving after 15 years of scuba diving and was immediately drawn to its simplicity. Moving without gear brings him freedom, and the silence allows encounters with undisturbed marine life. He has explored Maldivian waters seeking everything from nudibranchs to tiger sharks, with eagle rays his favourite. As a guide, David brings both safety awareness and presence to each dive, valuing the connections that form when divers explore together. He particularly enjoys no-fins diving, finding it brings a different quality to the experience—closer to the water, more present in the moment.

Accommodation and Food

Kelaa island offers a peaceful, authentic Maldivian experience away from the tourist crowds. We will be staying at Holiday Home, a guesthouse on Kelaa in comfortable twin-share rooms (either twin beds or double bed configuration). All rooms feature air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, and hot water.

Breakfast and either lunch or dinner (included) will be served daily at Holiday Home. There are other local cafés and restaurants within easy walking distance for you to explore island dining at your own pace. We will also organise beachside barbecue dinners and packed lunches to take to dive sites so you can enjoy island life at its best!

Getting There

We will meet at 13:20 at Velana International Airport on 25 Jan 2026 for the 15:20 domestic flight to Hanimaadhoo. Please ensure that you arrive with sufficient time to account for any delays with your incoming flight or immigration. If you miss the scheduled domestic flight, rebooking on the next available flight will be at your own cost.

Inclusions

The package includes:

Domestic flights on Day 1 from Malé to Hanimaadhoo and on Day 7 from Hanimaadhoo to Malé. 20kg check-in baggage allowance and 5kg hand luggage allowance per passenger are included.
Speedboat transfers between Hanimaadhoo and Kelaa
Accommodation on Kelaa from 25–31 January 2026
Half-board meals: breakfast and either lunch or dinner daily for the duration of the trip (first and last day included)
All dive sessions (2–3 dives per day) and associated boat trips
Dive weights
Experienced freediving guides
Service Charge and Tourism Goods and Services Tax (T-GST) for services provided by Holiday Home
Green Tax

Exclusions

The package excludes:

Travel to and from Malé (Velana International Airport) to start/end the trip
Meals not specified in inclusions (lunch or dinner on diving days, depending on meal plan)
Freediving equipment other than dive weights
Dive torch
Travel insurance
Gratuities
Other personal expenses

Freediving Equipment

You will need your fins, mask, snorkel, and weight belt for the dives. Wetsuits or lycra suits are optional (water temperature ~28°C) but recommended for sun protection. If you are not wearing a wetsuit, a rashguard is recommended.

Please use reef-safe sunscreen on your dives. Our favourite brands are Blue Lizard, Badger, and Surf Yogi.

Pricing

Per Person (Twin Share): SGD 2,399

2 Pax Booking Together: SGD 4,599 total (SGD 2,299.50 per person)
Room configuration: Your choice of twin beds or double bed. Save SGD 199 when booking together!

Special Discounts:

Early Bird: 4% off for bookings made by 31 October 2025 (automatically applied)
Returning Customer: Additional 4% off for customers who have completed a trip with us since January 2023 (contact us to claim)

Early bird and returning customer discounts can be combined for a total of 8% off.

Booking and Cancellation Policy

Payment is required to secure your spot. If you are unable to make the trip after payment, you may find a replacement.

50% cancellation fee will be charged if you cancel your spot 1 month prior to the trip.

100% cancellation fee will be charged if you cancel your spot 2 weeks prior to the trip.

No-shows and early departures will be charged at 100%.

Flexible Payment Options

We understand that paying in full upfront can be challenging. Contact us to discuss instalment plans and make your dream trip more manageable. Note that full payment must be completed by 24 December 2025.

Travel

Please check the current visa requirements for your nationality to travel to Maldives and ensure that you have the appropriate visa, if required. It is recommended that your passport be valid for at least 6 months from the trip end date.

Experience Requirements

This trip is open to all levels of freedivers and snorkelers.

If you need freediving certification or training before the trip, contact us about our courses and training options.

Ready to explore the pristine northern Maldives? Book now to secure your spot!