Award winning Maldives local island experts, guiding
immersive and purposeful tours since 2012. We are your Maldives local island expert.
Traveling with Secret Paradise isn’t just about exploring the Maldives and enjoying the beautiful beaches and tropical waters. It’s about discovering authentic experiences and off-the-beaten-path locations that you didn’t even know were there to discover. Secret Paradise guides enable guests to connect safely with both Maldivian culture, local communities and the environment, going beyond the real
ms of a traditional Maldives holiday. Secret Paradise is an award winning, responsible and sustainable tour company based in the Maldives. We received TripAdvisor's Travelers Choice Award 2020, following 5 consecutive years of achieving TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. In 2020 we were commended in the ‘Meaningful Connections’ category World Responsible Tourism Awards and long listed for the 2015 'Best for engaging people and culture' category, World Responsible Tourism Awards. We remain the only expert local tourism operator in the Maldives offering local island tours with experienced and qualified guides. Based in Hulhumale, just a few minutes from Male, the capital of the Maldives, Secret Paradise guarantees clients prompt and efficient personal service. Delivering high quality standards of service and professionalism you can rely on Secret Paradise to provide expert local knowledge, clear communication and honest advice.
24/04/2025
Almost blending in perfectly with the coral reefs of Maldives, this clever turtle is a master of camouflage! A reminder that the Maldives marine life is full of surprises, sometimes you just need to slow down, observe, and look a little closer.
Every snorkel reveals something new beneath the waves!
23/04/2025
There are few experiences more humbling than coming face to face with a graceful manta ray. But with such awe-inspiring encounters comes great responsibility.
When encountering manta rays, remember to follow the Code of Conduct to ensure a safe and respectful experience for both the manta and yourself.
🔹 Look, don’t touch
🔹 Keep your distance – Stay at least 3 metres away, let them come to you.
🔹 Stay calm and still – Sudden movements or loud noises can cause mantas to flee. 🔹 Float calmly and allow them to pass by.
🔹 No chasing or blocking – Never swim after or in front of a manta ray. Let their natural behavior guide the encounter.
🔹 Leave no trace – Take only memories and photos, leave only bubbles. Respect the reef and marine life around you.
By following these simple but important guidelines, we ensure that future generations will have the same magical encounters and that Maldives marine life continues to thrive.
Want to join us for snorkeling in the Maldives with a purpose? Let’s dive into the experience together and leave only bubbles behind!
22/04/2025
This Earth Day, we’re reminded that the planet is speaking louder than ever. From rising temperatures to floods, wildfires, and oceans choked with plastic, the signs are clear—nature is under pressure.
Human-driven changes, including deforestation, unsustainable land use, and threats to biodiversity, are accelerating the strain on our natural world. These challenges may feel overwhelming, but they also highlight the importance of protecting and restoring the ecosystems that support all life on Earth.
Healthy ecosystems are essential for a healthy planet—and for us. By restoring what’s been lost, we can help address climate change, reduce poverty, and protect countless species from extinction.
We all have a role to play. Whether through small daily actions or by supporting sustainable initiatives, each of us can contribute to a more balanced and harmonious world.
Let’s work together for a future where both people and planet thrive. Let’s restore our Earth.
21/04/2025
Wishing you all a great evening 😀
18/04/2025
Today is World Heritage Day which is celebrated to raise awareness of cultural heritage, monuments, sites and the efforts required to protect and conserve them.
The Maldives has a rich cultural, historical and archaeological heritage which can be found across the many islands of the archipelago.
As development continues and climate change poses increasing challenges, it is vital that attention is given to the preservation and restoration of our historical sites and traditional architecture—ensuring they remain for future generations to appreciate and learn from.
17/04/2025
Sharks play a vital role in keeping our ocean healthy. 🦈
The Maldives is the only shark sanctuary in the Indian Ocean. Sharks help regulate prey populations, maintain biodiversity and ensure the overall health of the marine ecosystem.
Explore the Masmahaaveshi shark module to learn more about sharks. Link in comments
16/04/2025
Have you watched a sunrise from a sandbank? Just one of many locations where you can enjoy the start of a new day every morning of your holiday.
As the Maldives is situated on the equator, sunrise and sunset only change by a few minutes throughout the year. As a guideline daylight time is roughly 6am to 6 pm.
14/04/2025
On our Turtle Conservation Cruise last month, our guests encountered 4 brand new turtles which have been added to the database, a potential 3 new encounters, 2 known turtle encounters and unfortunately, 6 that we were unable to identify.
🐢Did you know sea turtles can be identified by their faces?
Through a method called Photo-ID, sea turtles can be monitored without touching or disturbing them. This non-invasive and cost-effective technique works by photographing the unique pattern of facial scales, much like a fingerprint, which remains the same throughout a turtle’s life.
Photo-ID is now an essential tool in long-term marine turtle monitoring. It's also a brilliant way to get involved in marine conservation as a citizen scientist—no formal training needed, just curiosity and a camera!
📸 As of December 2024, our partners at the Olive Ridley Project have identified 5,150 individual hawksbills and 1,725 green turtles, with an incredible 41,763 turtle sightings logged across the Maldives.
So next time you're out snorkeling in the Maldives, snap a photo (from a respectful distance!) and you could be contributing to turtle conservation efforts
11/04/2025
"I had the pleasure to go on the 3-point snorkelling tour. It was really a beautiful experience with super friendly guides. I particularly appreciated that the tour was authentic and also promoted environment friendly practices. Highly recommend!"
10/04/2025
Perfect for families, Dodo4Kids is an educational adventure that introduces children to important ecological challenges, all while having fun!
Join the lovable, clumsy Dodo as he travels the world and learns about the environment, climate, and the importance of sustainability! This engaging mix of short cartoons and documentaries teaches kids how their actions can impact the planet – and how they can make a difference. 🌎💚
Beautiful sunrise captured by Nina exploring North Ari Atoll this week.
08/04/2025
Mixing business and pleasure in Baa Maalhos, a scheduled speedboat journey of 1 hour 30 minutes on a flat, calm ocean.
Maalhos is a small island. A stroll around the perimeter took us 30 minutes, and with the exception of the harbour area, at low tide, it is possible to circumnavigate completely on the beach.
One of the most impressive points about Maalhos is that the community is driving sustainability having adopted waste management procedures that mean they are no longer burning their waste and also with the support of Soneva Namoona have their very own water plant with water distributed in glass bottles.
Along the public beach, traditional Maldivian swing seats and joalis make it the perfect location to just take in the view or observe the comings and goings of the locals. Ladies sat nearby, making thatch from coconut palm fronds. A fisherman stood and untangled his line, and children played in the ocean.
With direct access to a house reef that gives many resorts a run for their money, we spent plenty of time snorkelling. There are some nice over hangs on the drop off and marine life was abundant, large shoals of reef fish including blue stripe snapper, red tooth triggerfish, banner fish, butterfly fish to mention but a few. Parrotfish, goatfish, sweetlips, moray eels, and 2 turtles were also present.
Hanifaru Bay is less than 10 minutes away if you are visiting during manta season, May to October.
A great location for an affordable stay and perfectly located to combine with a resort stay in Baa Atoll.
07/04/2025
Creating a lasting impact in paradise 🌴
Our amazing guests plant palm trees here in the Maldives, contributing to the beauty and sustainability of this breathtaking destination. 🌱 A meaningful moment on our multi-day tour experience with Archie, where we make a difference, one tree at a time
06/04/2025
Marine ecosystems are underwater communities; a network of life where everything is connected. This means one seemingly small change can have a huge knock-on effect. When snorkellers or divers feed the fish, it alters their natural behaviour, disrupting the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
05/04/2025
“Our commitment as a business is super important because we need to preserve what we have right now and be responsible for our actions to protect future generations. In tourism we should be role models to lead change”. — Hussain "Kamey' Fayaz, Tour Leader
04/04/2025
Beautiful sunset tonight in Baa Atoll.
03/04/2025
Today we celebrate World Aquatic Animal Day 🐬
The day is dedicated to aquatic animals, raising global awareness of the plight of them, the crucial role they play in our ecosystems and encouraging education and research to support their protection.
We must consider our interactions with aquatic animals, our treatment of them, and the often-devastating impacts we are having on them and on their habitats.
So whether you are in or out of the water remember that aquatic animals no matter how small or large play a critical role in our societies and ecosystems.
Check out our Wildlife & Marine Life Policy to understand the role we are playing in protecting the aquatic life of the Maldives.
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In 2012, we took the initiative to develop sustainable tours which bring locals and tourists together in a mutually beneficial concept, with passion, enthusiasm and determination.
‘I discovered the Maldives almost 20 years ago, visiting as a scuba diver in search of mantas and whale sharks. I was fortunate and found a reasonably priced resort that allowed me to stay and indulge in my hobby. But then came along development and my well-loved resort went luxury and beyond my price range. So I moved to diving from a boat which also enabled me to gain an understanding of local island life.
I always consider myself lucky to have found a group of Maldivian friends who would invite me to their family homes for dinner, share afternoon hedika and invite me for coffee and beetle nuts! My love and appreciation of this country, its people, its culture and traditions was almost immediate and resulted in me visiting the archipelago on over 30 occasions.
In 2012 the opportunity to relocate arose. I had at that point worked for UK retailer British Home Stores for over 25 years and felt it was time for a change and so with the support of a local business man, Ziyad Mohamed, we formed Secret Paradise. Our mission to introduce the Real Maldives to guests and support local communities.
Maldivians are known for their friendliness and hospitality and nothing is too much trouble for them. It was my own experience of Maldivian hospitality and their eagerness to please that gave rise to the cultural aspects of our tours which allows us to engage with local families, communities and businesses.
The basis of our tours has always been to allow guests to learn about the Maldives, its culture, beliefs and traditions and what better way to do this than to see the country through the eyes of a local and experience daily life. Travelling by public ferry, staying on an inhabited island where the local community benefit directly from the income gained from tourism. Sharing breakfast with a family in their home, exchanging stories of daily life, relaxing with a coffee in a local café watching the world go by.
In 2019, Ziyad pursued his dream and launched ‘Island Luxury by Secret Paradise’. Combining all the best aspects of Secret Paradise with a touch of luxury. Creating experiences and expeditions at a premium level.
Secret Paradise continues to specialize in private and group travel for people of all ages, don’t think it is just for young adventurers, it is also for the young at heart!
We can handle your Maldives holiday from the moment of arrival to the the time of departure. Or we are happy to act as a portal for independent travelers offering advice and recommendations on where to stay and the best way to discover the Maldives.
Most importantly whichever way you choose to explore our country we aim to provide experiences that meet your budget, are fun, educational, sustainable and allow you, our guest, to experience the best from the island paradise I am now privileged to call home.