Our Story — Founded in Community, Driven by Passion

Atholhu Excursions was born from a simple belief — Maldivian tourism should uplift local people and celebrate our country’s natural beauty and culture. Our founder and lead guide, Sunil, grew up working on his father’s fishing boat in the atolls, learning traditional fishing techniques, the names and habitats of native species, and the art of navigating Maldivian waters. Certified as both a professional tour guide and PADI dive instructor with more than a decade experience in Maldivian tourism, he brings deep local insight and genuine warmth to every tour.

When you travel with Atholhu Excursions, you support real people and meaningful experiences. We practice sustainable tourism by partnering with community projects, minimizing environmental impact, and sharing the economic benefits with local businesses and people.

Our Mission – Supporting Real People and Meaningful Experiences

The Maldives opened itself to tourism in 1972, welcoming its first group of international travelers. For decades, tourism in the Maldives was limited almost exclusively to private resort islands, many of which are owned and operated by large international corporations and global hotel chains. While this model brought international recognition to the Maldives as a luxury destination, it left most local Maldivians unable to participate directly in tourism beyond entry-level employment. Only in 2010 did government policy expand tourism to local islands, allowing Maldivians to open guesthouses, restaurants, cafés, and small tour operations of their own.

Today, tourism accounts for approximately 30% of the Maldivian economy, yet due to the continued dominance of resort-based tourism, only a small fraction of that revenue reaches local communities. Atholhu Excursions was created to help change that balance. Our mission is to support locally owned businesses, create fair opportunities for Maldivians, and offer travelers authentic experiences rooted in real culture, real livelihoods, and real places. By choosing Atholhu Excursions, you are not only exploring the Maldives — you are directly contributing to sustainable tourism that empowers local people, preserves traditions, and ensures that the benefits of travel are shared where they matter most.