Our two lucky brokers report back from the Maldives
Our Senior Charter Brokers, Josh Francis and Advait Deodhar had the enviable task of leaving the London rain behind for a five-day Maldives yacht charter. Read about the highlights and top tips for how to get the best out of a shorter yacht charter in the Maldives.
“Maldives scuba diving is out of this world. We dived with white-tip and reef sharks, manta rays, stingrays, eagle rays, sea turtles and discovered reefs filled with marine life of all shapes and colours.” – Josh Francis
Day One – Huvafen Fushi
Our Maldives adventure began with an inspection of Huvafen Fushi, which means Dream Island – it certainly lives up to its name! We can highly recommend starting any luxury Maldives holiday with a stay at Huvafen Fushi before boarding your yacht charter. The boutique Maldives resort is known for its Michelin-level restaurants and the only underwater spa in the Maldives. The reef is easily accessible and rated as one of the best in the North Malé Atoll. We spent the afternoon drifting in the lagoon with manta rays, sea turtles and schools of tropical reef fish.
Day Two – Rasdhoo and Alikoi Rah
Rasdhoo may be small, but there is much to see above and below the surface. Shallow lagoons and gentle reefs are great for families and beginner divers learning the ropes. For more advanced divers, we loved the exhilarating current-charged channels and dramatic underwater landscapes.
From Rasdhoo we cruised to Alikoi Rah, a heavenly white sandbank spit with spectacular snorkelling. For advanced divers, the Fish Head dive site is worth a visit. This impressive pinnacle is rich with marine life, including grey and white-tip sharks. We also loved the Machchafushi cargo freighter wreck nearby for snorkelling or diving.
Day Three – Keyodhoo Shipwreck and Night-Diving at Alimatha
The partially buried Keyodhoo shipwreck was one of our favourite Maldives diving experiences. The half-submerged shipwreck dive site is adorned with colourful corals and schools of tropical fish. Experienced free divers can swim through the Captain’s cabin or strike an Instagram-worthy pose on the bicycle attached to the hull.
We then cruised to Alimatha, one of the most sought-after Maldivian islands. The island is ringed with picture-perfect beaches – the perfect spot for a luxury beach picnic prepared by the crew. From here, we visited one of the most famous dive channels – Myaru Kandu, which means Sea of Sharks. We also enjoyed a spectacular night dive swimming with nurse sharks, rays, octopus, moray eels and numerous sleeping fish.
Day Four – Rihiveli and Dolphin Lagoon
On our penultimate day in the Maldives, we cruised to Rihiveli Island on the Southernmost part of South Malé Atoll. Rihiveli Island is surrounded by gorgeous beaches and a stunning lagoon. Locally named, Dolphin Lagoon, the site is a well-known dolphin breeding area. The lagoon is the only Maldives location where you can swim and snorkel with dolphins. Rihiveli is known for its conservation efforts that preserve the island’s original state. It is said to be one of the last of its kind, and we felt privileged to experience the natural Maldivian beauty of Rihiveli.
Day Five – Crossroads
Our Maldives yacht charter ended at Crossroads (aptly named – were we given the chance we would never have come home!). Only 15 minutes from the capital city of Malé, Crossroads is home to the first and only luxury Maldives Marina. From here, we said goodbye to our wonderful Captain and crew and departed for our flight from Male to London. In just five days, we felt we had experienced many of the highlights of the Maldives. We never felt rushed; each day brought a new adventure with breathtaking landscapes above and below the waves.
PICK OF MALDIVES YACHTS
SEAREX yacht
38m
8 cabins
14 crew
Searex exceeded our expectations. The service was faultless, and the food was delicious. We loved her contemporary interiors and spacious decks that make her perfect for a family yacht charter or celebration with friends.
ALICE yacht
31.26 m
7 cabins
14 crew
Alice is a beautifully presented superyacht with amazing diving capabilities. Onboard diving equipment includes a dive air compressor and a nitrox compressor.
Ready to start planning your next Maldives yacht charter?