The top six dive sites for spectacular marine life

Deep dive into the blue

Nautical alphabet d

If you love the ocean, you are likely intrigued by the hidden world beneath the waves. For diving enthusiasts, there has never been more choice of superyachts designed with scuba diving in mind. The yachts we charter for diving adventures include fully equipped dive stores and a PADI-qualified crew to guide you into the deep secrets of our underwater world. Many yachts can also be fitted with a private submersible to take you over 300 metres beneath the surface, where weird and wonderful creatures exist in the inky depths. 

Whether you are new to diving or looking for the next bucket list diving adventure, many of our brokers are passionate about diving, and they will know the best diving experiences to suit you and your guests. From the Grenadines to the Galapagos, our brokers pick their top six diving locations for spectacular underwater adventures. 

Whale shark diving superyacht charter Maldives
DIVING IN THE MALDIVES

The ultimate way to experience the hidden secrets of the Indian Ocean is onboard a luxury yacht in the Maldives. Our charter broker, Rupert Wakely has dived extensively in the Maldives. He describes these atolls as  “some of the best diving locations you can get in the world in terms of undisturbed sea life and natural beauty.” With the freedom of a yacht charter, you can explore the outer islands and reach remote dive sites that very few people have a chance to experience. 

‘’What makes the Maldives so special is that everywhere is a dive site, and the fish are so inquisitive as they haven’t seen many divers before. Every dive is a drift dive over an incredible coral world. You start in one location and finish in another, and you don’t have to worry about making your way back to the start point because your yacht comes to collect you wherever you surface’’ – Rupert Wakely 

The Maldives is considered a year-round destination for diving, and the peak season is between December and April. With calm water and excellent visibility, the Maldives is a fantastic place for first-time divers to learn and for experienced divers to find more challenging dives. 

DIVE OF A LIFETIME

Whale sharks are resident year-round in the Maldives. Swimming with these gentle giants is a life-changing experience

MALDIVES YACHT CHARTER

Rupert recommends Ark Noble for private diving adventures in the Maldives. She comes with a PADI-certified professional crew, a dive compressor and top-of-the-range scuba diving equipment.

DIVING IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

George Brotherton believes that for close encounters with some of the most biodiverse marine life in the world, the Galapagos Islands will be hard to beat. There aren’t many places where you can swim with marine iguanas, sea lions, dolphins, penguins and sea turtles in one day. The best dive sites in the Galapagos can only be reached by boat, making this a fantastic destination for a yacht charter. 

“What makes the Galapagos so exciting for a diving yacht charter is that you wake up each morning to a mind-blowing new landscape,” explains George. “From the pure white sands of Isabela Island to the volcanic wonders of Fernandina Island, the diversity of wildlife and natural beauty is unforgettable.” 

DIVE OF A LIFETIME

It is worth going the distance to reach the northern reefs off Wolf and Darwin Islands. Here you are best located for diving with hammerhead sharks. 

Hammerhead diving superyacht charter Galapagos
GALAPAGOS YACHT CHARTER

George recommends Aqua Mare for a luxury yacht charter in the Galapagos Islands. This 50m motor yacht was built in 1998 by CRN Ancona and stylishly refurbished in 2021 with the latest technology. 

Dugong diving superyacht charter Indonesia
DIVING IN INDONESIA

Angus Cook picks Indonesia as one of the best destinations in the world for scuba diving. Indonesia is the largest archipelago country, with over 17,000 islands sprayed across tropical waters. “Sailing is the only way to experience the diversity of Indonesia’s underwater secrets, says Angus. “From diving with hammerhead sharks in the Spice Islands to whale sharks and manta rays in Raja Ampat, I can’t think of a better destination for bucket list diving adventures.”

Above the waves, Indonesia is also home to a captivating variety of ancient cultures and natural wonders. The giant lizards that inhabit Komodo National Park are one of Indonesia’s highlights, and the landscape, with its white beaches and rugged hills, is beautiful. Angus also loves including Papua’s west coast in tailormade yacht charters in Indonesia. “This remote part of the archipelago is home to timeless cultures that have survived the test of time. Inhabitants have lived by the same traditions as their ancestors for thousands of years.” 

DIVE OF A LIFETIME

Raja Ampat is home to over 200 dive sites filled with kaleidoscopic coral reefs. Look out for the rare and gentle dugong, a cousin of the manatee that inspired the legend of mermaids.

INDONESIA YACHT CHARTER

Put the wind in your sails and explore Indonesia aboard Dunia Baru. She is equipped with 14 full sets of scuba diving equipment and onboard dive specialists with the option for guests to do their PADI dive certification during their cruise.

DIVING IN FRENCH POLYNESIA

For Advait Deodhar, French Polynesia should be on every keen scuba diver’s list of future diving adventures. The dry season is from May to September, but there are treasures to discover in the wet season. “Between September and October, you stand a good chance of seeing humpback whales off the Moorea Island coast. This is also one of the best places on earth for diving with sharks. The hammerhead sharks at Tiputa Pass in Rangiora are an unforgettable site and at their best between December and March.” 

A yacht charter in French Polynesia should always include Bora Bora and Rangiroa. The Rangiroa lagoon is a fantastic location for drift diving.  These incredible dive sites are renowned for encounters with a jaw-dropping diversity of marine life, from manta rays to eagle rays, sea turtles and a wide variety of shark species. 

DIVE OF A LIFETIME

The Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia are one of the few places in the ocean where both manta species can be found (the giant oceanic manta and the reef manta). 

Manta ray diving superyacht charter French Polynesia
FRENCH POLYNESIA YACHT CHARTER

Advait recommends Joy for a bespoke diving yacht charter holiday in French Polynesia. This beautiful luxury catamaran is finished to the highest standard, with superyacht DNA in her design. 

Tiger shark diving superyacht charter Caribbean
DIVING IN THE CARIBBEAN

Rupert Wakely loves the Caribbean for luxury diving adventures. From the abundance of sea turtles in The Turks and Caicos Islands to the coral-filled wrecks off the shores of Tobago, the diving opportunities in the Caribbean are endless. “One of the best destinations for remote scuba diving experiences is the Grenadines, “ says Rupert. “I was in the Tobago Cays Marine Park recently – the quality of the reefs and marine life was mesmerising.”

DIVE OF A LIFETIME

For advanced divers, don’t miss a chance to dive at Sail Rock. You’ll see sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, and tiger sharks are often spotted here. 

CARIBBEAN YACHT CHARTER

Rupert recommends Ygo, a Sunreef 60 sailing catamaran that launched in 2022. Stairs on either side of the aft deck lead to a spacious swim platform giving guests easy access to the water for diving and snorkelling adventures.

DIVING IN ANTARCTICA

Josh Francis picks Antarctica for experienced scuba divers looking for an underwater adventure, unlike anything they have done before. “With a crew of specialist diving guides and all the comforts that come with a luxury explorer yacht, we can design a once-in-a-lifetime diving experience in Antarctica.” Explore giant kelp forests where seals and penguins hunt between the swaying leaves and spider crabs, starfish and soft corals which thrive in sub-zero temperatures. 

90% of every iceberg is underwater, and much of Antarctica’s wildlife lives beneath the surface. Polar scuba diving in these Antarctic waters is an opportunity to explore an uncharted world of pristine beauty. The explorer yachts we can recommend in Antarctica are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, navigation and dive equipment, including submersibles on request. 

DIVE OF A LIFETIME

Explore Antarctica’s underwater ice formations and extraordinary marine life that very few people in the world can say they have seen. 

Humpback whale diving superyacht charter Antarctica
ANTARCTICA YACHT CHARTER

Octopus is one of the largest superyachts in the world. She is the dream vessel for the ultimate superyacht charter in Antarctica.

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