When you think of a luxury getaway it’s usually a tropical paradise that first comes to mind, and the Maldives has so much hidden beauty just waiting to be discovered with the freedom that luxury yacht SAFIRA brings. Fill your hours with water sports, sunbathing and catching up with family and friends while your Captain keeps your itinerary on schedule and your professional crew provide six-star service.
Malé is often a first stop for visitors because of its easy international flight connections. Once you’re on solid ground, Sultan Park has all the highlights for those who want a whirlwind tour: The old and new National Museums have large and detailed collections, and the combined National Library & Art Gallery is just a short walk away. The surrounding area has numerous options for boutique shoppers, then leave behind the main tourist hubs and resorts to access the region’s best snorkelling and dive sites, pristine white sand beaches and unblemished reefs teeming with sea life.
Motor yacht SAFIRA is designed for the shallows and can host up to 40 guests on board for dockside events, while the overnight accommodation sleeps 12 guests in a choice of 12 double or twin en-suite cabins. The minimalist interiors offer plenty of space and light, and are furnished to contemporary standards throughout. The lounge on the main deck forward is the perfect place to gather everyone together at the start of the day, and the games consoles and selection of films will keep guests of all ages entertained while cruising. The aft dining room offers plenty of space for group meals in an air conditioned environment, and it can be used as a second lounge for pastimes such as board games.
There is an abundance of outdoor space where guests can admire the brilliant blue waters over morning coffee shaded by a canvas bimini, or while sipping on a cocktail in the sundeck Jacuzzi. M/Y SAFIRA comes with 12 Scuba dives included in her charter price, in addition to instruction and spa massage services for fitness and indulgence every day. The wonderful treatments last from 30 minutes to a full hour and include the Adam & Eve couple’s massage using aromatic oils, Thai and Balinese massages and exfoliating body scrubs.
From Malé the nearby Huvadhoo Atoll boasts 255 scenic islands, and you can cruise from one sun-drenched shore to the next, snorkelling and Scuba diving at each stop for unforgettable encounters with manta rays, sea turtles, whale sharks and other incredible species. One of the best wreck sites in the region is the BRITISH LOYALTY at Villingili, and the northern atolls have myriad drift dives like the ‘Boahurra Express’ and ‘Shark’s Tongue’ to enthral more experienced divers. The Isdhoo and Maabaidhoo Kandu dive sites within the Laamau Atoll have 20 different species of dolphin and whales to follow in the current.
Romantics will find themselves cruising from one idyllic location to the next, but some places in the Maldives are like nowhere else on Earth: On Vaadhoo Island the waves glow blue with bioluminescent algae after dark, creating a natural spectacle that will remain in memory for its beauty.
Luxury yacht SAFIRA has a large selection of water toys, among them a jet ski, a variety of towable toys, snorkelling equipment and paddleboards, and while on the move guests can burn energy in the sundeck gym. When all anyone wants is to savour the peace and quiet, the group can dine alfresco on the beaches shaded from the midday heat and rest on the sands and watch the fiery sunset turn into starry night skies.
Trina Howes is a Director of CharterWorld America. CharterWorld is a luxury private yacht charter company that creates outstanding vacations with excellent yachts at amazing prices – worldwide.
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