If yachting in the Maldives sounds like an unaffordable dream, think again. This magical corner of the world promises striking beauty that won’t require you to empty your children’s trust fund! To plan your sailing getaway, determine whether you are experienced and credentialed enough to undertake the job on your own or hire a yacht with crew and leave the piloting and yacht maintenance to them.
Choose your route. There are thousands of islands within the Republic of the Maldives. Most skippers sail out of the capital, Male, which is around 600km southwest of India, then stop along the double chain of atolls between Minicoy Island and the Chagos Archipelago. Employ a recently-published nautical map if you’re captaining your yacht and one isn’t provided by the rental agent. You may also need dive and fishing licenses.
Book your yacht. Use your favourite Internet search engine to find yacht rental resources. The size of your sailing party, time of year and yacht size will determine the best rental arrangement. Maximize your vacation budget by sailing during low season (May to June) if you don’t mind putting up with a few weather glitches. High season is from December to June. Split the difference by booking between October and November.
What to see. You can stop at 200 inhabited islands in the chain or ignore human beings and devote your yachting experience to an underwater kingdom not found anywhere else on the planet. Tote scuba gear and an underwater camera. Plan to anchor wherever the spirit moves you. Experience coral islands and beach time by dropping anchor at the region’s signature cays and lagoons.
Fun on deck. If your dream begins and ends with fishing the Maldives, have at it. Thread hooks and lines in the sun or partake of legendary night-time reef-fishing experiences. Prepare meals in the galley so you don’t have to go ashore unless you wish to dine at five-star resorts like The Reethi Rah and Cocoa Beach.
A typical one-week itinerary. First time visitors to the Maldives yacht-rental experience often prefer a pre-set itinerary. If that describes you, this gives you a starting place that you can adapt using your own research:
- Day one: Land in Male. Take a shuttle or cab to your yacht and then set sail to Bandos Island for lunch followed by an afternoon of swimming, diving, snorkeling or lounging on deck.
- Day two: Sail to the Ari Atoll followed by the Rasdhoo Atoll for turtle, eel, parrotfish and shark watching. Enjoy a picnic on your yacht’s deck prepared by your crew or use pre-loaded provisions to arrange a meal.
- Day three: Set sail for Maaya Thila, a coral reef that’s part of the Ari Atoll. See why they call this “the diving capital of the Maldives.” Sail the area extensively to photograph the splendor of the scenery.
- Day four: Set sail for Meerufenfushi where an emerald lagoon awaits your anchor. Use your yacht’s motorboat to visit the beach. Enjoy a day of leisure followed by dinner at a local fresh seafood restaurant.
- Day five: Visit Dhangeti Island and one of the most written-about sea beds in the Maldives: Kudarah Thila. Plan an early, light dinner on the deck of your yacht so you can arise early for the next sailing destination.
- Day six: Stop at Felidhu Atoll to experience the underwater mountain rising from the ocean floor. Dive deeply to photograph silver carangids and glimpse sharks darting among gorgonians.
- Day seven: Spend your last morning diving, lunching on deck and gathering gear before returning to Male for your flight home. Promise yourself that you’ll return to this idyllic paradise at the first opportunity!