If untouched white sands, turquoise waters and an endless list of islands to explore isn’t reason enough to visit the Maldives, it is now one of the easiest destinations to travel to.
On 15 September the Maldives opened to foreign flagged vessels, this allows yachts to explore these exceptional waters as they wish, the only restrictions being against going ashore to local inhabited islands. With just 200 of the 1,100 islands being inhabited, this leaves a plenty of options, even for the most eager of explorers!
Even more importantly, these islands are considered among the safest to travel to. The Maldives were awarded a ‘Safe Travels Stamp’ by the World Travel & Tourism Council, this was specifically designed in the response to COVID-19 and is granted to countries which have implemented enhanced health and safety measures.
Diving
The Maldives are a dream for water lovers, its beautiful coral reefs, which are home to a wide variety of sea life, make this a world-class diving destination. Over 2,000 species of fish can be found here, as well as turtles and manta rays, and dive sites cater to all abilities, so there really is something for everyone. If fishing is more your thing, why not try a private fishing expedition before returning to your yacht and enjoying your catch freshly prepared by your private chef.
Exploring
Going ashore to explore uninhabited islands is a magical experience, there’s nothing quite like walking on untouched white-sand beaches. Spend a beach day here, sunbathing and snorkeling, or enjoy a private beach picnic or barbeque. This is also a chance to experience the abundance of exotic shoreside flora and fauna the Maldives has to offer. Many of the islands are covered largely with dense forests which are home to tropical trees such as mango, coconut palms and plantain, and many species of bird too.
