DIVE DESTINATION: the maldives Diving from a superyacht offers the ultimate freedom and privacy, allowing guests to travel to extremely remote dive sites in sublime comfort. Alev Karagulle explores a new and exciting way to enjoy the Maldives. destination: the maldives { 70 } There are many things The Maldives have over a about the Maldives that thousand islands and three times make these idyllic Indian that number of coral reefs. The water is warm and clear, with Ocean islands the perfect good visibility all year round. superyacht destination, The incoming and outgoing tidal not least the quality of the flows bring plankton-rich waters underwater environment, that attract a host of underwater renowned among scuba species and some of the most divers the world over. amazing gentle giants. Manta rays and whale sharks are a rare sight Yet combining superyachting with elsewhere, but not here. diving is not always simple. Many With hundreds of dive sites privately owned yachts carry scuba to explore, there’s something for equipment, but only a few charter everyone, from total novices to yachts offer full diving facilities experienced divers. Your ‘Dive for guests. What’s more, there Butler’ can take you diving for the are complex diving regulations first time in all safety on a tranquil in the Maldives. Regardless of reef, or escort you on some of the your diving experience, to stay most thrilling drift dives in the legal it is better to dive with a world in currents up to four knots. scuba professional, but finding Diving in the Maldives someone who can offer the right usually takes place along a “faru” standards of service, safety and (an outer reef), a “thila” (a smaller, professionalism is not easy. inner atoll reef pinnacle, usually Enter Dive Butler circular in shape), or a “kandu” (a International. Pioneers in the field channel between two farus, where of true luxury rendezvous diving, the atoll meets the ocean). You DBI provides private dive guides can also experience wreck dives and instructors to superyachts and and spectacular night dives with VIP individuals across the world. bioluminescence and rarely seen Now, Burgess and DBI are joining nocturnal creatures. forces to add a new dimension to cruising in this unique tropical destination. With over 1000 species of fish, 3000 coral reefs and hundreds of dive sites, the warm Maldivian waters offer great visibility, sometimes with water clear enough to see 50 metres and beyond. ” Superyacht Living & Style Magazine 2013 { 71 } DIVE SITES NOT TO MISS IN THE MALDIVES NORTH MALE ATOLL HP Reef “There are nearby dive sites for novices, but HP itself is Alexis Vincent is the genial French for experienced advanced Canadian founder of DBI. He explains: divers only.” “We first recognised the need for a personal, professional dive service in the Maldives, SOUTH MALE ATOLL because while it is possible to locate a local dive instructor, it is more challenging to find a diver Guraidhoo Corner aka Guraidhoo who can adapt to the level of service expected Kandu “Only experienced divers on a superyacht. Not all instructors can engage should attempt this when the well with clients at this level and there may be current is strong.” language or cultural issues. Our multi-lingual instructors are carefully selected for their skills, NORTH ARI ATOLL geographical knowledge and experience in handling high profile VIP clients.” Maalhos Thila “An exciting dive One of the main issues that many non- for advanced divers only.” divers have is a fear of the unknown. Alexis Maaya Thila “Fine for both Vincent emphasises that Dive Butler instructors novices and experienced divers.” spend time to build trust, establishing a calm Fish Head aka Mushimas Mingili frame of mind that helps beginners feel safe. Thila “For novices or “We allow you to grow into your comfort zone intermediate divers.” with a step-by-step approach to dive training – you achieve mastery of each skill necessary Batala Maaga “Many ways to do to dive safely before going to the next level, at this dive – beginners can have your own pace.” fun in shallower waters protected With this approach even total novices by the faru, while deeper water can soon enjoy the wonderful weightlessness offers more challenges for of underwater space, swimming amidst coral experienced divers.” gardens alive with an abundance of beautiful, colourful marine life. SOUTH ARI ATOLL Alexis Vincent sums up the joy of diving ” Maamigili Beyru “Good pelagic in the Maldives when he says: “To be aboard encounters possible, including your superyacht within reach of one of the whale sharks.” world’s most remote atolls where possibly no DBI can offer diving in almost one has ever dived before, makes for a very Madivaru Manta Point “Good for any location on the planet, special feeling.” manta rays in shallow water.” including unusual adventures like ice diving in the Nordic Seas. RASDHOO ATOLL DBI is fully insured (removing the insurance liability risk for Rasdhoo Madivaru “Known superyachts) and can supply all as the hammerhead dive - for scuba and safety equipment to intermediate or advanced divers. the most remote destinations. Beginners can dive too, but with Every diving itinerary is tailored less chance of seeing the sharks as to the abilities of each guest, in they are usually in deeper water.” an atmosphere of discretion and Scuba diving during your confidentiality. The company superyacht holiday adds a FELIDHU ATOLL is also strongly focused on environmental awareness and Fotteyo Kandu “Off the beaten wonderful dimension to conservation. the experience. track, for advanced divers only.” » 35 private multi-talented, fully- qualified PADI dive instructors, including 7 Maldives experts » More than 20 languages spoken » More than 175 years of combined diving experience » Global reach, including Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean » Itinerary planning and logistics support » Full third party liability insurance » 24 hour support service and hotline » Operating procedures covered by Just Dive™ brand promises Contact your Burgess charter broker to discuss scuba diving options for your next charter: [email protected] destination: the maldives { 72 }.