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Yachting in Maldives with Crown & Champa Resorts
The Maldives is 99 per cent ocean!
Situated near the equator, the archipelago, with atolls and its island dotting across the Indian Ocean, is draped in 365 days of summer, with white sandy palm-fringed tropical islands above the water and an amazing underwater world below the waves. This makes the Maldives a top, year-round destination to experience yachting.
The properties in the Crown & Champa Resorts portfolio offer its guests many experiences when it comes to yachting in the Maldives. The resorts facilitate private yachting with POA and excursion packages.
Many ways to yacht in the Maldives:
- Chase the sunset. Be it romance or at the end of a dive trip, sunset cruising is a popular option our guests love.
- The yachts make another location to renew your wedding vows and take wedding photography (tell the world you had a beach wedding, a wedding on a yacht, a wedding on a sandbank and even underwater; ask your resort how they can accommodate multiple wedding ceremonies during your stay in the Maldives).
- Go on a diving excursion.
- Travelling with friends? Have your get-togethers onboard.
Island hop with Kudadoo’s Bella
Bespoke excursions, romantic celebrations and luxurious transfers. Ask your butler to make Bella whisk you away on adventures that are limited only by your imagination.
Bella is a Princess 55 Motor Yacht, built by the Princess Yachts. Luxuriously spacious with interiors etho the Flybridge range flows.
For more information, please visit www.kudadoo.com.

Yachting by Hurawalhi
Set your adventurous spirit free by chartering Bella, Hurawalhi’s luxury yacht. Guests can choose a few hours or an entire day aboard the impeccably designed vessel for bespoke excursions and experiences. Cruise with your loved one, cruise the atolls or tailor-make your trips and arrange an inter-island transfer.
Learn more on www.hurawalhi.com.

Yachting at Kagi Maldives
From luxury day sailing to full moon cruising across the Indian Ocean, yachting will be an option for guests to enjoy in Kagi, the well-being focused resort opening end 2020.
For more information and reservations, please visit www.kagimaldives.com.

Yachting with the secluded Veligandu island
Veligandu’s Gadha (lovely named as the strong-one-of-the ocean in Dhivehi), is a tastefully appointed Nomad 65 by Gulf Craft.
Measuring 65 feet in length and 18 feet in width, the three-deck modern customised luxury motor yacht comprises of three guest cabins on the lower deck, fully air-conditioned living area, a bar along with a kitchen on the middle deck, and an open air space at the top deck to wallow in the breath-taking ocean views.
Gadha is available for day-long Ari atoll cruising, for dive and snorkelling trips, gourmet dinner cruising at sunset and a choice of deep-sea sailing options for romance, star gazing and relaxation.
Please visit www.veligandu.com for more information.

Cruise the sea in full sail at Komandoo
The Maldives’ truly adults-only resort, Komandoo Island Resort & Spa offers a choice of fantastic opportunities and exploration options aboard the classic motor sailing yacht Britt, in full sail.
Excursions can be booked while on the island through your resort champion. Popular with guests are full-day atoll sailing in the Lhaviyani atoll with sunbathing, snorkelling and diving.
Please visit www.komandoo.com for more information.

Tailored cruising aboard Meeru’s Nora
Nora is a Princess 62 Motor Yacht, built by the Princess Yachts with elegantly appointed interiors and takes guests exploring the north Maldives.
Let Nora take on excursions to snorkel through the most picturesque reefs and experience spectacular marine life, visit sandbanks and chase sunsets.
The yacht is also available for transfers to arrive or depart in privacy, convenience, comfort and style.
Contact reservations@meeru.com for details. Learn more on www.meeru.com.

Go on an Ocean Discovery tour on Vilamendhoo’s Goma
Spend a full day out at sea, hopping in and out of the ocean, searching for the hidden gems that the South Ari atoll is famous for, including majestic whale sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, reef sharks, with Vilamendhoo’s beautiful wooden yacht Gomafulhu (meaning beautiful lady in descriptive Dhivehi).
With the beautiful Goma cruising in full sail, this wooden motor yacht offers a unique experience to dive trips and leisure cruising.
Learn more about the Ocean Discovery Tour on www.vilamendhoo.com. Contact reservations@thoibaeeru.com for details.

Atoll cruising with Kuredu
Kuredu Island Resort & Spa offers sailing excursions on board the wooden yacht ‘Britt’ which becomes one of the many guests’ holiday highlight. The yacht excursion itinerary starts off with breakfast on board, cruise through the waters past uninhabited islands, a local island, sandbanks and stunning lagoons, mid-day anchoring in one of the calm lagoons to serve guest lunch.
Learn more on www.kuredu.com.

Yachting is one of the many ways guests at Crown & Champa Resorts let you discover the joy of sailing. All the resorts boast deep sea fishing boats, traditional yet motorised Maldivian Dhonis for excursions, and speedboats to experience the joy of ocean cruising.
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Simply summer at Milaidhoo: Invitation to slow living in the Baa Atoll
In a destination often defined by excess, Milaidhoo Maldives offers a different summer narrative: one of restraint, rhythm and rare stillness. Introducing Simply Summer, a seasonal escape that celebrates the art of slowing down within the UNESCO-protected waters of the Baa Atoll.
An intimate island sanctuary, Milaidhoo is designed for travellers who value time as the ultimate luxury. Days unfold unhurriedly, beginning with relaxed oceanfront breakfasts and shaped entirely by choice, from sunrise yoga and snorkelling in pristine coral gardens to long, private hours spent within the calm of one’s villa. Evenings are defined by elegant à la carte dining, inspired by seasonal flavours and served with effortless grace.
The Simply Summer offer enhances this experience with considered privileges rather than excess. Guests are invited to explore the Maldives’ natural wonders through manta ray encounters in the legendary Hanifaru Bay, indulge in restorative rituals at the overwater Serenity Spa, or discover the atoll through curated island adventures, all with exclusive seasonal savings.
A chilled bottle of Ruinart Champagne awaiting guests in their villa sets the tone on arrival, while flexible early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability) ensures that time is never hurried. Dining remains a central pleasure, with daily breakfast and à la carte dinners at Ocean Restaurant, complemented by generous dining credits across the island’s culinary venues.
Available for stays from 1st May to 31st October 2026, with a minimum stay of four nights, Simply Summer is an understated invitation to experience the Maldives at its most refined, quietly luxurious, deeply personal and guided by the gentle pace of island life.
Simply Summer – Key Inclusions:
- Daily breakfast at Ocean Restaurant
- Daily à la carte dinner at Ocean Restaurant
- USD 65 per person, per night dining credit (food-only) at other restaurants
- 30% savings on manta ray snorkelling in Hanifaru Bay (group excursion)
- 30% savings on selected treatments at Serenity Spa
- 30% savings on curated group excursions and island experiences
- Exclusive benefits when booking direct
Begin your Simply Summer at Milaidhoo.
Excursions
Manta season experience returns as InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau announces 2026 retreat
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has announced the dates for its 2026 Manta Retreat, following the programme’s strong reception in recent years. The retreat will take place from 24 to 27 March 2026, coinciding with the Maamunagau manta season, when juvenile manta rays are commonly sighted in the resort’s lagoon just offshore.
The resort will once again partner with The Manta Trust, one of the world’s leading manta ray research organisations, to co-host the retreat and offer guests an immersive, educational experience centred on marine conservation. The programme is designed for travellers seeking purpose-led experiences and a deeper understanding of manta rays within their natural environment.
Located on the edge of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and adjacent to a known juvenile manta ray aggregation site, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau provides direct access to key research and observation areas. During the retreat, guests will be able to participate in guided reef snorkelling, manta excursions led by The Manta Trust, coral restoration and planting workshops, and a series of educational sessions. Participants will also have the opportunity to adopt and name a manta ray as part of the conservation initiative.
The partnership between InterContinental Maldives and The Manta Trust has been in place since 2019. The retreat will be led by The Manta Trust’s base leader, Meral Hafeez, who will guide guests through manta ray encounters while sharing insight into the organisation’s ongoing research and conservation efforts in the surrounding waters. The programme offers participants a behind-the-scenes look at the daily work of the research team, including observing and recording manta ray behaviour.
In 2023, Maamunagau Lagoon was recognised as an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA), identifying it as a vital habitat for manta rays and a priority conservation site. The lagoon continues to serve as a key research area for The Manta Trust, allowing guests to observe manta rays in their natural environment within close proximity to the resort. Certified divers are also catered for, with access to dedicated dive sites where manta ray cleaning stations can be observed, highlighting the complex marine ecosystems of the Maldives.
Beyond the retreat activities, guests can enjoy the resort’s overwater villas, unwind at AVI Spa, or explore its range of dining experiences.
The participation fee for the Manta Retreat is USD 1,550++ per night, per room, based on double occupancy, with a minimum stay of four nights. The package includes one manta ray research trip, guided house reef snorkelling, manta ray adoption, educational workshops, and accommodation in a luxury villa or residence on a half-board basis.
Featured
Ten years of turtle conservation: Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Olive Ridley Project milestone
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, part of the boutique island resort collective Coco Collection, is marking ten years of partnership with the Olive Ridley Project (ORP), celebrating a decade-long commitment to marine conservation in the Maldives.
The partnership reached a significant milestone in 2017 with the opening of the Maldives’ first veterinary-led Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, pioneering specialised sea turtle care in the country. Since its establishment, the centre has treated and released 152 injured turtles, achieving a rehabilitation success rate of nearly 60 per cent. The facility plays a critical role in caring for turtles impacted by human activities, including entanglement in marine debris and ghost nets.
Beyond rescue and rehabilitation, the Olive Ridley Project leads long-term sea turtle research across the Maldives, collecting data on nesting activity, population trends and threats to marine life. This work contributed to the country’s first National Red List Assessment of Threatened Species, published in 2022. Supported by a network of citizen scientists, ORP’s Maldives research team has documented more than 45,000 sea turtle encounters nationwide. Over the past decade, Coco Collection has been a major contributor to this effort, recording nearly 3,500 encounters and reinforcing its position as one of ORP’s most significant research partners.
Guests at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu are invited to engage directly with these conservation initiatives through weekly marine talks, educational sessions led by the resort’s resident Marine Educator, and opportunities to witness rehabilitated sea turtles being released back into the ocean.

Commenting on the milestone, Siraj Waseem, General Manager of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, said that celebrating ten years of partnership with the Olive Ridley Project was a source of pride for Coco Collection. He noted that what began as a shared commitment to protecting marine life has evolved into a long-term collaboration rooted in education, conservation and meaningful guest engagement, adding that the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre continues to grow in strength with ORP’s support.
Dr Martin Stelfox, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Olive Ridley Project, said the decade-long partnership reflects a pioneering collaboration and significant progress in sea turtle conservation in the Maldives. He highlighted advances in conservation medicine and research achieved together, as well as the impact of inspiring guests and Maldivian interns to care for and protect the country’s marine environment.
Over the past ten years, the ORP Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu has hosted ten veterinary surgeons, each contributing to the development of sea turtle conservation medicine in the Maldives. Through the Sea Turtle Veterinary Trainee Programme, the resort and ORP have trained 29 veterinary professionals from 12 countries, helping to strengthen a global network of sea turtle clinical care across the Indian Ocean and beyond.
Alongside its conservation work, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu continues to offer a wide range of experiences for guests, from water sports such as water skiing, surfing and parasailing to sailing, paddle-boarding and kayaking in the surrounding lagoon. Visitors can also explore Maldivian culture through curated Coco Experiences that highlight local island life and heritage. As the resort marks ten years of collaboration with the Olive Ridley Project, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu continues to demonstrate how meaningful conservation efforts can coexist with memorable guest experiences.
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