Long regarded as an exquisite home to honeymooners on their romantic getaways, the Maldives has begun receiving an increasing amount of visitors from around the world. Yachting experts tell us how this island nation is helping put Asia on the superyacht map.
It’s a well-cited fact that the Maldives is made up of 99 percent water and 1 percent land. This geography — complemented by paradiasical scenes of clear blue waters, colourful marine life and white sand beaches — makes the country a perfect yachting destination.
Located halfway between Indonesia and the East Coast of Africa, this remote country in the Indian Ocean welcomes around 1.5 million tourists each year. That’s three times its population, and (perhaps surprisingly) a higher number of tourists than those visiting New Zealand, Iceland or French Polynesia, which frequently appear on travellers’ bucket lists. In the past few years, it’s also become evident that the country has started to appear brighter on the radar of the superyacht industry — a market predicted to have a value of USD 10.8 billion by 2026.
The Maldives definitely doesn’t rival the popular cruising destinations in the Mediterranean or Caribbean. Nicci Perides, Head of PR & Communications for brokerage house Burgess, reported that charters in the region represent under 5 percent of all bookings for the firm.
However, Mohamed Hameed — the Managing Director of the Maldivian branch of the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association — has noted a definitive increase over the years. “When we started servicing visiting yachts 20 years ago, we saw very few visiting the country, maybe 7 to 10 annually and mostly over December and January. The size of the superyachts was much smaller (40 metres in average) back in the day, compared to now.”
But, “in the past few years the Maldives has become one of the top cruising destinations in the area with 35 to 50 superyachts visiting the country every year, including mega yachts measuring up to 150 metres. The visiting period has also expanded from November to May and they are staying longer, 45-60 days on average,” commented Hameed. The numbers speak for themselves.
One of the largest yachts now available to charter in Asia is 55.7 metre Perini Navi Galileo, and her presence in the Maldives is certainly an indicator of the country’s growing attraction for superyachts. IYC charter manager Monisha Benzy Issac revealed that “the first charter with Galileo’s new owner was booked in the Maldives, and we’ve had charters booked since, so there definitely is a demand.”
“The traditional cruising grounds remain popular, but I believe clients are increasingly seeking more unique and experiential journeys. Charter guests are looking for experiences that differ from the typical Mediterranean or Caribbean offerings,” added Issac.
Galileo is certainly not the only sizeable superyacht that has brought guests through the Maldives. Throughout his career, Hameed has assisted some of the biggest yachts in the world on their voyages around the country.
This included 126 metre Octopus (formerly owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen), 115 metre Pelorus (owned by Hong Kong billionaire Sammy Tak Lee), 107 metre Andromeda (built for Kiwi billionaire Graeme Hart), Cambodian tycoon Yim Leak’s Starlust and Wanderlust yachts, as well as 147 metre A+ and 123 metre Al Lusail, both owned by Middle Eastern Sheikhs.
Of this formidable group, Wanderlust is still for charter there now. The 85.3 metre motor yacht, launched in 2022, can accommodate up to 12 guests and boasts a heli-hangar, indoor and outdoor cinemas, a glass-fronted “winter garden”, a gym and a jacuzzi. Wanderlust is managed for charter by Burgess with a weekly cost of USD 960,000.
Also in Burgess’ portfolio for charter in the Maldives at a weekly cost of USD 430,000 is 60 metre Dream. When discussing the owners’ motivations for chartering these two vessels in the Maldives, Perides specified that “the sense of freedom, privacy and tranquillity is a huge draw for our clients – both owners and charterers.”
“The Maldives are typically more popular for motor yachts,” acknowledges Bobby Bigio, a charter broker at Camper & Nicholsons. His colleague Pierre Hurel explains that this is largely due to shallow waters around the atolls.
That being said, 43 metre sailing sloop Guillemot is currently for charter there with Camper & Nicholsons. For USD 125,000 per week, 10 guests can enjoy the vessel’s sizeable swimming platform, top-of-the-line water toys and scuba diving setup while soaking up the picturesque cruising grounds.
Another sailing yacht currently chartering in the Maldives is 37 metre Thandeka, managed by Y.CO with a weekly price tag of EUR 85,000. “Thandeka is an easy way to navigate between the atolls of the Maldives; her size and manoeuvrability allow access to the remotest areas that larger yachts could not reach, and after navigating in this area a lot, the crew have expert knowledge of the region and are able to recommend the best atolls which can be explored,” details charter manager Tom Debuse.
Debuse adds that Thandeka’s owner “is passionate about exploring off-the-beaten-track destinations away from the well-trodden yachting destinations.”
The fact that the Maldives is still considered “off-the-beaten-track”, despite the recent influx of maritime visitors, is what experts say make it an appealing superyacht spot.
“This surge in the superyacht sector reflects a growing trend among high-net-worth individuals and discerning travellers seeking bespoke adventures in remote and exclusive privacy,” offers Hameed as an explanation. “With our vast expanses of uninhabited islands, sandbanks and secluded anchorages, the Maldives offers unparalleled privacy and exclusivity for superyacht owners and their guests. Away from the crowds, superyacht owners can enjoy a sense of tranquillity and seclusion amidst our breath-taking surroundings.”
For superyacht visitors in search of serenity, Hameed suggests bioluminescence watching and snorkelling with manta rays at Hanifaru Bay between June and November as “bucket list” activities that make the Maldives an outstanding superyacht destination.
Lana Jevremović, an expedition designer at luxury travel company Pelorus, echoes Hameed’s comments that the Maldives’ marine life and suitability for water sports is a major draw for superyacht visitors.
“We have done a few Maldives charters over the years, particularly for clients interested in diving and ocean conservation,” noted Jevremović. “But people are realising the myriad of opportunities available there in addition to the spectacular diving. For example; ocean conservation, foil surfing, surfing, submersible operations, wellness, and unique cultural experiences.”
For a recent client, Pelorus developed an itinerary that encompassed cruising between Sri Lanka and the Maldives on board Searex, a 39 metre charter yacht. Highlights in the Maldives included diving with manta rays, picnicking on sandbanks and a visit to Patina hotel in North Malé atoll, complemented by spa treatments on board superyachts of choice and a taste of local cuisine cooked up by the selected yacht’s chef.
Aside from the seclusion, Y.CO’s Debuse reiterates that “the Maldives will always be an attractive destination for anyone who loves to be in the water.”
The downside of the Maldives’ remoteness is what Burgess’ Perides describes as “limited infrastructure”. Hameed mentioned Crossroads marina, attached to Saii Lagoon and Hard Rock hotels, as the major port for technical work and provisioning – but Crossroads can only accommodate yachts up to 60 metres.
But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, explains Camper & Nicholsons broker Bigio. “The Maldives isn’t really a ‘marina’ destination, it’s about exploring the atolls, enjoying time at anchor and being the only yacht where you are.”
However, this is set to change with the recent announcement of Atoll Estates’ new Zamani Islands project. The development – which aims to be the first 100% renewable energy resort in the Maldives – will encompass eight islands extending 5 kilometres into a natural lagoon. Within this, will be the country’s first yacht club and a 60,000 square metre superyacht marina with berths for hosting vessels up to 200 metres long.
According to the founders of the Zamani Islands project, Amit Majumder and Dmitry Bourtov, the driving force behind the development was the acknowledgment that “the lack of supporting infrastructure has been a limiting factor for growth in the number of superyachts visiting the Maldives.” Majumder and Bourtov explained that Zamani Islands was conceptualised in 2020 to address this issue, arguing that “studies show that the Maldives is positioned in an ideal location for a stopover for yachts traveling between South East Asia and the Mediterranean, Europe & Middle East.” The first phase of the project is scheduled to be completed by 2026.
The exciting news of developing marinas, as well as what Hameed describes as newly “streamlined” customs and immigration procedures for yachts entering the Maldives, are both further indicators of the country’s plans to lure more superyachts to Asian waters.
The country has always been considered one of the most Edenic destinations in the world, and now the superyacht industry is discovering that too, it would seem.
(Main and featured images: Atoll Estates)
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Olivia is a freelance journalist from the UK whose work focuses on superyachts, luxury lifestyle and travel. A former senior digital writer at BOAT International media, her writing has also been published ..Read More
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