Maldives is home to manta rays. These amazing creatures gracefully glide through the water by using their pectoral fins which move in the same way like wings of birds. When you sail the Maldives with us on Sail Shantaram you'll have the chance to swim with these magnificent creatures.

They gather in specific area's based on the time of year. During the NE monsoon season they are mainly found on the western side of the atolls, and during the SW monsoon season on the eastern side of the atolls. 

Here's some interesting facts about Manta rays:

• Manta ray has the largest brain (relative to body size) of all known species of fish and ability to keep its body temperature more-less stable (unlike many other species of fish).
• They are filter feeders who use large flat fins on the each side of the head to direct food toward the mouth. It can consume around 60 pounds of food per day.
• They regularly visit "cleaning" stations where various species of small fish (such as wrasses) eliminate parasites from the surface of the body
• They need to swim constantly to stay alive (swimming ensures continuous flow of water rich in oxygen through ventrally-positioned gills). It travels around 43 miles per day.
• Manta ray can survive up to 50 years in the wild

​So come join us for a luxury sailing charter in the Maldives and swim with these beautiful creatures. You'll not only get to see manta, but a myriad of other fish, rays, sharks, dolphins and turtles. Maldives is an aquatic paradise. And Sail Shantaram is the perfect way to holiday in the Maldives. Maldives Luxury yacht charters don't get any better than this!

.Yeeeuw! This is a you-can't-miss-this kinda special! Grab your mates and BOOK!

Singapore airlines have an insane special on ex-JHB to Maldives for only R5500 for a return flight. Can guarantee you that's a never-to-be-repeated price. Tickets are limited (in both dates & quantity) and selling like hotcakes so snooze you lose!

We will match that with a crazy good offer for a Central Atolls 10 day charter for only $2500 per person! That's 35% discount. Only 4 slots available for individual bookings, otherwise we can accommodate a private group of 6 guests (further discount applies). No insta-crowd! Only 4 surfers on board (unless private group of 5 or 6).

The Central atolls offer amazing waves, and are far less crowded than the North Male area. Everything from barrels to skateparks, lefts and rights. July/August is peak surf season in Maldives, so the chances of scoring cooking waves is good. More info on the waves here.

Shantaram, a luxury 45ft catamaran, will be your home during your 10 day wave hunting charter. She's a beautiful yacht with 3 super comfy light & airy double cabins (two of which converts to twin share). Weber BBQ, ice machine, full entertainment system. Everything you need and more. Check out the yacht here

​Your charter includes:

• 3 great meals a day plus snacks

• water, juice, tea, coffee (soft drinks & alcohol available for purchase)
• awesome Saffa crew & surfguide
• green tax
• domestic flights (Male Laamu return)(please note no boardbags over 7ft on domestic flight)

Does not include:

• international flights
• overnight accommodation in Male/Hulhumale
• travel insurance (mandatory)

​
Dates:
10 day Central atoll charter 29 July - 7 August (contact us for other date options for full boat private charter) 

(depart SA 27 July, arrive Maldives 28 July, overnight in Male, domestic 1 hr flight to Laamu early morning 29 July. Depart Laamu afternoon 7 Aug for late night departure Male, return to SA 8 Aug )

Contact:
kerry@sailshantaram.com

Welcome to the Maldives! The perfect tropical surf destination for those wanting friendly warm water waves against a backdrop of swaying palm trees. No wetsuit required!

For all those who find Indonesia a few levels above their pay grade, the Maldives surf is the perfect place to enjoy tropical waves without having to worry about serious consequences. Sure, you can still have the odd altercation with the reef, but it doesn't carry nearly the same bite as the Indo coral does.

The water is so clear you feel like you're surfing over an aquarium, as schools of parrot fish or even a manta ray will glide effortlessly under you as ​you coast along the wave. It can be a bit disconcerting, as the amazing water clarity sometimes makes it hard to discern the shape of the wave - you can't tell where the bottom is and it feels like you're on an Aladdin's magic carpet ride.

Most of the Maldives surf spots are at the reef passes between islands within the atolls. Often with a left and right on either side of the channel. Doesn't matter if you're goofy or regular you'll be spoilt for choice. There are waves to suit all abilities, so whether you're after tubes or turns there will be a spot just right for you.

It's a great destination for surfing couples or families, as the variety of waves means that everyone will find something to their liking. The added advantage of a Maldives luxury surf charter on Shantaram is that you'll be able to surf the types of waves you're after - as you can choose where to sail. Even better that you'll only be jumping off the back of the yacht with just a handful of your friends or family. No insta-crowd!

Maldives surf is also perfectly suited to intermediate surfers, as despite breaking on coral reefs the swell has refracted just enough from the deep Indian Ocean to take some of the sting out of it. Certainly enough power to give you a great ride, but not so much that you feel like you're dodging death.

The popular area of North and South Male are home to some really good waves. Because of it's proximity to Male the area can get crowded during peak season, but there are a heap of spots within close proximity which helps thin out the crowds. Cokes, Chickens and Sultans are perennial favourites, but just as much fun can be had at Ninja's, Tombstones and Last Stops.

The Central Atolls are a great option for those looking to escape the crowds up North. Flying in to one of the domestic airports to meet your Shantaram surf charter means saving on the sailing time it would take to get down there. Laamu, Thaa and Dhaalu offer some great spots in both SE and SW swells during the SW monsoon months (May to Oct). They are home to some of our favourite waves!

The Southern Atolls host some amazing waves during either side of the monsoon season, whilst the winds are lighter and have more north in them. During peak surf season the prevailing westerlies can blow out many of the prime spots. Tiger Stripes and Beacons will get your heart pumping, whilst Blue Bowls will have you happily snapping away.

There are some awesome anchorages in this region, and the fishing is fantastic. Plus - if the surf gods aren't co-operating Sail Shantaram can take a nice lazy sail down to the equator, where you can float over the 00:00:00 line on a pink flamingo or unicorn!

Local knowledge is key when it comes to surfing the Maldives, as many spots require a specific combination of swell direction, winds and tide to light up. Sail Shantaram's skipper is a keen surfer who will make sure you're always in the best place for the given conditions.

If your arms need a break from all the paddling, there are plenty of non-surf activities to keep you occupied. Even though the coral was bleached during the El Nino events the myriad of marine life more than makes up this. It honestly feels like you're snorkeling in an aquarium. 

​There are plenty of beautiful beaches & sandbanks to explore, and putting a fishing line in the water usually yields good results. Always fun to catch dinner!

Contact us to find out more about your Maldives luxury surf charter vacation on board Sail Shantaram. 

Maldives has one of the most incredible underwater world's you can find. And you don't even have to dive to experience it. All you needs is a mask, snorkel and set of fins and you can immerse yourself in a fascinating realm just beneath the surface.

Snorkeling in the Maldives offers such a diversity of marine life, from a myriad of colourful fish, to rays, sharks, manta's and morays. Turtles glide past you seemingly unaware of your presence, whilst small trigger fish might have a nibble on your leg just to let you know you're cruising through their territory.

A Maldives yacht charter aboard Sail Shantaram is a great way to explore so many different reefs as they run along the edges of deserted islands and sand banks in remote atolls. 

The water is an average of 28C so no need for anything other than some sun protection, whilst you bob lazily along the surface watching the marine world unfold beneath you. The drop-off's can be a little daunting at first - as the reefs plunge almost vertically into the abyss below. But you soon forget that as you become immersed and enthralled by the bustle of activity and life on the reef.

You can look for Nemo as he hides in the sea grass, or watch the parrot fish as they munch on the coral. Keep an eye out for the manta's and rays as they glide past, and have your heart skip a beat as the sharks swim by. Be amazed by the schools of brightly coloured fish and be delighted by the magestic whale sharks.

Your Maldives yacht charter sailing with us on Shantaram will allow you to enjoy your very own stretch of reef, without the hustle and bustle of others nearby. So grab your mask and fins and come on an incredible snorkeling adventure with us. 

One thing you'll notice when you are cruising the Maldives on a luxury yacht charter aboard Sail Shantaram is how blue the water is. I'm not sure if Maldives has a national colour, but I'm guessing it would have to be blue. Cos this beautiful island nation is literally a sea of blue. You almost feel like you need to have a whole lot of different words to be able to describe all the various shades of blue you will experience here.

The Maldivian word for blue is "noo". Which rhymes kinda nicely. So why is the Maldives sea so blue? The ocean looks blue because red, orange and yellow (long wavelength light) are absorbed more strongly by water than blue (short wavelength light). So when white light from the sun enters the ocean, it is mostly the blue light that gets returned. Same reason the sky is blue. The Maldives water is so clean and unpolluted that the blue light gets returned in abundance - hence the sea being so blue.

A Maldives yacht charter on our beautiful catamaran is the best way to come and explore all the shades of blue this incredible country has to offer. On your Maldives cruise you will be able to sail between deserted islands and sandbanks - find the deep blues as you cross the atolls, the aquamarine blues over the shallower reefs and the turquoise blues as you float over the sandbanks.

Sailing the Maldives means you'll get to experience a Blue Monday with a difference!

Visit www.sailshantaram.com to find out how you can join us to discover Blue.

A Maldives holiday just has to be on your bucket list! It is the most picture perfect tropical paradise you can find. Over a 1000 pretty little islands strung out across the Indian Ocean, azure blue water, white sand beaches and palm trees. Lots and lots (and lots) of palm trees! Dip your head underwater and a whole 'nother paradise unveils itself. Yip - add it to your bucket list if it isn't on there already.

The magical journey starts before you even land at Male International airport - glance out the window and you'll see hundreds of small islands and reefs dotted around beneath you.

There are 26 atolls making up the Maldives, each comprised of many small islands. Out of these nearly 1192 islands, only about 200 are actually inhabited by people. Each resort has it's very own island. Which is kinda neat.

But personally I think exploring this wonderland by yacht is a way better option! Cos why be stuck on just one island when there are so many to explore! And a cruise aboard Shantaram, our luxury yacht charter, is just the best way to go about discovering everything this amazing destination has to offer.

Cos why settle for a water villa in a resort when you can rather have your very own private and exclusive mobile water villa!

So how do we summarize Maldives in a nutshell? (or should that be a coconut shell?) Let's start by saying it's probably unlike anywhere you've ever been before. The perfect lil islands with the swaying palm trees will have you snapping pics on your phone all day.

The water is so clear you feel like you're in a swimming pool - just a very very big swimming pool! The snorkeling and diving in Maldives are some of the best in the world. It's almost like being in an aquarium. Everything from manta rays, whale sharks, hammerheads and a myriad of beautifully coloured reef fish. You'll feel like you're watching a tennis match underwater as your head will be turning from side to side so much just trying to keep up with all the amazing things swimming past the front of your goggles! (just another advantage of a Maldives luxury yacht charter - you get to explore many different islands and reefs instead of being stuck on just one. Yip - am gonna convince you a sailing holiday is the way to go!)

So once you've explored the islands, snorkeled the reefs, what's next? How about soaking up some sun. As it's a given you have to head back to reality from your tropical holiday with a nice golden brown tan. 

How about catching some waves? Maldives has some incredible surfing. Waves range from friendly peelers perfect for longboards or SUP's to reeling tubes. Some interestingly named surf spots as well - Chickens, Cokes, Sultans to name a few. Best way to access all the breaks throughout the islands? A yacht charter on Sail Shantaram of course!

If you enjoy fishing then Maldives is a great fishing destination. Everything from big marlin and sail fish to Giant Trevallys (GT's), as well as dorado, tuna and a host of reef fish. Fly fishing Maldives is also a great option.

So as you can see a holiday to the Maldives is just one of the best trips you'll ever have. Come join us sailing onboard Sail Shantaram for your perfect exclusive Maldives luxury yacht charter. There really is no better way to explore paradise!