Dive & snorkel
The Maldives are famous for their underwater wonders, with great Diving and Snorkeling that offer a memorable and unique experience. What can you expect to see on your Maldives yacht charter on Sail Shantaram? Practically everything! There is abundant marine life including manta rays, whale sharks, pelagics, napoleon wrasse, tuna, dolphins, reef sharks and turtles, and loads of colourful reef fish, making the Maldives a diving and snorkeling dream destination. It offers fantastic visibility and have some of the clearest waters on Earth with all year round water temperature at 20°-30°C.
What makes the Maldives so special is the amount of unique dive sites carved out by the passing currents which bring with them nutrients and plankton which in turn not only feed the reef and ensure a diversity unrivalled in the area. This also brings in the large plankton feeders the manta rays and whale sharks for which the Maldives are famous.
What makes the Maldives so special is the amount of unique dive sites carved out by the passing currents which bring with them nutrients and plankton which in turn not only feed the reef and ensure a diversity unrivalled in the area. This also brings in the large plankton feeders the manta rays and whale sharks for which the Maldives are famous.
With such a variety of dive & snorkel sites available, a Maldives yacht charter is an excellent way to make the most of your time in the water. The benefit of choosing a yacht charter over a resort is that the yacht can head out to the more remote islands. Get off the beaten track and explore! There are itineraries to suit all experience levels. Do note that some of the marine life such as whale sharks and manta's can be a bit shy, so we can't guarantee that you'll see them. But there is so much else to be amazed by even if they do prove elusive.
Sail Shantaram has a selection of snorkeling equipment available on board, but for a perfect fit you are encouraged to bring your own. If you'd like to dive whilst aboard this can be arranged through our various dive centre partners around the atolls* - so you will be able to enjoy a large variety of different dive experiences.
* additional cost applies
Sail Shantaram has a selection of snorkeling equipment available on board, but for a perfect fit you are encouraged to bring your own. If you'd like to dive whilst aboard this can be arranged through our various dive centre partners around the atolls* - so you will be able to enjoy a large variety of different dive experiences.
* additional cost applies
The Maldives are a year round destination, although there are two monsoons which affect the flow of water through the atolls. The north-eastern monsoon, from November to April, corresponds to the dry season. This is the best period for snorkeling, because the sunshine and weather are exceptional. The south-western monsoon, from May to October, corresponds to the rainy season. Rains and storms are brief but intense, and are sometimes accompanied by strong winds. Nonetheless, there are still many sunny clear days during this period.
Please be aware that many of the coral reefs in Maldives were severely damaged during the major El Nino years in the '90's, and have not yet recovered. Because of this there are not many soft corals visible when snorkeling, although they can be seen on dives. Nonetheless, fish and marine life are plentiful, and you can spend many happy hours fascinated by the plethora of underwater life.
Please be aware that many of the coral reefs in Maldives were severely damaged during the major El Nino years in the '90's, and have not yet recovered. Because of this there are not many soft corals visible when snorkeling, although they can be seen on dives. Nonetheless, fish and marine life are plentiful, and you can spend many happy hours fascinated by the plethora of underwater life.
