Although home to just over half a million people, the Maldives has its own unique culture and traditions and an incredible array of stunning island visiting options.
Welcoming international yachts visitors during the pandemic and upon arriving at any of the many gorgeous anchorages, visitors can soon savour the first sipping of the traditional drink of ‘sai’ under a sunny sky. The island’s white sand beaches and crystal clear waters are perfect for both a relaxing and an adventure-filled visit, a journey that follows the culture and history of this unique republic.
As a convenient stop-over for yachts bound for either the Red Sea or en route via the Cape of Good Hope, the good news is that since April 2020 fees to enter the Maldives were substantially reduced, making this a viable stopover for all yachts crossing the Indian Ocean.
Throughout 2022 the Maldives will be celebrating 50 years of tourism since this spellbinding island-nation began attracting visitors. It’s hard to believe that this iconic destination began life as a one-resort destination.
Until 1972, the Maldives was a remote archipelago inhabited only by fishing families, unknown to the outside world and with only a small airstrip on Hulhule Island, built by volunteers and with no regular flights. There were no banks and no telephones and only ham radio and Morse code contact. With little infrastructure, it seemed an unlikely destination for international tourists.
An uninhabited coconut plantation, Vihamanaafushi island, was chosen for its proximity to the airstrip and the capital. The Maldives’ first resort, Kurumba, was constructed there. Accessible only by sailing dhoni or open boat with outboard motor, it had no jetty so guests had to wade through the surf on arrival. Thirty rooms were built of coral stone, coconut timber and palm thatch, each with a brackish water shower and toilet, rudimentary furniture, and direct beach access. Meals were served in a canteen or as barbecues on the beach. But after opening on 3rd October 1972, the resort was fully booked for the rest of the year. It still exists today, as a world-class resort with 180 rooms, suites and villas, including the Royal Residence, Presidential Suites and Pool Villas.
The Maldives now has nearly 200 resorts across 26 natural atolls, around 10 of which opened in 2021. A further 12 are scheduled to open in 2022, giving a stunning array of choice for international yachting visitors, couples to families and from luxury-seekers to adventurers. And as a region, the Maldives is also seeing a new drive for sustainability – a change reflected in some of the eco-friendly activities being offered by many of its resorts.
Culture
Dhivehi is the language of the Maldivian people. The current script, Thaana, is unique and was developed from Arabic numerals around the 16th century. While heavily influenced by various cultures around the rim of the Indian Ocean, the Maldivian culture, craft and traditions have been shaped by the island environment and the seas that surround this jewel of a republic.
Maldivian music and dance display strong influences of East Africa, Arabia and the Indian subcontinent. There is a rich tradition of Maldivian crafts; lacquered wooden ornaments, finely woven reed mats, and coral carvings are crafts that have been passed down through several generations.
Maldivians are master boat builders and the traditional Maldivian boat, the ‘Dhoni’, has been shaped over centuries, resulting in a craft that perfectly suits the various conditions of the seas.
The Dhoni construction follows ancestral guidelines, transmitted orally from one generation to another. The Atoll of Raa hosts most of the shipyards where highly talented and respected carpenters still build them, at times without a plan. Traditionally made of coconut wood, the Maldives most common tree, trusted for its incorruptibly and solidity, the Dhoni shape was most likely inspired from the ancient Arabian sailing dhow, which was commonly used as a trading ship in Indian Ocean around the 11th Century AD.
Today, for more convenience and speed, the shapes, construction techniques and material have changed through the times and most of the dhonis are equipped with diesel engines and built with imported wood. Their size can vary from 3 to 4 meters (14 ft), the rarest, up to 30 meters (100 ft) and even more.
Arrival
Information for a first yacht visit, with updates of latest arrival guidelines for those on tourist visa, may be found within this helpful article from MMPC (Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation: https://visitmaldives.com/en/experience/all-things-maldives-for-your-first-trip
During the Covid-19 all FAQ’s regarding rules and guidelines for tourists (all aboard) can be found at https://www.tourism.gov.mv/covid19
Anchorages
For those anchorages on idle mode (without guests on board), a classic point would be outside Bandos island resort 4°15’48.7″N 73°29’09.8″E.
There is also The Marina @ Crossroads Maldives 4°07’22.1″N 73°27’51.7″E; near Malé. A world-class lifestyle leisure and entertainment destination the Yacht Marina @ CROSSROADS, is the first and largest of its kind in the Maldives, with an impressive 30 berth quay, complete with world-class facilities and exclusive concierge services, catering for vessels from 10 to 60 metres.
Both locations are used by Captains for ease of onshore crew entertainment and ease of receiving fuel and supplies while on idle mode waiting for guests etc.
In general, visiting yachts are able to anchor anywhere in the Maldives as below (except for the protected areas of Maldives):
– If outside a resort: 300 meters away from the resort and their water villas / house reef
– If outside a local island, uninhabited/deserted island: 100 meters away from the island and house reef (in a way that the house reef does not get damaged)
– May consider anchor at leeward side of the Islands/lagoon/sandbank for protection from the wind
Islands
The Maldives 26 atolls in South East Asia lies in a north/south chain in the Arabian Sea in the Indian Ocean. SW of Sri Lanka and India and approximately 620 miles from the Asian continent, the Maldives is famous for its exotic atolls, rich green colours of the lush tropic jungle and gleaming white sands.
Opening back up early during the pandemic, the Maldives has continued to be a destination growing in popularity among luxury yacht visitors and charterers. Of the thousands of islands that make up the Maldives, only approximately 200 are inhabited, making them the perfect cruising ground to discover your very own private paradise. To assist international visitors, APS Maldives shares the following cruising updates in currently in place:
– Due to Covid-19 restrictions; yachts are not allowed to visit inhabited local islands. But allowed to visit sandbanks (usually free of charge), uninhabited islands and resorts with prior permission.
Sandbanks are a collection of sand (formation of dry land without trees) across the country and are not documented properly as physical existence/visibility of such sandbanks are based on low/high tide, erosion etc. Note exclusive privacy cannot be ensured as these are open for public. If privacy is not an issue, they are actually a good idea for beach time!
– Visits to resorts and uninhabited island are subject to prior permission and additional relevant entry charges. Your agent can handle all arrangements.
The Maldives has an abundance of thrilling dive opportunities. The best season for scuba diving is from January to April, when there is very good visibility and excellent sea conditions.
Cruising within the waters of Maldives is hassle free except for going ashore to local inhabited islands, notes APS Maldives director, Mohamed Hameed: “Resort visits are based on individual permissions from respective resort managements. There are plenty of exciting activities for guests to experience while in Maldives, including going ashore to uninhabited islands, sandbanks and other recreational activities on open water – such as diving, snorkeling, fishing, water sports, etc.”.
Recommendations include the following islands and can be included in an APS custom itinerary crafted to the interests and desires of the client:
Baa Atoll
In addition to water options, explore the natural beauty of the Maldives, like the breathtakingly beautiful island that is home to the luxurious Anantara Kihavah Villas on Baa Atoll. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the resort features a panorama of aquatic life at the world’s only underwater restaurant and wine cellar!
Muthaafushi Island at Baa Atoll
Muthaafushi Island, house reef and Muthaafushi Thila has a high biodiversity of hard and soft corals and associated marine invertebrates and vertebrates. There are many populations of large fin fish including sharks (one of the remaining locations within the atoll that sharks can be found) and pelagic species along with nest sites for green turtles and roosting sites for the Black-Napped, Roseate and Lesser Noddy terns.
Dusit Thani Resort on Mudhdhoo Island
A beautiful sanctuary in Baa Atoll sheltered by nature amidst white sandy beaches and encircled by a turquoise lagoon, the Dusit Thani is known for frequent sightings of dolphins and sea turtles and the resort’s ‘living house reef’, and is a snorkeler’s paradise. Special dinners and sand spit picnics/set ups can be arranged as well as visits to the wonderful reef that surrounds Mudhdhoo Island (advance permission required). Dining on seafood just pulled from the ocean and cooked in front of you is always a treat.
Nibiliga Island
A small but exclusive island and an add-on for those who wish to spend an extra day in the pristine natural beauty of Baa Atoll. Nibiligaa is one of the uninhabited islands of Baa Atoll and located in the Mendhoo Region are: Nibiligaa Island and reef; Mendhoo Island and reef; and Mendhoobinmathee Faru and Kaburu Faru.
Experiencing the pristine natural beauty of Baa Atoll at Nibiligas & Mendhoo Islands is a perfect finale to a cruising journey.
1at International Yacht Rally
The first international yacht rally, organized by Maldives Intergraded Tourism Development Corporation (MITDC), is scheduled to be held February 2022 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Maldivian tourism sector. MITDC’s Managing Director Mohamed Raaidh noted this is the first time an international yacht rally is being held in the Maldives – whereas the idea had initially struck while listening to a speech given by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih back in 2019 – on the occasion held to mark the 100th anniversary of Mulee’aage.
Raidh noted that in President’s speech he has stated one main reason why tourists travel from one place to another is in order to experience and learn the heritage, culture and lifestyle of other people. Subsequently, MITDC has commenced efforts to introduce heritage tourism in the Maldives.
“The efforts were to find a way to introduce heritage tourism in the Maldives – in a way it includes the heritage sites across the nation and the culture of Maldives. It was through this the idea of a sail tourism segment had come about,” he said.
15 islands from five atolls will be visited in the yacht rally. Out of this, four islands are uninhabited. The yacht rally has been named ‘Savaadheetha Dhathuru’ based on the honor presented to Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu after he had driven out the Portuguese who ruled over the Maldives from 1558-1573. The rally’s theme in this regard is the life of Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu.
Yachts seeking more information or with questions regarding travel requirements may email mohamed@asia-pacific-superyachts.com and visit www.asia-pacific-superyachts.com/maldives
By Linda Cartlidge
