E x p e d i t i o n s

We offer to our guests the opportunity to board our private charters on their way to the most remote atolls of the archipelago. Our schedule counts every year two expeditions: the South Expedition between February and April, which touches twelve of the fourteen Southern atolls; and the North Expedition between July to October, where the yacht sails through six Northern atolls. Guests can book our yacht in exclusivity for the entire expedition or for part of it by reaching or leaving the yacht by air. The stages of the expeditions are highlighted here below. The following itineraries could be modified on site accordingly to the weather conditions of the period.

S o u t h * E x p e d i t i o n * - * 1 s t * s t a g e

Departure: Malè International Airport. Arrival: Kadhdhoo Domestic Airport. Duration: 7 nights. Atolls visited: 6 (Malè South, Felidhe, Vattaru, Mulaku, Thaa, Laamu). Best for: experienced divers, snorkelers, fishermen, getaway lovers. Highlights: dozens of wonderful sand-strips and uninhabited islands, genuine local villages, the underwater marine reserves of Guraidhoo and Dewana kandu, the sharks points of Kandhooma Thila, Myaru and Gaahuraa kandu, the adrenaline drift dive in Muli kandu. The cruise: this stage touches four of the most remote and uninhabited atolls of the Maldives: Felidhe, Mulaku, Thaa and Laamu. The eastern side of Felidhe is one of the most popular choices for cruising boats in all seasons. There are many reasons: short stretches of open ocean - easy to cross during any monsoon - separate the atoll from Malé; navigation is effortless throughout the year; the diving and snorkeling sites are among the most worthwhile in the archipelago; there are only two resorts and therefore little tourist traffic; and lastly the eastern tip of the atoll is one of the points with an abundance of fish on a par with anywhere in the archipelago during the dry monsoon. There are little less than 10 miles of the Vattaru Kandu which separate the atolls of Felidhe and Mulaku. From Mulaku, on the route which heads from Malé as far as Huvadhoo Atoll, 19 miles of ocean will separate the yacht from Olughiri Kandu, situated on the North of Thaa Atoll. The stage ends to the airport of Kadhdhoo in Laamu Atoll, where guests can get a domestic flight to Malè. Laamu has recently begun to open up to tourism, with the setting up of two resorts on the islands of Bodufinolhu and Olhuveli. The area around the fine deserted island of Vadinolhu is interesting, both for snorkeling and for diving in the pass of the same name, suitable for underwater enthusiasts of all levels. Another enchanting deserted islet is Hanhushi, accessible from the South, where the coral reef ends in a plateau of sand. The corner of Hithadhoo Island is a point for wave surfing.

S o u t h * E x p e d i t i o n * - * 2 n d * s t a g e

Departure: Kadhdhoo Domestic Airport. Arrival: Kaadhedhdhoo Domestic Airport. Duration: 7 nights. Atolls visited: 2 (Laamu, Huvadhoo). Best for: beginners and experienced divers, snorkelers, fishermen, getaway lovers. Highlights: dozens of wonderful sand-strips and uninhabited islands, genuine local villages, the amazing beauty of Huvadhoo Atoll, for many the best atoll for snorkeling, diving and fishing. The cruise: guests board the yacht upon a domestic flight from Malè to Kadhdhoo airport in Laamu Atoll. During this stage, the yacht reach the large Huvadhoo Atoll, which is separated from Laamu Atoll by the wide “One and half degree channel”, or Huvadhoo Kandu, 53 nautical miles wide and approximately 2000 m deep, which has only one small shoal with a head at about 15 metres, called Sathoa-thila. As far as tourism is concerned, Huvadhoo Atoll has until now only been used as a cruise destination. Several resorts are however planned to open in the near future, with the aim of creating a new tourism hub for this Nation. The atoll has always been considered by most people to be the best, in terms of places of interest and the marvels of nature: there is no end to the uncontaminated deserted islands and all you have to do is put your head under water anywhere to admire intact coral reefs, teeming with fish and full of coral. Hope is that the opening of these resorts will not alter the balance of this truly extraordinary natural and marine ecosystem. The stage ends to the airport of Kaadhedhdhoo where guests can get a domestic flight to Malè. Diving and fishing: The western side of Huvadhoo is a paradise in the true sense of the word for diving enthusiasts and fishermen. During the dry monsoon practically all the narrow passes which interrupt the atoll’s perimeter, between Vilingili and Gemanafushi, are ideal sites for extraordinary current dives: crystal-clear water, excellent light and an enormous amount of deep sea fish. The stretch between Funadhoo and Kaduhuludhoo is also considered to be one of the best for fishing in the entire archipelago from December to April.

S o u t h * E x p e d i t i o n * - * 3 r d * s t a g e

Departure: Kaadhedhdhoo Domestic Airport. Arrival: Kadhdhoo Domestic Airport. Duration: 7 nights. Atolls visited: 2 (Huvadhoo, Laamu). Best for: beginners and experienced divers, snorkelers, fishermen, getaway lovers. Highlights: dozens of wonderful sand-strips and uninhabited islands, genuine local villages, the amazing beauty of Huvadhoo Atoll, for many the best atoll for snorkeling, diving and fishing. The cruise: guests board the yacht upon a domestic flight from Malè to Kaadhedhdhoo airport in Huvadhoo Atoll. During this stage, the yacht returns to Laamu atoll by the inverse itinerary. For the details of the cruise refer to the previous stage. The stage ends to the airport of Kadhdhoo where guests can get a domestic flight to Malè.

S o u t h * E x p e d i t i o n * - * 4 t h * s t a g e

Departure: Kadhdhoo Domestic Airport. Arrival: Malè International Airport. Duration: 7 nights. Atolls visited: 6 (Laamu, Thaa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Ari, Malè South). Best for: diving beginners, snorkelers, getaway lovers. Highlights: beautiful uninhabited islands in Laamu, Thaa, Dhaalu adn Faafu atolls, genuine local villages, the Cultural Center of Dangethi and the Fenfushi mosque, the underwater marine reserves of Kudarah Thila, the spectacular shoal of Broken Rock, the mantas and whale sharks watching of Dhonkalo and Maamigili Beiyru, the capital Malè. The cruise: guests board the yacht upon a domestic flight from Malè to Kadhdhoo airport in Laamu Atoll. The cruise passes through the atolls of Laamu and Thaa heading North-West to the atolls of Dhaalu and Faafu. Both the atolls are seldom crossed by local cruising boats or international yachts, being of little interest to divers. All the same, even if there are no diving sites worth noting, the atolls can provide some real satisfaction to those in search of fantastic sites for snorkeling, some quiet spots and examples of local folklore. The cruise continues to the Southern part of Ari Atoll. There, Fenfushi is without doubt a must for those in search of the fundamental aspects of Maldivian tradition. The inhabitants were skilful sculptors and carvers of coral and their art is still to be seen on the finely decorated walls of the island’s mosque and the tombstones in the nearby cemetery. Another place of interest in Ari atoll is the Cultural Centre in the village of Dhangethi. The centre reproduces certain types of ancient Maldivian houses and exhibits numerous objects associated with daily life in the Maldives as it once was. The cruise ends to the capital, Malè.

N o r t h * E x p e d i t i o n * - * 1 s t * s t a g e

Departure: Malè International Airport. Arrival: Irufushi Resort. Duration: 7 nights. Atolls visited: 4 (Malè North, Baa, Raa, Noonu). Best for: beginners and experienced divers, snorkelers, spa and resorts enthusiasts, getaway lovers. Highlights: beautiful uninhabited islands in Baa, Raa and Noonu atolls, luxury resorts islands and spas, genuine local villages, the underwater marine reserve of Dhigalhi Haa, the wonderful shoals of Dhonfanu and Dhigu Thila, the master carpenters of Iguraidhoo, the 'ghost village' of Ugulu. The cruise: this cruise brings you through the coral reefs of Malè North Atoll till the fantastic Baa Atoll. The most interesting spot in the atoll is the coral ring of Hanifaaru. During the South-West monsoon, in the presence of an out-flowing current, large quantities of plankton are drawn inside the corridor, with high concentrations at the dead end. This occurrence attracts many mantas and some whale sharks, both great predators of plankton: a sight which is unique in its kind (video by National Geographic available here). On your way, you can visit two of the most luxurious resorts of the archipelago: the One&Only Reethi Rah, which is the largest investment so far made in the tourism sector, and the prestigious Four Seasons at Landaa Giraavaru, where visitors can book to use the excellent spa centre and sample its restaurants, above all the Blue, for a refined lunch and a breathtaking view over the surrounding lagoon. After crossing the narrow Hani Kandu, the yacht reaches Raa atoll. The atoll is rich in splendid deserted islands and an ideal destination for a touring cruise in an area off the beaten track and of enchanting beauty. There are a few local curiosities. One is the island of Ugulu, which preserves the intact remains of a small, characteristic abandoned village of local fishermen. Finally the yacht heads to Noonu atoll. The atoll has many enchanting deserted islands: there’s an endless choice for a good swim or some exciting snorkelling. The stage ends to Irufushi Resort, where guests can get a seaplane to Malè.

N o r t h * E x p e d i t i o n * - * 2 n d * s t a g e

Departure: Irufushi Resort. Arrival: Malè International Airport. Duration: 7 nights. Atolls visited: 4 (Noonu, Lhaviyani, Gaafaru, Malè North). Best for: beginners and experienced divers, snorkelers, fishermen, getaway lovers. Highlights: beautiful uninhabited islands in Noonu and Lhaviyani atolls, luxury resorts islands and spas, genuine local villages, the underwater marine reserves of Kuredu Kandu, Fenfushi, H.P. Reef, Nassimo Thila; the wrecks of the Shipyard and Gaafaru atoll; the tuna fish canning plant on the island of Felivaru; the capital, Malè. The cruise: guests board the yacht upon a seaplane flight to Irufushi Resort in Noonu Atoll. The yacht heads South to the mysterious Lhaviyani Atoll. The place which attracts most interest in Lhaviyani Atoll is the tuna fish canning plant on the island of Felivaru. A guided tour of the various production processes is very interesting and is possible during weekdays. There are various splendid deserted islands within easy reach. These include: Fushifaru, next to the marine reserve of the same name, Huravalhi, Gaaerifaru, excellent base for diving trips to the nearby wrecks, and Veyvah, with its extremely long sandstrips. For diving enthusiasts, Lhaviyani is at its best from December to May with abundant fish in the passes of Guraidhoo, Fushifaru and Kuredu. The two wrecks of the so-called Shipyard in the pass of Felivaru are an exciting dive in all seasons. One of the wrecks emerges for a few metres and is clearly visible even from a distance, while the other is resting on its side at a depth of about 30 metres. After crossing the Kashidoo Kandu, the yacht reaches Gaafaru Atoll where divers and snorkelers can visit the wreck of Erlangen, a German vessel shipwrecked in 1894, which is partly visible from the surface, with plenty of emotion even for those with only a mask and flippers. The cruise ends on the Eastern side of Malè North Atoll. The Eastern perimeters of Lhaviyani and North Malè atolls are among the best locations for fishing from December to May. The cruise ends to the capital, Malè.