Maldives
Motor yacht charter in the Maldives
A slow Maldivian classic or a fast Italian flybridge, for a day in the lagoon, on the reefs or at a sandbank.
Motor yacht charter in the Maldives is how you get beyond your resort's house reef and see the atoll from the water. There are two very different boats here, and the choice comes down to how you want to spend the day: slow and full of local character, or fast and comfortable.
The 18-metre dhoni is the traditional high-prowed boat Maldivians have used for centuries to travel between islands. Its broad shaded deck holds up to 15 guests, the crew of three brings masks, fins and fishing lines, and a pace of about 10 knots suits the lagoon perfectly. There are no cabins, so it is a few-hours format: a picnic on a sand spit, snorkelling and handline fishing at dusk.
The Azimut 55 Fly is a 17.2-metre Italian flybridge yacht for up to twelve, with three cabins and air conditioning. At up to 30 knots it can visit several North Malé reefs in a day, take you to dinner on another island or move you between resorts without a seaplane, and the flybridge is a great perch for dolphin spotting. You can even spend a night aboard in a calm lagoon.
Motor yachts in the Maldives
What it costs
The lowest indicative prices among the yachts of this type on this page.
- Full day
- from €800 / day
Indicative "from" market prices for this destination. The exact price depends on dates, duration and the specific yacht, and comes in your personal quote.
Usually included
- A crew of three on either boat
- Snorkelling equipment
- Lines for sunset fishing on the dhoni
- Fuel for the agreed route within the atoll
Usually extra
- Pick-up at your resort jetty, arranged in advance
- Lunch or a sandbank picnic
- Taxes where they are not already in the rate
- A night aboard the Azimut and meals
- Fuel for a crossing to a neighbouring atoll
Exact inclusions depend on the yacht and are always listed in your written offer.
Where you go
Both boats work out of the Malé and Hulhumalé area, including CROSSROADS Maldives Marina, and guests are often collected straight from a resort jetty or Velana International Airport. The dhoni typically heads to the nearest sandbank and reef, and out fishing at sunset. The Azimut is chosen for longer runs across North and South Malé, Banana Reef included.
Marinas
- Malé
- Hulhumalé
- CROSSROADS Maldives Marina
- Resort pick-up
When to go
From December to April, in the northeast monsoon, the sea is calm and visibility superb. May to November brings more wind and rain, and the Azimut's enclosed saloon is more comfortable for crossings between atolls. The dhoni is usually booked for four hours or a sunset slot, the Azimut for a full day.
Motor yacht charter in the Maldives: FAQ
Dhoni or Azimut: which should we pick in the Maldives?
The dhoni costs less, takes more people and is ideal for a picnic and fishing close to your resort. The Azimut is faster, air-conditioned and has cabins, so it suits distant reefs, dinner aboard and island transfers.
Can the boat collect us from our resort?
Yes, many resorts allow a private boat to come to their jetty. Pick-up is arranged ahead with you and the hotel, and the details go into your offer.
Does a dhoni suit a family with children?
Yes: it rides gently, the deck is wide and shaded, and stops are usually in shallow lagoons. Ask for children's life jackets when you book.
Will we see dolphins?
The chances are decent, and sunset is the favourite time to look for them, though nobody can promise an encounter. From the Azimut's flybridge they are easier to spot at a distance.