1. Six Senses Kanuhura - Catamaran Yacht Sailing

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Lhaviyani Atoll does something to your sense of scale. The lagoon stretches wide and shallow, shifting from pale mint to electric turquoise depending on the depth beneath you. From shore, it is beautiful. From a catamaran, it becomes immersive.

Stepping onto the Lagoon 50 at Six Senses Kanuhura feels less like boarding a boat and more like slipping into the rhythm of the sea. The deck is open and generous, and the breeze is constant. The water moves in slow patterns beneath the hull, visible all the way down to the coral formations below. As the island grows smaller behind you, the atoll opens up to reveal sandbanks resting like soft crescents in the distance, and reef lines tracing darker blue against the shallows. There is no rush, and you lie back on the netting at the bow to watch the horizon widen. All the while, the sun warms the deck, and salt dries on your skin.

When the anchor drops, it is rarely in crowded waters. Lhaviyani still feels expansive. You slip into the sea and the clarity surprises you again, even though you have seen it before from shore. Coral gardens unfold just metres below the surface, Parrotfish flash in colour and the lagoon holds its own quiet life.

Back on board, fresh fruit and chilled drinks are served while you sit barefoot, water dripping from your hair, while the yacht gently rocks. Conversations stretch longer while laughter carries further in open water. Finally, the sunset approaches, turning the entire atoll into layers of gold and rose, and you fully understand what it is to have experienced a trip on a luxury yacht cruise.

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2. One&Only Reethi Rah

At One&Only Reethi Rah, yacht cruising ranks among the resort’s most exciting experiences. Sleek private charters invite guests out onto the waters of North Malé Atoll for sunset voyages, dolphin watching, snorkelling adventures, island-hopping, and intimate dining at sea. Each journey is arranged around personal preferences, giving every outing a more individual character. Guests can also opt for the resort’s catamaran, offering a more relaxed and spacious way to cruise the atoll.

The experience on board is just as considered. Spacious decks, attentive crew service, and a selection of food and drinks create an easy sense of occasion from the moment the vessel leaves shore. Hours on the water feel expansive, whether spent watching the changing skies, pausing near a sandbank, or cruising between vivid blues that seem to shift by the minute.

For guests drawn to the ocean, One&Only Reethi Rah offers yacht cruising that feels seamlessly integrated into island life.

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3. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

The journey to Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi itself begins on a luxury yacht. The resort transfers its guests across the ocean aboard its sleek private vessel, turning the arrival into part of the luxury. Designed for comfort, the yacht features soft seating areas that invite guests to settle in while champagne and canapés are served. On the sundeck, the breeze and open waters quickly replace the hustle and noise of the airport. Small touches include sea sickness pills offered to guests arriving from long international flights — a thoughtful detail that makes the crossing feel unhurried and well considered.

Once on the island, the same spirit continues with private yacht excursions across the atoll. From dolphin-watching cruises to fishing trips and sandbank picnics, the resort’s vessels offer a relaxed way to explore the surrounding waters.