Explore the Maldives’ finest beaches by superyacht

With crystal-clear waters, white sands and palm-fringed beaches, the Maldives is a true beauty offering some of the best beaches and underwater life in the world. Spread across a chain of 1,200 coral islands and sandbanks grouped into 26 natural atolls, only around 200 are inhabited – leaving miles of untouched coastline and secluded lagoons waiting to be explored.

But the Maldives reveals its most exclusive and private side by superyacht. Its unique geography of closely spaced atolls creates natural cruising routes with calm, sheltered waters and short distances between islands, allowing you to wake to a new horizon every morning. Instead of relying on seaplane transfers or committing to a single resort, a yacht offers the freedom to move effortlessly between private islands, coral reefs and sandbanks accessible only by tender.

Deep-water anchorages and coral-free sandy seabeds mean yachts can anchor close to shore with panoramic views of turquoise lagoons, providing instant access to world-class snorkelling, diving and deserted beaches. Combined with warm, predictable weather and year-round marine life encounters – from manta rays and turtles to whale sharks – it’s little wonder the Maldives has become one of the world’s most sought-after Indian Ocean superyacht destinations, delivering complete privacy, luxury and adventure in equal measure.

Fulhadoo Beach

Located further away from the other inhabited islands on the Baa Atoll, Fulhadoo Beach offers a protected, sandy cay sheltered from tourists and the elements. This serene and quiet island is the ideal Maldivian destination to drop anchor off, particularly as the inner lagoon has a depth of more than 35m and a coral-free sandy bottom, making it one of the few beaches in the Baa Atoll where superyachts can anchor in complete seclusion.

At just 270m wide, the island’s strong sea breezes make it a kite surfing haven, while freedivers and snorkellers will value the sandbanks produced by the nearby collection of uninhabited islets. For younger family members, an even smaller lagoon forms a tiny natural pool with shallow water, well suited for those taking their first splash.

Baros Beach

Here, one continuous beach loops around a large turquoise coral-filled lagoon, making it one of the most photographed areas throughout the Maldives. Nestle down amid the swaying palms and look out to the waters which are alive with pods of dolphin and leaping sailfish thanks to the work in green initiatives undertaken by the island over the past 40 years, with an entire team in charge of maintaining the natural ecosystem. With a calm lagoon and easy tender access, it’s a favourite daytime anchorage for yachts exploring the central atolls.

Raa Atoll

With numerous deep anchorages and quiet coves, the far-flung Raa Atoll remains one of the most rewarding regions to explore by yacht. Despite being amongst the Maldives’ most northerly atolls, it is also one of the most frequented by the superyacht crowd. Consisting of 88 islands, it’s home to a highly diverse range of marine life and known for its unexplored underwater reserves.

The Raa Atoll is also a showcase of the rich cultural heritage of the Maldives. It was here that the Maldivian monarchy is said to have first emerged when a Sinhalese prince and his bride became stranded on the island of Rasgetheemu, which became the first capital of the Maldives, while the island of Ugulu hosts the heritage site of Redhunge Usgandu.

Seven-day wellness & beaches route

One in 10 islands inhabited by a luxury resort, making the Maldives the ideal destination for a wellness charter. Alternate time spent at sheltered beaches and calm bays with five-star massages and spa treatments at one of the many luxury resorts dotted around the atolls.

Whether it’s Cheval Blanc Randheli’s island dedicated entirely to revitalisation or the Six Senses Laamu and its spa offering perhaps the best Ayurvedic treatments in the Indian Ocean, our charter brokers at Burgess will design a wellness-focused itinerary that balances anchorages with time at world-class spas.

10-day adventure & diving circuit

The Maldives offers some of the best snorkelling and diving spots in the world. Imagine waking to swim alongside manta rays, whale sharks, or dolphins in waters few have explored – Burgess ensures you experience the Maldives’ extraordinary marine life in complete privacy.

In North Malé Atoll, explore the Victory Wreck – the wreck of an 80m-long cargo ship – and the marine protected Banana Reef which attracts all manner of marine life including sharks, barracudas, blue-striped snappers and schools of bannerfish.

Elsewhere, Devana Kandu National Park is a bucket list dive site for many, famed for being one of the most exhilarating drift dives in the world. For those interested in freediving, head to South Ari Atoll to witness the world’s largest whale shark congregation that graze along the outermost part of the reef.