The ultimate dive charter: Three destinations, three yachts

Published 19 March 2026

Explore our handpicked selection of three spectacular destinations ideal for diving charters, and the top yachts that will take you there. From The Bahamas’ storied wrecks to the far-flung atolls of the Maldives, discover some of the best diving in the world from the base of your superyacht.

With over eighty percent of the ocean remaining unexplored, we know more about the surface of the moon than we do about the underwater world. But with a superyacht at your disposal, you can gain the freedom to explore the otherwise inaccessible and delve beneath the surface.

Not only does an explorer charter vessel provide the perfect platform for accessing those hard-to-reach locations, but their facilities also include everything required to ensure the most comfortable snorkelling experience possible. Whether you're a keen diver or first-timer, from beach club dive stores to SeaBobs helping you go further, these three yachts for charter and their highly qualified crew will see you and your guests embarking on your very own aquatic adventure.

Top three diving destinations

The Bahamas

Few places on earth reward the diving charterer quite like The Bahamas. Home to the third largest barrier reef in the world, the archipelago offers an extraordinary range of underwater terrain – deep walls, blue holes, tunnels, caverns and historic wrecks – across more than 700 islands. Dean's Blue Hole on Long Island plunges to roughly 202m, making it one of the deepest known blue holes on the planet, while the Abacos deliver pristine, shallow reefs ideal for more relaxed exploration. For wreck enthusiasts, The Bahamas has earned its reputation as the ‘wreck capital of the Caribbean’, with deliberately sunk vessels including the Ray of Hope and Theo's Wreck creating thriving artificial reefs.

Then there is the shark diving – arguably the finest in the world. Tiger Beach is the definitive destination for tiger shark encounters, while Bimini draws divers for its legendary great hammerhead aggregations each winter. Head further out to Cat Island in spring and you enter the realm of the oceanic whitetip – a pelagic predator rarely encountered this close to shore, following the tuna migration through crystal-clear open water. From the deck of your superyacht, these encounters are not just dives; they are the kind of experiences that define a voyage.

Best time for a dive charter in The Bahamas

The Bahamas is blessed with brilliant diving conditions all year. June to October is low season so dive sites are quieter, while for those looking to dive with specific marine life, the best times for a Bahamian dive charter are:

October to January: tiger sharks at Tiger Beach
December to March: hammerhead sharks at Bimini
April to June: oceanic whitetip sharks at Cat Island

Dean's Blue Hole

Tiger Beach

Norman's Cay wreck

French Polynesia

Scattered across 119 islands and atolls in the South Pacific, French Polynesia is a bucket-list destination for divers – and for good reason. The terrain alone is extraordinary: stunning coral gardens, dramatic passes, submerged pinnacles, and deep channels teeming with life. But it's the big-animal encounters that truly set it apart.

In the Tuamotu Archipelago, Rangiroa's Tiputa Pass draws divers from around the world, where drift dives deliver grey reef sharks, silvertips, hammerheads and bottlenose dolphins in extraordinary numbers – Jacques Cousteau once declared Rangiroa among the most beautiful waters on earth. Nearby, Fakarava – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – is known for its massive grey reef shark aggregations through the Garuae Pass, and each June/July around the full moon, thousands of groupers gather for a spawning event that draws sharks in their hundreds. Then there is Moorea, one of only three places on earth where it is possible to swim and snorkel among humpback whales (the season runs July to November). Accessible to divers of all levels, French Polynesia rewards everyone from the seasoned pelagic hunter to those content to drift above a coral garden and simply take it all in.

Best time for a dive charter in French Polynesia

April to November is the dry season, but French Polynesia enjoys excellent diving conditions year-round. For specific marine life diving, the best times for a dive charter here are:

August to October: humpback whales diving (peak migration in September)
December to March: hammerheads and eagle rays
June to October: manta rays

Tiputa Pass

Moorea

Coral reef

The Maldives

The Maldives are home to some of the most extraordinary diving on the planet – and few places reward exploration by superyacht quite as naturally. Spread across more than a thousand islands and atolls, the underwater terrain ranges from vibrant coral pinnacles known as thilas to dramatic channel walls swept by nutrient-rich currents. Kihaadhuffaru Thila is a particular highlight, its submerged peaks alive with stingrays, nurse sharks, and dense schools of tropical fish. For wreck enthusiasts, the waters around Haa Dhaalu Atoll conceal several centuries of maritime history, among them the English vessel Persia Merchant sunk in 1658, and the Filladhoo wreck – the northernmost dive site in the Maldives – half-submerged and so encrusted with coral it has become a thriving reef in its own right.

Above the wrecks, the big-animal encounters are what draw divers back year after year. Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll has achieved legendary status for its manta ray and whale shark aggregations, with hundreds of mantas gathering to feed during the southwest monsoon. South Ari Atoll offers reliable whale shark sightings year-round, while the remote Fuvahmulah – sometimes called the Maldivian Galápagos – delivers daily tiger shark encounters alongside hammerheads, threshers and oceanic mantas in conditions that feel almost prehistoric. Whether you're a seasoned pelagic diver or simply want to drift above a coral garden and let the Indian Ocean do the rest, the Maldives rarely disappoints.

Best time for a dive charter in The Maldives

With a tropical climate and warm temperatures year-round, the Maldives can be dived at any time. For specific marine life diving, the best times for a dive charter here are:

August to November: manta rays and whale sharks

Wreck diving

Hanifaru Bay

Coral diving

Top three diving yachts

While many yachts have some form of diving facilities and equipment, catamarans and explorer yachts are the most popular choices. Explorers tend to have dedicated dive centres and specialist equipment, while catamarans like HEMISPHERE offer spacious decks, providing plenty of room for relaxation and diving activities.

We spoke to our charter experts to get their top three picks of yachts for a diving charter. With qualified divers or designated scuba instructors on board, plus all the equipment you could need, dive charters are accessible no matter your skill level.

55m (180.4ft) | 12 guests in 6 cabins | from usd 308,000 per week

NOMAD

'NOMAD’s crew is very keen on diving and fishing, and they carry an impressive range of gear on board to support these activities. They also have an outstanding 14.3m (47ft) Freeman chase boat, ideal for both diving and fishing adventures. We have secured some incredible charters for them in destinations such as Costa Rica, Panama, and French Polynesia, showcasing their expertise in adventure-focused itineraries. NOMAD is now cruising in the Caribbean and The Bahamas, where charter guests can enjoy fantastic snorkelling and diving opportunities.' Andreea Dobrea, Charter Manager

Beyond diving, NOMAD is made for active charters on the water and offers an incredible array of toys around its expansive inflatable dock and sea pool. From the inflatable slide to her waverunners and wakeboards, there's no shortage of entertainment. For the moments where you’re not zipping about on the water’s surface, relax on the impressive sun deck with jacuzzi, movie screen, gym equipment and even a pizza oven. Or head indoors to the sky lounge to enjoy a game on the custom foosball table.

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73.6m (241.4ft) | 12 guests in 8 cabins | from usd 595,000 per week

NAIA

‘NAIA has an excellent dive centre on board with all the equipment you could need. We can arrange for qualified dive instructors to join you on your dive to make the most of your experience, but NAIA’s deck operations manager is also a PADI dive instructor who knows the best places to see underwater marine life and will make an excellent tour guide on your dives.’ Caroline Taylor, Charter Fleet Manager

NAIA comes with an exhilarating fleet of tenders and a comprehensive selection of watertoys to keep you active beyond diving while her ice class 1D hull expands expedition possibilities, allowing you to venture off the beaten track and explore more remote destinations. Elsewhere, there's a helipad which converts into an expansive sun lounging area, a sprawling dedicated owner's deck, and a calming, zen interior.

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44.2m (145ft) | 10/12 guests in 5 cabins | from usd 260,000 per week

HEMISPHERE

‘HEMISPHERE’s playground has typically been French Polynesia. Her diving capabilities are unmatched – she carries two PADI dive instructors, allowing guests to get certified while on board. Plus, Captain Gavin is a qualified dive instructor with encyclopaedic knowledge and an infectious passion for marine life.’ Elina Vitola, Charter Manager

'The owners transformed HEMISPHERE to make her into this incredible adventurer, augmenting the operation with a 16m sports fisher support boat that they use as a dive platform and a fishing platform to go around the world in.’ Henry Craven-Smith, Senior Partner & Senior Sales Broker

When you're not exploring the water's depths, HEMISPHERE covers every base for relaxation and entertainment, from her flybridge jacuzzi and al fresco dining areas to her shaded spaces on the main deck aft and the sunbathing trampoline forward where you can watch dolphins play underway. As well as being offered for charter, HEMISPHERE is for sale exclusively through Burgess.

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Book your diving charter with Burgess today

At Burgess, we pride ourselves on crafting unforgettable yachting experiences. With our extensive fleet and decades of experience, we ensure every charter is tailored to perfection. Whether you’re new to yachting or a seasoned sailor, let us take care of the details while you embrace the journey.

Speak to our charter experts and let us organise the ultimate diving itinerary for you today.

Get in touch

To find out more about Burgess’ yachts for sale and yachts for charter, please contact a Burgess broker. Alternatively, get in touch with one of our offices directly: London, Monaco, New York, Miami, Singapore or all other locations.

Yachts, prices and availability are correct at the time of publication.