Sailing the Maldives’ Central and Northern Atolls

Once you have cleared customs you will be met and transferred to the domestic terminal for your 30-minute seaplane flight to Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, located in the Baa Atoll. The flight is a lot of fun as you stare down in awe at the turquoise blue seas and strings of atoll islands below.

The house reef is just a few fin kicks off the beach, so it is quite easy to spend countless hours floating around the reefs enjoying the diverse marine life. The resort is also close to Hanifaru Bay, which is one of the best places in the world for seeing whale sharks and large numbers of manta rays (between June and October) as they gather to feed in the plankton-rich waters.

When not in the water, visit the Marine Discovery Centre to enhance your appreciation of the resident marine life, rejuvenate with a relaxing spa treatment and take walks along the sand bar extending out from one end of the island. At low tide you can walk all the way along the sand bar but at high tide you'll have to grab a kayak or paddle board and venture out there.

Each day you can dive twice in the morning and once in the afternoon, as well as sunrise, night and wreck excursions.

On board you will be given an orientation by a Manta Trust expert before setting sail to Dhonfanu Island, where you will spend the morning snorkelling and diving the pristine reefs before refuelling with a fresh lunch on board.

Spend the afternoon back on the reef or relaxing on board before heading to Dharavandhoo Island to watch sunset. Return back to the boat for supper and watch the night sky.

Refuel at lunch while watching the changing scenescape as you sail towards Muthaafushi Island, where you will spend the afternoon diving, snorkelling or relaxing on the boat, depending on your mood.

As the sun sets, try your hand at handline fishing off the back of the boat before feasting on a fresh supper.

Learn about the fascinating marine life inhabiting these reefs with a fish talk from the resident marine biologist as you sail.

Spend the afternoon diving and snorkelling the Kagi reef or pump up the adrenaline with a range of water sports, from tubing and wakeboarding to water skiing.

Upon arrival on Kuda Huraa, spend the rest of the day relaxing back into island life, whether taking a walk along the beach, indulging in a spa treatment or dining on delicious cuisine. For the active adventurer, there is a surf school, with year-round swells perfect for beginners (whilst experienced surfers can catch bigger waves between April and October).