Fleewinter
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4
Private Yacht
"Go Anywhere" itinerary
Private Chef
Total Privacy
Air-conditioned cabins
Boat safaris have been offered in the Maldives for many years focussing on the dive and surfing customers so the boats have tended to be a place to sleep and get from A to B packing as many people on as possible. The Stella Dhonis take exactly the opposite approach - they are the boutique hotels of the Maldivian seas with only 2 cabins for guests and an emphasis on a beautiful environment to enjoy the stunning atolls of the Maldives.
You have a full crew looking after including a top class chef (who have their own quarters) and the captain will work out an itinerary based around what you want to do and his knowledge of the local weather. Sea conditions are completely calm for most of the year and there is lots to do. Moor up on your own deserted beach for the day, snorkel on the shallow reefs, visit the traditional islands (only recently have tourists been encouraged to land at the villages). You also have a good chance of seeing wildlife without even leaving the boat: dolphins in the channels between the islands, turtles and a myriad of fish hoping for scraps of food at meal times.
For the more active there is world class diving and fabulous surfing. The beauty of the boats is the privacy and calm but of course there are plenty of top class hotels dotted around the Maldives and the captain can arrange an evening ashore if required.
In all honesty the accommodation is more like a hotel then a boat with air-conditioning in the cabins TV/dvds and en suite shower rooms. Most meals will be served on deck under the sun shades and the ample deck space for sunbathing.
Stella Dhoni 1 and 2 are almost identical except the cabins on SD1 are double and twin (both take an extra bed so max 6 people) SD2 has a double and single bed in each cabin and can take an extra bed so can take max 8 in total.
The crew comprising a captain, chef and 2 stewards. All meals are included and all linen, towelling and bathrobes are provided. Alcoholic drinks are extra. For the boat, fuel for up to 4 hours motoring each day is included and there is motorising dinghy for going ashore. For prices children are classified as such if less than 12 years old.
Note: Transfers are extra.