The Maldives is a breathtaking group of islands in the Indian Ocean, ideal for yacht charters. Chartering here is ideal during the northern hemisphere's winter months, at the same time as the Caribbean, and provide a unique and exotic alternative to this famous destination. The Maldives offers a warm climate, world-class beaches (some say the best in the world), and stunning coves and lagoons. The archipelago consists of 1,190 coral islands with exceptional scenery and beauty, perfect for snorkelling and diving. Malé is the densely populated capital of the Maldives known for its colourful buildings and mosques. Enjoy a visit to a local market, sample the local cuisine, and take in the sights around Sultan Park, which include museums, art galleries and the Friday Mosque that dates back to 1656.

A pristine paradise of sparkling waters and tropical vegetation, the island of Maayafushi in the Ari Atoll is the perfect place to enact all of your castaway fantasies. Blessed with a balmy breeze and shallow, clear seas, the islet offers stunning snorkelling conditions and is often frequented by turtles, manta rays and brightly-coloured fish. Charter guests can enjoy some of the many activities on offer or simply sip cocktails on one of the sea swings as the sun goes down. Alternatively, guests might want to take to the tender for a tour of the awe-inspiring atolls that surround this area, stopping to admire the baby reef sharks that laze in the lagoons and take in the never-ending hues of blue.

The sweet South Ari Atoll is home to some of the best diving destinations in the world. It's around these shores that you will find the nutrient-rich Hukurudhoo Uthuru Kandu Channel - not to mention luxury resorts that can assist even the most travel-weary souls with all the rest and rejuvenation imaginable. As one of the only all-star island resorts, the Lux Maldives South Ari Atoll is all dreamy overwater bungalows, shimmering sands and waters, and dining experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime. With all that ocean on your doorstep, the South Ari Atoll is the perfect place to take out kayaks, paddleboards, snorkels, and even the tender to seek out deserted spots for fresh fish suppers and sunsets. Perfectly placed for exploring the other island delights of Dhidhoofinolhu, Moofushi, Dhiffushi, and others close by, island hopping doesn’t come better than the South Ari Atoll.

The South Male Atoll offers a collection of thirty islands to explore - over half of which are dreamy well-put-together resorts. Only three of the islands outside of the resorts are inhabited and the rest are desert island delights for those who want to drop anchor and claim their own precious slip of silver sand. At less than 40km long and only 19km wide, cruising around this Maldivan maze makes for a magical time. Sublime snorkelling can be found on the island of Edoodhoo whereas Gulhi is full of ancient splendour and known for its abundant fishing opportunities. You can also visit Maafushi, known for its dried tuna production, and hit up the former resting spot of Sultans over on Guraidhoo. With so many enchanting islands to choose from, you can spend a lifetime or more sailing the South Male Atoll.

A day or more in Dhiffushi is a must for anyone sailing the Maldives by yacht charter. The Maldives cracks open a universe of enchanting atolls and secret islands, but Dhiffishi makes for a fascinating visit as it's actually a spot that is relatively accessible. This small island can be found in the Kaafu Atoll in North Male. Home to around a thousand residents, it may not be a completely deserted island but it certainly has the look with its surrounding green blue lagoons, its silver-white sands, and its swaying hammocks strung up over the sea. Charter guests can enjoy the best of both worlds here - lapping up the romantic nature of the Maldives while having a little life on their doorstep. Visit Bikini Beach to stretch out in those Instagram worthy hammocks. Take the tender out to the sandbanks for snorkelling and secret gourmet picnics or head for the deeper lagoons to go fishing. With a number of top tier resorts and restaurants, you can blend your yacht stay with pampering, dining, and watersports onshore.

Goidhoo is one of the inhabited islands of the Baa Atoll. This magical island will enchant you with a variety of activities - here you can see bioluminescent plankton, walk through palm trees and freshwater lakes while being serenaded by local bird life, spot huge hermit crabs crawling along the powdery white shores, and witness the spectacular underwater life paradise where you can dive and snorkel amongst turtles, rays and dolphins.

Some islands in the Maldives are fostered and nurtured into gorgeous resorts - a piece of paradise polished to a whole new shine and this is exactly what you could say around the coral island of Vabbinfaru. Now owned by the Banyan Tree resort, you can expect the whitest sands, the brightest snorkelling, and the bluest seas providing the backdrop for a well-earned rest. The island itself is close to Male and the whole ethos behind the brand that are custodians of the island is to create an eco-centric escape. Thatched villas, raw silk, tropical woods and a deep emphasis on local moods and wellbeing set the mise en scene. Of course, charter guests can step ashore for landside stays, morning yoga, beautiful eateries, and signature spa pampering. For those who want to stay close to the water there’s exceptional snorkelling, dive sites, and the chance to wakeboard, waterski, and windsurf so you can truly take your pick of saltwater style adventures.