Twin Centre Four Seasons Maldives

The best possible experience in the Maldives for any keen scuba divers, this lavish combination of emerald green islands and the most luxurious live-aboard to be found cruising the atolls, makes for a varied, active and spoiling holiday.

1. Fly to Male

2. Days 1-4: Maldives

   When you arrive into Male you will be collected by luxury speedboat and transferred to the Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huraa where you spend three nights in a Beach Pavilion with private plunge pool on a bed and breakfast basis.

   During your stay here you may like to take a surf lesson with world renowned five star surf school Tropic Surf or, if experienced, head out the local reefs which have most recently hosted The Four Season Maldives Champions Trophy. A well facilitated watersports centre is also on hand with excellent instructors available for every activity imaginable. For those looking for some rest after the flight, indulge in the island spa, reached by tiny bespoke Dhonis, featuring delightful overwater treatment rooms.

   Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa (3 nights)

3. Days 4-7: Maldives, Indian Ocean

   The next port of call is to board the Four Seasons Explorer where you will enjoy lunch on board and settle into your cabin or suite. In the evening you'll meet the crew and your fellow passengers over cocktails before sitting down to a sumptuous welcome dinner.

   Start the next day with an optional sunrise dive, returning to a fresh breakfast on board. Choose a morning two-tank dive to explore a vibrant thila and an overhang of soft corals or enjoy waterskiing and windsurfing around the boat. After lunch, join the pelagics on a channel dive, or embark on a guided snorkel with the resident marine biologist. Back on board, sip cocktails on the upper deck before dining al fresco. Before bed, review video highlights of the day with after-dinner drinks in the lounge.

   The following day relax over a leisurely al fresco breakfast before embarking on a snorkelling expedition with the marine biologist. Soak up some rays on the top sundeck or visit a local village community. After lunch, set anchor at a virgin island and explore to your heart's content. End the afternoon with a relaxing massage on the beach. Enjoy cocktails on board before savouring a barbecue dinner on a deserted island.

   The day after this you will have reached Landaa Giraavaru where you can start the day with an optional sunrise dive. Enjoy a fresh breakfast on board Four Seasons Explorer, before disembarking and transferring to Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, in the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

4. Days 7-9: Maldives

   On arrival at the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru relax on the pristine white-sand beach, walk the Blu sandbank, take your first dip in the 2-kilometre lagoon, or snorkel in the kaleidoscopic Coral Gardens. Visit the Spa and Ayurvedic Retreat for a traditional therapy or a chakra blessing. Head to Seabar, perched over the lagoon, for sundowners and lemon-shark spotting before deciding on your dining venue. (The Lebanese mezze and Moroccan specialties under the stars at Al Barakat is highly recommended!)

   Begin Friday with early-morning sun salutations with the Resort’s yogi before breakfast at Café Landaa, where you will find a unique ayurvedic food-labelling system, an Ayurvedic Tea & Tonic Corner, egg and crêpe stations and Asian specialties. Take a manta ray safari (available June to December), or join a dive or snorkel excursion to explore the mesmerizing Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Spend the afternoon in the Marine Discovery Centre – transplanting a coral frame, feeding the clownfish, learning about the rescued turtles or mapping the movements of Olivia, the Resort’s satellite-tagged turtle. The more active make like to Head to Blu beach for water sports, including Seabobs, jet skis and kite-surfing. In the evening my not embark on a sunset fishing adventure before enjoying your catch at Fuego Grill!

   On your last morning, spoil yourself with breakfast at Blu (we recommend the popular eggs Benedict) before taking a 30- to 45-minute seaplane transfer to Malé International Airport.

   Departures for the Explorer leave on Monday for three and seven night cruises and Thursday for 4 night cruises.

   Diving in the Maldives is great year round but the best season for spotting Manta runs from July to September and the Southward Cruise from Landaa Giraavaru to Kuda Huraa hits the best spots for sightings.

   Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Maldives At Landaa Giraavaru (2 nights)

5. Fly home from Male

Maldives