Best of the Maldives: Duo Submersible – The Patina

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The Patina - submersible 1

The Maldives’ underwater spectacle was its first (drawing divers from around the world) attraction and, even with all of the on-land development of spectacular properties, remains one of its top attractions today. But if you don’t want to get wet snorkeling or invest in the training for scuba, the growing fleet of submersibles around the resorts give you a cozy front row seat to all the underwater wonders. The latest launch is The Patina’s two-seater, bubble canopy SEAmagine. The two seater also allows for the pilot to hand the controls over to the guest for the Maldives’ first ever submarine pilot training:

Patina Maldives Unveils ‘Ocean Pearl’ Submarine for a Unique Underwater Experience – Maldives Virtual Tour“

  • “The resort partnered with Dive Butler to establish the Maldives’ first submarine pilot training facility. Ocean Pearl has been engineered by the world-renowned SEAmagine Hydrospace Corporation, established in 1995 and recognised for its leadership in the recreational submarine industry. Today, SEAmagine submersibles have accumulated over 12,000 dives – surpassing the total number of dives accumulated by all its competitors combined – and are extensively used by various leisure, commercial, defence and scientific organisations worldwide. Ocean Pearl will be operated with Dive Butler, whose submarine pilots have completed SEAmagine’s rigorous training programme, initially developed in collaboration with the US Coast Guard and since established as the industry standard. Every expedition is led by an onboard pilot and a surface co-pilot, ensuring guests’ safety and access to the profound knowledge of marine life, complementing the sheer wonder of the experience with an educational dimension.”

The Patina - submersible 2

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Best of the Maldives: Yellow Submarine – Fushifaru

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Fushifaru - yellow submarine

We might not all live in a yellow submarine, but we can go on a cruise in one at Fushifaru:

  • “For thoseyearning to explore the beauty of the underwater realm without diving, the yellow semi-submarine at Fushifaru offers an unforgettable and hassle-free experience. It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in the aquatic paradise of the Maldives, forging lasting memories of the breathtaking marine world just beneath the waves.”

Fushifaru - yellow submarine 2

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Best of the Maldives: Marine Discovery Experience – Soneva Fushi

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Soneva Fushi - submarine

For the ultimate undersea adventure Soneva Fushi has partnered with Nekton for a dive of a lifetime:

· “The highest bidder will travel to the Maldives and board Nekton’s manned submersible alongside Victor Vescovo, diving down to 3,000 meters below sea level where biodiversity peaks to visit an unexplored seamount in the Indian Ocean’s Midnight Zone.”

The experience also includes stays at some of the world’s most exclusive luxury resorts, including Soneva Fushi, the opportunity to conduct a live deep-sea broadcast, and the chance to help create the first maps of uncharted seamounts. The highest bidder (which starts at $125,000) will also receive a documentary film detailing the entire journey. For glimpse of the celebrity guide himself, Victor Vescovo, check out his TED talk below. [NOTE: I suspect that this experience will be postponed with the COVI19 lock-down]

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Best of the Maldives: Submarine Jet – Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru

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If you prefer your James Bond ocean travel under the water, then check out the latest submarine in the Maldives at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru:

  • “Landaa Giraavaru is the first resort in the world to launch DeepFlight Adventures: piloted submarine excursions for up to two passengers in the DeepFlight Super Falcon 3S, enabling once-in-a-lifetime sub-aquatic explorations of the Maldives only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Individual viewing domes provide a 360-degree view of the Baa Atoll’s incredible underwater world. Skim over coral formations; fly through shoals of brightly coloured fish; encounter creatures like turtles, sharks, dolphins and rays; and explore the Maldivian waters down to a depth of 37 metres/120 feet – all without getting wet! Battery-operated, the Super Falcon 3S features minimized electric and acoustic emissions so as not to disturb the marine life and never lands on the seabed or reefs.”

A one-hour trip for two costs $1,500 (£1,100) plus tax.

Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru - submarine

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Best of the Maldives: Underwater Scooter – Furaveri

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Furaveri - underwater scooter

Well, here’s one thing I finally HAVE seen. Since first calling it out over 3 years ago. Furaveri’s underwater scooter…

“We are pleased to offer the only Underwater Scooter service in the Maldives based in the most popular local island destination – Maafushi island…Underwater Scooter is creater to provide the scuba diving experience to virtually anyone without any of the rigours required by the typical diving experience. Just sitting in breathing environment and traveling at speeds of up to 2 km/hour, the rider can experience new and exciting underwater vistas.”

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Best of the Maldives: Semi-Submersible – Lily Beach

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Lily Beach - semi submersible

As spectacular as the turquoise mottled Maldivian seascape is, the main event is still really under the surface. As the world’s best snorkelling destination, a mask and fins is the most popular way to explore this aquatic wonderland. But for those guests who prefer a drier approach, Lily Beach’s new semi-submersible provides a more than a peak at the underwater world. Particularly effective for those apprehensive about the confinement of a full-fledged submarine, it’s sort of a hybrid between a glass-bottomed boat and a submarine…

“Why let the scuba divers and snorkellers have all the fun? It’s now possible to explore the stunning reefs of the Maldives without even getting wet. Seated below the water level in our new semi-submarine you can watch the amazing marine life in air-conditioned comfort…Choose between a dive during daylight hours or at night, or simply take both and see how the reef changes depending on the time of day. 30 and 60 minute excursions are available both daytime and nightime trips. It’s also possible to book a private 60 minute excursion with the Penguin semi-submarine.”

With the fleet of submersible’s growing in the Maldives, I have add a new “submarine” tag here to help you all keep track of them.

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Best of the Maldives: Mini-Submarine – Velaa

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Velaa - mini submarine

If portals to the underwater wonderland that is the Maldives is your thing, then Velaa’s mini-sub experience provides both the vista and the mobility to explore this aquatic paradise (dolphin escort optional)…

“To add to guests’ ability to experience the deep waters of the Noonu atoll Velaa Private Island provides ambient pressure submarine tours for two persons, operated by a trained skipper who offers an informative narration on this exciting adventure.”

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Best of the Maldives: Biggest Submarine – Traders Hotel

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Whale Submarine 1

If you fancy an under-the-sea exploration or just a fun adventure to fill out a Male excursion, consider booking a trip on the Whale Submarine. Okay, it’s not a particular feature of Traders Hotel per se, but Traders is both the closest (one block away departing from Jetty 1) and the most tourist ready hotel in Male.

Its web site describes the vessel…

“If you have never been on a submarine this is your chance to go and dive in one of the most advanced passenger submarines in the world…This is your chance, whether you are young or old, able or disable, to visit the underwater world without getting wet, while enjoying the sensation of diving in a submarine…Whale Submarine is designed and constructed in Karlsrhue, Germany under the strict regulations of the American Bureau of Shipping and Bureau Veritas and is capable of carrying 50 passengers to a dive depth of 150 meters. Whale submarine is currently the world’s deep diving largest tourist submarine in existence. So far this submarine has performed more than 2000 dives safely. The cabin of the submarine is fully air-conditioned and has a normal atmospheric pressure and thus you breath normal air. Therefore you are safe to fly just after a dive. Whale Submarine has redundant safety features to ensure the safest, most comfortable ride, and is operated by a fully trained and certified team of French and local pilots. Whale Submarine carries enough oxygen, water and food supplies to support all passengers and crew for 100 hours.”

Dive, captain, dive!

Whale Submarine 2

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Best of the Maldives: Submarine – Conrad Maldives Rangali

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Conrad Maldives Rangali - nemo sub surface

If windows over the ocean is not good enough for you, how about windows under the ocean?

You can go diving in the crystal clear colourful waters of the Maldives without a scuba course or even holding your breath. Conrad Maldives Rangali features a Nemo submersible.

“Built in Germany by Nemo Tauchtouristik, the Nemo N100 submarine can dive to 30 metres and seats three people: two passengers and a trained pilot. Looking like something from a futuristic space cartoon, the submarine is bright orange with white stripes, characteristic of a clown fish (“Nemo” in the Disney film) with three acrylic glass ‘pods’ sticking out of the top offering the submariners 360-degree views of the underwater world they’re passing through. With the submarine’s arrival in late February, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is the only resort to offer its own daily submarine tours to its guests, naturally subject to weather conditions. The price for one dive is US$495 for two people, or US$280 for one person.”

Our family went on a submersible in Mauritius and it was great fun. It is a great activity for young children to both as a unique ride in its own right as well as a way to expose them to undersea marvels before they can snorkel or snorkel easily in deeper water.

10,000 micro-leagues under the sea.

 

Conrad Maldives Rangali - nemo sub underwater

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