A magical “underwater” manta experience where no one gets wet! That’s on offer at the Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru, in the Maldives.
International visiting yachts and superyachts will find this new experience waiting when they arrive in the Maldives.
What is billed as the Maldives’ first Hologram Room uses programmes, based on real manta rays. It recreates the waters of the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. And offers an extraordinary opportunity to virtually “swim” with manta rays. As well as other creatures such as the humpback whale, seahorse and mimic octopus.
Interactive opportunities
Two daily sessions of 30 to 45 minutes are hosted at the Resort’s on-site Marine Discovery Centre. They offer guests of all ages colourful interactive opportunities to explore a life-size underwater wonderland. This mesmerising, dry-land adventure is easily navigated through using a dedicated wand. That is bound to cast a spell on young explorers, opening their eyes to an entirely new world.
The Hologram Room can be enjoyed on its own. Or as an additional experience after or before heading out to see a real-life mantas. Their mass aggregation is a sensational seasonal occurrence near the Resort. Advanced Hologram Room bookings are essential, as spaces are limited.
Children should be able to wear the hologram glasses. They are suited to most children aged four years and above. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Magnet for superyachts
The 1,200 dazzlingly beautiful islands and 26 atolls of the Maldives in Southeast Asia is a growing magnet for superyachts. These exotic atolls stretch across the equator oozing luxury and elegance. Islands are dotted with exclusive resorts, where yacht visitors can use ‘Underwater Spas’ and an elegant ‘Underwater Restaurant’.
The Maldives is characterized by its splendidly unique underwater life and ecology, a paradise for dive and snorkelling aficionados. The warm waters are home to a diverse array of exotic marine life each creature more colourful than the next.
Visiting yachts can drop anchor and relax on one of their powder-fine white coralline shores. They can enjoy a meal or some pampering at one of the 170+ truly world-class island resorts.
A number of resorts feature their own house reefs – easily accessible coral reefs within swimming distance.
Exciting and accessible
What really sets the area part from other dive destinations is the sheer abundance of marine life on display. The great thing is, whether an experienced diver or a casual snorkeler, there will be a dive site for you, making the Maldives one of the most exciting and accessible places to visit underwater.
Even better, most of these amazing spots are most easily accessed by boat, reserving some of the most special underwater sites on the planet for yacht visitors.
Populated by large and friendly manta rays, masked banana fish, spangled emperor fish and even some approachable sharks, you will find over 2,000 species of fish lurking beneath the Indian Ocean.
NOTE
The image that was displayed here originally was supplied to us by a PR firm but has been removed by us following a request from the photographer who claims it in his copyright
In fact, the Maldives are one of the few places on Earth where whale sharks can be encountered all year round and home to 14 species of sharks, the largest being the whale shark. There is no need to fear these gentle giants as they live on a diet of plankton and tiny fish, cruising close to the water’s surface with their mouths open to get their feed. The months of December through February offer an opportunity to snorkel at night with the giant whale shark, up to 40 feet long and weighing 20 tons.
“The most number of superyachts flock to Maldives from Nov to May”, reports Mohamed Hameed, who heads up Asia Pacific Superyachts Maldives. He adds, “99% of the Maldives territory is made up of sea water and around 240 varieties of corals can be found in the crystal clear waters of the archipelago. A dive and snorkelling paradise, the Maldives is home to some of the most diverse sea life on the planet.”
Photo Credits: Asia Pacific Superyachts Maldives & Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru, Maldives