Shantaram

Our rates are for exclusive use charter. That means if you charter the yacht your group will be the only guests aboard for the charter period, letting us tailor-make the trip just for you.

Our prices are all-inclusive, full board (see below for details; prices in AUD per night for the yacht).

Our minimum rental period is 6 nights – because there’s just so much to see and do!

Inclusions

•  3 great meals a day that include a variety of Western, Asian & local dishes, all made using fresh quality ingredients
• Snacks (fruit, chips, chocolates, biscuits etc)
• All non-alcoholic drinks (water, juice, soft drinks, tea & coffee)
• Water toys (stand up paddleboards x2 ,kayak, inflatables)
• Snorkeling equipment
• Great Fishing gear, including quality trolling and spinning rods
• Guitar available
• Free wifi (15GB)

Exclusions

• Domestic flights if required (Central & Southern atolls)
• Airport transfers
• Green tax of $6 per person per day
• Alcoholic beverages (full bar available)
• Photo & video package (optional) –
• Diving can be arranged with local operators

Fuel supplement*

Charter rate includes the cruising area of North/South Male, Ari, Vaavu atolls. Travel to the Central or Southern atolls (Meemu, Dhaalu, Thaa, Laamu and Hudavhoo atolls) will incur a fuel surcharge to accommodate the extra distance travelled. One way trips are also possible (ie fly in/sail back, or sail out/fly back), note that these incur an empty yacht transfer fee. You also fly in and out. Let us know where you’d like to go so we can quote accordingly. We can also assist with domestic flight bookings at favourable prices compared to booking direct with Maldivian Aero.

As previously mentioned, Shantaram is flexible and able to visit whichever region of the Maldives you desire during your time onboard. The whole idea behind a charter with them is to freely go surf hunting through the atolls, without getting stuck on a typical a-to-b surf trip.

However, if guests have the luxury of more time than a week, Kemble does recommend the more remote regions of the Central and Southern atolls to his guests. It’s a smart move for those who want to avoid the heavy crowds of the North and South Male atolls during peak season, while also maximizing their wave count.

The Central and Southern atolls offer all the quality any surfer could want and a fraction of the crowds. Shantaram likes to sail off the grid, and your charter with them can be as off the grid as you like.

It’s worth nothing that a charter through the Central and Southern atolls incur a fuel surcharge due to getting the yacht down there, and are also slightly more expensive due to having to air freight provisions in.

If you do choose to sail the Central or Southern Atolls, a big time saver is that Shantaram allows guests to fly in and out of any airport throughout the country. The yacht can meet you in the area you’d like to surf. Talk about service!

To make life easier, Shantaram offers a variety of packages to surfers, which include:

Cruising package

Surf the popular waves of the North & South Male atolls, plus Meemu in the Central atolls. This package starts and finish in Male and there are no fuel surcharges. If you only have a week on board, the team recommends sticking purely to the North and South Male atolls. However, if you have 8-10 days, then the trip down to Meemu is advised.

Extended cruising package

This package sails further south to the less crowded Central Atoll region of Dhaalu. Other central Atoll hotspots including the Thaa and Laamu atolls are reachable, but due to the distances covered a 12-day trip is advised if a return sail from Male is required. Consider the Sail/Fly and Explorer packages below if you want to experience all the hidden gems of the Central Atolls.

Sail/fly package

This package is perfect for those who want to minimize sail time and maximize their time in the lineup. Upon arrival in Male, jump on a flight to any of the domestic airports in the Central or Southern atolls and Shantaram will meet you there, before slowly surfing a variety of spots on the way back to Male. Alternatively this can also be done in reverse – Starting in Male before sailing south and finishing at a domestic airport in the Southern Atolls.

Explorer package

Don’t waste time cruising to the right zone, with the Explorer package the skipper will liaise with you ahead of time letting you know where the best waves are. All you have to do is fly to the nearest domestic airport to meet the boat. From there you’ll cruise and follow the swell wherever it leads before being dropped at the nearest airport for a flight back to Male. This package ensures you can be in the right place at the right time, and even if you only have a week to surf you can still access these less crowded zones.

Not only does Shantaram offer guests a whole new level of flexibility in its charter options, it also offers a whole new level of luxury. The Lagoon 450 Catamaran is a superbly fitted to ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible – as one would expect in the Maldives.

Shantaram offers three light and airy en-suite cabins for guests. Two of which are spacious queen-sized berths, featuring comfortable semi-island beds that allow for easy access. The master also boasts a flat screen TV. The third cabin features a double bed, which can be converted into a semi- twin share if required – perfect for children, or to make extra room on board a mate’s trip.

All beds feature soft linen, and super comfy quality mattresses to ensure you’re well rested for the next day’s surfing. Also important for comfort, each cabin has it’s own independently controlled air conditioning unit, an oscillating fan and fresh air ventilation. Large windows allow for plenty of natural light and also allow guests to watch the beautiful natural scenery drift by.

There is plenty of outdoor space to spread out and relax including a stylish dining area and a big daybed to lie back and read a good book. Head up to the flybridge and enjoy stunning views of the scenery, or the waves, from 2 large sunbeds. There is a second seating area up front, which is the go to spot for a sunset drink. Shantaram also encourages guests to lie back and relax on the two big trampolines, where you can spot dolphins surfing the bow wave below, or at night roll over and gaze up at the millions of stars.

Inside you’ll find the flat screen TV for a movie break, a Bose sound system and iPod to keep the music flowing, an ice maker for your chilled cocktails and a Nespresso machine for your coffee fix.

Also worthy of note, Kemble holds a degree in photography and Shantaram offers surfers a professional level photo and video package, including GoPro and drone.

You’ll never be short of a feed during your stay on board. Lindi will ensure you fuelled and ready to go for a full day of surfing with her super tasty meals. They pride themselves on being able to offer its guests top-notch food, and consider it vitally important to an enjoyable holiday.

You’ll be served a mix of delicious Asian and Western cuisine including Thai, juicy South African steaks, homemade thin crust pizza’s, freshly caught and barbequed fish, local salads and freshly baked bread. Guests are also offered a range of free soft drinks and fruit juices, drinking water, coffee and tea. A full range of alcoholic beverages and cocktails are also available for purchase.

While Shantaram is all about delivering epic waves for its guests, there is also so much more to do and see during your time in the Maldives, and the crew will ensure you enjoy your time out of the lineup just as much as in it.

Kemble is a keen fisherman, so in between catching waves he’ll make sure you catch some fish too. The fishing in the Maldives is world class and on offer for anglers are game fish such as GT’s, Dorado, Tuna, Sailfish and Marlin. There are also a large variety of reef fish on the bite throughout the year. Not only that, the abundant shallows on offer throughout the Maldives offers fantastic fly-fishing opportunities.

Just like the fishing, the diving and snorkeling in the Maldives are among the best on the planet. The marine life is spectacular and includes Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, Hammerheads and a host of other pelagic fish. There are also scores of multicolored reef fish and beautiful dolphins to be spotted, and the water offers supreme clarity. Lindi is an avid free-diver and snorkeler, so she’ll make sure to find the most interesting reefs to explore.

During your stay Shantaram will drop anchor at pristine white sandbanks, uninhabited islands, palm fringed beaches and secluded anchorages. Here you can enjoy a beach barbeque, lie back and gaze at the incredible night sky.

Upon arrival in Male, a Shantaram representative will meet you at the airport and accompany you to the yacht. Shantaram is based in Hulhumale lagoon, next to the airport island. As previously mentioned, you are able to start and end your charters in Male, but it is also possible to transfer the yacht to any region in the Maldives and you are able to fly in or out of the closest airport.

For more information please speak to your Soul Surf Travel consultant