See manta rays in Raja Ampat

A safeguarded wonderland in Indonesia, Raja Ampat is where over half of the world’s coral species can be found. The wide range of marine life – mini seahorses, sharks, schooling fish, giant clams and much more – make for every type of dive imaginable, particularly when incorporating a wreck, wall or muck area. But it is the graceful manta ray that takes centre stage as Indonesia is the largest sanctuary for these creatures in the world. The Manta Sandy dive site in Dampier Strait is 18 metres down and is home to many manta rays, as is the Magic Mountain and Boo Windows in Misool. 

Yachts such as the 72m SERENITY and the 54.2m MARAYA are ideal for cruising in and around Raja Ampat, thanks to their knowledgeable crew and compliance with Indonesian charter laws.

Visit the underwater sculpture park in Grenada

While anywhere in the Caribbean is wonderful for diving, Grenada is an island that boasts some of the world’s best dive sites – one being the underwater sculpture park. The man-made park is an easy dive, and the sculptures are home to the likes of fireworms, parrotfish and flounders. There are plenty of beautiful dive locations nearby, including Happy Valley and Purple Rain where it is recommended to find a local guide to accompany you – particularly if the protected areas around the Molinière-Beauséjour are of interest. Here you’ll find lobsters, coral reefs and brilliant examples of how safeguarded waters and a huge reduction in fishing have allowed wildlife to flourish. Just make sure you don’t leave until you’ve seen one of the area’s historic shipwrecks.  

Port Louis Marina is one of the places where you could meet the 43m ‘H, the 49m TE MANU, the 50m EMERALD, the 52m NITA K II or the 62m APOGEE for your Caribbean charter.

Dive down to a WWII plane wreck in Corsica

Resting 27 metres underwater off the coast of Corsica, the fascinating remains of a World War II B17 Bomber plane can be found. The American aircraft was deployed in February 1944 to destroy the railway system in Verona under German seizure – but it never succeeded in its mission. The plane wreck is in excellent condition and its full 32-metre wingspan, pilot seats, instruments in the cockpit and machine guns can be admired.

In terms of marine life, divers can see seahorses, stingrays and dolphins, as well as an amazing selection of live coral. This wreck is perfect for exploring if you leave a superyacht such as the 61-metre ARIENCE or the 30.5-metre EDEN in the nearby port of Calvi.

Take a submarine to a coral-covered volcano in Malaysia

Malaysia’s Sipadan is an exclusive spot for submarines and divers. The lucky few who are issued a diving permit each day get to set their eyes upon the live coral that has formed over thousands of years over an extinct underwater volcano. This ecosystem includes more than 3,000 species of fish, including barracuda fish, parrotfish, turtles, reef sharks and hammerheads. The places you need to see are Barracuda Point or the Siwadee wrecks, where a former navy vessel and two wooden fishing boats can be found on the ocean floor. To get there by superyacht, try the 39-metre LADY AZUL, or the 45-metre BIG FISH.

Swim with hammerheads in the Galapagos

A visit to the Galápagos Islands is a chance to get up close to some of the world’s most unusual and rarely seen creatures. To find those underwater, head to Gordon Rocks, North Seymour Island and Kicker Rock near the mainland. Here is where groups of up to 100 hammerhead sharks are known to frequent and in the summer, there are also humpback whales and whale sharks. For a more remote location, try getting to the northern islands of Wolf and Darwin by organising a guide with permits to accompany you for a once-in-a-lifetime private dive. A reliable and comfortable yacht such as the 52-metre Q is required to travel here.