DESTINATIONS — INDIA & THE INDIAN OCEAN
WATER WORLD
O
ne of the joys of island life is the proximity to water, and when the island in question is in the Indian Ocean, then the warm, clear, blue seas are even more enticing. If you think a quick dip is all that’s on offer,
then you haven’t been paying attention. Hoteliers across Mauritius, the Seychelles and in particular the Maldives have been coming up with increasingly wacky and exciting ways to make the most of the pristine marine environment. From yoga on a paddleboard to underwater clubbing, there’s something to suit many different kinds of client. It doesn’t even need to break the bank, with all-inclusive packages increasingly covering a range of options. Centara Grand Azuri Resort & Spa Mauritius now includes waterskiing, reef snorkelling, kayaking, windsurfing, dinghies, pedal boats and glass-bottomed boat trips free of charge, and the new Beyond All-Inclusive rate, available from November at Maia Luxury Resort & Spa in the Seychelles, covers unlimited scuba diving and non-motorised watersports. Viceroy Maldives has launched an all-inclusive offer available from October 1 to December 19, with a credit of $350 that can be redeemed against diving trips and motorised watersports.
From flyboarding to underwater weddings, Joanna Booth looks at ways to enjoy the Indian Ocean
l ON THE SURFACE The Maldives needn’t just be about lazing on the sand. At Sun Siyam Irufushi, there’s a veritable adrenaline rush on offer in the form of flyboarding. Guests can strap in, power up and zoom off, splashing in and out of the water and even hovering metres above it. Half-hour sessions start from £103. Those without a head for heights can paddle a glass-bottomed kayak instead, for clear views of the world underwater. It may be something more associated with
California or Australia, but clients can surf in the Maldives too. Yin Yang is one of the most famous surf breaks in the region, and as Six Senses Laamu is the only property on Laamu Atoll, residents have the wave to themselves. Advanced surfers are offered two daily sessions on Yin Yang, and beginners can have a daily two- hour lesson in the lagoon with a resident expert. Kitesurfers should head for Mauritius, with the activity now on offer at two resorts.
28 August 2014 —
travelweekly.co.uk • 51
INDIA & THE INDIAN OCEAN
travelweekly.co.uk/destinations
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