FROM TOP: WESTEND61/GETTYIMAGES; SHUTTERSTOCK
From top: Tourists surf
in the South Malé Atoll;
a professional fl yboard
rider performs tricks
with the hydrofl ight.
Opposite: A free diver
fi lms a whale shark.GLIDE ON A SEA SCOOTER
Another interesting way of exploring the
aquamarine ocean is by gliding through it,
on a Seabob: a high-end electric underwater
scooter designed to move over the surface
of water as well as under it. Based on your
preference of depth and speed, its advanced
technology, along with an agile design,
enables a smooth gliding experience, almost
like a fi sh. Soneva Fushi in the Maldives
promises a fun ride. The next time you are
here, get your hands on a Seabob, and set out
on a mesmerising tour of the ocean in all its
glory—from the grey-reef-shark hotspot of
Rasdhoo Madivaru, to the whitetip-shark and
octopus refuge of Maaya Thila, the whale-
shark haven of Maamigili Beyru, and the
cargo hull of Machafushi Wreck. soneva.coTAKE FLIGHT
If you’re not a fan of going underwater,
parasailing might just be the watersport
for you. Unlike all of the above, it lends you
a bird’s-eye view of the sea as you glide
through the air with the help of a parachute
while being towed by a motorboat. Check
out the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at
Landaa Giraavaru for a premium parasailing
experience. Combine the thrill of a wing-free
fl ight with an incredible view of the UNESCO
Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, with
their state-of-the-art Cherokee 30 parasailing
winch boat that comes with a large landing
platform at the rear. fourseasons.comSURF’S UP
The thrill of conquering
the Indian Ocean
on a surfboard is
unparalleled. Whether
you’re a pro or a
kook, there’s a wave
here for you to catch.
Kurumba Maldives
organises one of the
best surfi ng activities
in the archipelago. A
short boat ride from the
resort takes you to the
North Malé Atoll, one
of the prime surf spots
on the planet. Here,
experienced instructors
guide you through the
experience. Cherish the
roar of the waves, the
taste of the sea, and
the radiance of the sun
as you ride the barrel
towards a pristine white
shore. kurumba.comTRY FLYBOARDING
A relatively new
watersport in the
Maldives, fl yboarding
has become quite a
rage among adventure
enthusiasts. The act of
levitating above the sea’s
surface while balancing
on a fl yboard connected
to a jet ski turbine makes
you feel like a superhero
with a surreal power over
the elements. Several
premier properties, such
as Jumeirah Vittaveli,
offer the fl yboarding
experience to their
guests. The mechanism
is based on simple
physics—a hydrofl ight
device attached to the
fl yboard uses an air and
underwater propulsion
system—with water being
sucked from the ocean
through a hose attached
to the jet ski and pushed
back out to drive the
fl yboard up to a height
of 15 metres in the air or
dive under. While you’re
strapped onto the fl yboard
and steer it, the instructor
operating the jet ski takes
care of the height, speed,
and power. A few minutes
of practice on the fl yboard,
and you’ll be performing
tricks you never thought
possible in this lifetime.
jumeirah.comtravelandleisureindia.in