South Maldives and Chagos: La Cardinala luxury sailing charter in the Indian Ocean
A dream of beaches, corals and lagoons
The Maldives have the most beautiful tropical scenery: graceful coconut palms leaning over crystal-clear lagoons, coral reefs promising great snorkelling and scuba diving, and lots of sunshine. In fact, all the ingredients that make up the classic "deserted island". Stopping at some natural places, enjoying a swim, going ashore to visit a local fishing village or to explore an uninhabited island, and always coming back on board! A paradise for sailors, divers, snorkelers and 'lazy' people alike.Customized, flexible cruises in the South Maldives
Cruises in the South Maldives mostly go from Male to Gan or vice versa, or start and end at the island of Gan, depending on the length of your voyage. Both Gan and Male have international airports.
In the South Maldives are 9 atolls to explore. Every voyage is tailor made in close co-operation with you, depending on your interests: sailing, diving, snorkelling, beach exploration, meeting the people of the Maldives or simply lazing around. To give you some idea of what you can expect of 1 week cruising in the South Maldives, we have pu together a sample itinerary highlighting the most beautiful places of this area.A sample 2 week itinerary from Male southwards to Gan
Around Male
Starting your journey from Male you sail to explore the Kaafu Atoll. Kaafu consists of four geographical atolls: North and South Male’ Atoll, Gaafaru and Kaashidhoo Atolls. The atoll is located almost in the centre of the Maldives atoll chain. With 80 islands in all, only 12 are inhabited. That includes the capital, Male and the island of Hulhule on which Male International Airport is located. The atoll is dotted with dive sites, many of them well known in the diving community. Most of the recognised surfing spots in the Maldives are in the North Male Atoll.Alifu: Ari, Rasdhoo & Thodoo - the largest atolls
Sailing to Alifu Atoll, this is the second zone in the Maldives that was opened for visitors. It is a vast area comprised of three geographical atolls with many many islands: Ari Atoll, one of the largest atolls in the Maldives, measuring 50 kilometer in length and 30 in width; Rasdhoo Atoll and the tiny Thodoo Atoll. The sailing is fantastic, the scenery always changing and always tropcical. One beach more stunning than the other. The Alifu atoll also boasts some exceptionally exciting dive sites: the hammerhead point in Rasdhoo Atoll, Maaya Thila in Northern Ari Atoll which is a protected site and dive sites in the south famous for its sighting of whale sharks are just some of the highlights. Vaavu Atoll - scuba diving paradise
Sailing to Vaavu Atoll, it is comprised of two geographical atolls: the main is Vaavu Atoll (a large circular atoll of 9 kilometer in diameter), Vattaru with just one uninhabited island on it. Vaavu Atoll is a true geographical wonder. It is a boot-shaped atoll and the 'toe' hosts some of the best diving in the Maldives. The islands still retain the idyllic atmosphere of relaxed island life.
Faafu and Meenu Atoll
To the south of the large Alifu Atoll is Faafu Atoll measuring 27 kilometer in width and 30 kilometer in length. Out of the 23 islands in the atoll, five are inhabited and one has been selected for development as a tourist resort. In this atoll too, almost all the islands are on the eastern side of the atoll.
Meenu Atoll is 47 kilometer in length and 30 kilometres in width. There are about 35 islands in the atoll. Most of the islands of the atoll are on the eastern rim of the atoll, just few on the rest of the atoll rim and surprisingly none inside the atoll.
Seenu (or Addoo) with Gan Island
Sailing to Seenu Atoll, also known as Addoo Atoll is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives. It is one of two atolls of the Maldives that lie on the south of the equator. The heart-shaped atoll is 18 kilometer long and 15 kilometer wide. Addoo Atoll is different from any other Maldivian atoll in many respects. 
The best diving and snorkelling in the atoll is on the long outer fringing reefs of the atoll. Caves and overhangs provide the perfect habitat for turtles and nurse sharks. Although divers may not find in abundance of reef fish, one would see mantas, sharks, turtles and generally other big fish all year around. The most southern island of this atoll (and also of the Maldives) is Gan Island with the International Airport.
