This was published 9 years ago
From private islands to house masters: Top 10 luxury diving experiences
By Deborah Dickson-Smith
Today's high-end travellers want more from their luxury holiday than Egyptian cotton sheets turned down with a Belgian chocolate each night.
They want to try something adventurous, to experience something life-changing.
Scuba diving ticks all these boxes, taking you to another world and, these days, introductory courses can be completed in one day.
Yet despite being a relatively expensive activity, diving has not entered the realms of luxury travel.
Until recently, to dive the world's most pristine and remote coral reefs, you would have to travel in groups of serious enthusiasts, perhaps on a three-star "live-aboard" dive boat or stay in three-star accommodation on a remote beach.
A growing number of luxury operators have seized on this gap in the market and are expanding their water sports offerings beyond wind surfing and jet-skis.
Here are 10 great luxury diving experiences.
1. ARAJILLA RESORT & SPA, LORD HOWE ISLAND
World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island is surrounded by crystal clear water and the world's most southerly coral barrier reef.
On a typical dive expect to see colourful reef fish, hawksbill and green sea turtles and the odd reef shark.
After a day's diving, you can treat any aching muscles with an Ayurvedic spa treatment at Arajilla's day spa, housed in a wooden yurt before dining on healthy, gourmet food at Arajilla Restaurant.
Arajilla offers Adventure/Eco Packages which include three nights accommodation, all meals and several activities. Prices start at $2445. Arajilla.com
2. VOMO ISLAND RESORT, FIJI
This luxury private resort at the northern tip of the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji has only 28 villas and two private residences.
The resort recently opened a dive shop on the island, with new top of the range equipment. It offers lapsed divers an innovative Reactivation Program. Your kids are taken care of while you refresh your skills with a PADI refresher course with one of Vomo's instructors.
Rates start at $1200 per night inclusive of all meals and non-alcoholic beverages and packages are available that include seven nights for the price of five. Vomofiji.com
3. WAKATOBI DIVE RESORT, SULAWESI, INDONESIA
Wakatobi is a purpose-built dive resort on a remote island off south Sulawesi. A charter flight will take you there from Denpasar, Bali, where you are whisked through immigration with a VIP Arrival Service.
Situated in the Coral Triangle, the island is surrounded by pristine coral reefs and incredible biodiversity. Your gear is carried to the dive boat each day by a porter service and at the end of each day, rinsed and dried by your valet.
Six-night packages start at $3450 per person and include accommodation, all meals, unlimited diving and transfers from Denpasar. Wakatobi.com
4. PULAU LUXURY CHARTERS, BALI
Pulau Charters run day trips to Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida, across the Lombok Straits from Bali, and longer trips to remote and secluded bays around the Lombok islands.
Along with gorgeous coral reefs, this region is famous for giant sunfish, or Mola Mola, and manta rays.
Their custom-built 42 foot dive and surf boat, the Rhino 1, can carry up to 10 divers, though usually groups are smaller.
Day trips are typically broken up by lunch at a nearby beach club on Nusa Lembongan and there's champagne waiting for you to finish your last dive of the day. Pulaugroup.com
5. ZEAVOLA RESORT, PHI PHI ISLAND, THAILAND
Zeavola offers a "bare-foot" luxury experience at this five-star resort on Phi Phi Island, an easy hour's boat transfer from the Royal Phuket Marina.
Your air-conditioned beachfront bungalow comes complete with four-poster bed. Diving here is an intimate experience with usually only four to six divers on the rather luxurious dive boat and, being on Phi Phi you are closer to the dive sites, so guides can usually find a spot that's not populated by hordes of divers on day trips from Phuket.
Room rates start around $380 per night with a 15 per cent discount available on early bookings. Zeavola.com
6. NALADHU, MALDIVES
Anantara's Naladhu Resort has only 19 colonial style "houses", each with a private swimming pool and 13 ocean houses with a private sundeck extending over the Indian Ocean.
Each house comes with a "house master" who'll turn down your bed each day, hand you a cool towel just when you need it, and even ensure your favourite CD is playing when you return to your room.
The dive centre offers up to four dives per day at a variety of locations, there being over 20 world-class dive sites within a half-hour radius of the island.
Room rates start around $1475 per night with a minimum 4-night stay. Naladhu.anantara.com
7. INDIAN OCEAN ODYSSEY WITH LINDBLAD-NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
This 18-night cruise on Lindblad-National Geographic's luxurious small ship, The Orion, takes you to remote pristine coral reefs in Sri Lanka, the Maldives and the Seychelles.
These are reefs that few people have the privilege of visiting so you can be sure you'll have them to yourselves. Legendary undersea expert Valerie Taylor will join you on board.
Cabins start at $28,820 for this 18-night/19-day cruise departing Mahé✓, SeychellesApril 20, 2015. Expeditions.com
8. RAJA AMPAT AND WEST PAPUA WITH TRUE NORTH
These eight to 12-day cruises take you to the heart of the coral triangle – the world's most bio-diverse marine region. Here you will explore West Papua's coastal areas, including Cenderawasih Bay and the striking looking karst beehive islands of the Wayag Archipelago.
While there are several places in the world where divers can seek out whale shark encounters, in Cenderawasih Bay they linger longer and move closer to the surface.
On board you'll be served gourmet meals and fine wines.
Raja Ampat Explorer (West Papua) departs Darwin: October 4 & 14, 2015, prices from $19,995pp. The Whale Sharks Of Cenderawasih Bay (West Papua) departs Darwin: October 24 & 31, 2015, prices from $15,295pp. Northstarcruises.com.au
9. ROWLEYS SHOALS WITH TRUE NORTH
The Rowley Shoals are three atoll-like coral reefs south of the Timor Sea, 260 kilometres west of Broome, on the edge of one of the widest continental shelves in the world.
This relatively undiscovered divers' paradise has been named one of the top 10 dive destinations in the world and there's no better way to explore it than on a luxury small cruise ship.
Here you'll find about 600 species of fish, 200 varieties of coral and visibility in excess of 60 metres.
Coral Atoll Cruise (Rowley Shoals) departs Broome: 12, September 17 & 22 2015. Prices from $5,295pp (AUD)
10. NECKER ISLAND, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Nothing screams luxury like your own private island, and Richard Branson kindly lets you lease his when he's not using it.
Dive guides and instructors are available for one-on-one treatment, and if you don't feel like using your fins to propel yourself, have a go on the Necker Nymph. This underwater "aircraft" carries three people (including your pilot) and travels at up to six knots.
Rates start at $28,805 for a seven-night stay for two people and included all meals and drinks and 100 staff to take care of you. Neckerisland.Virgin.com
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