Reviewed: Scuba diving days aboard luxury yacht SAFIRA

Luxury yacht SAFIRA has all the features that make a desirable modern charter yacht: A large selection of water toys with a focus on Scuba diving, spacious en-suite cabins equally sized, and a talented crew that offer spa massage services and yoga instruction for a getaway of indulgence and action.

Built in 2017 by Swiss architects from Nuno Santos Pereira, M/Y SAFIRA has a shallow draft for accessing dive sites in popular and remote locations such as the Maldives.

At 43m/142ft there is plenty of room on board for hosting up to 40 guests on a cruise, and there are myriad options for filling the hours and unwinding together or apart.

The interiors

The beautiful minimalist interiors are designed for large groups, using light wooden panelling, decking and furniture for a fresh and contemporary appeal. The large windows let in plenty of natural light so that even with her wide beam all is illuminated. The largest gathering space on board is the main deck, and the dining area in particular offers plenty of table space for meals, board games and other hobbies.

Day or night, the cosy forward salon is ready and waiting for family films, conversation or simply curling up with a good book beneath the windows. A PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Wii console are available for friendly (and competitive) games on the 55" widescreen TV.

The sundeck is just as enticing, offering a gym and spa massage room, where a range of treatments are available to stretch muscles that might be stiff after a dive. Spa massage services are included in the price of the charter fee. This area is linked to the sundeck exterior, which is prepared for outdoor exercise and relaxation.

The exteriors

Superyacht SAFIRA is designed for life outdoors, and this is evident from the beginning with her large swim platform ideal for spreading out with Scuba diving equipment or sunbathing next to the water. When guests aren’t hopping into a tender or emerging from the sea, the main deck aft serves as a relaxing outdoor lounge with a sofa along the stern and loose furnishings that can be arranged into one large area or as smaller clusters for more private conversations. Another shaded seating area can be found on the foredeck, forward of the interior salon, letting a large group mingle inside and out during a dockside celebration.

The upper deck comes with a wet bar and has another inviting outdoor lounge for enjoying drinks and the views right off the guest accommodation.

The sundeck aft is relatively empty by comparison, however this large outdoor area is perfect for yoga lessons on the fresh air, which are included in the charter price. The Jacuzzi is a wonderful choice for a post-workout dip in the sunshine or starlight.

The accommodation

Accommodation for 12 guests over 12 en-suite cabins: 8 double cabins and 4 twin cabins. The interior decor in the cabin continues the same aesthetic as the shared guest areas: Natural wooden panelling in a light grain that follows the curve of the walls, furnishings in the same material and white ceilings and wall sections to enhance the natural light pouring in through the large windows. Dark accents are provided by the wall sconces, creating a minimalist environment that will appeal to a wide range of guests. The en-suite bathrooms each provide a sink, toilet and shower for convenience and privacy.

There are two cabins available for qualified support staff, further enhancing the adventure with expert knowledge.

The water toys

The massive selection of water toys will excite guests before the holiday even begins, and there’s everything from wave-busting jet skis to soft inflatables that bob gently on the water.

The extensive collection of towable toys includes water skis, a kneeboard, a wakeboard and multi-seater tubes. The group can catch their own lunch and dinner using the fishing gear amongst the big game-abundant atolls, or fill the hours with exploration of the coral reefs using the paddleboard, snorkelling equipment and the specialty of M/Y SAFIRA, the Scuba diving gear.

When you reach one of those perfect beaches there is a volleyball, football and badminton set for fun in the sun while the rest of the group lies back in the shade beneath the two gazebos. Dine on the sands with the beach barbeque as the reusable solar panelled lights glow long into the night.