Ocean Dancer - luxury Maldivian surf and dive charter
The Ocean Dancer is a 110 foot luxury live-aboard run by French-Maldivian legend, David Mesnard and his wife Gaelle. The Ocean Dancer was handbuilt by David in the Maldives and is arguably the best surf/dive live-aboard in the Maldives.
David is the captain and an accomplished waterman - surfer, windsurfer, paddle-boarder, free-diver and scuba-diver and his experience and enthusiasm are unparalleled. Gaelle, Umeedh and the rest of the crew provide excellent, personalised service. Meals are wholesome and beautifully prepared by Razu the Chef, from local fish to imported New Zealand Lamb. There is a well-stocked bar, offering beers, soft-drinks, spirits and a carefully selected wine-cellar.
A full-time masseuse offers Balinese massages, Reflexology, Shiatsu, and back-shoulder rubs, perfect for unwinding after a long day of surfing, diving or sunbathing!
The Boat - layout and facilities
The boat was hand-built in the Maldives to a very high standard using Indonesian teak and mahogany.
On the lower deck there are 8 air-conditioned guest cabins, all with ensuite bathrooms. Cabins feature a double-bed plus a single-bed or bunk so there is plenty of space for couples to spread out (or ideal for families with young children). All cabins have flat-screen TV and DVD player, port-hole views, fresh towels and bathrobes.
The Main Deck is the principal living area featuring a large air-conditioned lounge and bar area (complete with flat-screen television, DVD, stereo), a large fore-deck (ideal for reading during the day and sundowners). Meals are taken on the aft-deck which boasts a dining table big enough to accommodate 14 guests in comfort.
A number of sun-loungers are set out on the spacious Top Deck. It's also a great vantage point for watching the surf or looking out for Manta Rays and pods of Dolphin.
The Ocean Dancer has 2 Tenders - a 52 foot dive / surf tender with a crew of 2 which houses all of the diving and snorkelling equipment as well as racks for up to 20 surfboards. There is also a 15 foot RIB with an 85hp outboard, used to access surfbreaks, dive spots and beaches.
Surfing
From May to October the Ocean Dancer operates as a luxury surf charter. Extreme Safari have selected the Ocean Dancer as we believe it offers the best standard of accommodation of any surf liveaboard in the Maldives and as such it is ideal for honeymooners and groups of friends looking to experience the magic of Maldivian surfing in comfort and style.
During the 7 day charter the boat will cruise the North and South Male Atolls looking for the best conditions, from world famous breaks like Honky's, Sultan's, Chicken and Cokes, to lesser known reefs away from the main surf-resorts. The captain and the surf-guide will sit down with the guests at the start of the week to ascertain their level of surfing and understand what kind of surfing they want to do.
On surf-charters the surf guide's job is to guide you to the best surf-breaks, keep a close eye on the surf-reports, run you out to the break in the RIB and offer tips and advice in the water for less confident surfers. All surf-boards, leashes, wax, rash-vests and so forth are kept on the Dhoni (a 52 foot tender) so that the Ocean Dancer is kept clutter-free.
Level - don't be intimidated - the Maldives offers a great range of surf, from hollow rights and lefts (like Sultans and Honkies) to more mellow longboard waves. Being reef-breaks, most of the spots offer dry paddle-outs. Above all, don't be afraid to ask the surf-guide to show you the best place to sit in the line-up!
A typical day (surf charter)
The guide will ring the early morning bell (around 6:30am) - time for a bowl of cereal before jumping onto the Dhoni and motoring out to the break. Depending upon the spot you can paddle-off the dhoni or be run into the line-up in the dinghy. After your dawn-session (and a quick shower to rinse the salt off) you return to the Ocean Dancer for a full cooked breakfast - bacon, eggs, toast, fresh fruit and steaming hot coffee. After breakfast you can relax, read a book, sunbathe or go snorkelling or diving. If you feel up to it you can go for another surf before lunch. Lunch is served on the aft-deck and comprises cold meats, salads and the like, with fruit or desert. After lunch, again time to let your food go down before swimming, snorkelling, diving or visiting one of the neigbouring islands. Then another surf session in the evening before a hot shower, a cold on the fore-deck and then a 3 course dinner on the aft-deck, beautifully prepared by Razu. Paradise!
Scuba-diving
To experience the best of the diving in the
Your cruise will take you through the atolls to the very best of the dive sites and you can enjoy three dives a day as well as excursions to fishing islands and a range of resort islands on the way. We know all the best dives in the
Diving takes place from a separate, dive support vessel to maximise comfort and safety. We offer good facilities for photographers and videographers including video service. A range of PADI dive courses are available - please enquire for details.
Other Activities
Snorkelling, island visits, free-diving, deep-sea fishing, swimming with Manta Rays.
Trip Dates and Timings
Surf Trips - 7 days, Monday to Monday from May to October.
Dive Trips - 7 day or 10 day trips, from November to April.
Please email us for departure dates and details.
Rates
$2300 per person (based on 2 sharing)
$3000 per person (sole-use of a double-cabin)
Rates include all meals, soft-drinks, tea and coffee, towels, bathrobes, sheets and linen.
For surfers, all surfing, services of the surf-guide and use of the Dhoni is included.
Alcoholic drinks are extra and the boat operates a chitty or tab system where you sign for your drinks and pay your bill at the end of the week by cash or credit card. PADI dive courses and other extras can also be added to your bill. Snorkelling equipment available at $10 per day. Internet access $8 per 15 mins (note that this is a very basic internet connection).
Bookings and Further enquiries
The boat can be booked by the cabin or alternatively you can book the boat for exclusive use if your group is between 12 and 14 passengers (or for less passengers by paying the difference).
Minimum required for departure is 8 guests. In the unlikely event that the quota is not reached within 60 days of departure, Ocean Dancer reserves the right to cancel the affected departure and offer a full refund.
Email info@extreme-safari.com for further information, rates and availability
Click here for further contact information
photographs © Extreme Safari / Ocean Dancer / Peter Hughes
