Space to Float
AN ALTERNATE REALITY IN THE WORLD’S OCEANS
Activities 2 minute read
To look at the ocean’s surface is to see a mirror of the sky. Once you’ve pushed beyond the shoreline, you become suspended in a place of infinite possibility.
Flocks of birds flying overhead are echoed by schools of fish swimming beneath the surface: it’s no wonder ancient writers built theories of a parallel universe.
It’s a duality we make the most of at our beach and island resorts, from skimming the water’s surface in a kayak, to setting sail under a rising moon. Here we list our favourite overwater adventures, from the Maldives to the Turks and Caicos.
SUNSET BOAT TRIPS
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COMO Cocoa Island is located in the Maldives’ South Malé atoll. The water around the island is rich with live coral and colourful fish species: a distinctive natural ecosystem that is testament to the unspoilt surroundings. The stars of the marine show are the dolphins, which migrate through the waters in pods numbering between 10 and 30. For the perfect sunset cruise, COMO is the yacht of choice to watch a dizzying display of natural acrobatics, as the dolphins whirl and spin against a pinkhued sky.
KAYAKING
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COMO Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos seems to exist half-in, half-out of the water thanks to the expanse of channels and wetlands that surround the island. A guided kayaking tour through the mangroves is one of the best ways to see the wildlife that lives on the fringes between sand and sea. Herons, egrets, terns and pelicans stalk the water’s edge, diving onto their prey in great flurries of wings and flashing beaks. Beneath the surface, eagle rays, green turtles and schools of bonefish skim through the currents.
VINTAGE SAILING
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The fleet of sailing boats at COMO Laucala Island offers a wind-powered way to enjoy Fiji’s beauty. From the vantage point of a boat’s prow, islands rise from the water like sleeping goddesses, and rainbows dip over tropical edgelands into aquamarine seas. There’s a fleet of small dinghies, as well as authentic single-seater Fijian Takia. If your sights are set beyond the barrier reef, there are two skipper-led sailing yachts. For short voyages, Rere Ahi or ‘Flying Fire’ is a bronze-finished classic 1970s yacht that oozes old-school romance or choose the Riviera to picnic at Ringo Island, snorkel the outer reef or explore dive sites including the renown Rainbow Reef.
GAME FISHING
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The island constellation of the Thaa Atoll is bisected by the deep Veymandoo inter-atoll channel, as well as marine-rich ocean currents, seamounts and nearby drop-offs. The result is unparalleled pelagic fishing for trophy species such as grouper, wahoo, giant and bluefin trevally, red snapper and dogtooth tuna. Cameron, a fully crewed 68-foot Hatteras ‘sport fisher’ yacht, is on hand at COMO Maalifushi to whisk you off for any level of game fishing, which is a vital part of Maldivian culture and livelihoods.
