Luxury and Adventure Under the Sea – Barron’s

Global travelers in search of new destinations to explore have increasingly been looking underwater, where a growing assortment of luxury experiences are waiting to be had. Some are offered in conjunction with a beachfront or overwater resort, while others provide intrepid adventurers with the opportunity to channel their inner oceanic explorer, plunging hundreds of feet below the surface in search of shipwrecks, exotic wildlife, and more.

For adventurers who have already mastered the art of scuba diving (or are looking to skip certification), and are looking to sink even further into the great abyss, theres The Deep Blue Experience by Fraser & U Boat. Guests can explore forgotten shipwrecks and underwater volcanoes throughout the Mediterranean on the U Boat Navigator, a 24-meter expedition yacht that houses a pair of Triton submarines capable of diving 1,000 meters deep; a three-person, custom-built Triton 3300/3the same model used to film the BBCs award-winning Blue Planet IIand a smaller, one-person Triton 3300/1 that serves as a support sub.

The U Boat Navigator cruises through Malta, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and beyond, aided by a crew of six professionals, including a certified doctor trained to use the specialized medical equipment on board. Theres even a full dive center with mixing facilities for breathing gases.

The Deep Blue Experience was carved out of a void in luxury travel, one that was missing a deeper connection with the elements, our thirst for the unknown and our newly awakened drive for deeper and more meaningful experiences, says Raphael Sauleau, CEO of Fraser Yachts.

At roughly US$130,000 per week (or US$140,000 per week in the summer months), the packagewhich accommodates up to 11 guests for cruisingis ideal for amateur explorers who are passionate about world history, shipwrecks, or geology. Included in the rate are 30 hours of submersible usage per week, all diving equipment for up to six guests, plus use of a decompression chamber, wet diving bell with hydraulic crane, and Sea-Doo Spark jet ski.

The U Boat Navigator can be chartered either as a standalone explorer vessel or as a shadow vessel for someones principal charter or their own yacht. Fraser creates bespoke itineraries based on the clients interests, including shipwrecks, dive sites, Mediterranean volcanoes, underwater cinematography, and more.

An Aquatic Playground

Renowned for its overwater bungalows and endless blue waters, the Maldives has become a preferred aquatic playground for the global jet set. In November 2018, at a cost of more than US$15 million, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island debuted The Muraka (coral in Dhivehi, the local language), a luxury suite submerged more than 16 feet under the waters surface.

Nestled on the Indian Ocean floor, the two-level structure has an above-water living area, sitting over a main bedroom with 180-degree curved acrylic dome, windows in the bathroom and walk-in closet, and a dedicated tunnel viewing theater that doubles as a personal aquarium. Ranging from around US$12,000 to US$35,000 per night (depending on the season), the suite, which can accommodate up to nine people, includes an infinity pool, gym, private bar, 24-hour butler service. Junior explorers can go glamping with the fishes, as staff will set up a teepee in the undersea suite, complete with flashlights, a pillow fort, and customized treats.

Huvafen Fushi, a luxury resort located in North Mal Atoll, has placed its spa below the waters surfacethe first and only spa of its kind in the worldto deliver next-level calm and relaxation. To make the most of the hypnotic refuge eight meters below the waters surface, a SpaQuarium experience is offered every evening as night falls. Guests enjoy Champagne, canaps, and petit fours while the resorts marine biologist provides commentary on the nocturnal predators (sharks, rays, eels), bioluminescent plankton, and pristine corals illuminated by UV light torches.

Resort guests can experience the spas underwater treatment rooms via a pair of services designed to work in harmony with the stillness and tranquility of the oceanic environs. The aptly named Underwater Dream uses the power of touch to restore natural sleep patterns, while the Underwater Rendezvous is a two-hour journey of healing and rejuvenation.

The Maldives has seen several other notable properties, open underwater facilities and attractions in recent years.

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villaslocated in Baa Atoll, a renowned UNESCO Biosphere Reserve housing some of the richest diversity of marine life in the worldoffers SEA, an underwater restaurant and wine cellar featuring the countrys first certified wine education. Patrons can expand their wine knowledge and earn a globally recognized WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certification during their vacation. (The resorts wine collection is valued at more than US$2 million.)

Guests enjoy an array of underwater activities, most notably the Snorkeling with Manta Rays program; the surrounding waters, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, are home to the worlds largest natural manta ray feeding region from June to November, allowing visitors to get up close and personal while swimming with hundreds of the gentle giants.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives, whose entire spread, including a pair of private islands with 134 spacious villas, can be rented out for $130,000 net per night and is home to Subsix, the worlds first underwater club, located six meters below sea level. If lounging with drinks while gawking at bioluminescent activity doesnt appeal, the subaquatic space also hosts private chef dinners, wine tastings, weddings, and events.

Underwater Abodes

Journey Beyond, which owns and operates 13 tourism brands across Australia, attracts serious divers to Queenslands stunning Whitsunday Islands, home to the companys Reefsuites. Opened in 2019, the first underwater accommodations in the country offer unprecedented access to the dazzling underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. Moored offshore on a pontoon at Hardy Reef, 40 nautical miles from Airlie Beach, the Reefsuites offer a plethora of aquatic adventures, and guests can take a scenic helicopter flight to see the famous Heart Reef.

French cruise line Ponant, known for its world-class service and gastronomy, has launched the worlds first multi-sensory underwater lounge, Blue Eye, which enables guests to see, hear, and feel the sights and sounds of the ocean. Offered on each of the six Ponant Explorer ships, Blue Eye was designed by Jacques Rougerie, a French architect who specializes in underwater habitats, and was inspired by 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Perhaps the planets most notable underwater restaurant, Under is located on Norways craggy Lindesnes coast. The architecturally striking complex is angled 18 feet below the icy waters of the North Sea. Head chef Nicolai Ellitsgaards Immersion tasting menu features nearly 20 seasonally inspired dishes, with a focus on locally caught Norwegian seafood. Sustainability is built into the restaurant itself, as the rough concrete exterior attracts limpets and kelp, gradually forming an artificial reef. Diners and visiting researchers study the biology and behavior of the abundant cold-water marine life via panoramic views of the North Atlantic seabed.

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Luxury and Adventure Under the Sea - Barron's