You’d be forgiven for assuming the Maldives, a country that is 99 per cent water and a playground for the uber wealthy, comfortably caters for the yachting elite. The archipelago’s 172 luxury resorts, many of which are built on private islands, offer every conceivable amenity, from sublime underwater spas to incongruous snow rooms. Yet a purpose-built superyacht marina is a glaring omission from the list, an anomaly that Atoll Estates is looking to change.
The UAE-based company has revealed plans for a five-star development set within 500 hectares of a natural lagoon in the South Malé Atoll. Located just 21 miles from Malé International airport (which completes a large expansion in 2025 to cater for the estimated 4.3 million travellers passing through each year), Zamani Islands will comprise three individual resorts spread across eight islands.
Designed in partnership with Dubai-based architects Killa Design, it promises to host the island chain’s first dedicated superyacht marina. “By providing state-of-the-art facilities for , the marina will attract more high-net-worth individuals and yachting enthusiasts to the region,” says Amit Majumder, co-founder and managing partner of Atoll Estates, who believes the influx will boost local tourism. “The increased yachting traffic will foster the development of related services and infrastructure, further establishing the Maldives as a premier yachting destination on the global stage.
” The initial phase of the devel.