No island is as synonymous with sailing in Australia as Hamilton, so it seems fitting that the late Bob Oatley first spotted its potential while cruising nearby as a young man. He took over the island in 2003 and set about transforming it into one of the country’s most sought-after holiday destinations. The jewel in its crown is Qualia, sat on its own peninsula on the northern tip. Celebrities such as Chris Hemsworth and Miranda Kerr have posted envy-inducing pictures from its private infinity pools, which offer stunning views across the Whitsundays.

Saltier sailors can tender straight in to the beach, while those wanting to keep their stilettos clean can dock in the island’s marina and be escorted by golf cart behind the resort’s imposing wooden gates. Once inside, a cold glass of Charles Heidsieck champagne awaits in the Pavilion Lounge, which offers epic vistas of the turquoise sea. The resort took a beating from Cyclone Debbie in 2017 but a monumental effort by staff, who stayed on the island while the resort closed for three months, has returned it to Oatley’s original and spectacular vision.

A petite private island lying in the baby-blue water of South Malé Atoll, Naladhu is home to 19 colonial-style villas. Step off the resort’s Sunseeker yacht, after a 30-minute blast from the airport and collect the key to your private paradise – complete with an infinity pool and house master (butler) to take care of your every whim. The star of the island is the Pool Residence: 600 square metres of seclusion spread over two floors, with stunning views of the Indian Ocean at dusk.

The resort’s promise of privacy lures castaways ranging from love-struck honeymooners to paparazzi-dodging celebrities – Kate Moss and Roger Federer are both rumoured to have been spotted on shore. But the island also has easy access (via a bridge and boat) to the amenities of its neighbours Anantara Dhigu and Anantara Veli. Their 10 restaurants, two spas and outdoor cinemas are just a quick paddle away – if you can be persuaded to leave your villa, that is.

Cascading down a hillside that faces the iconic limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay, Six Senses Yao Noi offers a restorative hideaway near the bustle of Phuket. Anchor off Ko Yao Noi (which means small long island) and tender in to the resort’s private jetty, leaving your superyacht in the bay made famous by James Bond in The Man with the Golden Gun. From there a golf cart will whisk you up the hill into the verdant plantation, which is peppered with rubber trees and home to 56 thatched villas, three restaurants and a sprawling spa village. Combining luxury and sustainability, the resort’s on-site water bottling plant means it is plastic bottle free, while its organic gardens and farm produce the freshest ingredients – the chickens are even played jazz music to encourage them to lay better eggs for your morning omelette. Before breakfast watch the sun come up over the limestone pillars that rise from the emerald waters as tropical birds sing the morning chorus.

Lying in the pristine southern waters of the North Malé Atoll, this Maldivian-owned escape is a natural Eden. Its splendid 300 metre house reef is a nursery to blacktip sharks, while shimmering white beaches and foliage-lined pathways peppered with exotic flowers lead to its 75 private villas.

You can dip your toes into the vivid waters surrounding this coral island less than 30 minutes after touching down in Malé, as the hotel’s powerful private speedboat will whisk you directly from the airport. For the ultimate dining experience, sail on a traditional Maldivian dhoni to the island resort of Baros and its pop-up restaurant on a secluded sandbank, located just outside the electric blue lagoon. Enjoy a lantern-lit dinner under the stars and try Maldivian favourites like reshmi prawn kebabs or indulge in the fresh sushi station, while the sandbank sommelier will be on hand to suggest perfect pairings.

Slowly but surely, venturesome superyachts are straying off well-worn paths and discovering the dramatic fjords and hanging glaciers of Chilean Patagonia. Nestled in emerald vegetation around Dorita Bay, Puyuhuapi Lodge is an exclusive haven accessible only by boat. The lodge’s protected anchorage has hosted well known yachts, such as 85 metre Vibrant Curiosity and 63 metre SuRi, and its recently renovated main dock can host tenders up to 18 metres to drop off guests to visit its lush waterfront hot springs and spa. Try the Queulat (“waterfall sound”) massage, and sample the bar’s exceptional pisco menu, from rhubarb to traditional sour.

The restaurant serves a fusion of Patagonian, Chilean and Mediterranean dishes, featuring homegrown produce and fresh king crab and salmon caught in the fjords. For a night onshore, stay in the captain’s suite – its balcony opens out to dazzling fjord views and, with no television, phones or internet, you can totally disconnect.

Offering unrivalled seclusion and space, Reethi Rah is an Eden hidden in North Malé Atoll. For the ultimate retreat stay in the Maldivian island’s recently renovated Grand Sunset Residence, nestled among tropical palm trees at the end of a private road.

The extravagant villa comes with its own slice of white powder beach and a 50 square metre swimming pool. With a butler and a world-class chef, there is no need to ever leave this peaceful residence, but if adventure calls, Reethi Rah has its own fleet of yachts on which to explore the surrounding azure waters. Afterwards, dine under hundreds of orchids at the resort’s new 100 per cent organic restaurant, Botanica – opt for the garden-to-table experience and enjoy dishes such as topinambour velouté and quail breast served with savoy cabbage and quail-herbs consommé.

Carved dramatically into the mountainside, the Barr Al Jissah complex promises to lure superyachts to the undiscovered Omani coastline. Moor in the naturally sheltered bay, guarded by rocky outcrops, and tender in to the marina to discover this Middle Eastern wonder.

The opulent complex, consisting of private homes designed by Bannenberg & Rowell and three Shangri-La hotels, offers 22 dining options – head to the Bait al Bahr fish restaurant for locally caught yellowfin tuna with white anchovy cappelletti and black olives.

For the adventurous, the rolling burnished sand dunes and mountain canyons are just a helicopter ride away, while the Chi spa is the perfect place to recover from expeditions – try the signature Traveller’s Retreat journey, which combines an aromatic bath, bio-energising body wrap and vitality massage.

To complete the Sultan-worthy experience, book the Royal Suite at the Al Husn hotel. Inspired by the 17th century Omani castle at Jabreen, the intricately decorated space offers spectacular views across the Gulf of Oman. Explorer yacht Itasca and Motor Yacht A have already been spotted off these shores and it won’t be long before other superyachts follow in their wake.

Marco Polo may have called dibs on this spot, on Sri Lanka’s southern shore, in the 13th century, but arriving at Cape Weligama by boat still feels like approaching an undiscovered country. The resort is perched on burned umber rocks that tumble down to scallops of powdery beach and internationally lusted-after surf breaks. From the pool at your sprawling private villa, the vista is edge-of-the-world spectacular; the misty breadth of the Indian Ocean speared with distant promontories and punctuated with windswept palm trees. It is an asset the owners have emphasised in Cape Weligama’s brand new spa, opening next month to celebrate the resort’s second anniversary. As well as an indulgent programme of treats (think scrubs made of nutmeg, sweet orange and sandalwood, and oils with Ceylon tea) plus four new treatment rooms, there will be an expansive ocean-facing yoga deck. The good news for explorer yachts? You can still call it part of your off-grid adventure.

Thrilled by wilderness? But you’d like to survey it from a private infinity pool? Fregate Island is flung far enough into the Indian Ocean to make superyacht owners feel like adventurers, but you don’t have to eschew the fluffy towels: just anchor out and tender in. The rainforest on this private islet boasts first-class wildlife, including 2,200 giant tortoises, while staff can serve your seafood and Champagne on one of seven stunning beaches — or at a revamped private villa. In that infinity pool.

A private island of Four Seasons Resort Maldives, Kuda Huraa in North Malé Atoll is set amid 12 acres of exotic, fragrant gardens and has the intimate feel of a traditional yet distinctly upscale Maldivian village. Snorkel above thriving artificial coral frame reefs, including one that, from the air, resembles a sea turtle, then see real turtle hatchlings in the conservation program. Test your balance during a SUP yoga session in the lagoon or escalate your adrenaline levels by shooting several feet above the same blue waters on jet blades. Finally, travel less than a minute via dhoni to the only spa in the Maldives on its own isle. The Four Seasons also has a second private island resort in Baa Atoll, Landaa Giraavaru.

Sprawling over no fewer than six islands in Noonu Atoll, the Cheval Blanc Randheli has dedicated one of them to the Owner’s Villa, an ultra-exclusive hideaway for those who deem the luxury of its $3,000-a-night villas just not quite enough. The mansion has four bedrooms (with a separate wing for the children, naturally), a 25 metre infinity pool, a guest villa for staff, Guerlain spa and an outdoor dining room. Accessible only via a dedicated jetty, it is made for stop-offs by boat and, in terms of privacy, is second only to your superyacht.

If you fancy stopping off don't miss our guide to seven days discovering the Maldives by superyacht.

The hushed villas at this Seychellois hideaway are so discreetly tucked into the native flora that the only person likely to wander past your door is your private butler. But in the crystal waters around Mahé island it is as busy as a city-centre rush hour (for fish). Take out your boat, or one of the many sportsfishers for charter here, and once you’ve landed your catch, the resort’s chefs will prepare it in any style you like, from barbeque to sashimi. It can be served in the restaurant, on the beach, on the helipad or back in the sublime quiet of your villa. Maia is also home to one of the best luxury spas in Asia so make sure you also book in some time for some serious pampering.