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Let’s go katteylhi fishing in Fuvahmulah

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By Maldives Holiday Homes. If you are looking for budget, island-style accommodations, and want to also experience life in the island communities, MaldivesHolidayHomes.com is the ideal site for you.

If you are tired of catching snappers, trevallies, and groupers in most of the fishing trips, then pack up your bags and choose Fuvahmulah as your next game fishing destination. Located just south of the equator Fuvahmulah is home to Katteylhi (Promethean Escolar)  – a unique large-toothed deep-sea fish — only caught in this island of 11,000 people.
About a 50-minute flight from the capital Male, the 5-square km Fuvahmulah itself is a unique island. Fuvahmulah, loosely translated, means “island of Areca nut” and any visitor would notice the tall areca palms in the island. Areca nuts, dried, roasted and fresh, are chewed with betel leaves. Its popularity among some people may be attributed to the stimulating effect of consuming betel and areca nut.
Back to the outdoor adventure – game fishing — that is more stimulating. Katteylhi fishing, popular among locals, enjoyed by the experienced fishermen as well as the novice, would also give an adrenalin rush of a different kind.
It was a year ago in February that I visited the island, having heard of the many stories about the deep-sea creature.  The fishing trips start from the harbor located on the southern tip of the island, close to the airport. Every day at about 5pm small boats, (locally known as bokkora), fitted with outboard motors, can bee seen leaving the inner harbor for katteylhi fishing.
I have always wanted to catch katteylhi and it was a perfect day for a trip to the sea. It was a sunny day and the weather forecast talked of smooth sea, low southeast winds and a 30-degree C temperature. But it didn’t feel that hot. Thanks to the mild sea breeze.
I was there in the harbor by 5pm looking for the bokkora and its crew with whom I had talked earlier and arranged for the trip.  It took a while for me to locate the boat and its crew of three. I knew one of them, Ibirehim Futhu, who was sitting on the bow of the vessel having his betel and areca nut – a single betel leaf, five large slices of raw areca nut and a piece of dried tobacco leaf. That was a fairly large serving and I could see the visible effects; sweats dripping from his forehead. The stimulant must give a good response.
The seemingly hyperactive Ibirehim Futhu loaded the fishing lines, reels, hooks, and sinkers to the vessel and we were ready to go. I was seated on the stern side and as we headed out there were few bokkoras ahead of us travelling for the same katteylhi fishing ground located west of the island.
Gone were the days when you have to use oars (called faali in the local dialect) to paddle the boat to the open sea. Nowadays the bokkoras are fitted with small outboard engines. Within 15 minutes of starting the engine we were out in the open sea, travelling over the Kedemoole faro (a shallow reef extending south from the southernmost tip of the island). There were four of us, the maximum for a small bokkora like ours, in this fishing trip.
By the time we reached the Katteylhi fishing spot we have caught enough baitfish. We can see clearly the big surf breaking on the island reef. We were about a kilometer off the reef.
It was about 15 minutes before sunset. With the clear skies, few cumulus clouds in the distant horizon, the sun was creating its magical effects casting rays in the twilight. The brightness of the day was receding slowly to darkness and it was time to cast the lines.
All of us, except Ibirehim Futhu, took the fishing lines, put bait, attached the sinkers and cast the line, sending them deep into the ocean.
As the bokkora has to be kept moving with the current Ibirehim Futhu was tasked to keep it stable. So he picked the oars and slowly paddled. Every now and then the bokkora captain Allidhi would say “elei” to which Ibirehim Futhu paddles the oars a little bit faster.
Few minutes before the sunset came the big bite. Allidhi hooked a fish. With a sudden jerk he swiftly started to pull the line. In about six minutes he brought the katteylhi, from depth of about 200 meters, to the surface.  The excitement and euphoria started as everyone began pulling up the elusive fish. Few minutes into the frenzy it was my turn. There was a sudden and powerful grab on the line, and in the knack of time I gave a quick pull to hook my first katteylhi. It took a while for me to bring to the surface the fish. It was fairly aggressive, and strong.
First catch of the day.
By 7pm, we have caught 15 katteylhi, sufficient for the day, and it was time to head home.
Soon we were ashore with the catch. Within few minutes the katteylhi fish were sold out. The larger ones, about two to three feet long, earned MVR 80 (about 6 US dollars). Some days when fishing was poor a large katteylhi could fetch MVR 200.
I took one and headed home to enjoy my katteylhi, local style – katteylhi boiled in water with a dash of salt, curry leaves, onion, garlic, chilies and pandan leaves. Eating it the fish with cooked taro, grated coconut, lime, and habanero. That was the most exciting fishing trip and uniquely Fuvahmulah cuisine I had.
How to make Katteylhi garudhiya (Katteylhi clear soup)
Catching a katteylhi, that is so enigmatic and unknown to most Maldivians is rewarding. And cooking a fresh katteylhi is exceptionally heartwarming. This is a very simple recipe for making Katteylhi garudhiya Fuvahmulah style.
Ingredients
1 large katteylhi (chopped into steaks, not filleted)
1 large onion (chopped)
2 stalks of lemon grass
Curry leaves
Pandan leaf (chopped)
2 chilies
Salt to taste
Coriander leaves (to garnish)
You would also need to have the following to go with boiled/ steamed taro
Lime
Grated coconut
Chilies
Direction
Add 5 cups of water and all the ingredients except the fish to a large pot. As the water begins to boil put the katteylhi steaks. Bring water to boil and leave for about 5 minutes. Garnish with coriander. Now you are ready to enjoy a popular local cuisine. Eat katteylhi with boiled taro.

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Ocean, culture, community: sustainable celebrations at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru & Dhawa Ihuru

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Single-use plastics continue to pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, with over 11 million metric tonnes entering the oceans each year. Since the Banyan Group began its efforts to eliminate single-use plastics in 2018, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru have led the way within the group—achieving a 75% reduction in plastic use, the highest rate across all properties.

This July, guests are invited to participate in a series of sustainability-focused activities designed to create meaningful impact:

  • 12 July: A community clean-up in Malé City in collaboration with CLEAN Maldives, bringing together locals, guests, and team members to reduce marine waste in urban environments.
  • 19 & 26 July: Marine litter snorkelling clean-ups around the house reef, removing plastic debris while protecting marine life and habitats.
  • 29 July: A recycled arts and crafts workshop at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in partnership with Feyran Craft House, transforming collected plastic into handcrafted artworks.

These efforts support the Banyan Group’s ‘Brand for Good’ sustainability targets, which include the complete elimination of guest-facing single-use plastics by 2025 and full elimination across operations by 2030.

Taking place at Dhawa Ihuru—recognised for having one of the best house reefs in the Maldives (Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2025)—the Rannamaari Dive Fest invites divers and marine enthusiasts to explore the famed Rannamaari Shipwreck, located just metres from the shoreline.

This immersive day features:

  • Guided dives to the shipwreck
  • Underwater treasure hunts
  • Marine conservation talks
  • Cultural experiences including local arts and crafts, Maldivian cooking classes, and spa rituals

The event pays tribute to the vibrant marine ecosystem that defines Dhawa Ihuru as a premier dive destination.

Observed on 26 July, Maldivian Independence Day commemorates the country’s emergence as a sovereign island nation. In celebration of this historic occasion, both Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru have curated three days of experiences rooted in national pride, community, and tradition.

  • 26 July: Guests may participate in a symbolic swim across the channel connecting the two islands, representing unity and freedom. The day continues with a Maldivian Culture Talk exploring traditions, language, and the significance of Independence Day, followed by a traditional Bodu Beru performance and beach bonfire under the stars.
  • 26–28 July: Three days of beachside “Fun Olympic Games” celebrate island spirit through friendly competition and laughter.
  • 25–31 July: Special dive and water sports promotions of up to 30% will be available. Offers include signature experiences such as diving the Rannamaari Shipwreck and snorkelling excursions with nurse sharks and stingrays.

The July programming forms part of the lead-up to Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru’s official 30th anniversary in September 2025. Each initiative reflects the resort’s founding philosophy: Embracing the Environment, Empowering People. Guests are invited to reconnect with nature, engage with Maldivian culture, and experience the true spirit of the Original Maldives.

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COMO Maalifushi and Cocoa Island join global tribute to women divers on 10th PADI Dive Day

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In celebration of the 10th anniversary of PADI Women’s Dive Day, COMO Maalifushi and COMO Cocoa Island will host dedicated dive experiences in tribute to the passion, resilience, and adventurous spirit of women divers worldwide. Scheduled for Saturday, 19 July 2025, this global initiative brings together divers in a united effort to increase female participation in scuba diving, while also promoting marine conservation and inclusivity beneath the waves.

On this date, both COMO properties in the Maldives will organise specially guided dives exclusively for certified female guests. These experiences offer participants the chance to explore the region’s thriving marine ecosystems and connect with a broader movement that champions gender inclusivity and environmental stewardship in the diving community.

Situated in the unspoilt waters of the Maldives, COMO Maalifushi provides access to a range of renowned dive sites, including coral gardens and manta ray cleaning stations. These underwater landscapes are ideal for divers seeking meaningful interactions with marine life in a setting of natural splendour.

Peter Nilsson, Managing Director of COMO Hotels and Resorts in the Maldives, commented, “At COMO, we are committed to empowering women not only on land but also beneath the surface of the ocean. PADI Women’s Dive Day gives us a platform to honour values such as inclusivity, passion, and marine conservation — all of which resonate strongly with our brand ethos. We are proud to create experiences that allow our guests to forge lasting connections with the natural world in transformative and memorable ways.”

At COMO Cocoa Island, participants can expect similarly enriching experiences, with access to gentle reef slopes, crystal-clear lagoons, and a diversity of marine life. Supported by expert marine guides, the dives are designed to be both empowering and educational, fostering a deeper appreciation of the ocean’s delicate balance.

First launched in 2015, PADI Women’s Dive Day has grown into the world’s largest celebration of women in diving. This year, both COMO resorts aim to inspire a new wave of female divers while reinforcing the importance of sustainability and unity beneath the surface.

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Netflix’s ‘All the Sharks’ puts global spotlight on tiger shark paradise in Maldives’ Fuvahmulah

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The first episode of Netflix’s new competition series All the Sharks is set in Fuvahmulah, Maldives — an island now confirmed by scientists as home to the largest documented aggregation of tiger sharks in the world.

The global series, which premiered Friday, follows four teams of marine experts racing to photograph the most shark species across six biodiverse marine locations. Its opening episode brings viewers into the waters of Fuvahmulah, a shark diving hotspot in the southern Maldives, where recent research has identified 239 individual tiger sharks over six years — more than any other single location globally.

A peer-reviewed study published earlier this year in Nature.com, led by Lennart Vossgaetter of the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research in Germany, used non-invasive photo identification to confirm Fuvahmulah’s ecological significance. Researchers found that adult female tiger sharks show strong site fidelity, remaining in the island’s warm, food-rich waters for extended periods during gestation.

The big picture: Science meets streaming in Fuvahmulah

Fuvahmulah, long renowned by divers for consistent encounters with tiger sharks, now features prominently in both marine research and global entertainment. The Netflix episode captures this extraordinary setting as part of a larger series spanning Japan, South Africa, the Galapagos, Australia and the Bahamas.

According to the study, Fuvahmulah’s waters — influenced by oceanic currents and lacking a surrounding atoll — provide ideal reproductive conditions for tiger sharks, particularly pregnant females. The research team documented the world’s highest number of individual tiger sharks identified in one confined marine area.

The scientists described Fuvahmulah as a “bright spot” for tiger shark conservation in the Indian Ocean, bolstered by the Maldives’ national shark sanctuary status.

Zoom in: A friendly global shark race

All the Sharks follows four two-person teams — Shark Docs, Gills Gone Wild, British Bait Off and Land Sharks — competing to photograph the most and rarest shark species at each location.

The series is hosted by Tom “The Blowfish” Hird, a marine biologist known for his dramatic delivery and braided pirate-style beard.

Points are awarded based on species rarity, with the season’s top team winning US$50,000 for a marine conservation charity of their choice.

Though the show leans on reality TV conventions, its content remains grounded in ocean science and conservation. Fuvahmulah’s inclusion in the series serves as both a dramatic setting and an educational entry point into the world of shark biology and environmental protection.

Details: Unregulated tourism meets scientific concern

The Nature.com study also raised concerns about the rapid growth of shark tourism in Fuvahmulah, particularly at the island’s famed “Tiger Harbour.” While tourism provides a major economic boost for the island, shark provisioning and diving currently remain unregulated, with no official national guidelines.

The researchers warned that the absence of regulation — including standardised safety measures and environmental practices — could jeopardise both shark welfare and the long-term viability of the tourism industry.

They pointed to successful models in countries like Fiji, where community-managed marine protected areas (MPAs) have been implemented to balance economic activity with ecological sustainability. The study recommended similar frameworks for the Maldives, calling for inclusive stakeholder management plans to ensure responsible ecotourism in one of the world’s most important shark sanctuaries.

Why it matters: Maldives in the global spotlight

The series premiere and the scientific findings together shine a global spotlight on the Maldives’ critical role in shark conservation. As the world celebrates 50 years since Jaws and enters another summer of shark-themed content, All the Sharks provides a rare blend of adventure, education and scientific relevance.

The show includes conservation graphics detailing the biology and threatened status of each shark species, shifting the narrative from fear to appreciation. For viewers — and for the Maldives — the message is clear: these apex predators are essential to ocean health and worthy of protection.

The bottom line: Fuvahmulah is both spectacle and sanctuary

As All the Sharks captures the thrill of underwater discovery, Fuvahmulah emerges not only as a top-tier dive destination but as one of the most ecologically important shark habitats in the world. With Netflix bringing its waters to millions of viewers and science affirming its global conservation value, the moment calls for action — to protect, to regulate and to preserve this unique corner of the Maldives for generations to come.

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