Connect with us

Action

British couple swims down the aisle for underwater wedding at Bandos Island Resort

Published

on

Bandos underwater wedding

Maldives.net.mv – Bandos Island Resort is only a few minutes away from the capital island by Speedboat. Surrounded by one of the best house reef in the atoll, Bandos is a major snorkeling attraction in Maldives, famous for the unique array of fish and corals that make appearances during all seasons.

British couple Kate and Andy have been visiting the Maldives for many years. This years visit would make it their 17th visit to the resort.

The day started off with Kate getting dressed as any other bride. Dressed in white, smiles from ear to ear, and looking absolutely stunning, she walked towards her husband – Andy. Both of them are keen divers and have described that they are ‘the happiest when we are underwater’.

I was on Dive boat with Kate and Andy. Though it would be the second time the couple would say ‘I do’ to each other, the Kate and Andy seemed as excited as a couple of teenagers, giggling, and laughing at their own private jokes. To be in the presence of true love, to be part of this beautiful union was like magic.

“ we wanted to celebrate our wedding with all our friends here in Bandos. Ramune (from the dive centre) flew to the UK to be my bridesmaid at our UK wedding, but we wanted to do something here as well. As diving is our passion it seemed right that we should have our wedding at underwater. After all that is one of the main reasons why we come to the Maldives so often to dive. underwater is where we are most relaxed. Our family and close friends celebrated with us in the UK, but we have close friends here in Bandos who joined us underwater to celebrate”
But the dress, the exquisite, gorgeous white dress. Any other bride would not be willing to get her dress wet.

“ I am not worried about not getting my dress wet. I purchased the dress especially for that reason- it has to be easy to swim in and relatively light weight and not to bulky so that my dive gear would go over the top. Being underwater is where we are both very happy, so it seemed a natural thing for us to do.”

And so under the water they went, along with the minister, and a small group of their closest friends from the resort.

Bandos underwater wedding

When the wedding was done with, they slowly came aboard once again, to head back to the island, for the cake-cutting ceremony. The couple were greeted at the beach by traditional Bodu Beru group, and a drink of Kurumba. Taking pictures, and laughing gaily, the couple walked to where the cake was set up.

Turquoise drapes made a beautiful tent where the cake and champagne were set up, and guests, and the staff of the resort clapped and cheered on loudly as they kissed once again, and fed each other cake. The sun shone brightly over head, and the sky azure, and the crystal clear lagoon made the perfect setting for a beach wedding celebration.
The staff of the resort seem to have a very special bond with this couple. I noticed little things like their way of communicating with Kate and Andy, the connection, the bond they had with the staff.

“ We have been coming to Bandos since 2006. This is our 17th visit here and we love the simple charm that Bandos offers. We have seen many changes over the years – the removal of the concrete path outside the standard rooms, the changes within the rooms themselves. we love that Bandos tries to remain true to its roots but offers a great service, that is not pretentious. Our favorite aspects of the island has to be the dive center, and also Sundowners.
Initially we came to Bandos in 2006 s the island we were normally staying in had closed for refurbishment. We do visit other resorts, but keep returning to Bandos for several reasons:
-The dive centre and house reef. The dive centre makes it easy straight forward diving. It has a very relaxed atmosphere and the associates there are very friendly and knowledgeable. The house reef is easily accessible and lovely to dive. You can see all sorts of fish, corals, and the reef changes from one dive to the next.
-the associates are always friendly – always smiling and nothing is too much trouble. We consider Bandos to be our second home. “

The resort don’t normally hold underwater weddings, but thanks to Kate and Andy, this would be the first of many underwater wedding celebrations to take place at the beautiful resort. And to Kate and Andy, I would like to wish them eternal happiness in their wedded bliss.

Action

Ifuru Island Maldives takes part in Burunu Boma sport fishing tournament 

Published

on

Ifuru Island Maldives has announced its participation in the inaugural Burunu Boma Sport Fishing Tournament, taking place from 2 to 4 May 2025. Organized by the Visit Maldives Club (VMC), this premier event aims to position the Maldives as a leading destination for sustainable sport fishing.

As one of the select resorts competing in this prestigious tournament, Team Ifuru Maldives will showcase its commitment to marine conservation and responsible tourism. The competition emphasizes “catch and release” practices, aligning with global efforts to preserve marine biodiversity.

Participants will target species such as marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, swordfish, and bigeye tuna, with a grand prize of USD 25,000 awarded to the top-performing team. The event also features live entertainment and a festive atmosphere, celebrating the Maldives’ rich fishing heritage.

“We are thrilled to be part of Burunu Boma and to represent Ifuru Island Maldives in this landmark event,” said Marcel Sawyer, General Manager at Ifuru Island Maldives. “Our participation underscores our dedication to sustainable practices and our passion for the ocean that surrounds us.”

Continue Reading

Action

Sirru Fen Fushi to host ‘One Ocean, One Breath’ with Freedive Maldives to mark World Oceans Day

Published

on

Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort, invites ocean lovers and adventure seekers to a purposeful World Oceans Day celebration in partnership with Freedive Maldives, Guinness World Record Holder for the Most People Performing Static Apnea held last October 2022.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of one of the largest natural lagoons and house reefs in the Maldives, the event promises a deep connection to the ocean through expert-led PADI Freediving courses, ranging from basic to advanced levels. Participants will have the opportunity to earn their freediving certification, explore Sirru’s 9-kilometer-long house reef, and admire vibrant marine biodiversity, including manta ray cleaning stations, nurse shark points, flourishing coral gardens, and turtle habitats, home to 93 resident turtles and 11 successful hatchings this year alone.

“Our house reef, one of the longest and most vibrant in the Maldives, is a sanctuary for marine life and a symbol of our deep commitment to ocean conservation,” said Lukasz Prendke, General Manager of Sirru Fen Fushi. “We are honoured to collaborate with Freedive Maldives in celebrating World Oceans Day, not only to offer our guests an unforgettable underwater journey, but also to empower local talents and inspire our community to protect what lies beneath the surface.”

The initiative aligns with the resort’s ongoing sustainability commitments, including regular lagoon cleaning programs and support for local marine conservation efforts. This collaboration further emphasizes a shared mission to preserve the Maldives’ rich underwater heritage and engage the local community in meaningful environmental action.

In a broader commitment to sustainable tourism, Freedive Maldives has also signed a partnership agreement with the Baa Atoll Council to host another record-breaking freediving event in October 2025, coinciding with World Tourism Day, reinforcing Baa Atoll’s position as a leader in eco-conscious marine tourism.

Continue Reading

Action

Napoli back on top of Serie A as De Laurentiis celebrates in Maldives

Published

on

Aurelio De Laurentiis, owner and chairman of SSC Napoli and one of Italy’s leading film producers, is celebrating his club’s return to the top of Serie A while holidaying in the Maldives.

Napoli secured a crucial 2–0 victory over Torino in the 34th round of the league, taking full advantage of Inter Milan’s 1–0 loss to Roma. With the win, Napoli now lead the table with 74 points, three points clear of Inter, with four matches remaining in the season.

Many had expected De Laurentiis to be present at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for such a pivotal match. However, according to Italian media reports, he remained in the Maldives. After the match, the Napoli president posted a message from afar, encouraging his team to stay composed during the decisive final stretch of the season: “Cool heads. Calm and steady. Forza Napoli Sempre!”

The radio station Kiss Kiss Napoli suggested that De Laurentiis’ decision to stay in the Maldives, distant from Italy, reflects his strategy of giving space to the team and coaching staff while firmly maintaining control over the club’s direction.

Following Napoli’s historic league triumph in 2023, their first in over three decades, the club endured a turbulent season marked by coaching changes and management instability. Many attributed last season’s struggles to the lack of continuity.

Determined to rebuild, De Laurentiis appointed Antonio Conte, a proven winner, as head coach ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, a move that is already delivering results.

As the race for the Scudetto intensifies, Napoli’s dream of winning a second title in three years remains very much alive, with De Laurentiis steering the course even from thousands of miles away.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.