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

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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.

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Sun Siyam Olhuveli invests in staff wellbeing with upgraded sports facilities

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Sun Siyam Olhuveli has unveiled newly upgraded volleyball and futsal grounds for team members, reaffirming its commitment to employee wellbeing while advancing responsible, future-focused operations. The renovated volleyball grounds were officially inaugurated on 14 February, while the upgraded futsal ground opened earlier this year—together creating dedicated spaces for recreation, connection, and healthy competition across the island.

Designed to encourage regular physical activity and camaraderie beyond the workplace, the improved sports facilities represent a thoughtful investment in social infrastructure. They reflect a belief that wellbeing is fundamental to long-term performance, nurturing morale, teamwork, and a strong sense of belonging among team members.

Alongside these developments, the resort has implemented NO BIN DAY every Tuesday, a practical initiative aimed at minimising food waste across operations. By encouraging mindful planning and responsible consumption, the initiative challenges teams to rethink habits around food—transforming sustainability into a shared, everyday discipline.

“Taking care of our people and the environment must go hand in hand. By investing in spaces that support our team’s wellbeing and introducing simple disciplines like NO BIN DAY, we are building a culture where responsibility is lived every day—naturally, collectively, and with purpose,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli.

Both initiatives form part of Sun Siyam Care, the group’s corporate social responsibility platform, and align with the Social Infrastructure and Responsible Consumption and Production pillars under the GDS framework. Together, they reflect a people-first approach to sustainability—where everyday actions create lasting impact for teams, operations, and the wider community.

Sun Siyam Care is committed to creating a positive impact for people, communities, and the environment through responsible operations, social investment, and long-term sustainability actions across its destinations in the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Guests are encouraged to learn more about these initiatives by visiting the Sun Siyam Care website at sunsiyam.com/sun-siyam-care.

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Sheraton Maldives Full Moon celebrates sixth anniversary of Reefscapers collaboration

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Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa marks the sixth anniversary of its partnership with Reefscapers on February 19, 2026, reaffirming its commitment to protecting and restoring the Maldives’ fragile reef ecosystems. Since launching the partnership in 2020, the resort and Reefscapers have worked together to restore coral habitats, support marine biodiversity, and engage guests in meaningful conservation experiences. The milestone also marks one year since the successful relocation of approximately five tons of coral to the resort’s house reefs — one of the partnership’s most significant conservation initiatives.

Over the past six years, the partnership has become a defining pillar of the resort’s sustainability journey, blending scientific restoration with purposeful guest engagement. To date, the initiative has resulted in the planting of 898 coral frames, supporting approximately 33,000 coral colonies now growing across the restoration sites. Through coral propagation, reef monitoring, and awareness programmes, these efforts continue to regenerate reef structures while deepening understanding of the essential role coral ecosystems play in sustaining marine life and protecting coastlines. Each thriving coral frame reflects a shared dedication to preserving the natural wonders that make the Maldives one of the world’s most extraordinary marine destinations.

“What makes this partnership special is seeing how small, consistent actions turn into real change underwater. Watching the relocated corals settle, survive, and begin to grow over the past year has been incredibly rewarding for us and the guests who return and witness how they’ve helped restore a living reef,” shares Katelyn, the resort’s Marine Biologist.

A defining achievement of the collaboration has been the coral relocation project, which carefully transferred coral colonies from Ras Malé, also known as the Maldives Eco City, to the resort’s dedicated restoration site, safeguarding them from potential threats linked to land reclamation activities in the Fushi Dhiggaru Lagoon. One year on, these corals continue to flourish beneath the surface, strengthening reef resilience and contributing to the long-term health of the surrounding ecosystem.

At the heart of the partnership lies the resort’s Adopt a Coral programme, part of the Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy initiative, which encourages guests to travel with intention through meaningful environmental experiences. Through this hands-on activity, visitors can adopt and name a coral frame while learning directly from marine experts about coral ecology and the importance of protecting marine habitats.

To deepen this connection beyond the stay, guests receive growth updates on their adopted corals every six months, allowing them to follow the progress of their living contribution to the reef. As these corals grow over time, they become enduring symbols of renewal and shared responsibility, transforming a holiday memory into a lasting environmental legacy, and reflecting how travel can positively support local ecosystems and communities.

“Our island is surrounded by a remarkable marine environment, and protecting it is a responsibility we take seriously. Our partnership with Reefscapers reflects our belief that hospitality should go hand in hand with stewardship. Seeing the reef restoration progress over the past six years, and the involvement of our guests and associates in that journey, makes this anniversary especially meaningful for all of us,” comments Greg Allan, General Manager of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa.

Through its continued collaboration with Reefscapers, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa remains dedicated to advancing marine conservation while creating purposeful guest experiences rooted in sustainability, education, and connection to nature.

To discover more about the resort’s sustainability initiatives, join the Adopt a Coral programme, or plan a stay that supports reef conservation, visit sheratonmaldives.com or contact the reservations team at Sheraton.Maldives@sheraton.com.

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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef unveils expanded marine excursion portfolio

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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Sun Siyam Privé Collection, has introduced an expanded portfolio of water-based experiences designed to showcase the natural environment and marine life of the surrounding atolls. The enhanced programme combines exploration, activity and moments of calm, offering guests new ways to experience the Maldives through curated ocean journeys and personalised excursions.

Building on established activities such as Jet Car rides, SeaBob adventures and windsurfing, the resort has expanded its watersports offering to include private speedboat journeys and bespoke marine experiences. These additions are tailored for small groups seeking intimate and meaningful encounters with the ocean.

Available daily from the resort’s Watersports Centre, the new private speedboat excursions provide a personalised way to explore the hidden marine sites of Dhaalu Atoll. Designed for one to four guests, each journey offers flexibility and individual attention. Guests may choose from four-hour, five-hour or full-day itineraries, all of which include a freshly prepared barbecue lunch. From coral gardens to secluded sandbanks, the excursions highlight the region’s diverse marine landscapes.

The programme’s centrepiece is the Full Day Adventure Trip, which offers an extended exploration of key marine locations. Highlights include the Coral Garden, known for its biodiversity and reef formations; Turtle Point, where sea turtles are frequently sighted; and Nurse Shark Point, which provides opportunities to observe nurse sharks in their natural environment. The experience concludes with a beachside lunch on a private sandbank, set against uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean.

For guests seeking a balance between activity and relaxation, the Waves of Adventure and Calmness experience combines a private two-hour snorkelling safari or Jet Ski safari with a full-body massage at the resort. The programme is designed to transition smoothly from ocean exploration to restorative island time, reflecting the relaxed pace that characterises Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.

As part of the Sun Siyam Privé Collection, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef continues to focus on personalised service and experiences rooted in the natural setting of the Maldives. Through its expanded watersports offering, the resort invites guests to engage with the marine environment while enjoying a sense of privacy, discovery and connection to the Maldivian seascape.

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