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Adduan returns to his roots to lead Equator Village Resort

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Waheed Maldives.net.mv – When he was 24, Mohamed Waheed of Feydhoo, Addu City, made a trip that thousands of people from his southern atoll home have made before him: he got on a boat and sailed for Male’.

The capital’s economic heft has drawn Maldivians from across the archipelago for generations – something that Male’s rampant overcrowding can attest. Once people make the trip to Male’, they normally stay there. But bucking this trend, Waheed has returned home.

On 1 September, he was appointed as Resort Manager at Equator Village in Gan. Waheed has joined an elite club of Maldivians who have worked their way up the career ladder to the rank of resort manager – the most senior position in any hotel.

Waheed started his career as a trainee receptionist at Villingili Beach Resort in 1986 before the island was converted from a resort into a suburb island of Male’. He then held numerous positions in resorts, rising to become Front Office Manager, then Assistant Manager and finally Assistant Resort Manager at Summer Island Maldives.

Kaimoo resorts, which own both Summer Island Maldives and Equator Village, then offered Waheed his dream job: as Resort Manager back home in Addu.

Commenting on his new job, Mohamed Waheed said: “It’s such a privilege to return to Addu as a resort manager, more than 30 years since I left home. I hope other Maldivians, who have left their homes for Male’, also think about returning to help develop and improve their home islands. 

“Addu has so much potential, especially in tourism: the atoll has Maldives’ best diving and you can explore the atoll on a bicycle thanks to the link road. I’m really looking forward to managing Equator Village and building on its success.”

Commenting on the appointment, Mohamed Manih Ahmed, Managing Director of Kaimoo THS Group said: “Mr. Waheed has been a mainstay at Summer with two decades of distinguished service, and I understand his absence would be significantly felt on the island. I offer our congratulations. I am sure he will bring the same enthusiasm, dedication and vigour he has displayed at Summer to Equator.”

Equator Village is located in Gan, an island with an interesting colonial history. From 1956 – 1976 Gan was a British Royal Air Force Base, and many British servicemen and women who served there often return to the island to visit. They nearly always stay at Equator Village.

The resort is located in what used to be the RAF Sergeant’s Mess, and the hotel’s grounds still retain a unique colonial charm, with large trees, manicured lawns and English-style flower gardens.

Addu’s appeal isn’t just history, though: the diving here is some of the best in the Maldives. The Atoll’s best dive spot is arguably a shipwreck called British Loyalty. It was a fuel tanker that was attacked by the Germans during the Second World War. The ship’s sinking was the only known attack in the Maldives for the war’s duration. The unexplored caves, all year round manta ray sighting makes Addu one of the most spectacular dive atolls in the Maldives.

Addu also allows tourists to cycle from island to island via the link road, offering them a unique opportunity to experience Maldivian towns and villages, as well as go off the beaten track and seek out deserted beaches. Addu’s “Eedhigali Kilhi”, one of the largest mangroves in the Maldives is an environmentally protected area and a beautiful area for bird watching. Equator Village offers bicycles for guests to explore the atoll.

Today, the Equator Village has 78 spacious, simple and garden view bungalows. The hotel has a restaurant, poolside bar and a large swimming pool that overlooks the ocean. A wide variety of activities are available including squash, table tennis, tennis, and live music. The Serena Spa offers a wide selection of aromatic oils and wellness packages are available to sooth your mind and body.

 

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NH Maldives Kuda Rah celebrates World Ocean Day through hands-on marine conservation

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In celebration of World Ocean Day on June 8th, NH Maldives Kuda Rah hosted a series of impactful environmental activities to protect and restore the surrounding marine ecosystems. The initiatives brought together guests, team members, and expert partners to actively preserve the natural beauty of our surroundings.

The day began with a collaborative Lagoon Cleaning Activity. Guests and resort teamed up with the resort’s dive centre, Dive & Sail Maldives to carefully clear the surrounding waters of debris. This joint effort ensures that the local house reef and lagoon remain a pristine and thriving habitat for marine life.

Following the clean-up, participants gathered at the Watersports beach for an interactive Coral Planting event. Earlier that morning, the marine team safely collected viable coral fragments from a nearby reef. During the event, guests had the unique opportunity to attach these rescued corals to metal pyramid frames. Once completed, the coral frames were submerged and placed into the resort’s expanding coral regeneration garden, creating a living legacy that will help to sustain a vibrant local ecosystem and enhance the liveliness of our house reef.

“We want to extend a huge thank you to Dive and Sail Maldives, our passionate staff , and the wonderful guests who participated in these events,” says the resort management. “Together, we are making a meaningful difference in preserving the underwater paradise of the Maldives for future generations.”

Through the “Live Local” initiative with Minor DISCOVERY, NH Hotels & Resorts brings authentic local experiences to every stay.

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Four Seasons Maldives brings sporting legends and explorers together for summer programme

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This summer, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives introduces an extraordinary new chapter in family travel: Learn with Legends. Running from July 20 to August 31, 2026, this next-generation summer camp brings together families and world-class mentors in a complimentary program of workshops, coaching sessions and guided adventures.

At the heart of the experience is a growing line-up of celebrated figures from sport, adventure and environmental science, each bringing their expertise, stories and energy to the islands.

The program unfolds across the distinct yet complementary islands of Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa. Here, expert coaching across football, surfing, mixed martial arts and conservation blends with immersive island living, offering a balance of activity, discovery and relaxed evening gatherings.

Designed to nurture confidence, curiosity and a sense of global connection, the summer camp creates an environment where learning feels natural and joyfully unforced; passions are sparked, perspectives broadened, and memories created to last far beyond the summer.

Where Legends Lead

The first wave of confirmed mentors includes former German captain Arne Friedrich, former England captain Casey Stoney, England centurion Jill Scott and championship-winning English midfielder Steve Sidwell, who will lead football sessions at Landaa Giraavaru. At Kuda Huraa, former elite professional surfer and world-class coach Ross Williams will be joined by South African former Championship Tour surfer Travis Logie, bringing technical insight and ocean energy to the waves.

Across martial arts and movement, Angela Lee Pucci, former six-time world champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, joins at Landaa Giraavaru alongside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and coach Bruno Pucci. Leo Vieira, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pioneer and multiple-time world champion, leads sessions at Kuda Huraa, while Indian Shaolin monk and Kung Fu master Hurssh Verma and national Kungfu champion Guo Jing bring discipline, philosophy and movement to both islands.

Award-winning filmmaker and ocean storyteller Craig Foster, best known for My Octopus Teacher, and world-record explorer Ash Dykes will join both resorts, sharing rare perspectives on the natural world through storytelling and field-based exploration. At Landaa Giraavaru, oceanographer Dr Phil Hosegood will bring added scientific depth through marine research and ocean-focused discovery.

With just a few more legends due to be announced, stay tuned for further updates or visit the website for more information.

Two Islands, Infinite Possibilities

The program comprises a complimentary schedule of workshops, coaching sessions and guided adventures, with select experiences offered in limited numbers and subject to availability. Young guests can gain pro-level insights from an ex-England football captain, ride waves with an elite former Championship Tour surfer, master techniques with a multiple-time Jiu-Jitsu Champion, and join field trips with an award-winning ocean storyteller.

For those seeking a more tailored experience, private one-to-one coaching sessions are also available, subject to availability and additional charge.

Inspiration at the Highest Level

“Learn with Legends offers a fresh perspective in luxury family travel, where world-class talent, meaningful experiences and exceptional surroundings come together to create something truly transformative,” says Armando Kraenzlin, Regional Vice President of Four Seasons Resorts Maldives. “What makes this program so powerful is the human connection: guests aren’t simply learning skills and participating in activities. They are engaging with some of the world’s leading figures in their fields and accessing high-level inspiration that will resonate well beyond their stay.”

Stay Longer Offer

Families can make the most of the summer with the Stay Longer offer at Kuda Huraa and Landaa Giraavaru. Guests receive a complimentary fifth night with every four consecutive paid nights, daily breakfast for two, one dinner for two at a choice of restaurants, and a shared island adventure, choosing between a Dolphin Cruise or Sunset Fishing. For stays during the Maldives Summer Camp, the offer adds even more reason to linger, with access to a complimentary daily program of coaching sessions, workshops and guided activities led by global figures across sport, movement and conservation, subject to availability.

For more information, please visit the official website.

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Riteish Deshmukh and family discover the best of island life at Centara Maldives

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Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh and his family recently swapped the rush of city life for sun drenched days and turquoise waters in the Maldives, enjoying a vibrant escape across Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives and Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives.

Set within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, the two resorts offered a contrasting yet perfectly balanced experience. One delivered refined island luxury and calm elegance, while the other brought vibrant energy, family fun and an imaginative underwater inspired setting. Together, they created a seamless journey of relaxation and adventure.

From thrilling marine encounters to relaxed island moments, Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia Deshmukh, their children and family immersed themselves in it all. Their days were filled with snorkelling across vibrant reefs, glass kayaking over crystal clear waters, seabob rides, jet ski adventures, and semi submarine explorations. Evenings brought a different rhythm with cinema under the stars, hands on Thai cooking experiences, and scuba diving moments that added to the sense of discovery.

The culinary experiences added another layer to the journey, with floating breakfasts, teppanyaki dining and a variety of flavours across Thai, Mediterranean, Italian and international cuisines, turning every meal into a memorable part of the stay.

Sharing his experience, Riteish Deshmukh said, “The Maldives gave us the most incredible family experience and Centara made it even better. This was a break we had been planning for a while and it turned into something truly special. The kids were constantly engaged with all the activities and there was never a dull moment in the best way possible. It had everything from fun and adventure to relaxation and quality family time. We cannot wait to return to Centara Grand Lagoon and Centara Mirage Lagoon soon.”

A celebration of laughter, discovery and togetherness, the Deshmukh family’s Maldivian escape reflects a simple truth that the best journeys are the ones that become lasting memories.

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