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Sail Maldives yacht rally… Biggest sailing event in the Indian Ocean!

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Maldives.net.mv – Entries are now open for the first edition of the Sail Maldives yacht rally – one of the most exciting events the Maldives has ever seen – and organisers are inviting potential sponsors to get involved.

The whole country is gearing up to welcome participants from around the world. It will be the largest mass-participation event in Maldivian history, with Maldivians across the length of the entire country getting involved.

Sail Maldives will also help to propel the Maldives into the international yachting scene – a lucrative luxury tourism sector which has been somewhat side-lined until now in the Maldives.

The event is being covered by the international media, which gives Maldivian businesses a unique opportunity to showcase their brands to a global audience. As such, Sail Maldives is inviting Maldivian businesses to discuss sponsorship options with them.

The event already has the support of Maldivian authorities including the police, customs service, immigration and coastguard, without which this event would be impossible to coordinate.

sail-maldives-1The north-to-south rally, which takes over a month to complete, commences on 20th January 2017 at Uligamu in Haa Alif Atoll. Participants will stop at various islands along the way and there will be scheduled stops at checkpoints including in Baa Atoll before the vessels continue south, crossing the equator via the Zero Degree Channel. The rally concludes in Addu Atoll.

Sail Maldives participants will be chartering one of the ancient Spice Routes used by traders since as long ago as 2,000BC. As such, the Maldives has a rich history of welcoming seafarers as well as celebrating its own unique island traditions. This is something reflected in the Sail Maldives programme. Each checkpoint the participants stop at is hosting a festival, which includes bodu beru and other cultural shows.

This will give everyone taking part in Sail Maldives a unique opportunity to experience the ‘true’ Maldivian culture.  And importantly, it also gives Maldivians on islands across the country a chance to directly benefit from this event, with rally participants depending on services such as grocery supplies, laundry services, mechanical repairs and boating equipment. In addition, the rally is anticipated to attract an influx of spectators who will be in demand of guesthouse and resort accommodation along the rally route.

Organised excursions will be laid on for rally participants including snorkelling trips and scuba diving. Marking the conclusion of the rally, the Ocean Festival in Addu City will include beach games, and the official launch of Beach Golf in the Maldives.

 The rally will take around 45 days. It is being organised by a Maldivian company which specialises in bespoke travel and tourism services, Luxury Collections, in cooperation with the local authorities and island communities.

sail-maldives-1Luxury Collections CEO & Founder, Adeel Ahmed, said: “This is going to be the biggest mass-participation event in the Maldives, involving people from north to south of the Maldives. It’s a unique opportunity for small and medium-sized business owners in the Maldives, as well as larger corporations, to get involved.

“People on islands along the route, such as grocery store owners and mechanics; they can all benefit from this. And we’re inviting companies to take the unique opportunity to sponsor us, thereby getting their brand seen by an international audience as well as the local audience.

“It will also open a window into a world which most foreigners don’t usually get to see; our rich Maldivian culture. We have a unique culture and identity which we are proud of and happy to share with the rest of the world. Maldivians are known for their friendliness and warmth and we are looking forward to welcoming participants from all around the world.”

Sarah Harvey, Director of PR & Marketing, added: “Sail Maldives is an incredibly exciting project for everyone to get involved with. We’ll not only be making history, but also this is a very lucrative sector of the tourism industry which is ripe for development. There are all kinds of new opportunities for all sectors of Maldivian society to get involved, whether as a sponsor, a goods and services supplier, a performer, or as a spectator!”

For more information visit www.sailmaldives.net

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Photo courtesy Sail Maldives

 

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W Maldives brings fast-growing sport of padel to the island

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W Maldives has introduced the FIT Padel Court, a dynamic open-air sporting space that brings one of the world’s fastest-growingsports to the island in signature W style.

Set within the resort’s lush greenery, the FIT Padel Court is more than just a game. Designed as both a sporting arena and social hub, it welcomes beginners and seasoned players alike to rally, connect, and compete in an effortlessly vibrant setting. Open daily and availablefor private bookings, the court brings a fresh rhythm to island days, blending movement with moments that matter.

Elevating the experience further, the resort’s FIT team completed an intensive training with the Asia Pacific Padel Academy (APPA), the region’s leading institution for padel education and coach development. Designed to sharpen both technical precision and on-court strategy, the program ensures that every guest interaction is guided by knowledge, confidence, and an intuitive understanding of the game.

Led by a certified coach and national athlete, Karyn Emeralda, the training immersed the team in the fundamentals of technique, tactical play, and smart positioning, equipping them to deliver engaging, high-quality sessions tailored to every level. From first-time players discovering the sport to those looking to refine their edge, guests can now tap into beginner-friendly sessions and social matches designed to spark both skill and connection.

“Padel is more than a sport, it is a social movement, and we are excited to bring that energy to the island,” said Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives. “With the launch of the FIT Padel Court and a team trained to guide and inspire, we are creating an experience that is equal parts playful, dynamic, and elevated. It is about giving our guests new ways to move, connect and feel the pulse of the destination.”

As part of W Maldives’ ever-evolvingapproach to fitness and lifestyle, the FIT Padel Court reflects a broader commitment to experiences that are immersive, social, and distinctly of the moment. Here, every serve is set against a soundtrack of ocean waves, every match unfolds under Maldivianskies, and every guest is invited to play their way.

For those looking to extend the experience, the Original Wave maker package offers the perfect invitation to stay longer and dive deeper. With a minimum stay of four nights, the package includes seaplane transfers and a half-board meal plan for two adults, ensuring a seamless and elevated island getaway.

For more information, visit www.wmaldives.com or connect with the resort’s team at reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.

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Grand Park Kodhipparu celebrates nine years with immersive summer campaign

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Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives marks its ninth anniversary with the launch of Summer Lagoon Living—a new seasonal campaign inspired by longer stays, meaningful connection, vibrant marine life and a slower rhythm of island living.

Designed to celebrate the soulful side of summer in the Maldives, the campaign repositions the season as a time for deeper experiences, restorative travel and immersive island living.

The celebration is intentionally timed to include World Oceans Day, as the campaign also reflects the resort’s continued commitment to ocean conservation and the protection of the house reef that has become central to the guest experience over the past nine years. Throughout the campaign, guests will also be encouraged to engage more consciously with the marine world surrounding the island, reinforcing the importance of protecting fragile reef ecosystems for future generations.

Summer Lagoon Living introduces a special anniversary stay featuring the ‘Every Third Night OnUs’offer, inviting both returning guests and first-time visitors to spend more time immersed in the lagoon lifestyle that defines the resort experience. Valid for new bookings with stays through to the end of October 2026, the offer has been intentionally designed to encourage greater flexibility for travellers seeking either shorter regional escapes or longer, more restorative island journeys.

Set just 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives has evolved over the past nine years into one of the Maldives’ most recognised boutique island resorts—known for its contemporary overwater villas, award-nominated spa and restaurants, vibrant house reef and thoughtful approach to modern luxury hospitality.

The anniversary season also arrives as the resort awaits the results of multiple international travel award nominations recognising its boutique resort experience, vibrant house reef, award-nominated spa and restaurants, water villa stays and evolving philosophy of Connected Island Luxury.

“Our ninth anniversary feels especially meaningful because we are not only celebrating the journey of the resort itself, but also how luxury travel has evolved over that same time,” says General Manager, Raffaele Solferino.

“I have had the privilege of being part of Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives since before the island welcomed its very first guests in 2017. Over the years, we have seen travellers increasingly seek something more intentional—experiences that create emotional value, genuine connection and a sense of wellbeing, rather than luxury defined purely by excess. Today, our vision of Connected Island Luxury reflects that evolution. It is about helping guests leave feeling better than when they arrived, while remaining deeply connected to the extraordinary natural environment surrounding the island—especially the ocean and house reef that make this destination so special.”

Throughout the Summer Lagoon Living season, guests will discover curated experiences inspired by island life at its most relaxed and immersive—from reef snorkelling and ocean adventures to sunset dining, wellness rituals, beach cinema evenings and moments designed to reconnect guests with both themselves and the natural beauty of the Maldives.

The resort’s house reef continues to play a central role within the campaign narrative, particularly as summer months in the Maldives are often associated with richer marine encounters, including turtles, reef sharks and stingrays frequently spotted close to shore and directly from many of the villas.

Flexible Island Escapes Through October 2026

“As travel patterns continue to evolve, we wanted to create an offer that provides guests with greater flexibility around how they choose to experience the Maldives,” says Director of Marketing Liz Smailes.

“The structure of the offer allows guests to extend their stay in a way that feels natural and rewarding. Because the offer can be repeated throughout the same reservation, it works equally well for both short-haul breaks and long-haul travel over six nights or more.”

As summer unfolds across the Maldives, Summer Lagoon Living positions the season not as an off-peak alternative, but as one of the most visually cinematic, emotionally restorative and naturally vibrant times to experience island life—where slower days, richer marine encounters and meaningful moments take centre stage.

Celebrate Summer in the Maldives

Designed for forward planning, Every Third Night On Us provides both immediate value and future flexibility, allowing travellers to secure more time, more experiences and a slower rhythm of island living well in advance.

For more information and bookings, please visit the resort’s website.

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Centara Ras Fushi Maldives offers relaxed daycation with dining and watersports

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Located in North Malé Atoll, just a short speedboat journey from Velana International Airport, Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, an adults-only resort, has introduced a day escape shaped by turquoise waters, ocean breezes, and uninterrupted time together. Designed for those seeking a relaxed island setting away from the everyday, this adults-only daycation experience blends dining, leisure, and oceanfront indulgence into one seamless escape.

From the moment you arrive, the island unfolds at its own gentle rhythm. Spend the day moving between crystal-clear lagoons, beachfront moments, and shared dining experiences, while unlimited special beverages and all-inclusive lunch and dinner create an effortless atmosphere of connection and celebration.

Beyond the shore, guests may explore the surrounding waters with snorkelling gear, non-motorised watersports, and selected water activities included throughout the experience. For groups of ten guests or more travelling together, a complimentary day-use villa provides a private space to relax, refresh, and unwind between moments by the sea.

The day visit experience is designed for those looking to gather, unwind, and experience the beauty of the Maldives through a day of relaxed island living. The package is priced at USD 150 net per person, with return speedboat transfers available at USD 99 net per person.

For reservations and further information, contact +960 797 6851 or alimo@chr.co.th.

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