Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa has confirmed Brazilian freesurfer Victor Bernardo for the 2026 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy, joining Mason Ho in a growing field of world-class athletes.

Returning to Sultans from September 4 to 11, 2026, the invitation-only contest brings six celebrated surfers to the North Malé Atoll to compete across single fin, twin fin and thruster divisions. The format places adaptability, creativity and board knowledge at the centre of the competition, with an overall champion crowned after three distinct eras of surfboard design have been put to the test.

For guests staying at Kuda Huraa, the Trophy offers close access to the competition and the athletes taking part. Sultans is reached within minutes of the resort, while the week extends beyond the heats through post-surf conversations, sunset gatherings and opportunities to experience the wider surf culture of the island.

Bernardo joins the field as one of contemporary surfing’s most accomplished all-round stylists. Known for moving comfortably between alternative boards and high-performance equipment, the 28-year-old has built a global reputation for fluid surfing, technical range and an instinctive understanding of how different boards shape a wave.

Whether threading tubes on a quad, drawing extended lines on a twin fin or producing powerful turns on a modern thruster, Bernardo’s approach makes him particularly suited to the Champions Trophy format.

“I surf different boards every day, and to me it’s the most fun thing in surfing,” said Bernardo. “To be in an event like this has always been my dream. I’m very excited for it.”

Born in Guarujá on Brazil’s São Paulo coastline, Bernardo first paddled out at four years old alongside his family. He spent more than a decade progressing through the professional ranks, winning the Oakley Pro Junior and establishing himself as one of Brazil’s leading competitive prospects.

In recent years, he has become one of surfing’s most respected freesurfers, earning recognition for his style, versatility and willingness to explore a broad range of surfboard designs. That range has made him a natural addition to an event where competitors must continually adjust their technique, equipment and approach. “I love that it’s very selective, and it seems to be an incredible experience,” Bernardo added. “I am honoured and excited.”

His invitation also carries a personal significance beyond the competition. “What I’m most excited about is bringing my mum on her first international trip, enjoying our time together and having fun.”

Held at the world-renowned right-hand break of Sultans, the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy combines elite competition with the freedom and experimentation of classic surfing. Its compact field, three-board format and island setting have helped distinguish it from conventional professional contests.

First staged in 2011, the Trophy has welcomed athletes including Mark Occhilupo, Taj Burrow, Josh Kerr, Kelly Slater, Joel Parkinson, Michel Bourez, Carissa Moore and Maya Gabeira. The 2025 edition saw Michel Bourez complete a comeback from injury to win the overall title, recording the event’s only perfect 10 along the way. With Bernardo now joining Mason Ho for 2026, the next edition is already taking shape as one of the most unpredictable in the event’s history.

Further competitors will be announced in the coming weeks, with updates shared through surfingchampionstrophy.com and the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa channels.

Where Champions Come to Surf

The Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy brings six invited athletes to Sultans to compete across single fin, twin fin and thruster divisions. Unlike a conventional surf contest, the format rewards the ability to interpret a wave through different boards, techniques and periods of surfing history.

The Garden-Island Base at Kuda Huraa

Located 25 minutes by speedboat from Malé, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa provides direct access to the surf breaks of the North Malé Atoll, supported by more than two decades of collaboration with Tropicsurf. During the Trophy, guests can follow the competition at Sultans, meet leading figures from the surf world and combine event access with coaching, wellness and island experiences.

To reserve a stay during the 2026 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy or enquire about the Surf’s Up package, contact reservations.mal@fourseasons.com or call +960 66 00 888.

Joy Island Maldives, part of The Cocoon Collection, has expanded its leisure offering with the launch of Joy Arcade, the resort’s first dedicated gaming room.

The new facility has been introduced as an indoor entertainment space where guests can play individually or with friends and family, adding another activity to the resort’s programme beyond the beach, lagoon and outdoor experiences.

Joy Arcade features four gaming stations built around simulation and virtual reality technology. The line-up includes a three-screen racing car simulator, equipped with a force-feedback steering wheel and pedals; VR Moto, a motion-based motorcycle simulator that moves in response to the virtual terrain; a 9D VR Platform, featuring two motion pods and a selection of adventure, horror and flight experiences; and VR Gun Shooting, which combines a headset with a motion-tracked controller and an in-room leaderboard.

The racing simulator accommodates one player at a time and is recommended for guests aged eight and above, while VR Moto is recommended for those aged 10 and above. The 9D VR Platform can accommodate up to two players and is recommended for guests aged six and above, while VR Gun Shooting is designed for one player at a time and recommended for ages eight and above.

The arcade operates daily from 10am to noon, 2pm to 6pm and 9pm to 11pm. Walk-in guests do not need to make an advance booking, with passes available from the arcade desk during operating hours.

Guests can choose from one-, two-, three- and four-hour Play Passes, as well as an Unlimited Day Pass. Each pass provides access to all four gaming stations, with the duration determining the amount of playing time available. The resort advises guests to check with the arcade desk for current pricing and any rates linked to resort or stay packages.

Joy Arcade is open to guests of all ages, although younger players may require a parent or guardian when using motion-based equipment. Headsets, controllers and safety equipment are provided and sanitised between uses. The room can also be booked for birthday parties and other events, with private sessions, party host assistance and refreshments available for groups.

The addition expands the range of recreational facilities at Joy Island, which positions activities as a central part of its guest experience. The resort also offers tennis and padel, fitness and wellness sessions, excursions, diving and water sports, while its Kids’ Club, Kiddie Cove, provides supervised activities for children aged three to 12.

Its Dive & Water Sports Centre offers activities including scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, jet skiing, parasailing, wakeboarding and waterskiing. Other experiences include dolphin cruises, fishing trips and marine excursions.

Joy Island is located in North Malé Atoll, around 40 kilometres from Velana International Airport and approximately 40 minutes away by speedboat. The resort has 151 villas, comprising 91 beach villas and 60 overwater villas, with accommodation options that include villas with private plunge pools. Interiors feature furnishings and design elements by Italian design company LAGO.

The resort also operates Oasis Spa, where treatments combine Eastern and Western wellness approaches, including Balinese massage, hot stone massage, aromatherapy and couples’ treatments. Its fitness programme includes yoga, Pilates, Zumba, aqua fitness, gym sessions, beach volleyball and racquet sports.

Joy Island’s food and beverage offering comprises three restaurants and a bar. The Market serves international cuisine through buffet and live cooking stations, while Il Basilico focuses on Italian dishes, including wood-fired pizza. Palm Beach offers beachfront dining, including seafood and grilled dishes, while Rainbow Bar, located beside the swimming pool, serves drinks throughout the day. The resort also offers destination dining experiences, including sandbank picnics, lagoon dinners, beach dinners and garden dining.

With Joy Arcade, the resort is adding an indoor gaming component to an activity programme that already spans water sports, diving, wellness, excursions, children’s activities and racquet sports, providing guests with an additional option for entertainment throughout their stay.

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has recorded its first green sea turtle hatchlings of the season, marking another important milestone in the island’s ongoing marine conservation efforts.

Located in Raa Atoll, Maamunagau is recognised as an important sea turtle nesting site, with 6 nests recorded on the island so far this year. While sea turtles nest throughout the year in the Maldives, June and July typically mark the peak nesting period in Raa Atoll. This season, the recorded nests have primarily belonged to green sea turtles, a species that remains protected in the Maldives.

The first hatchlings of the season emerged naturally on the evening of 22 July, approximately two months after the eggs were laid. Throughout the nesting season, the resort’s Marine Biology team monitors each nest and conducts research activities under approved conservation protocols, collecting valuable data to better understand local sea turtle populations and nesting patterns.

Through its partnership with The Manta Trust and collaboration with conservation partners including the Olive Ridley Project, InterContinental Maldives continues to contribute to marine research and conservation efforts in the Maldives. Each recorded nest provides important insights that support the protection of sea turtles and their habitats for future generations.

Guests are encouraged to experience these special moments responsibly, with hatchlings observed from a dis tance and artificial lighting minimised to allow them to make their natural journey towards the ocean.

As part of its commitment to protecting the surrounding marine environment, InterContinental Maldives continues to support conservation through research, education and responsible wildlife experiences, helping guests connect with the unique ecosystems of the Maldives.