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Six Senses Laamu opens new dive centre Deep Blue Divers
Six Senses Laamu has opened a new dive centre, Deep Blue Divers.
By creating Deep Blue Divers, which is owned and operated by the resort itself, Six Senses Laamu will offer guests premier diving experiences in the lively and colourful reefs surrounding the resort, and at the same time focus on enhancing guest awareness, appreciation and understanding of the marine environment.
“Deep Blue Divers will add value to our guests’ underwater experiences. With a very experienced and highly trained team of dive instructors and dive masters that can assist our guests in a variety of languages, in addition to the variety of courses and dive excursions, diving is now open for enjoyment by more guests. The Deep Blue Divers team is committed to sustainable diving practices and to raising awareness of marine conservation, while supporting the resort’s marine conservation and sustainability initiatives,” Marteyne van Well, General Manager of Six Senses Laamu, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
The international team at Deep Blue Divers is staffed by 10 dive instructors and dive masters who can speak a total of 10 languages, and who offer PADI courses and guide daily dive trips. The dive centre is certified by PADI and has received the PADI Green Star Award from its first month of operation.
Deep Blue Divers has also partnered with Project Aware who has listed them as 100 percent AWARE.
According to Six Senses Laamu, both these recognitions have followed the dive centre’s commitment to marine conservation and sustainable dive practices, which include the protection of marine life, no anchoring of boats, sustainable cleaning products, and continuous support to the resident marine team and to the research of the onsite team of the Manta Trust and the Blue Foundation.

Snorkelling equipment, including masks, fins and snorkels, is offered to all guests on a complimentary basis. The house reef is the most popular spot for snorkelers, as they can explore its busy marine life. Guests can also enter the water off the stairs of the Chill Bar and follow the reef slope.
Six Senses Laamu is surrounded by a large variety of coral reefs to which guests can dive, based on their level of dive experience. For beginners, the house reef is beautifully sloping with three pinnacles standing just a few metres away, and is home to the resident green turtles and many colourful reef fish.
Inner reefs are a 10 to 20 minute boat ride away, and each has its own unique features such as black coral walls, caves and anemone gardens. In the outer reefs, divers can cruise or drift along loping reef walls where friendly reef sharks and turtles usually pass by.
The larger marine life, such as grey reef sharks, eagle rays, huge schools of snappers, and barracudas reside in the channels. At Manta Point (also known as Hithadhoo Corner), there is a manta ray cleaning station just five minutes away from the resort. Here guests can observe the resident manta ray population all year round, along with reef sharks, turtles and a huge diversity of marine life. Both the channel and the Manta Point dives are recommended for experienced divers only.
For those who wish to learn how to dive with Deep Blue Divers, the dive centre offers PADI courses and Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver and Dive Master certification.
For younger adventurers who would like to explore the secrets and beauty of the underwater world, the Bubblemaker course is available for children between eight and 10 years, while the Discover Scuba Diving course is for children from 10 years and above.
A Nitrox specialty course along with a set of specific courses is also available such as the Manta Trust Specialty course, the Turtle and the Maldivian Shark and Ray course. For these courses, aside from diving, guests can learn more about these marine critters and how to protect them.
Six Senses Laamu is the only resort located in the Laamu atoll, which lies in the southern part of the Maldives. Surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the resort prides itself on its commitment to sustainable operations and development as outlined by Agenda 21 and Green Globe Benchmarking.
At Six Senses Laamu, most of the villas and facilities are built overwater. However, beach villas and on-land dining is an option. All villas offer a sense of privacy and seclusion, with an amazing view to the Ocean and Maldivian nature.
Six Senses Laamu offers a wide range of dining options, with cuisines from around the world, a swimming pool with a sunken bar, an ice cream parlour, an overwater wine cellar and a signature Chill bar. Many activities, excursions and options are available for everyone to enjoy, both overwater and underwater, in addition to the Six Senses Spa.
Excursions
Discover Raa Atoll: Ifuru Island Maldives adds new dive packages for 2026
Ifuru Island Maldives has introduced a new collection of curated dive packages, inviting guests to explore the exceptional underwater world of the Maldives through programmes designed for beginners, aspiring divers and certified enthusiasts alike.
Located in the pristine waters of Raa Atoll, Ifuru Island Maldives provides access to vibrant house reefs, calm lagoon conditions and several of the region’s most celebrated dive sites, including the renowned Ifuru Thila. The newly launched dive packages are crafted to combine professional training, guided exploration and the convenience of a premium island stay.
The collection begins with an introductory diving experience tailored for first-time divers seeking to discover the underwater world in a safe and relaxed setting. Guests undergo lagoon-based training before progressing to the house reef, offering an ideal entry point into scuba diving with no prior experience required.
For guests ready to advance further, the resort offers a globally recognised scuba certification course. Designed for confident swimmers and snorkellers, the programme includes professional instruction, open water dives and an internationally valid certification, opening access to dive destinations worldwide.
Certified divers can choose a three-day dive escape that highlights the best sites in Raa Atoll. Featuring guided morning dives across renowned locations, the experience showcases the atoll’s rich marine biodiversity, striking reef structures and clear waters.
“Diving is an essential part of the Maldivian experience, and we wanted to create a collection that feels both accessible and exceptional,” said Marcel Sawyer, General Manager of Ifuru Island Maldives. “Whether it marks a guest’s first dive or their next significant underwater journey, these packages are crafted to offer confidence, comfort and memorable experiences beneath the surface.”
All dive packages may be booked alongside the resort’s premium accommodation offerings, including the Exclusively Yours Premium All-Inclusive meal plan, daily resort touches, complimentary non-motorised water sports, snorkelling equipment and return domestic flight transfers for qualifying stays.
The dive packages are available for booking and travel throughout 2026 and must be confirmed ahead of arrival. Package rates apply in addition to accommodation and are subject to availability.
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Niyama Private Islands enhances surf lifestyle with stylish new surf venue
Niyama Private Islands Maldives now offers what is considered the most luxurious surf experience in the Maldives, enhanced by the introduction of its new Surf Shack — a stylish beachfront hangout serving gourmet bites, drinks, sunset views and lively parties.
Known as Nature’s Playground, the resort has long attracted surf professionals from around the globe. Located in the southern Maldives, where swells are at their strongest, it is a preferred base during peak surf season. Waves break directly on shore, with additional surf spots accessible within minutes by speedboat.
Niyama’s signature waves roll in at Vodi Point, situated on the westernmost tip of its twin islands. It is here that the resort has unveiled the new Surf Shack, designed to make time off the waves equally appealing. The thatched-roof venue encourages a barefoot, relaxed atmosphere, offering an upper deck for sunset viewing and picnic-style seating below. Reflecting Niyama’s sustainability ethos, Area Chief of Engineering Michael Patrick Slevin notes that 75 per cent of construction materials were repurposed, blending beach casual with environmentally conscious design.
Guests can enjoy gourmet dishes served from service windows, with a menu inspired by iconic surf destinations worldwide: Australian fish and chips, Indonesian satay, Mexican nachos and Japanese takoyaki. The drinks list pays tribute to rum, featuring an extensive collection and signature cocktails inspired by renowned surf breaks.
While the Surf Shack maintains a laidback feel during the day, the beachfront transforms at dusk as the tides shift and the DJ elevates the atmosphere. The resort’s rum and reggae Sundays have already become a celebrated weekly event.
Surfers at Niyama can design their days as they wish — chasing waves or relaxing ashore. The Surf Centre offers equipment and guidance, while Drift by Niyama provides recovery treatments to soothe muscles, repair sun-exposed skin and restore energy. Resident professional surfers remain available to advise on technique and wave conditions.
“The new Surf Shack forms part of the renewed Niyama experience, which includes significant refurbishments across the resort, inventive culinary additions and a greater emphasis on active living and wellness,” said Hafidh Al Busaidy, General Manager of Niyama Private Islands Maldives. “With more developments on the way, we look forward to sharing what comes next.”
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Reethi Faru Resort hosts Magda Linette ahead of new tennis season
Reethi Faru Resort recently welcomed Magda Linette, a Top 20 professional tennis player, who selected the island resort as her training retreat while preparing for the Australian Open and the forthcoming tennis season. Away from the competitive spotlight, Linette utilised the resort’s private and tranquil setting, where expansive beaches, clear lagoon waters, and discreet luxury provided an environment conducive to both focused preparation and recovery.
Throughout her stay, Linette combined intensive training sessions with periods of rest, making use of the resort’s calm surroundings and seclusion. The natural setting of the Maldives offered an effective backdrop for physical conditioning and mental focus, supporting her preparations ahead of the season’s first Grand Slam tournament.
Known for its emphasis on privacy, understated luxury, and an authentic island atmosphere, Reethi Faru Resort continues to attract elite athletes seeking a destination that supports peak performance while delivering a refined island experience. The resort extended its best wishes to Linette as she progresses through the upcoming tennis season.
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