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Carpe Diem Maldives introduces Learn to Dive cruises

Carpe Diem Maldives has introduced special cruises to learn diving, allowing travellers to the Maldives in 2018 to combine their PADI Open Water Diver certification with a week-long cruise onboard a luxury liveaboard.
For one week in July and a week in August, a seven-day cruise on Carpe Vita will be dedicated to 20 adventurous travellers looking to obtain their PADI Open Water Diver certification. Starting in capital Male and ending in the central Baa atoll, guests will experience the beauty of coral reefs and a myriad of fish starting from just three metres beneath the surface.
“With a destination that is surrounded 99 percent by water, Carpe Diem Maldives believes any traveller to the region should be in, on, or under the ocean to truly appreciate it’s beauty. Spending a week exploring different lagoons and reefs on board an award-winning luxury liveaboard cruise, complete novice scuba divers can now do this in style with Carpe Diem Maldives,” an announcement by the company read.

Dive equipment on Carpe Vita dive dhoni. PHOTO/ CARPE DIEM
The Learn to Dive cruise weeks begin with shallow and calm lagoon dives. With the fundamentals of diving firmly mastered, four open water dives on beautiful coral bedecked reefs will complete the certification.
Under the guidance of Carpe Diem’s expert Maldivian dive instructors, guests will learn the PADI Open Water theory in the briefing room on board Carpe Vita luxury cruise. Equipped with the latest dive gear, guests then step onto a dive dhoni for their first plunge into lagoon waters.
With increased confidence and applied theory, divers return to the main cruise vessel after each dive to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner on the upper deck. Around a long table, mealtimes quickly become an enthusiastic exchange of underwater observations and shared experiences.
“By the end of the week, novice divers will be confidently enjoying the mesmerising underwater world at 20 metres below the surface. Each of these special trips will also include a snorkelling visit to the region’s annual manta ray migration in Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll, a UNESCO protected marine biosphere area,” the announcement read.

A shallow reef in the Maldives. PHOTO/ CARPE DIEM
The two Learn To Dive cruises on Carpe Vita will run July 1-8, 2018 and August 26-September 2, 2018. Priced from USD 2,363 for the week, the package includes:
- Seven nights on board Carpe Vita
- Three meals daily, plus between-dive snacks
- PADI Open Water theory and practical training as well as certification
- Three dives daily (except for on day of arrival and day before departure)
- Use of tanks, weights and belts
- Dive mask, fins, dive computer and buoyancy control device
- Drinking water, tea and coffee
Participants of the Learn To Dive cruises can also combine their cruise with a resort stay in Raa atoll at the new Carpe Diem Beach Resort and Spa, opening July 2018. For cruise guests staying at the resort, three complimentary dives are included in the full-board stay package, making it the perfect opportunity to practice those certified dive skills on a thriving house reef.

A Beach Pool Villa at Carpe Diem Resort and Spa, opening July 2018. PHOTO/ CARPE DIEM
Since 2008, the award-winning hospitality group Carpe Diem Maldives has been operating luxury dive and surf liveaboard cruises, sharing the beauty of the Maldivian waters with adventurous travellers. Carpe Diem is the only liveaboard operator in the Maldives to offer diving adventures with a team of all-Maldivian dive masters.
With the expansion into resorts, Carpe Diem Maldives becomes the only hospitality brand in the country to offer year-round liveaboard cruises that can be combined with a resort stay.
The Maldives is continuously rated as one of the top diving destinations in the world by international dive publications and awards. Made up of 26 coral atolls and crossing the equator, roughly 1,200 islands are home to some of the most beautiful, thriving reefs of rare and common coral, attracting every kind of marine life.
Known internationally as one of the world’s best scuba diving destinations, the Maldives has an abundance of dive sites with one thrilling dive opportunity after another. The islands of the Maldives have consistently warm waters with outstanding visibility throughout the year, and consist of exhilarating dive sites such as vibrant thilas, exciting channels, coral-filled overhangs and fascinating wrecks.
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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands announces tennis workshops with Belinda Bencic

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is set to host an exclusive tennis exhibition this November, featuring WTA Tour Champion Belinda Bencic. The resort will offer guests an extraordinary weekend of tennis, including exhibition play and immersive workshops under the Maldivian sky.
This unique event is designed as a celebration of sport and community, allowing guests to engage with, learn from, and connect with the tennis star. The weekend will begin with a dynamic exhibition match between Belinda Bencic and the Resort Tennis Pro, which will be followed by complimentary participation for guests.
To provide guests with hands-on experience, the resort has scheduled dedicated workshops for different age groups:
- Adult Tennis Workshop: Saturday, 8 November 2025, from 5:15 PM to 6:30 PM.
- Children’s Tennis Workshop (under 14 years old): Sunday, 9 November 2025, from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
For those seeking a more personalised session, exclusive private classes with Belinda Bencic will be available upon request.
Availability:
- 10 to 15 November 2025.
Pricing:
- A 60-minute session costs USD 360 per guest.
A 60-minute session costs USD 390 per couple.
Guests interested in reservations or more information are encouraged to contact their Aris Meeha.
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OZEN LIFE MAADHOO debuts Wind Villa with Jacuzzi & Slide

OZEN LIFE MAADHOO has announced the introduction of its newest villa category, the Wind Villa with Jacuzzi & Slide, offering guests a playful yet luxurious twist to their Maldivian getaway. Designed for travellers seeking both relaxation and excitement, the new villa combines captivating ocean views with dynamic features for an unforgettable island experience.
Located at the edge of the island, the Wind Villa enjoys a prime sunrise position and includes a spacious bedroom with high ceilings, an elegant outdoor lounge, and direct access to the lagoon’s clear waters. The addition of a private Jacuzzi and waterslide adds an element of adventure and intimacy, ideal for couples or small families in search of both tranquillity and fun.
Guests can unwind on the sun-drenched deck, enjoy a soothing soak under the Maldivian skies, or take a refreshing slide into the turquoise lagoon, surrounded by the serene beauty of Maadhoo’s shimmering waters.
Stéphane Laguette, Chief Commercial Officer of Atmosphere Core, commented: “Imagining the children’s faces when they see for the first time the striking blue lagoon off the terrace and the bonus of sliding directly into the warm, calm waters below is a joy in itself. What’s even more delightful is the thought of adults embracing the same experience – sliding by day, then later cuddling beneath the starlit Maldivian sky in a hot Jacuzzi, bubbles all around – including in their flute glass! We are thrilled to introduce the Wind Villa with Jacuzzi & Slide, a fresh take on luxury that fuses private leisure with a sense of adventure. This new category reflects our commitment to creating memorable experiences for families and couples seeking a vibrant or romantic island retreat.”
The launch of the Wind Villa coincides with the upcoming holiday season and follows recent enhancements across the resort, including new pool additions to the Earth Villas. OZEN LIFE MAADHOO continues to evolve its offerings to elevate the guest experience.
With its contemporary design, luxurious comforts, and imaginative features, the Wind Villa with Jacuzzi & Slide offers a refreshing balance of indulgence and exhilaration—an experience that perfectly captures the resort’s philosophy of joyful island living.
Stay More & Pay Less with 20% savings when booking directly. These one-of-a-kind exclusive rates ensure a perfectly tailored Maldivian escape. Discover more at theozencollection.com.
Excursions
From first visit to thousand dives: Love story anchored at Bandos Maldives

Bandos Maldives recently marked a significant milestone with two of its most loyal guests, Kate and Andy, who have shared a long-standing connection with the island.
Andy achieved an impressive feat by completing his 900th dive, all undertaken with Dive Bandos. His wife, Kate, surpassed this accomplishment by reaching her 1000th dive, with over 900 of those dives also completed alongside the Bandos team.
The Dive Bandos team joined the couple in celebrating this memorable occasion, recognising not only their dedication to diving but also the enduring bond they have formed with the resort over the years.
Kate and Andy’s relationship with Bandos extends far beyond statistics. Having first visited the island in 2006, they have returned every year since, making Bandos an integral part of their lives. In 2014, the couple even chose to exchange their wedding vows underwater at the resort — a unique moment that forever linked their love story with Bandos.
“Celebrating guests like Kate and Andy reminds us of what Bandos truly represents,” said Ismail Rasheed, General Manager of Bandos Maldives.
For Bandos Maldives, moments such as these exemplify why guests continue to choose the island for both adventure and a sense of belonging. With stories like Kate and Andy’s, Bandos stands not merely as a dive destination, but as a home — both beneath and above the waves.
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