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Carpe Diem Maldives collaborates with Scripps Institution on global 100 Island Challenge
Carpe Diem Maldives has announced plans to expand on its Dive with a Purpose marine conservation programme this September in collaboration with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in the US.
The Dive with a Purpose trip in September will initiate this collaboration with a week-long dive safari, replicating the methodology of the classical field surveys Scripps undertake, using innovative imaging and data technologies to archive reefs digitally and watch how populations change through time. Recreational divers joining the cruise will learn how to take their own reef images to recreate a virtual reality of the dive using special software.

Brian Zgliczynski
During the Dive with a Purpose week on Carpe Vita from September 9-16, Dr Brian Zgliczynski, Project Director of the 100 Island Challenge, will present to Carpe Diem’s guest divers the research work involved in the project and go diving with the Carpe Diem Maldives team and guests to lesser-known dive sites in Raa atoll as they accomplish conservation tasks.
“Our 100 Island Challenge team at Scripps Institution of Oceanography is excited to collaborate with Carpe Diem Maldives in efforts to learn more from the local coral reefs and to support management and conservation efforts in the region. Our team is consummately committed to supporting such efforts through sharing of best science and perspectives from locations worldwide. In pairing each of our efforts, we see an opportunity for the Maldives to join the global comparison of the 100 island challenge,” Professor Stuart Sandin, Director at the Centre for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (CMBC) of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
On reefs visited with Carpe Diem Cruises and on the house reef at Carpe Diem Beach Resort and Spa, coral reef science liaisons from Scripps will provide scientific context to coral reef observations through informational lectures, discussions and general conversations.
Introducing the 100 Island Challenge and establishing core sites of the 100 Island Challenge in the Raa atoll region of the resort, the September Dive with a Purpose programme will include an introduction to 3D imaging of coral reefs. The visiting scientists from Scripps will demonstrate use of 3D imaging within the context of the 100 Island Challenge, introduce workflow and approach for 3D imaging to guest divers, and create 3D models from guest-collected imagery, providing them with a 3D image as a take-home memento for participating in the dive with a purpose week.
“This collaboration with Scripps builds on the ground work we have done with various marine organisations over recent years in marine conservation and citizen science opportunities for our guests. The 100 Island Challenge is exciting for many reasons – the global participation, the quality and secured longevity of the research program and scientist involved, and we are thrilled to be making a relatively small yet significant contribution to global research. It’s meaningful for us, for our guest divers and of course, in the best interests of the environment,” Agnes van Linden, Assistant Managing Director at Carpe Diem Maldives, said.

Northern Marianas Islands, May 2014.
The 100 Island Challenge selects the locations taking a strategic approach, with an aim to capture the variability of environmental conditions that exist across modern coral reefs while assuring operational feasibility.
Starting in September this year, the reefs identified in Raa atoll will provide reliable and comparable data to complement existing research and management efforts among global partners. Scripps scientists will return in 2019 to complete the sampling and continue the research programme with Carpe Diem Maldives on the cruises and at the resort. With the professional and scientific sampling approach, the research results will contribute to a better understanding of the current state of coral reefs globally and provide invaluable insights into how and why the reefs are changing through time.
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.
The one week dive safari with Scripps runs from September 9-16 on Carpe Vita. The September Dive with a Purpose week includes:
- Seven nights on board Carpe Vita
- Three meals daily, plus between-dive snacks
- Three dives daily (except for on the day of arrival and day before departure)
- Talks by visiting scientists from Scripps 100 Island challenge team
- Use of tanks, weights and belts
- Dive mask and fins
- Drinking water, tea and coffee
Established in 2008, Carpe Diem showcases a collection of three luxury liveaboard cruises, each accommodating 20 guests at a time. Carpe Diem is renowned for delivering a sense of discovery and adventure while enriching guests’ knowledge. The Carpe Diem name has built significant brand recognition within the top echelons of the travel industry for diving and leisure, and is currently developing a resort in the Maldives.
For more information, please enquire with your local dive travel agent or direct with Carpe Diem Maldives at info@carpediemmaldives.com.
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Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives introduces indoor mini golf experience
Resort experiences are increasingly shaped by the need for flexibility, with guests seeking activities that can be enjoyed beyond peak sun hours, creating a natural demand for engaging indoor spaces and particularly in tropical destinations where brief, seasonal rain showers are part of the island rhythm.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives builds on this evolving guest preference with the introduction of its new 8-hole Indoor Mini Golf Centre, adding a playful and interactive dimension to the island’s leisure offering. The space was officially unveiled at a recent opening, where a guest was invited to mark the occasion, setting the tone for an experience centred around shared enjoyment and light-hearted moments.

The indoor mini golf course offers a relaxed, air-conditioned space where guests of all ages can take part, whether as a casual game between families, a friendly challenge among couples, or a fun addition to group stays. It provides a comfortable alternative to outdoor activities while maintaining the sense of energy and connection that defines time on the island, regardless of the weather.
The addition builds on the resort’s existing indoor facilities, including billiards, table tennis, and a dedicated kids’ playroom, creating a more rounded leisure experience that caters to different moods and moments. Outdoors, guests can continue to explore a wide range of activities, from beach volleyball and futsal to badminton, diving, and both motorised and non-motorised water sports.

As one of the first resorts in the area to introduce an indoor mini golf experience, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives continues to evolve its offerings in line with how guests choose to travel today, blending activity, comfort, and shared experiences in a setting designed for both relaxation and discovery.
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COMO Maalifushi highlights uncrowded surf access across southern atolls
COMO Maalifushi presents a considered approach to surfing in the Maldives—one shaped by access, expertise, and the quiet privilege of space.
Located in the remote Thaa Atoll, the resort offers entry to a network of lesser-travelled breaks across the southern atolls, where consistent Indian Ocean swells meet uncrowded line-ups. Here, surfing unfolds without urgency—guided by natural rhythm rather than routine.
At the core of the experience is COMO Maalifushi’s long-standing partnership with Tropicsurf, daily sessions are shaped by real-time ocean conditions, with coaching that adapts intuitively to each guest—whether taking to the water for the first time or refining technique across more complex reef formations.
Guests are given access to a curated selection of breaks across Thaa Atoll, Laamu Atoll and Dhaalu Atoll—each offering a distinct character. From the long, forgiving rides of Farms to the more technical, fast-moving rights of ‘Machine’, the programme is designed to evolve with both conditions and capability.
“Surfing at COMO Maalifushi is defined by its sense of space and possibility,” says Peter Nilsson, Managing Director, COMO Maldives. “Our location allows access to some of the Maldives’ most consistent yet uncrowded waves, and through our partnership with Tropicsurf, we’re able to offer an experience that is both highly personalised and quietly exceptional—true to COMO’s way of doing things.”
The season, which runs from April through October, brings steady swells from the southern Indian Ocean. Yet beyond seasonality, it is the absence of crowds that defines the experience—allowing guests to engage with the ocean on their own terms.
Surfing at COMO Maalifushi sits naturally within the wider rhythm of the island. Time in the water is balanced with restorative treatments at the COMO Shambhala Retreat, unhurried dining, and the simplicity of island life—creating a sense of flow between activity and stillness.
Here, surfing is guided with care, framed by nature, and experienced without excess.
For more information, please visit the resort’s website.
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Angsana Velavaru marks reopening of upgraded futsal ground
Angsana Velavaru has reopened its futsal facility as part of efforts to enhance guest experiences and staff engagement through sport and community activities.
The reopening ceremony was officiated by Dhaalu Atoll Council president Ahmed Shafiu and the resort’s general manager, Ahmed Zahir, who jointly cut the ribbon to mark the occasion.
Located within the island grounds, the futsal court measures 57 metres by 38 metres and is intended to serve as a space for both recreational use and organised activities for guests and resort associates.
The resort said the facility would form part of its wider recreational offering and would host workshops and expert-led collaborations aimed at providing guests with sports-based experiences while also supporting skill development and interaction. It added that the initiative also reflects its focus on staff wellbeing, teamwork and active living.
The opening event included friendly matches between the Angsana Velavaru men’s and women’s teams, as well as an inter-resort match between the Angsana Velavaru Orange Army and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.
Adjacent to the futsal court is the resort’s upgraded watersports centre, which now includes updated guest facilities such as shower and changing areas.
Ahmed Zahir said the reopening of the futsal ground represented more than a recreational upgrade and reflected the resort’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences for both guests and associates. He said the facility would support active living, connection and wellbeing, while also serving as a space for learning and collaboration.
Angsana Velavaru, located in South Nilandhe Atoll, said the reopening of the futsal facility forms part of its wider efforts to expand its lifestyle and community-focused offerings.
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