Connect with us

Action

First Soneva Surf Pro competition takes place in Baa atoll

Published

on

Soneva Surf, the world’s first fully sustainable surf programme, has hosted the first ever Soneva Surf Pro 2018 Baa Atoll Surfing Competition.

The competition took place in the Baa atoll island of Goidhooo on September 1, with over 40 surfers from several islands in the atoll competing in three divisions: Over 18, Under 18, and Body Boarding. Three-time Maldivian National Surfing Champion Ismail Miglal and Cokes Surf Camp Manager Troy Hugget were the judges.

“There is so much talent in Baa atoll and it was heartwarming to see all the participants excel and showcase their skills. We hope to shine light on the local heroes in the Maldives and create a positive competitive spirit among the Baa surfing community,” Sunny Yang, the Surf Experience Manager at Soneva Surf, said.

Ahmed Zain, a 17-year-old from Goidhoo, was crowned champion in the Under 18 division, while two young surfing enthusiasts from Eydhafushi island — 18-year-old Mohamed Samah and 15-year-old Ibrahim Zain, won the Over 18 and Body Boarding category, respectively. The Most Promising Surfer title was awarded to Haisham Latheef, a 14-year-old from the island of Fehendhoo.

Prizes included eco-friendly surf boards by Firewire Surfboards, cork bodyboard by Hot Buttered Surf, leashes by Revolwe Surf, fins by Bureo, traction pads by Slater Designs, sunscreen by Manda, and board wax by Matunas.

“The Soneva Surf Pro is a part of the Soneva Ocean Stewards (SOS) programme. SOS includes learn to swim, swimming competitions, water sports festivals, learn to surf and now surfing competitions. With these programmes, we aim to inspire more Maldivians to enjoy the ocean around them and become the next generation of ocean protectors,” Ahmed Moomin, Community Engagement Manager at Soneva Fushi, said.

Soneva, a world-leading luxury resort operator, introduced the fully sustainable Soneva Surf programme in May at both of its Maldives properties, Soneva Fushi in the Baa atoll and Soneva Jani in Noonu atoll. Soneva in Aqua luxury yahtch also offers a Surfing Charter within both atolls.

Prices for Soneva’s surfing packages start at USD 350++ per guest for three hours from Soneva Fushi or Soneva Jani, which includes a surf instructor/guide, water, snacks, usage of surfboards, rash guards, sunscreen and board wax. A private boat for a maximum of four guests for three hours including surfing equipment costs USD 1,000++. The Surf Charter with Soneva in Aqua starts at USD 4,200++ for one night, a maximum of four adults and two children. This includes all meals (excluding alcohol and soft drinks), a surf instructor/guide, Mr. Friday, spa therapist, chef and captain.

Soneva Surf is pioneering luxurious yet sustainable surfing, using eco-friendly surfboards, leashes, fins, rash guards, sunscreen and board wax. Soneva encourages guests who are interested in surfing to leave their surfing equipment at home and use the eco-friendly brands that were carefully selected by Soneva. Products are also available for sale.

As part of the programme, Soneva is also working with the local communities to help support the further growth and development of surfing across the Maldives in an effort to encourage the younger generation to understand the power and vulnerability of their ocean home. Soneva is working with its partners to help provide equipment, opportunities and training for aspiring Maldivian surfers, including hosting surfing events.

Soneva runs two resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani.

Established in 1995, Soneva Fushi is the original Soneva. The No News, No Shoes blueprint for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways is located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. Soneva Fushi inspires the imagination with 65 spacious beachfront villas, ranging in size from one to nine bedrooms, hidden amongst dense foliage.

The iconic resort has bagged several international awards for eco-friendly tourism and green initiatives, including the 2017 Green Hotelier Award for the Asia Pacific region and the Sustainable Hotel Award by the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) as well as a spot in the Gold List compiled by Condé Nast Traveler China as the Best Hotel in the Maldives and amongst the best resorts in the world in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2017.

Opened in December 2016, Soneva Jani is Soneva’s newest property and its second resort in the Maldives.

Soneva Jani encompasses a collection of 24 overwater villas and one island villa set in a 5.6 kilometre private lagoon located in the northern Noonu atoll. The resort spans five islands surrounded by pure white beaches, covered in rich tropical vegetation, offering the ultimate in privacy and luxury.

Each of the resort’s multilevel water villas has its own private pool and a retractable roof that allows guests to sleep beneath the stars. Many villas also have slides that transport guests directly from the top level into the lagoon below. Other hotel highlights include a spa, an observatory — home to the largest telescope in the Indian Ocean — and an outdoor cinema.

Since its opening, Soneva Jani has created a lot of buzz amongst luxury travellers with its exciting features such as the retractable roofs and the water slides. It has been named the Best Over-the-Top Luxury hotel of the year by Jetsetter.com, the best new resort in the world by CNN, and the Leading Luxury Hotel/Resort in South Asia and Leading Luxury Hotel/Resort in Maldives.

Action

LUX Tennis joins St. Regis Maldives Vommuli to expand active lifestyle programme

Published

on

St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has announced a partnership with LUX Tennis, strengthening the resort’s established tennis offering and introducing plans for a new padel court. The collaboration expands the resort’s active lifestyle programme, with a particular focus on families and multi-generational travel.

The St. Regis brand draws on the legacy of the Astor family, founders of the original St. Regis New York, whose Gilded Age lifestyle celebrated refined leisure and sporting pursuits. Tennis, in particular, became a symbol of elegance within the Astor social circle, reflecting a culture shaped by hospitality, recreation and sophistication. This heritage continues across the St. Regis portfolio today, where classic sports remain an integral part of the brand’s identity.

Set within the resort’s private island environment, the enhanced LUX Tennis programme is designed to elevate on-island tennis experiences for guests of all ages and skill levels. The programme features expert-led coaching, bespoke clinics and visiting residencies by internationally recognised professionals, offering guests opportunities to train, play and engage with elite talent in an accessible and inspiring setting.

Confirmed visiting professionals include Angelique Kerber, three-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, who will visit from 29 to 31 March 2026, and Feliciano López, former Spanish champion with a career-high singles ranking of world number 12, scheduled from 16 to 17 May 2026.

The expanded tennis programme is designed to integrate seamlessly with island life, offering everything from relaxed family matches and junior-friendly coaching to more focused sessions for experienced players. Activities are structured to complement time spent at the beach, spa experiences and family dining.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort features 77 beachfront and overwater villas, each with a private pool, alongside facilities such as the John Jacob Astor Estate, the largest overwater three-bedroom villa in the Maldives. Guests also have access to the award-winning Iridium Spa, six dining venues and a private yacht available for charter, reinforcing the resort’s positioning as a destination for both leisure and active pursuits.

Continue Reading

Action

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort launches ‘Swim with Nurse Sharks’ experience

Published

on

Nestled in the pristine waters of the Raa Atoll, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort introduces Swim with Nurse Sharks, a new guided marine experience offering guests a rare opportunity to encounter these gentle creatures in their natural lagoon habitat.

Located just minutes from the island, the calm, shallow waters provide ideal conditions for observing nurse sharks at rest and in motion. The one-hour experience operates three times a week by speedboat and is designed for small groups, making it suitable for families and confident swimmers seeking a meaningful connection with the ocean.

Guided with care and respect for the environment, the experience reflects the resort’s ongoing commitment to marine awareness and responsible interaction with wildlife. Guests gain insight into the behaviour of nurse sharks while exploring one of the region’s few accessible snorkelling sites dedicated to this species.

Available at USD 95++ per person, with special rates for children under 12, Swim with Nurse Sharks adds a distinctive new chapter to the resort’s immersive ocean experiences.

For more information on “Swim with Nurse Sharks” at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, please visit the resort’s website.

Continue Reading

Action

Avani+ Fares Maldives to host Michael Owen’s football camp for second year

Published

on

Michael Owen’s Football Camp is returning to Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort for a second year, running from 31 March to 3 April 2026 as part of the resort’s Easter holiday programme. Following a strong debut in 2025, the camp will once again see children and teens join the former England striker for hands-on coaching sessions on Fares Island in Baa Atoll.

Designed for kids and teens aged 5 to 13, the four-day camp combines daily training sessions, skills development and team challenges, led by Michael Owen. The programme ends on a high with a celebratory finale, with certificates, medals and jersey signings for every participant. The camp is complimentary for all guests staying at Avani+ Fares Maldives during the event, and each registered participant will receive an official Football Kit, including two sets of customised jerseys, shorts and socks.

Building on the strong response from families last year, the 2026 Football Camp sits within Avani+ Fares Maldives’ broader Easter line-up, pairing structured sports sessions with relaxed island time. Beyond the pitch, younger guests can dip in and out of island adventures at AvaniKids and the Teens Club, with creative arts and crafts and dedicated spaces designed around their age group. Mealtimes are part of the fun too, with Petit Bistro, the resort’s kids-only restaurant, created just for younger guests.

For families keen to get out on the water together, Avani+ Fares Maldives is set within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, with snorkelling along the house reef right off the island and a full menu of water sports and dive experiences at this award-winning dive resort.

Commenting on the upcoming camp, Michael Owen said: “Coming back to Avani+ Fares Maldives feels like a natural next step after the energy and enthusiasm we saw at the first camp. It is a special environment for families and the camp is all about helping kids build confidence, develop their skills and most importantly enjoy the game together. I am really looking forward to being back on the island in 2026.”

Avani+ Fares Maldives is designed with families in mind, with a wide mix of accommodation styles to suit different group sizes and travel plans. Options range from interconnecting Pavilion rooms for easy togetherness, to Beach Pool Villas with outdoor space for daytime downtime, alongside over water villas set above the lagoon. For families travelling as a bigger group, the resort also offers spacious two and three bedroom Over Water Pool Residences, with generous living areas and room to spread out between activities.

Package rates start from USD 3,500 for a family of four, including accommodation, seaplane transfers and football camp registration. Based on two adults and two children sharing on a bed and breakfast basis, includes taxes and fees. To book, visit www.avanihotels.com/en/fares-maldives, email fares@avanihotels.com or call  +960 660 1660.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.