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Surfing Legend Occy Joins Surfing Champions Trophy

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Maldives Promotion House – Surfing legend Mark Occhilupo, famously known as Occy, will return to the Maldives next week for the first time in over a decade to contest the inaugural Four Seasons Surfing Champions Trophy which has been labelled worldwide as the world’s most luxurious surfing event.

The former ASP World Champion could prove tough to beat in the perfect reef break waves of the Maldives as he has been locking in plenty of tube time at Teahupoo while waiting for the Billabong Pro Tahiti event to recommence. Occhilupo will have a front row seat to the massive swell expected in Tahiti as one of the event commentators when competitions resumes.

The 45 year-old is in top competitive form, following his recent appearance at the World Masters in Brazil. He is not underestimating his opponents Mark Richards, Layne Beachley, Damien Hardman, Nat Young and the 2006 world Longboard Champion Josh Constable in the elite six person field.

“I’m really looking forward to it because I haven’t been back to the Maldives since the late eighties. I was one of the first few guys to go there so I’m excited, really excited,” Occhilupo said. “I just competed in the Masters in Brazil and it was a bit small over there. The Maldives is a much better spot because the waves are so good,” he added.

Occy was just 17 when he shot to the top of the ASP ratings, setting performance standards that remain unbeaten to this day. After just four years, he sensationally dropped out, only to stage one of the sport’s most inspirational comebacks with a sparkling return to competitive form some seven years later. In 1999, he seized the long-awaited world title, continuing on tour for a further seven years to amass a record-breaking 25-year pro surfing career.

Occy joins an illustrious field for the inaugural Four Seasons Maldives and Tropicsurf event that will see six iconic world champions compete across three divisions of single fin, twin fin and thrusters for USD 25,000 prize money.

“To tell you the truth I miss competing a lot and to see these familiar faces and even the legends, the guys I really looked up to when I was a kid as in MR is going to be fantastic.  It’s going to be great to compete against them and feed off them because they have got so much experience,” Occhilupo said.

“The resort looks amazing, we looked online and my wife Mae is really excited to go.  It sounds like it’s going to be a real luxurious kind of contest and I can’t wait. It’s going to be half-holiday and half a contest,” continued Occhilupo.

Boasting a total of 20 world titles between them, the legendary contestants are as excited about competing against one another as they are for the overall prize and title.

Guests booking Kuda Huraa’s all-inclusive four- or seven-night Champions Trophy package, available from August 29th to September 5th only, can get right on top of the action with competition day passes aboard the luxurious Four Seasons Explorer catamaran and three half-day surfing passes with Tropicsurf. They’ll also get to rub shoulders with their surfing heroes in Kuda Huraa’s village surround, home to competitors, judges and spectators alike for the duration of the contest.

The 2011 Surfing Champions Trophy by Four Seasons Resorts Maldives and Tropicsurf is the single most important surfing event of this year. The event is co-sponsored by HSBC, Billabong, Wataniya Telecom Maldives, Surfing World and Singapore Airlines.

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Discover Raa Atoll: Ifuru Island Maldives adds new dive packages for 2026

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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

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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

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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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