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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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Netflix’s ‘All the Sharks’ puts global spotlight on tiger shark paradise in Maldives’ Fuvahmulah

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The first episode of Netflix’s new competition series All the Sharks is set in Fuvahmulah, Maldives — an island now confirmed by scientists as home to the largest documented aggregation of tiger sharks in the world.

The global series, which premiered Friday, follows four teams of marine experts racing to photograph the most shark species across six biodiverse marine locations. Its opening episode brings viewers into the waters of Fuvahmulah, a shark diving hotspot in the southern Maldives, where recent research has identified 239 individual tiger sharks over six years — more than any other single location globally.

A peer-reviewed study published earlier this year in Nature.com, led by Lennart Vossgaetter of the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research in Germany, used non-invasive photo identification to confirm Fuvahmulah’s ecological significance. Researchers found that adult female tiger sharks show strong site fidelity, remaining in the island’s warm, food-rich waters for extended periods during gestation.

The big picture: Science meets streaming in Fuvahmulah

Fuvahmulah, long renowned by divers for consistent encounters with tiger sharks, now features prominently in both marine research and global entertainment. The Netflix episode captures this extraordinary setting as part of a larger series spanning Japan, South Africa, the Galapagos, Australia and the Bahamas.

According to the study, Fuvahmulah’s waters — influenced by oceanic currents and lacking a surrounding atoll — provide ideal reproductive conditions for tiger sharks, particularly pregnant females. The research team documented the world’s highest number of individual tiger sharks identified in one confined marine area.

The scientists described Fuvahmulah as a “bright spot” for tiger shark conservation in the Indian Ocean, bolstered by the Maldives’ national shark sanctuary status.

Zoom in: A friendly global shark race

All the Sharks follows four two-person teams — Shark Docs, Gills Gone Wild, British Bait Off and Land Sharks — competing to photograph the most and rarest shark species at each location.

The series is hosted by Tom “The Blowfish” Hird, a marine biologist known for his dramatic delivery and braided pirate-style beard.

Points are awarded based on species rarity, with the season’s top team winning US$50,000 for a marine conservation charity of their choice.

Though the show leans on reality TV conventions, its content remains grounded in ocean science and conservation. Fuvahmulah’s inclusion in the series serves as both a dramatic setting and an educational entry point into the world of shark biology and environmental protection.

Details: Unregulated tourism meets scientific concern

The Nature.com study also raised concerns about the rapid growth of shark tourism in Fuvahmulah, particularly at the island’s famed “Tiger Harbour.” While tourism provides a major economic boost for the island, shark provisioning and diving currently remain unregulated, with no official national guidelines.

The researchers warned that the absence of regulation — including standardised safety measures and environmental practices — could jeopardise both shark welfare and the long-term viability of the tourism industry.

They pointed to successful models in countries like Fiji, where community-managed marine protected areas (MPAs) have been implemented to balance economic activity with ecological sustainability. The study recommended similar frameworks for the Maldives, calling for inclusive stakeholder management plans to ensure responsible ecotourism in one of the world’s most important shark sanctuaries.

Why it matters: Maldives in the global spotlight

The series premiere and the scientific findings together shine a global spotlight on the Maldives’ critical role in shark conservation. As the world celebrates 50 years since Jaws and enters another summer of shark-themed content, All the Sharks provides a rare blend of adventure, education and scientific relevance.

The show includes conservation graphics detailing the biology and threatened status of each shark species, shifting the narrative from fear to appreciation. For viewers — and for the Maldives — the message is clear: these apex predators are essential to ocean health and worthy of protection.

The bottom line: Fuvahmulah is both spectacle and sanctuary

As All the Sharks captures the thrill of underwater discovery, Fuvahmulah emerges not only as a top-tier dive destination but as one of the most ecologically important shark habitats in the world. With Netflix bringing its waters to millions of viewers and science affirming its global conservation value, the moment calls for action — to protect, to regulate and to preserve this unique corner of the Maldives for generations to come.

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Dive for free at Kandooma, just named Maldives’ leading dive resort

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Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has been crowned ‘Maldives Leading Dive Resort 2025’ at the prestigious World Travel Awards, marking a major milestone as the inaugural winner of this newly introduced category.

The announcement was made at a glittering gala ceremony held on 29 June in Tanzania, attended by tourism and hospitality leaders from across Africa and the Indian Ocean. The accolade honours Kandooma’s commitment to exceptional diving experiences and innovation in accessible underwater tourism.

“We’re surrounded by some of the most awe-inspiring marine life in the Maldives – it’s truly like diving in a living aquarium,” said Mark Eletr, General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives. “From graceful manta rays and reef sharks to turtles, moray eels, and vast schools of tropical fish, our waters are teeming with life.”

Just minutes from the resort are world-class dive sites including Kandooma Thila, a renowned cleaning station for grey reef sharks; Guraidhoo Corner, famous for its strong currents and pelagic encounters; and Medhu Faru, where divers drift alongside vibrant coral walls. The close proximity of these sites allows for up to three dives a day – ideal for enthusiasts chasing underwater thrills.

Central to Kandooma’s diving success is its bold ‘Dive Free’ initiative – a game-changer for the scuba community. Guests who stay three nights or more and are certified divers receive two complimentary boat dives per day, including equipment and professional guidance.

“Diving can be an expensive pursuit, so we decided to flip the script,” Eletr added. “Our ‘Dive Free’ program removes the barriers and makes the underwater magic of the Maldives accessible to more people than ever.”

Kandooma’s on-site 5-star PADI dive centre offers courses for beginners through to advanced, specialty certifications and refreshers, as well as private excursions for underwater photography, night dives, and wreck explorations.

With its commitment to sustainability, marine preservation, and guest experience, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has proven that world-class diving doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag – just a sense of adventure.

For more information or to book a diving escape, visit: www.maldives.holidayinnresorts.com

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Siyam World kicks off August with star-studded football camps

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No shoes, no stress, just goals! This August, Siyam World Maldives is turning up the heat with not one, not two, but three football legends taking over the island for exclusive five-day Football Residence Camps – Wayne Bridge, Kean Bryan, Andrew Johnson.

Wayne Bridge | August 1–5

A former England international and Premier League left-back with over 300 top-flight appearances, Wayne is best known for his time at Chelsea, Manchester City, and Southampton. His elite-level experience, from Champions League nights to FA Cup triumphs, makes him the ultimate coach for young players looking to level up.

Kean Bryan | August 11–15

A midfield dynamo with a Premier League pedigree, Kean’s career includes spells at Manchester City, Sheffield United, and West Brom. Known for his technical skill and tactical brain, he brings a youth-focused approach packed with energy, precision, and motivation.

Andrew Johnson (AJ) | August 17–21

A former England striker and Crystal Palace legend, AJ lit up the Premier League with his pace and goal-scoring flair. His sessions will bring fast-paced drills, goal-scoring tips, and a whole lot of fun to the pitch.

Each 5-day camp for kids between 5 and 12 years, takes place on the resort’s own World Sports Arena, as part of their exclusive Football Residences programme, designed to inspire the next generation of football stars while having the time of their lives in paradise. Spots are limited, and trust us, they’ll go fast. Give your child the chance to train with football legends, make lifelong friends, and experience the magic of the Maldives—because this is one match they won’t want to miss.

Siyam World has already hosted some of the biggest names in football, with past camps featuring stars like: Francesco Totti, Alessandro Del Piero, Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves, Daniel Agger or Esteban Cambiasso. Joining this incredible lineup, those football legends in August are making Siyam World the go-to destination for football-obsessed kids and their families.

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