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Jalboot: Making sea travel in Maldives an enjoyable experience

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Travelling by sea is a great experience as it is, and the Maldives makes it all the better. You get to enjoy the cool sea breeze and take in the breath-taking scenery of the archipelago; islets filled with lush green vegetation and surrounded by white sandy beach seemingly floating before your eyes!

But this joyful experience can sometimes turn into a daunting ordeal. All of a sudden, you maybe faced with rogue waves, mechanical problems or bad weather, and you will be left with sea sickness and headache amongst other irritating conditions. It could get even worse depending on the vessel you are on.

Jalboot Holdings, which is owned by a single shareholder from the royal family of Abu Dhabi, is trying to change that and ensure that every ride you take through Maldivian waters is as enjoyable as it can possibly be. After setting up shop in the Maldives in 2018, Jalboot has quickly gained a foothold in the local sea transport industry, with its services already used by leading resorts in the Maldives, including Jumeirah Vittaveli and several others in the pipeline.

“There is no reason why travelling by sea cannot be as comfortable as travelling by air. In fact, with no waiting time and less security checks, air-conditioned sea transport can be a much more enjoyable experience if done right,” said Shameem Mohamed Ismail, Senior Operations Manager at Jalboot Maldives.

Mohamed Roestali, CEO of the Jalboot Group, also added: “At Jalboot, we have a track record of providing exceptional services in the marine industry worldwide. We also have a firm platform in the Maldives to support our operation and to expand in this fast growing and exciting market. Our aim is to elevate water transport sector to a whole new level by offering comfortable and safe boat transfers within the Maldives.”

Jalboot’s fleet in the Maldives consists of a new generation of Maldives-centric ferries to be used at Crossroads and other luxury destinations throughout the Maldives. Supported by cutting edge technology and world-class accreditations, these new air-conditioned ferries are especially designed for Maldivian waters, with its hull adapted to reduce sudden jolts and jerks even in choppy waters. The catamaran-style dual hulled, water-jet and diesel engine powered crafts are 17 metres long, with a maximum capacity of 60 passengers and equipped with the latest safety measures, navigation and communication technology. Options for lounge-style VIP rooms also exist with exclusive seating for 20-24 guests.

One of the novel features of the new ferries is their ability to come to a full stop in one and a half boat lengths whilst travelling at full speed. The vessels are International Association of Class Societies (IACS) classified and built in compliance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) standards, comprising many standard safety features such as life jackets for every passenger, a dedicated life raft on board and emergency exits. The vessels are also equipped with state-of-the-art fire detectors and mitigation equipment, digital distress signals, emergency DSC transmitters and EPIRB floating emergency beacons.

As a leading integrated provider of vessel design, construction and operation of sightseeing and passenger transfer ferry services based in Abu Dhabi, Jalboot prides itself in providing premium-level customer service in the marine transport service industry, along with industry-leading private and commercial boat charters. Jalboot ensures that all its staff members are qualified to the highest standards. Jalboot maintains HSEQ qualifications and accreditations with regular training and drills in every country the company operates, and the company’s ferry operation teams are trained to respond to all types of emergency situations at sea.

In order to ensure sustainable and environmental-friendly operations, Jalboot complies with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) standards to maintain a zero-waste policy and ensures that waste is kept onboard each vessel until it can be safely disposed. Jalboot also employs the latest, cutting-edge, low emission diesel engine technology. Its ferries are also designed with water jet propulsion instead of conventional propellers to reduce damage to precious marine lives and corals, making them especially suitable for the geography of the Maldives.

With its vast experience in managing the world-renowned Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi, Jalboot is also gearing up to manage the first ever international yacht marina in the Maldives. Drawing from its operational excellence in countries such the UAE, China, Germany and Thailand, Jalboot will manage the luxury marina at the Crossroads integrated tourism destination being developed by Thailand’s premier property development company Singha Estate.

Crossroads spans nine islands in the Emboodhoo Lagoon and will have a plethora of dining, retail, entertainment, recreational and leisure-lifestyle offerings, including a 50-berth marina. In addition to SAii Lagoon Maldives, the first Curio Collection by Hilton resort in the Maldives which will be set exclusively on one of the islands within the integrated destination, Crossroads will also be home to Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and Hard Rock Cafe Maldives — the first development in the Maldives by world-class entertainment and lifestyle brand Hard Rock International.

With its close proximity of a 15-minute boat ride from the Maldives main Velana International Airport and capital Male, Crossroads aims to captivate leisure travellers and family markets with a development spanning nine islands, boasting 1,300 rooms and a retail space of over 11,000 square metres.

The project’s leisure and entertainment hub, Marina @ Crossroads will house a variety of international restaurants, retail outlets, a world-class wellness spa, a Maldives Discovery Centre with coral preservation and coral propagation activities, a diving centre, a multi-purpose hall, a kids club, and a cultural centre. World-renowned partners at the Township include Hard Rock Café Maldives, Café del Mar, and two of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, Ministry of Crab and Nihonbashi.

As part of a 10-year exclusive deal with Singha Estate, Jalboot will be providing a full spectrum water transport solution for Crossroads. Alongside managing Crossroads’ luxurious berth yacht marina, Jalboot will be providing a comprehensive range of luxury cruise services at the integrated destination. Totalling six vessels initially, Jalboot’s services will include round-trip ferry transportation services to and from Velana International Airport and other nearby islands, a yacht chartering service, as well as cutting edge electric Dhoni boats providing inter-lagoon services at Crossroads.

The first year of Crossroads will see the operation of four of these ferries by Jalboot, with two vessels servicing guests arriving from Velana International Airport and two vessels servicing Maldivians and residents from the capital Male. From the collaboration with Singha Estate, Jalboot plans to enhance employment opportunities amongst Maldivian communities by sharing its specialised know-how with a local team at Croassroads via a specially formed start-up group.

“Our operation will provide career opportunities for local communities by allowing Maldivians to benefit economically. When it comes to career opportunities, our focus is to offer job opportunities to locals,” said Fathmah Thaufeeq, HR Manager at Jalboot Maldives.

Despite being relatively new to the Maldives, Jalboot has already been successful in transforming the water transport sector in the Maldives. Its modern boats and integrated water transport solutions are becoming increasingly popular in an industry that had until now remained stagnant for far too long. But this is just the beginning; as more and more leading resorts in the Maldives adopt Jalboot’s technology, gone will be the days of unpleasant rides through Maldivian waters!

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Malaa – The Maldivian Café: NH Kuda Rah’s new culinary jewel

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NH Maldives Kuda Rah has announced the launch of its newest food and beverage outlet, Malaa – The Maldivian Café. Now open to guests, the café offers a taste of authentic Maldivian cuisine alongside interactive Maldivian cooking classes.

Guests staying at NH Maldives Kuda Rah can delve into the country’s rich culinary traditions with guidance from award-winning Executive Chef Farish Mukhthar. With over 22 years of experience in the hospitality and culinary industries across five-star and ultra-luxury resorts in the Maldives, Chef Farish brings a deep-rooted passion and refined expertise to the resort. Trained under renowned European celebrity chefs, he has earned a strong reputation for his culinary artistry.

The café focuses exclusively on authentic Maldivian dishes, using locally sourced ingredients from nearby islands as well as the chef’s own garden within the resort. Cooking classes offer guests the opportunity to prepare classic Maldivian dishes, such as curry and local salads, under the guidance of Chef Farish—culminating in a delicious homemade lunch.

As fish (both fresh and smoked) is the staple of the Maldivian diet, it is often prepared with coconut and rice or roshi (Maldivian flatbread). Other traditional ingredients include breadfruit and sweet potato—versatile and starchy staples that feature in a wide range of local dishes. The cuisine is often boldly spiced, with the fiery Scotch bonnet chilli, locally known as githeyo mirus, playing a central role. This essential chilli, along with herbs grown organically in the resort’s garden, imparts a distinctive heat and fruity flavour to many Maldivian dishes.

While many resorts in the Maldives offer a wide array of international cuisine—ranging from Italian and Japanese to French and Indian—the opportunity to savour authentic local flavours can be one of the most memorable aspects of travel. Malaa – The Maldivian Café provides a unique and immersive dining experience for those curious about Maldivian culinary heritage and the fascinating stories behind its traditional ingredients.

This initiative is part of NH Hotels & Resorts’ broader effort to connect guests with meaningful local experiences through its Live Local programme, under the Minor DISCOVERY loyalty scheme. The programme is designed to offer curated, immersive activities and authentic cultural encounters, allowing guests to engage more deeply with their destination.

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Madifushi Private Island makes impact at ILTM Asia Pacific 2025

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Madifushi Private Island has announced its successful participation in the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Asia Pacific 2025, which took place from 30 June to 3 July at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore.

ILTM Asia Pacific is an exclusive, invitation-only luxury travel event, recognised for bringing together the world’s foremost luxury travel advisors, high-end hospitality brands, and experience curators. The event serves as a key platform for forging meaningful connections and crafting bespoke itineraries for high-net-worth individuals across the Asia Pacific region.

As Madifushi Private Island continues to position itself at the pinnacle of luxury, its presence at this esteemed event offered a strategic opportunity to present the resort’s distinctive offerings to a targeted audience of industry professionals and media. Delegates at ILTM engaged in pre-scheduled one-to-one appointments, networking sessions, and educational forums with some of the most influential figures in the luxury travel sector.

Ali Shakir, Group General Manager of MIC Group, commented, “Our participation in ILTM Asia Pacific reflects our commitment to sustained growth and excellence within the luxury travel sphere. This platform enables us to connect with the right partners to attract discerning travellers to Madifushi, ensuring that our brand repositioning truly reflects our luxury potential.”

Ibrahim Inad, Commercial Director of MIC Group, added, “It was an honour to represent Madifushi Private Island at ILTM Asia Pacific this year. Being among prestigious luxury brands and esteemed advisors reaffirmed our dedication to redefining the Maldivian luxury experience, while upholding authentic hospitality and personalised service.”

Throughout the event, Madifushi Private Island showcased its tailored experiences, bespoke services, refined culinary offerings, and unspoilt natural surroundings — all of which resonate with the evolving preferences of the luxury traveller in the Asia Pacific region.

Participation in ILTM Asia Pacific 2025 represents a key milestone in Madifushi Private Island’s journey to broaden its presence within the global luxury travel arena. The resort aims to foster strong partnerships with leading travel advisors and agencies, welcoming a new wave of discerning visitors to the Maldives.

Located in the tranquil Meemu Atoll, Madifushi Private Island is an elegant retreat offering carefully curated luxury experiences rooted in authentic Maldivian hospitality. Set amidst the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, the island is a sanctuary for those in search of serenity, bespoke services, and transformative moments.

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Jesse Mendes to ride at 2025 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing showdown

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Brazilian surf icon Jesse Mendes has been confirmed as one of the competitors for the 2025 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy. A former contender on the Championship Tour and winner of the 2018 Triple Crown of Surfing, Mendes is set to bring his trademark power, fluid style, and love of alternative boards to the prestigious event held at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa.

Mendes expressed his excitement at the invitation, recalling a moment with fellow Brazilian surfer Adriano de Souza, who had previously received his own call-up to the event. Mendes recounted how de Souza had eagerly accepted the invitation on the spot, not wanting to give Four Seasons a chance to reconsider—a testament to the event’s reputation among professional surfers. Now, Mendes is preparing for his own turn in the lineup and is eager for what lies ahead.

The Surfing Champions Trophy is renowned for its distinctive format, inviting six elite surfers to compete on single fin, twin fin, and thruster (tri-fin) boards across three rounds, before a grand final in which they choose their preferred board to battle for the title. With heats staggered by age and a handpicked field of legends, the event offers a blend of competitive intensity and playful camaraderie, set against the backdrop of some of the world’s most perfect waves.

At 31, Mendes built his competitive career on his dynamic rail work and comfort in heavy barrels. Since stepping back from the professional circuit, he has turned his attention to the more expressive side of surfing, favouring twin fins and riding boards shaped by Album Surfboards. He shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming twin fin division and revealed that he has been collaborating with shaper Matt Parker—who has crafted boards for past Surfing Champions Trophy competitors Josh Kerr and Coco Ho—to prepare for the contest. Confident in Parker’s expertise, Mendes joked that his only job now is to surf.

Beyond the waves, Mendes is also looking forward to the full experience at Kuda Huraa. Having visited the Maldives before, he is relishing the opportunity to return and surf pristine waves in an intimate and relaxed competition format. He spoke warmly of the luxury offered by Four Seasons, especially the prospect of long surf sessions followed by world-class dining with his wife on a secluded island paradise.

The Surfing Champions Trophy is as celebrated for its setting as for its surfing. From the flawless right-handers of nearby Sultans to the lush tropical charm of Kuda Huraa, the event offers an unforgettable experience for both participants and guests. Those staying at the resort during the tournament can watch the action up close from luxury surf vessels anchored at the lineup.

With Jesse Mendes and Craig Anderson now confirmed, anticipation is mounting for this year’s showdown. Three additional international invitees and one Maldivian wildcard are set to be announced soon.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is also inviting guests to embrace the spirit of surfing with the Surf’s Up package. Combining expert coaching from Tropicsurf professionals with guided surf excursions to iconic local breaks, the package offers a complete surf lifestyle experience. Guests can enjoy daily yoga sessions, a soothing massage at The Island Spa, breakfast each morning, round-trip speedboat transfers, and premium surf equipment—all from the comfort of the resort’s idyllic island setting.

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