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Jumeirah Vittaveli launches ‘MY Vittaveli’ floating superyacht villa
Glide across the Indian Ocean onboard a floating superyacht villa in the Maldives at Jumeirah Vittaveli.
No longer confined to land-based or stationary accommodation options, you can now live your Robinson Crusoe fantasy and explore the hidden treasures of the Maldives with a luxury twist at Jumeirah Vittaveli. It’s the first resort in the Maldives where you can start your holiday planning by choosing between a unique selection of villas and a brand new superyacht called “MY Vittaveli” with 85 feet of private space.
Snorkel with whale sharks or enjoy a cruise to deserted islands, and retreat to one of the four cabins on board to let the waves rock you to sleep. Choose to enjoy the best of both worlds and return to the resort island to extend your stay in a freestanding villa, complete with private pool and your own stretch of beach.

MY Vittaveli is an Azimut superyacht that accommodates up to eight guests for overnight stays, or up to 20 guests for leisurely day-time cruises. Its sophisticated exterior design conveys the comfort and style experienced when staying on-board, with modern noise suppression technology guaranteeing a relaxing journey.
The three decks invite you to spend leisurely mornings gazing out at the infinite ocean, or to enjoy balmy evenings soaking in the four-person Jacuzzi on the top deck. Beautifully crafted wood joinery, cherry wood panels and Italian marble inlays decorate the superyacht’s two master cabins and two twin cabins, with each twin cabin offering the option to accommodate a third guests through a retractable extra bed. All en-suite bathrooms include hydrosonic massage bathtubs and full-sized Hermes amenities.
“It has long been my dream to add a superyacht to our prime resort villa accommodations,” Amit Majumder, Vice President of Boutique Resorts at Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“Our guests love the resort and its surrounding house reef, as well as close-by snorkel and dive spots, but the explorer in me has always envisioned that the best way to fully experience the Maldives would be with a combination of an island stay and a journey across the atolls. It’s irresistible to set sail and explore the stunning variety of over- and under-water wonders the Maldives offers, and I am proud my team has made it possible to offer such a special experience for our guests.”
Let an experienced crew guide you to secluded powder white beaches and hidden spots around the atolls, going beyond the beaten path and discovering your own private Maldives. Whisk your family away on an exploration into the marine world and visit a local island on the way to admire the art of lacquerware or mat weaving.
The superyacht’s swim platform allows for comfortable entry and exit for water sports, diving or snorkelling. For more adrenaline fuelled fun, jet tender out or take a jet ski, or choose a more relaxing activity like fishing the Maldivian way, and enjoy the spoils of your catch with a fresh seafood meal on the aft deck dining area.
Enjoy four hours of complimentary cruising every day when you stay on-board MY Vittaveli. Stop-off for a beach BBQ dinner, explore the sandbanks and uninhabited islands, try a fishing trip or discover the underwater world on a snorkelling excursion.
Jumeirah Vittaveli, located a 20-minute boat ride away from Velana International Airport, offers romantic escapes as well as exhilarating family holidays. Land and water-based activities include the destination’s first ice rink, a PADI Dive base, water sports centre, Talise Spa, six restaurants and bars, a wine library, an overwater lounge, an underground whisky and chocolate salon and a cigar lounge.
With its focus on cultural connection and organic experiences in a luxurious setting, Jumeirah Vittaveli offers guests a true Maldivian island experience.
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Coco Bodu Hithi celebrates Women’s Dive Day with marine conservation experience
In celebration of PADI Women’s Dive Day on 18 July 2026, Coco Bodu Hithi invites certified women divers to come together for a meaningful morning beneath the surface, combining marine conservation with the joy of exploring the ocean in one of the Maldives’ most vibrant natural environments.
Inspired by this year’s global theme, “Celebrate Community. Create Change.”, the resort’s Women of the Ocean Reef Clean-Up Dive encourages to connect through shared passion for the underwater world while making a positive impact on the environment. Designed exclusively for certified women divers, the guided reef clean-up dive offers the opportunity to explore Coco Bodu Hithi’s biodiverse house reef while helping remove debris and protect its delicate ecosystem.
At the heart of it all is Coco Dive, the resort’s PADI-certified dive centre, where guests can discover the beauty and wonders of the Maldives through safe, personalised and memorable underwater adventures. Whether taking their very first breath below the surface or exploring advanced dive sites, guests are guided by an experienced, multilingual team of instructors dedicated to creating unforgettable diving experiences.
Just minutes from the resort, divers can access almost 30 renowned dive sites, home to vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of marine life, including hawksbill turtles, white-tip and grey reef sharks, eagle rays, barracuda, Napoleon fish, schools of blue-striped snappers, batfish and fusiliers. Guests looking to begin their marine adventures can also start their certification before arrival through PADI eLearning, allowing them to spend more time exploring the ocean once they reach the Maldives.
“At Coco Bodu Hithi, we believe every dive is an opportunity to build a deeper connection with the ocean,” said Jinn Hui, Dive Base Leader for Coco Bodu Hithi. “PADI Women’s Dive Day celebrates the growing community of women in diving while reminding us that small actions, such as removing debris, can make a meaningful difference to the health of our reefs.”
The activity is available at the resort’s standard single-dive rate and includes a personalised certificate of participation and a complimentary dive video, allowing guests to take home lasting memories of a meaningful day beneath the surface.
Rooted in Coco Collection’s truly Maldivian heritage, Coco Bodu Hithi continues to bring guests closer to nature through experiences that inspire a deeper appreciation for the Maldives and its fragile marine habitat.
Located in North Malé Atoll, just 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Coco Bodu Hithi invites guests to unwind in spacious villas with up to 30% savings through the Discover Coco offer or enjoy exclusive benefits with the Local & Expat Exclusives package. Visit cococollection.com or contact reservations@cococollection.com for further enquiries.
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Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru launch month-long marine conservation programme
This July, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru reaffirm their long-standing commitment to protecting the Maldives through a month of conservation initiatives that inspire guests to become active stewards of the ocean.
Plastic Free July: Protecting the Maldives’ Blue Heart
As per UNDP, each year, the Maldives generates more than 43,000 tonnes of plastic waste – equivalent to the weight of approximately 215 blue whales and nearly 120 tons per day. For a country whose future depends on healthy oceans, reducing plastic pollution is essential to protecting marine biodiversity, and preserving the natural beauty that defines the Maldives.
Throughout July, guests are invited to take part in weekly Sunset Island Beach Cleans and Reef Cleans with our Marine Lab, helping remove marine plastic trash while learning about the importance of protecting the fragile coastal and reef ecosystems. The programme also includes a collaboration with a local sustainable NGO, showcasing how discarded plastic can be transformed into artwork, jewellery, and other meaningful products through creativity and circular design.

Shark Awareness Day: Why Sharks Matter
On 14 July, the resorts will mark Shark Awareness Day in collaboration with Miyaru, the Maldives’ leading shark research and conservation NGO. While sharks are often portrayed as dangerous, they are in fact among the ocean’s most important guardians.
By naturally regulating fish populations, sharks help keep coral reef ecosystems healthy and balanced. Without them, the delicate food chain can be disrupted, affecting everything from reef fish and coral health to the countless marine species that depend on these habitats. Healthy shark populations are also a sign of a thriving ocean—one that supports local fisheries, protects biodiversity, and sustains the world-renowned diving and snorkelling experiences that make the Maldives so unique.
Through engaging talks with Miyaru’s marine experts, guests will discover fascinating facts about Maldivian sharks, understand the challenges they face, and learn how conservation efforts are helping protect these often misunderstood guardians of healthy oceans.

Mangrove Conservation Day: 26 July
As part of Plastic Free July, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru will also celebrate the International Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on 26 July through a community mangrove planting and cleanup initiative with Huraa Council.
Mangroves are among the Maldives’ most valuable natural ecosystems, serving as nurseries for marine life, protecting coastlines from erosion, filtering pollutants, and strengthening resilience against climate change. Together with reef conservation and plastic reduction, the initiative reinforces the importance of protecting every part of the marine ecosystem—from the shoreline to the reef.

More than a month of activities, Plastic Free July reflects Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru’s enduring commitment to preserving the Maldives’ rich marine heritage – bringing together guests, local communities, and conservation partners to protect the ocean through collective action.
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InterContinental Maldives elevates active luxury with new padel court
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has unveiled its new padel court, adding a fresh dimension to island wellness and offering guests a dynamic new way to stay active in paradise.
Now with over 30 million players worldwide, padel is one of the fastest growing sports, offering a fun and inclusive activity for beginners and experts alike. The brand new court is framed by Maldivian palm trees and white sand, creating a striking backdrop for both leisurely matches and spirited competition.
Complimentary for all guests, the court includes the use of premium rackets and balls, allowing guests to discover a new skill in a tropical island setting. Families are invited to enjoy dedicated on-court sessions designed for all ages to create memorable, shared experiences. Benches line the court, creating a comfortable space for spectators to watch and support friends and family.
Located beside InterContinental Maldives’ fitness centre with its state-of-the-art gym, personal training programmes, and aerobic workout sessions, the new padel court aims to enhance the resort’s distinctive approach to luxury, wellbeing and curated guest experiences.
Overwater Pool Villa starting from $1,290++ per night with a variety of inclusions. The padel court is complimentary
for guests.
For more information, please visit www.maldives.intercontinental.com or email reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com.
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