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Six Senses Laamu Hosts First Annual Water/Wo/Men Event
Maldives Promotion House – Hollywood stars Daryl Hannah and Kate Bosworth, Jose Garcia, Melanie Laurent, supermodel Helena Christensen, British singer Beth Orton, Foo Fighters keyboard player Rami Jaffee, Bollywood Director Shekhar Kapur and German actress Michaela Merten united with the biggest names in water sports and marine conservation, brought together by Six Senses Resorts & Spas to raise funds for UNESCO Biosphere Reserve through the BLUE Marine Foundation.
Six Senses, the resort industry leader in sustainable development, in partnership with +H2O, hosted the first Six Senses Water/Wo/Men event between 30th September and 4th October at its Six Senses Laamu resort in the Maldives. +H20 is a platform for water awareness that brings together a community of athletes, conservationists, non-profits and corporations to create purposeful solutions that facilitate positive change on a local to global scale.
Proceeds from this event will be donated to three key marine charities, the Water Charity, Plant a Fish and Blue Marine Foundation. Blue Marine Foundation will place the proceeds from this event into the Baa Atoll Conservation Fund to manage the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Water/Wo/Men, from iconic surfers Bethany Hamilton and Layne Beachley, Buzzy Kerbox , Tripoli Patterson, Terry Simms to windsurfers Jake Miller, Levi Siver, Keith Teboul and Pascal Bronnimann, kite surfers Mark Shinn and Alex Caizergues, free diver Anna von Boetticher and extreme wakeboarder Duncan Zuur offered water sports clinics to Six Senses Laamu guests throughout the week as well as impressing guests with an adrenalin pumping ‘water sports show’ surfing and wakeboarding over the famous ‘Yin Yang’ wave a short boat ride away.
Conservationists lead engaging dialogues, workshops and debates on the most pressing marine and drinking water issues facing our planet today, examples included ‘Giving the Oceans A Voice’ moderated by recognized biologist and oceanographer Dr. Callum Roberts and featuring National Geographic Explorer Jon Bowermaster and Fabien Cousteau, the aquatic filmmaker and Founder of Plant A Fish; ‘Marine Reserves: A Panacea For the Ocean?’ with Mitali Kakkar, Indian marine conservationist and featuring Carl Gustaf Lundin, Director of Global Marine Programme, International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Chris Gorell Barnes, Executive Producer of End of the Line; ‘Water as a Human Right/ Dr. Jacqueline Chan and Averill Strasser, co-founders of Water Charity.
“Global industrial growth, most of it very far away, has brought the Maldives to the frontline in the battle against rising sea levels. What happens to the Maldives and its 400,000 inhabitants may foretell the future of coastal regions around the globe. That is why events such as Watermen are so vital,” Chairman and Founder of Six Senses Sonu Shivdasani said.
“From this year forward, Six Senses Water/Wo/Men will offer an innovative, meaningful opportunity to play in the Indian Ocean among living legends while taking part in a unique part to move our global community – in the words of Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed and Time magazine Hero of the Environment – ‘from apathy to action.’”
Guests were entertained by impromptu performances by Beth Orton, Daryl Hannah and Rami Jaffee during the week at Chill bar and a memorable sunset beach jam involving Maldivian musicians on local drums at the finale ‘Barefoot Ball’ evening. Nightly open-air screenings at Cinema Paradiso on the beach were accompanied with bowls of ice cream chosen from the 50 flavours on offer at the ice cream parlour, movies shown included ‘The End of the Line’ and a surprise screening of Soul Surfer introduced by Bethany Hamilton.
Chefs kept everyone sustained with ethically sourced gourmet food enjoyed with sustainable wines from Australia’s Margaret River region. Winemakers from this region hosted a gourmet wine tasting dinner on the beach whilst Fabien Cousteau, Daryl Hannah, Helena Christensen and Kate Bosworth enjoyed a Zero Carbon dinner at LEAF.
“It has been an honour to have been part of this extraordinary event sharing ideas with existing ocean advocates and through the screening of the End of the Line and the debates throughout the course of the week engaging a new and wider audience. We are delighted to be able to play a part in another important marine reserve project in the Indian Ocean through this unique partnership with Six Senses resorts & spas” Co founder Blue Marine Foundation, Chris Gorell Barnes said.
This timely gathering took place at the new Six Senses Laamu, the only resort in remote Laamu Atoll, 150 km north of the equator and famed for its ultrafine soft sand. Laamu’s ninety-seven responsibly luxurious villas sit back on the beach nestled among the lush indigenous vegetation or over the clear turquoise lagoon. Each offers complete privacy along with Six Senses signature creature comforts. Using local, sustainable materials allowed Six Senses to make only the lightest footprint on this otherwise untouched paradise.
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Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives introduces indoor mini golf experience
Resort experiences are increasingly shaped by the need for flexibility, with guests seeking activities that can be enjoyed beyond peak sun hours, creating a natural demand for engaging indoor spaces and particularly in tropical destinations where brief, seasonal rain showers are part of the island rhythm.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives builds on this evolving guest preference with the introduction of its new 8-hole Indoor Mini Golf Centre, adding a playful and interactive dimension to the island’s leisure offering. The space was officially unveiled at a recent opening, where a guest was invited to mark the occasion, setting the tone for an experience centred around shared enjoyment and light-hearted moments.

The indoor mini golf course offers a relaxed, air-conditioned space where guests of all ages can take part, whether as a casual game between families, a friendly challenge among couples, or a fun addition to group stays. It provides a comfortable alternative to outdoor activities while maintaining the sense of energy and connection that defines time on the island, regardless of the weather.
The addition builds on the resort’s existing indoor facilities, including billiards, table tennis, and a dedicated kids’ playroom, creating a more rounded leisure experience that caters to different moods and moments. Outdoors, guests can continue to explore a wide range of activities, from beach volleyball and futsal to badminton, diving, and both motorised and non-motorised water sports.

As one of the first resorts in the area to introduce an indoor mini golf experience, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives continues to evolve its offerings in line with how guests choose to travel today, blending activity, comfort, and shared experiences in a setting designed for both relaxation and discovery.
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COMO Maalifushi highlights uncrowded surf access across southern atolls
COMO Maalifushi presents a considered approach to surfing in the Maldives—one shaped by access, expertise, and the quiet privilege of space.
Located in the remote Thaa Atoll, the resort offers entry to a network of lesser-travelled breaks across the southern atolls, where consistent Indian Ocean swells meet uncrowded line-ups. Here, surfing unfolds without urgency—guided by natural rhythm rather than routine.
At the core of the experience is COMO Maalifushi’s long-standing partnership with Tropicsurf, daily sessions are shaped by real-time ocean conditions, with coaching that adapts intuitively to each guest—whether taking to the water for the first time or refining technique across more complex reef formations.
Guests are given access to a curated selection of breaks across Thaa Atoll, Laamu Atoll and Dhaalu Atoll—each offering a distinct character. From the long, forgiving rides of Farms to the more technical, fast-moving rights of ‘Machine’, the programme is designed to evolve with both conditions and capability.
“Surfing at COMO Maalifushi is defined by its sense of space and possibility,” says Peter Nilsson, Managing Director, COMO Maldives. “Our location allows access to some of the Maldives’ most consistent yet uncrowded waves, and through our partnership with Tropicsurf, we’re able to offer an experience that is both highly personalised and quietly exceptional—true to COMO’s way of doing things.”
The season, which runs from April through October, brings steady swells from the southern Indian Ocean. Yet beyond seasonality, it is the absence of crowds that defines the experience—allowing guests to engage with the ocean on their own terms.
Surfing at COMO Maalifushi sits naturally within the wider rhythm of the island. Time in the water is balanced with restorative treatments at the COMO Shambhala Retreat, unhurried dining, and the simplicity of island life—creating a sense of flow between activity and stillness.
Here, surfing is guided with care, framed by nature, and experienced without excess.
For more information, please visit the resort’s website.
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Angsana Velavaru marks reopening of upgraded futsal ground
Angsana Velavaru has reopened its futsal facility as part of efforts to enhance guest experiences and staff engagement through sport and community activities.
The reopening ceremony was officiated by Dhaalu Atoll Council president Ahmed Shafiu and the resort’s general manager, Ahmed Zahir, who jointly cut the ribbon to mark the occasion.
Located within the island grounds, the futsal court measures 57 metres by 38 metres and is intended to serve as a space for both recreational use and organised activities for guests and resort associates.
The resort said the facility would form part of its wider recreational offering and would host workshops and expert-led collaborations aimed at providing guests with sports-based experiences while also supporting skill development and interaction. It added that the initiative also reflects its focus on staff wellbeing, teamwork and active living.
The opening event included friendly matches between the Angsana Velavaru men’s and women’s teams, as well as an inter-resort match between the Angsana Velavaru Orange Army and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.
Adjacent to the futsal court is the resort’s upgraded watersports centre, which now includes updated guest facilities such as shower and changing areas.
Ahmed Zahir said the reopening of the futsal ground represented more than a recreational upgrade and reflected the resort’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences for both guests and associates. He said the facility would support active living, connection and wellbeing, while also serving as a space for learning and collaboration.
Angsana Velavaru, located in South Nilandhe Atoll, said the reopening of the futsal facility forms part of its wider efforts to expand its lifestyle and community-focused offerings.
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