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Maldives coral reefs show ‘signs of hope’
Corals in the Maldives are showing some resilience, adaptability and even recovery from climate-change effects, according to marine biologist Dr Jean-Luc Solandt, following a reef-monitoring diving expedition, the latest in a series undertaken over each of the past nine years.
Biosphere Expeditions sets up the “citizen-science” dive trips to survey reefs in the central Maldives in association with local environmental groups Reef Check Maldives and Save the Beach Maldives.
Expedition scientist Dr Solandt of the Marine Conservation Society, who set up Reef Check Maldives, said he had been surprised to find “signs of hope and recovery” on the latest trip.
“We were devastated in 2016 when a global-warming event killed off large swathes of the reefs,” he said.
“The reefs showed little recovery in 2017 and 2018, and we expected more bad news in 2019.”
Instead, he reported seeing many baby and young (one- to three-year-old) corals, as well as different species growing vigorously at sites expected to be dead or dying.
“It was surprising and encouraging to see a greater diversity of corals ‘pushing through’ from the dead layer below,” said Dr Solandt.
“It seems Nature is fighting back with a coral-diversity explosion.”
He said that the divers had witnessed the resilience of corals resistant to bleaching, the adaptability of reefs where other species were coming through, and recovery in terms of baby corals “almost everywhere”.
However, many reefs were still very badly affected, with some dying altogether, said Dr Solandt, warning that another temperature spike could kill many of the new corals.
“Also, some small corals that had settled on the reef in the last year, which we thought were resistant to bleaching, were now bleached, but the larger ones seem OK.” He added that the background temperature remained “hot”, at the bleaching threshold of 30 degrees C in very shallow water.
Other sources of encouragement included the new Maldivian government’s indication that it understood “the close link between oceans, climate change and the wellbeing of communities”, the establishment of a National Research Institute and news that income from a Green Tax on tourism would be spent exclusively on the environment.
Rasdhoo Madivaru, a site regularly visited and highlighted on earlier expeditions, had also recently been designated a Marine Protected Area.
Further surveys are being carried out locally by Save the Beach Maldives and Reef Check Maldives, which are training more divers from local communities to participate.
The next seven-day Biosphere Expeditions liveaboard expedition begins on August 22, 2020, and is open to qualified divers who are invited to train as “Reef Check EcoDivers”.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is set to host an exclusive tennis exhibition this November, featuring WTA Tour Champion Belinda Bencic. The resort will offer guests an extraordinary weekend of tennis, including exhibition play and immersive workshops under the Maldivian sky.
This unique event is designed as a celebration of sport and community, allowing guests to engage with, learn from, and connect with the tennis star. The weekend will begin with a dynamic exhibition match between Belinda Bencic and the Resort Tennis Pro, which will be followed by complimentary participation for guests.
To provide guests with hands-on experience, the resort has scheduled dedicated workshops for different age groups:
- Adult Tennis Workshop: Saturday, 8 November 2025, from 5:15 PM to 6:30 PM.
- Children’s Tennis Workshop (under 14 years old): Sunday, 9 November 2025, from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
For those seeking a more personalised session, exclusive private classes with Belinda Bencic will be available upon request.
Availability:
- 10 to 15 November 2025.
Pricing:
- A 60-minute session costs USD 360 per guest.
A 60-minute session costs USD 390 per couple.
Guests interested in reservations or more information are encouraged to contact their Aris Meeha.
OZEN LIFE MAADHOO has announced the introduction of its newest villa category, the Wind Villa with Jacuzzi & Slide, offering guests a playful yet luxurious twist to their Maldivian getaway. Designed for travellers seeking both relaxation and excitement, the new villa combines captivating ocean views with dynamic features for an unforgettable island experience.
Located at the edge of the island, the Wind Villa enjoys a prime sunrise position and includes a spacious bedroom with high ceilings, an elegant outdoor lounge, and direct access to the lagoon’s clear waters. The addition of a private Jacuzzi and waterslide adds an element of adventure and intimacy, ideal for couples or small families in search of both tranquillity and fun.
Guests can unwind on the sun-drenched deck, enjoy a soothing soak under the Maldivian skies, or take a refreshing slide into the turquoise lagoon, surrounded by the serene beauty of Maadhoo’s shimmering waters.
Stéphane Laguette, Chief Commercial Officer of Atmosphere Core, commented: “Imagining the children’s faces when they see for the first time the striking blue lagoon off the terrace and the bonus of sliding directly into the warm, calm waters below is a joy in itself. What’s even more delightful is the thought of adults embracing the same experience – sliding by day, then later cuddling beneath the starlit Maldivian sky in a hot Jacuzzi, bubbles all around – including in their flute glass! We are thrilled to introduce the Wind Villa with Jacuzzi & Slide, a fresh take on luxury that fuses private leisure with a sense of adventure. This new category reflects our commitment to creating memorable experiences for families and couples seeking a vibrant or romantic island retreat.”
The launch of the Wind Villa coincides with the upcoming holiday season and follows recent enhancements across the resort, including new pool additions to the Earth Villas. OZEN LIFE MAADHOO continues to evolve its offerings to elevate the guest experience.
With its contemporary design, luxurious comforts, and imaginative features, the Wind Villa with Jacuzzi & Slide offers a refreshing balance of indulgence and exhilaration—an experience that perfectly captures the resort’s philosophy of joyful island living.
Stay More & Pay Less with 20% savings when booking directly. These one-of-a-kind exclusive rates ensure a perfectly tailored Maldivian escape. Discover more at theozencollection.com.
Bandos Maldives recently marked a significant milestone with two of its most loyal guests, Kate and Andy, who have shared a long-standing connection with the island.
Andy achieved an impressive feat by completing his 900th dive, all undertaken with Dive Bandos. His wife, Kate, surpassed this accomplishment by reaching her 1000th dive, with over 900 of those dives also completed alongside the Bandos team.
The Dive Bandos team joined the couple in celebrating this memorable occasion, recognising not only their dedication to diving but also the enduring bond they have formed with the resort over the years.
Kate and Andy’s relationship with Bandos extends far beyond statistics. Having first visited the island in 2006, they have returned every year since, making Bandos an integral part of their lives. In 2014, the couple even chose to exchange their wedding vows underwater at the resort — a unique moment that forever linked their love story with Bandos.
“Celebrating guests like Kate and Andy reminds us of what Bandos truly represents,” said Ismail Rasheed, General Manager of Bandos Maldives.
For Bandos Maldives, moments such as these exemplify why guests continue to choose the island for both adventure and a sense of belonging. With stories like Kate and Andy’s, Bandos stands not merely as a dive destination, but as a home — both beneath and above the waves.
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