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Perfect Maldives resorts for Guardiola to blow off steam, tee off

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has said he would rather vacation in the Maldives or play golf than manage Manchester United even if it were the only job on offer.

Guardiola takes Manchester City to Old Trafford for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg as he seeks to win the competition for a third consecutive season.

Asked whether he would ever take charge of City’s fierce rivals, Guardiola said: “After training City I will never train them; I would not train [Real] Madrid [after Barcelona]. I’d be in the Maldives if I don’t have any offers. Maybe not the Maldives because it doesn’t have any golf courses.”

Guardialo is not new to the Maldives, having spent the last English Premier League season break in the island nation as well. But his characterisation that the Maldives doesn’t have golf courses is not right! We present four golf resort in Maldives worth trying.

Kuredu Resort Maldives

Kuredu introduced golf to the Maldives.

Established in 2003, Kuredu Golf Club is a unique island golf course located in the Maldives. The course features six holes averaging 55 yards and is the perfect place to sharpen up the all-important short game. Guests can hone their skills and and attempt a hole-in-one at the signature 3rd hole with an elevated tee box. The course is also floodlit, allowing for an excellent night golf experience which is extremely popular amongst the guests.

Kuredu is the perfect setting to escape the ordinary world of golf, enter a golfing haven in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The golf course is home to a PGA Golf Pro and offers a relaxed environment with all one could need to return from paradise an improved player. Guests can sharpen up their iron play on the range, practice on their putting stroke on an immaculate surface and improve their wedge game on the course.

Crafted for ‘the love of golf’ and holiday escapades, this course is within walking distance from the island’s rooms, Kuredu golf is quite simply a golfer’s bucket list venue.

Meeru Island Resort & Spa

Meeru opened the first nine-hole Pitch & Putt golf course in the Maldives, on November 1, 2009.

Located in the centre of the island, next to the Golf Driving Range and Putting Green, you can play nine holes over 480 yards on this 2000 sqm course.

There are nine tee boxes and six greens which allow you to play 18 holes whilst working on your short game. Each green features four or more flag positions of increasing levels of difficulty.

Average green size is 170 sqm (1,800 sq. ft). The greens are made of artificial turf, ensuring year-round perfect playing conditions. Some greens are protected by sand bunkers and some, as well by a water hazard.

Distance from the tee box to green varies from 35 – 80 yards. Some shots include dog legs and demand accuracy and control. High lofted clubs from the tee and rough (sand and pitching wedges) and a putter for the greens are best.

Meeru also opened the Maldives’ first golf Driving Range on November 1, 2003. It is 120 yards long with high target markers for shots up to 220 yards. Meeru’s artificial turf Putting Green is ideal for beginners and golfers to improve their putting skills.

Golf Lessons on the driving range or on the golf course can be scheduled from Sports Centre. Fun golf and tournaments are scheduled each week. Clubs and balls are available for rent from the Sports Centre. A range of golf accessories, including Meeru logo golf caps, shirts and balls are available for purchase at the Resort Gift Shop.

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, located in the southernmost Addu atoll, is home to the one-of-a-kind Villingili Golf Course.

Nestled on seven-and-a-half hectares at the southern end of Villingili island, this nine-hole golf course includes par three and par four holes, averaging 112 metres in length. It is a recreational course designed for the enjoyment of golfers and beginners alike.

Spectacular challenges and vistas await at each of the nine holes. Coconut palms and other exotic flora, white sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons and pounding Indian Ocean swells line the fairways.

A clubhouse offers light snacks and refreshments, whilst the pro shop carries golf equipment, apparel, gear and merchandise.

Velaa Private Island

Designed by Jose Maria Olazabal, renowned for his short game prowess, the Velaa Golf Academy is a golfing experience like no other, designed to create bespoke memories whatever your wishes.

With nine different tees, six greens, seven bunkers, and a lake in the wonderful turquoise hues the Maldives is famous for, Velaa Golf Academy by Olazabal provides an unequalled backdrop to develop your game on this unique private island.

A real “Practise in Paradise”, Velaa Golf Academy prides itself on tailoring golf lessons to the individual, focusing on the areas required for improvement. The resident Velaa Private Island professionals are fully PGA qualified and highly experienced in helping golfers of all levels.

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Discover Raa Atoll: Ifuru Island Maldives adds new dive packages for 2026

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Ifuru Island Maldives has introduced a new collection of curated dive packages, inviting guests to explore the exceptional underwater world of the Maldives through programmes designed for beginners, aspiring divers and certified enthusiasts alike.

Located in the pristine waters of Raa Atoll, Ifuru Island Maldives provides access to vibrant house reefs, calm lagoon conditions and several of the region’s most celebrated dive sites, including the renowned Ifuru Thila. The newly launched dive packages are crafted to combine professional training, guided exploration and the convenience of a premium island stay.

The collection begins with an introductory diving experience tailored for first-time divers seeking to discover the underwater world in a safe and relaxed setting. Guests undergo lagoon-based training before progressing to the house reef, offering an ideal entry point into scuba diving with no prior experience required.

For guests ready to advance further, the resort offers a globally recognised scuba certification course. Designed for confident swimmers and snorkellers, the programme includes professional instruction, open water dives and an internationally valid certification, opening access to dive destinations worldwide.

Certified divers can choose a three-day dive escape that highlights the best sites in Raa Atoll. Featuring guided morning dives across renowned locations, the experience showcases the atoll’s rich marine biodiversity, striking reef structures and clear waters.

“Diving is an essential part of the Maldivian experience, and we wanted to create a collection that feels both accessible and exceptional,” said Marcel Sawyer, General Manager of Ifuru Island Maldives. “Whether it marks a guest’s first dive or their next significant underwater journey, these packages are crafted to offer confidence, comfort and memorable experiences beneath the surface.”

All dive packages may be booked alongside the resort’s premium accommodation offerings, including the Exclusively Yours Premium All-Inclusive meal plan, daily resort touches, complimentary non-motorised water sports, snorkelling equipment and return domestic flight transfers for qualifying stays.

The dive packages are available for booking and travel throughout 2026 and must be confirmed ahead of arrival. Package rates apply in addition to accommodation and are subject to availability.

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Niyama Private Islands enhances surf lifestyle with stylish new surf venue

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Niyama Private Islands Maldives now offers what is considered the most luxurious surf experience in the Maldives, enhanced by the introduction of its new Surf Shack — a stylish beachfront hangout serving gourmet bites, drinks, sunset views and lively parties.

Known as Nature’s Playground, the resort has long attracted surf professionals from around the globe. Located in the southern Maldives, where swells are at their strongest, it is a preferred base during peak surf season. Waves break directly on shore, with additional surf spots accessible within minutes by speedboat.

Niyama’s signature waves roll in at Vodi Point, situated on the westernmost tip of its twin islands. It is here that the resort has unveiled the new Surf Shack, designed to make time off the waves equally appealing. The thatched-roof venue encourages a barefoot, relaxed atmosphere, offering an upper deck for sunset viewing and picnic-style seating below. Reflecting Niyama’s sustainability ethos, Area Chief of Engineering Michael Patrick Slevin notes that 75 per cent of construction materials were repurposed, blending beach casual with environmentally conscious design.

Guests can enjoy gourmet dishes served from service windows, with a menu inspired by iconic surf destinations worldwide: Australian fish and chips, Indonesian satay, Mexican nachos and Japanese takoyaki. The drinks list pays tribute to rum, featuring an extensive collection and signature cocktails inspired by renowned surf breaks.

While the Surf Shack maintains a laidback feel during the day, the beachfront transforms at dusk as the tides shift and the DJ elevates the atmosphere. The resort’s rum and reggae Sundays have already become a celebrated weekly event.

Surfers at Niyama can design their days as they wish — chasing waves or relaxing ashore. The Surf Centre offers equipment and guidance, while Drift by Niyama provides recovery treatments to soothe muscles, repair sun-exposed skin and restore energy. Resident professional surfers remain available to advise on technique and wave conditions.

“The new Surf Shack forms part of the renewed Niyama experience, which includes significant refurbishments across the resort, inventive culinary additions and a greater emphasis on active living and wellness,” said Hafidh Al Busaidy, General Manager of Niyama Private Islands Maldives. “With more developments on the way, we look forward to sharing what comes next.”

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Reethi Faru Resort hosts Magda Linette ahead of new tennis season

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Reethi Faru Resort recently welcomed Magda Linette, a Top 20 professional tennis player, who selected the island resort as her training retreat while preparing for the Australian Open and the forthcoming tennis season. Away from the competitive spotlight, Linette utilised the resort’s private and tranquil setting, where expansive beaches, clear lagoon waters, and discreet luxury provided an environment conducive to both focused preparation and recovery.

Throughout her stay, Linette combined intensive training sessions with periods of rest, making use of the resort’s calm surroundings and seclusion. The natural setting of the Maldives offered an effective backdrop for physical conditioning and mental focus, supporting her preparations ahead of the season’s first Grand Slam tournament.

Known for its emphasis on privacy, understated luxury, and an authentic island atmosphere, Reethi Faru Resort continues to attract elite athletes seeking a destination that supports peak performance while delivering a refined island experience. The resort extended its best wishes to Linette as she progresses through the upcoming tennis season.

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