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Atmosphere Hotels’ Maldives resorts takes initiatives to protect sea life
Green Globe recently awarded OBLU Helengeli, OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo and OBLU Select at Sangeli with their inaugural certifications.
Green Teams at each Atmosphere Hotel & Resorts’ property have been integral in devising strategies that highlight the group’s sustainability vision for the future.
As an introduction to sustainability best practices, all staff members at the resorts receive training in reducing water and energy consumption. Furthermore, in efforts to eliminate single use plastics, paper straws are in use and guests are encouraged to drink water that has been desalinated, filtered and bottled at Atmosphere premises and offered in reusable glass bottles.
Various green initiatives have already commenced in line with sustainability action plans at individual properties.
OZEN by Atmosphere
OZEN by Atmosphere is comprised of luxurious villas tucked into exotic island vegetation and stunning overwater villas stretched across the beautiful turquoise lagoon of Maadhoo Island.
Ecological initiatives are in the spotlight at OZEN. Staff have been actively working on a coral propagation project to increase the number of marine species that inhabit waters around the resort. Testing has been trialed on an underwater frame which is presently working well, and more structures are being added around the resort’s one-of-a-kind underwater restaurant. In addition, the resort’s renowned Dive Centre has won a PADI Green Star Award for its commitment to protecting the environment.
The Green Book, produced by Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, contains information about the history, local culture and tradition of the Maldives. There is also detailed information about native flora and fauna, and recommendations on ways guests can help reduce water and energy consumption. The e-book is available for all guests to enjoy and displayed on inhouse TV channels in every room.
OBLU Select at Sangeli
OBLU SELECT at Sangeli is situated amidst some of the most exotic dive and snorkelling locations in the entire Male atoll. It is no wonder then that marine conservation is also a priority at this resort. A coral restoration project, with regular monitoring conducted by an in-house marine biologist, is an ongoing initiative that aims to protect and regenerate the biodiversity of coral reef ecosystems.
The resort’s five-star TGI PADI dive centre also runs diving courses at the outer reefs and the inner lagoon which lies at the centre of both islands and chain of overwater villas. The lagoon is home to a variety of small reef-fish species.
Starting from February, the Green Book is now displayed on all guest villa’s IPTV and offers in-depth descriptions of endemic marine life.
OBLU Helengeli
Helengeli island, located in North Male Atoll, is renowned for its exotic house reef, with its resident silver-tipped sharks, lobsters and giant sea turtles. Island properties are relatively isolated and must have procedures in place to allow them to operate independently. In line with its sustainable management plan, the resort follows a Preventative Maintenance Schedule that ensures faulty equipment is repaired or replaced in a timely fashion to avoid overuse of resources and expensive running costs.
Management also takes into consideration the wellbeing of both guests and staff alike. To ensure high standards of health and safety are maintained, potable water consumed by guests is subject to regular testing conducted by an accredited scientific laboratory. Treated water from the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) is also managed in a non-polluting way to protect the health of visiting guests and staff as well as the fragile surrounding eco-systems.
Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts is a dynamic and fast-growing Indian Ocean hospitality group currently based in the Maldives.
Atmosphere’s first property, Atmosphere Kanifushi, opened its doors in December 2013. The group opened its second property, OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli, in November 2015; followed by their flagship lifestyle luxury sub-brand, OZEN by Atmosphere, in July 2016; and then OBLU Select at Sangeli, which opened in July 2018. The newest addition to the portfolio, VARU by Atmosphere, opened in October 2019.
Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts offers guest-centric resort experiences through unique resort plans, offering guests a range of all-encompassing experiences, with varieties of dining options as well as a number of complimentary amenities and activities that ensure a relaxed, hassle-free holiday experience at each resort, all while staying true to the brand’s core philosophy: ‘The Joy of Giving’.
Atmosphere Foundation, in collaboration with Moodhu Bulhaa Dive Centre, has opened applications for the first batch of a new programme that will sponsor 10 Maldivians per year to pursue professional dive training.
The initiative is aimed at supporting the career development of young Maldivians and increasing the number of qualified local professionals in the tourism industry. As tourism remains the Maldives’ main economic sector, the programme is designed to help Maldivians enter the field, build their skills from the ground up, and progress in their careers.
Under the programme, selected candidates will receive fully funded training and support to complete a range of internationally recognised dive certifications. The programme will cover full professional training, all certification fees, accommodation, meals and insurance.
Applicants must be aged 18 and above. Successful candidates will be required to work in the Maldives for a specified period after completing their course, helping ensure that the country’s tourism and marine sectors benefit directly from the skills developed through the initiative.
Abdul Azeez Abdul Hakeem, Vice President of Atmosphere Foundation, said the programme reflects the foundation’s commitment to creating practical opportunities for Maldivians to grow and succeed.
“This programme is about opening a pathway for young Maldivians who are passionate about the ocean and want to build a profession in diving. By investing in training and development, we are helping create more opportunities for Maldivians to take up skilled roles in an industry that is central to the country’s economy. We hope this initiative will support participants not only in gaining qualifications, but also in building long-term careers in the Maldives,” he added.
Atmosphere Foundation has continued to support community development through a range of initiatives focused on education, skills development, youth empowerment and social wellbeing. Through its programmes and partnerships, the foundation works to create opportunities that strengthen communities and contribute to long-term national development.
The dive training initiative adds to the foundation’s broader efforts to support Maldivians through programmes that deliver direct benefits, expand access to opportunity and encourage personal and professional growth.
Applications for the first batch are now open, with the submission deadline set for 15 April 2026. For applications and further information, interested individuals may contact info@moodhubulhaa.com or call +960 7788141.
The Indian Ocean provides consistent surf conditions throughout the year, but each September, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa hosts the Surfing Champions Trophy at the Sultans break. The event is scheduled to return from 4 to 11 September 2026, bringing together professional surfers, guests and spectators.
Now in its 14th edition, the Surfing Champions Trophy is an invitation-only event featuring professional surfers competing across three board disciplines: single fin, twin fin and thruster. The competition takes place at Sultans, a reef break in North Malé Atoll, with Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa serving as the base for participants, officials and attending guests.
The line-up for the 2026 edition will be announced in stages in the coming months.
The event was first held in 2011, with Mark Occhilupo winning all three divisions and the Grand Champions Final. Since then, previous winners have included Damien Hardman (2012), Taylor Knox (2013), Dave Rastovich (2014), Shane Dorian (2015), Taj Burrow (2016, 2017 and 2024), Josh Kerr (2018 and 2019), Kelly Slater (2022), and Joel Parkinson (2023).
Over the years, the competition has also featured a range of international surfers, including Carissa Moore, Maya Gabeira, Tom Curren, Rob Machado, Layne Beachley, Bethany Hamilton, Mikey February, Jeremy Flores and Jadson Andre.
The 2025 edition saw Tahitian surfer Michel Bourez secure victory despite sustaining a hamstring injury during the event. He won both the thruster division and the Grand Champions Final, achieving the only perfect score of the competition in the closing moments of the final. Other participants included Owen Wright, Jesse Mendes, Craig Anderson and Maldivian wildcard Ismail Rasheed.
In parallel with the event, the resort offers the “Surf’s Up” package, which includes coaching sessions with Tropicsurf professionals, guided surf trips, daily yoga sessions, spa treatments, and accommodation with transfers. The package is available to guests seeking to participate in surf-related activities during the event period.
Updates on the 2026 competition, including participant announcements, will be released through official channels of the Surfing Champions Trophy and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa.
JOALI has announced a partnership with retired footballer Fara Williams, who will visit JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING this April to lead a series of football-related activities for guests and the local community.
Fara Williams is among the most capped players in English football history, with 172 international appearances for the England women’s national team. Over the course of her career, she represented clubs including Chelsea and Charlton Athletic, and captained Everton to victory in the Premier League Cup in 2008 and the FA Women’s Cup in 2010.
As part of the initiative, Williams will host a football workshop for girls from Dhuvaafaru Island on 11 April 2026. The session is intended to support the development of women’s football in the Maldives and reflects JOALI’s engagement with communities in Raa Atoll.
In addition, family-focused football sessions will be held for resort guests on 13 April at JOALI Maldives and on 17 April at JOALI BEING. These sessions will provide children and families with the opportunity to participate in football activities guided by Williams.
JOALI Maldives offers villas starting from USD 3,256 per night for two guests sharing a Water Villa with Pool on a bed and breakfast basis. At JOALI BEING, villas start from USD 3,162 per night for two guests sharing an Ocean Pool Villa on a bed and breakfast basis.
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