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Smashing time with Tipsarevic Luxury Tennis at Vakkaru Maldives

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Though holidaymakers the world over dream of visiting the Maldives, they have rarely ventured to the island nation in pursuit of tennis.

Still, for some time now, guests at Vakkaru Maldives in the idyllic Baa Atoll have been supplementing spa visits and snorkelling excursions with matches on the resort’s two cobalt blue courts.

Those sessions are now set to become far more intensive, with the arrival of Tipsarevic Luxury Tennis.

Founded by former World No. 8 tennis player Janko Tipsarevic, Tipsarevic Luxury Tennis at Vakkaru will see some of the world’s most accomplished tennis professionals visit the resort for short-term residences. It means guests will have the opportunity to attend tennis clinics and tutorials led by some of the world’s best players — and if they are brave, they can even try their hand in a game against them.

Still heavily engaged with the highest echelons of tennis, Janko will introduce a range of eminent athletes to Vakkaru over the months to come.

To kick things off, he will oversee sessions at the resort himself from November 10-24. During this tenure, he will be joined by Germany’s Rainer Schuettler, formerly ranked as the world’s No. 5 tennis player, from November 12-21, and Germany’s Angelique Kerber, a former world No. 1 and winner of three Grand Slam tournaments, from November 11-21.

Subsequent sessions will feature the likes of Canada’s Denis Shapovalov, currently ranked No. 12 in the world, and Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic.

“Alongside the entire Tipsarevic Luxury Tennis team, I am extremely excited to partner with Vakkaru Maldives. Our shared goal is to completely enhance the tennis experience on offer in the country. Whatever their ability, every participant who takes part in our programmes will experience a whole new way of playing tennis,” Janko said.

“For lovers of the game, competing with globally renowned players on Vakkaru’s brilliantly blue courts while surrounded by all the beauty of the Maldives promises to be a holiday experience like no other.”

Avid tennis fans need not worry if their visit does not coincide with an internationally recognised tennis legend’s tenancy.

To celebrate Vakkaru’s partnership with Tipsarevic Luxury Tennis and in recognition of the resort’s new hospitality concept Vakkare, which places the concept of physical, mental and emotional care at the core of all that Vakkaru provides, Serbian tennis pro Barbara Bonic has just joined the wellness team as Vakkaru’s resident tennis coach. She will happily lead training sessions for guests of all levels year-round, whether they want to get to grips with the basics or are keen for a vigorous game against a formidable opponent.

“I am excited to announce that our amazing tennis facility will be occupied by Tipsarevic Luxury Tennis,” Vakkaru Maldives General Manager Iain McCormack, who is a lifelong tennis fan and is happy to compete with guests on the court, said.

“We have partnered with Janko Tipsarevic and introduced our very own resident ATP player-coach to provide the highest level of tennis offerings in the Maldives, and we are looking forward to welcoming the many international players who will hit the court with our guests throughout the year. If you want a smashing time there is only one place to be!”

With Vakkaru’s tennis courts accessible from 6am to 8pm, guests will have complete flexibility to play at a time that suits them — be it a sunrise bout or a late-night session under the glow of floodlights.

Private sessions for adults cost from $120++ for one hour or $180++ for two hours, while five-hour packages and 10-hour packages to be used throughout a tenancy cost $440++ and $660++ respectively.

For children aged below 12 years old, one-hour sessions cost $95++ while two-hour sessions cost £160++. Five-hour packages cost $380 and 10-hour packages cost $570.

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Noku Maldives strengthens reef protection through coral propagation

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Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection has announced the launch of its Coral Propagation Programme, a new reef enhancement initiative guided by the brand’s purpose-led pillar, Means for Good.

Set within the tranquil waters of Noonu Atoll, Noku Maldives is home to a naturally vibrant marine environment — and this programme reflects the resort’s long-term commitment to nurturing it with care, intention, and respect for the ocean that surrounds the island.

Supporting Natural Growth, One Fragment at a Time

At the heart of the initiative is a gentle and nature-led method using “fragments of opportunity” — naturally broken coral fragments that are collected and carefully secured onto coral frames to encourage healthy regrowth. These fragments are stabilised in an environment that supports their development, allowing new coral to establish and flourish over time.

Designed with both short-term progress and lasting impact in mind, the Coral Propagation Programme will monitor key indicators of success within its first year, including stronger, healthier coral growth and increased fish activity around the coral frames — a positive sign that biodiversity is thriving and marine life is naturally gathering around these new habitats.

Over time, the initiative aims to support the natural expansion of reef habitats by creating structured micro-environments that encourage marine life and contribute to the long-term resilience of the surrounding reef ecosystem.

A Wider Commitment to Ocean Stewardship

The Coral Propagation Programme forms part of Noku Maldives’ broader conservation focus — including the protection of one of the island’s most distinctive natural features: its lush and thriving seagrass meadows.

Unlike many destinations where seagrass is removed or covered, Noku Maldives has chosen to protect and celebrate this important ecosystem. As part of its participation in the Maldives Resilient Reef Industry Circle, the resort has pledged to safeguard at least 80% of its seagrass area, recognising its vital role in supporting marine biodiversity and strengthening environmental resilience.

Seagrass meadows are essential to the lagoon’s natural balance. They provide a nursery habitat for juvenile fish species, help stabilise sediment and reduce beach erosion, and are widely recognised as powerful natural carbon sinks — absorbing CO₂ up to 35 times faster than rainforests. Seagrass also plays a key role in supporting green sea turtles, who rely on it as a primary food source and can graze up to 2 kilograms per day.

Noku Maldives will continue ongoing seagrass monitoring through regular assessments of species composition, blade height, algae content, and ecosystem health markers measured across set quadrats. Of the eight seagrass species found in the Maldives, four have already been identified within the resort’s lagoon — a promising indicator of biodiversity and habitat richness.

A Stay That Leaves Something Behind

Through Means for Good, Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection invites guests to connect with the destination in a way that feels meaningful — where luxury is not only experienced, but thoughtfully shared with the place that makes it possible.

The Coral Propagation Programme is a step forward in ensuring that the island’s reefs, lagoon life, and underwater landscapes remain protected for generations to come — a living symbol of what happens when nature is given the space, care, and time to return.

For more information and reservations, please visit the hotel website or email us at noku.reservations@ihg.com.

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Siyam World hosts Fernando Torres and Mark Noble for festive football camps

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Siyam World Maldives created the setting for two memorable football experiences during the festive season, as Fernando Torres and Mark Noble led a series of camps that transformed the holidays into shared moments of play, discovery and connection. With phones set aside and screens forgotten, more than fifty young players became fully absorbed in movement, laughter and island life.

Over two days, former World Cup winner Fernando Torres hosted an exclusive children’s football camp for resort guests, welcoming more than fifty players aged between four and fourteen. Mornings that began by the lagoon gradually shifted to the football pitch, as relaxed holiday routines evolved into informal training sessions filled with energy and enjoyment.

Torres, widely known as El Niño, brought the same enthusiasm that defined his career with Spain and Chelsea, tempered with humour and an easygoing approach suited to the island setting. He played alongside the children, encouraged the youngest participants and offered guidance without interrupting the sense of fun. One moment captured the tone of the camp when a four-year-old attempted to nutmeg him. The attempt failed, but the laughter that followed set the mood for the sessions that continued into the afternoon.

Torres remarked that children are less concerned with reputation than with the simple pleasure of playing the game, noting that this was when the experience felt most genuine. Parents observed from the sidelines as the sessions unfolded, gradually realising that the camp had become a highlight of their family holiday.

One guest, visiting from London, said the family had arrived for the sunshine and water park, and had not expected their eight-year-old to be playing football with a former World Cup winner. She added that her son had not removed his signed jersey since.

Earlier in December, Siyam World welcomed former West Ham United captain Mark Noble for a five-day football programme. Known for his long career and leadership at the club, Noble led daily sessions that focused on teamwork, simple technique and encouragement, exchanging formal settings for cones, drills and steady guidance.

By the end of the programme, the camp had taken on the character of an informal family memory rather than a structured course. For the children, it was several days of football. For parents, it became a defining moment of their stay, remembered through shared photographs, stories and moments that lingered beyond the holiday.

Together, the two camps reflected Siyam World Maldives’ growing emphasis on immersive, sport-led experiences, where internationally recognised athletes meet the informal rhythm of island life. The approach aims to create opportunities for families to connect through experiences that feel natural, joyful and quietly distinctive, adding another dimension to the resort’s family offering.

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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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