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Secret Paradise Maldives resumes tour operations
Award winning local tour company Secret Paradise announced this week that day tour operations had once again resumed within the Greater Male region.
Their first tour guests joined Secret Paradise tour guide Mashir Ali on a Male City Walking Tour.
Mr and Mrs Longhino from Luxembourg said: ”It was a very nice experience, even with the masks we could feel the smiling welcome! The check in process was very structured, safety rules were well explained and it felt very professional. The guides are very knowledgeable, have a very good level in english. They openly speak about the history, values, beliefs and present situation of the country.
“A must do for a Maldives visit, we would recommend anyone to take a day to experience and learn a bit more about the country and this tour is a very good way to do so!”
Since April, the team have all worked hard with support from Neil Shorthouse from Shorthouse Hospitality International to ensure our guests would be able to travel safely with us upon their return to the Maldives.
Secret Paradise recently announced the successful implementation of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels protocols for Adventure Tourism.
The specially designed #safetravels stamp allows travellers and other travel and tourism stakeholders to recognise companies around the world that have implemented health and hygiene protocols that are aligned with WTTC’s Global Safe Travels Protocols.
“It’s fantastic for the guide team to have received such positive feedback and to know that their efforts have been worthwhile” Ruth Franklin, Co-Founder and Director at Secret Paradise, said.
The Secret Paradise #letusguideyou Safely Policy highlights the enhanced procedures and processes that guests can expect, from the moment they are met by their guide to the time when they are waved goodbye.
The policy will evolve as time goes on and as public health recommendations change, but what won’t change is Secret Paradise’s commitment to keeping guests safe as they explore the Maldives.
Secret Paradise is currently offering a variety of walking tours within the capital area including the Original Villimale Eco Tour with Save the Beach, as well as water based activities to discover and learn about the underwater world of the Maldives.
Guiding tours since 2012, Secret Paradise offers a carefully developed range of tours to ensure there is something for everyone, no matter the length of stay or the number of people travelling.
Guests can choose to travel on a guided tour with one of their local guides, or travel independently, safe in the knowledge that the team has all logistics covered.
All tours provide carefully selected and audited local accommodation and travel by local transport.
Secret Paradise provides education and opportunities to ‘give back’. Learn about corals, marine-life, sea grass, mangroves and what happens to plastic, through presentations and experiences provided by their local tour leaders.
Traveling with Secret Paradise isn’t just about exploring the Maldives and enjoying the beautiful beaches and tropical waters. It’s about discovering authentic experiences and off-the-beaten-path locations that you didn’t even know were there to discover.
Excursions
Discover Raa Atoll: Ifuru Island Maldives adds new dive packages for 2026
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
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
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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