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Ride the waves with new surf packages at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

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Gili Lankanfushi, the pioneer of sustainable, barefoot luxury in the Maldives, is giving guests a chance to surf like a pro with a series of new packages this season. Offering a variety of year-round white-water experiences for adults and children aged six and up, Gili Lankanfushi is a true surfer’s paradise for beginner and advanced wave-riders alike.

Perched within its very own turquoise house lagoon, Gili Lankanfushi provides a magical setting for first-timers finding their way around a board. For more experienced riders, the resort is just a short boat journey away from some of the Maldives’ best surfing spots, including the legendary honeymoon cove. When guests are ready to wind down post-waves, there’s even a surf remedial massage on offer at the resort’s Meera Spa.

Gili Lankanfushi’s world-class Tropicsurf instructors are on the island 24/7, ready to help guests realise their surfing ambitions. They can even fly in a professional to join expert surfers in the water if desired! Before heading out to the ocean, instructors will discuss the client’s current skill level and goals – whether they want to simply stand on the board or hang-ten, waft and reverse like Kelly Slater – creating a programme that is completely bespoke.

Providing a true bucket-list surfing opportunity for families, couples and solo travellers, the packages include:

Lagoon Lesson

Level 1 Novice (1 hour)

Learn safety and technique in Gili Lankanfushi’s calm lagoon. This lesson prepares first-timers to go to the waves. Price includes surfboard, sun cream, rash guards, towels, water, and expert coaching; just bring your bathing suit! No prior experience is necessary.

US$115/£90 per person ++

Ocean Transition

Level 2-4 Beginner/Intermediate Small Waves (3 hours)

The intermediate lesson in white water or green waves with an instructor by your side in the water. Price includes Dhoni transfer to various breaks, surfboard, sun cream, rash guards, towels, water and expert coaching and daily surf report.

First Surf US$255/£175 per person ++; additional surf US$490/£375 per person ++

Ticket to Ride

Level 5-10 advanced surfers (3 hours)

Let Gili Lankanfushi take you to the best available waves of the day, depending on conditions. Price includes Dhoni transfer to various breaks, sun cream, rash guards, towels, water and expert coaching and daily surf report.

First Surf US$165/£126 per person ++; Additional surf US$235/£180 per person/day

Surf ‘n’ Spa

For those wishing to unwind and soothe tired muscles after a day on the water, Gili Lankanfushi’s Meera Spa offers a very special Surf Remedial Massage treatment that has been specifically created to ease any post-surf aches. After a physical day catching waves, this is a much-needed 60-minutes of pampering to restore energy levels. Special remedial techniques with firm to deep pressure combined with stretching through muscle tissues with therapeutic balm will relieve and loosen tension in the neck, shoulder, lower back, and arms.

There are even yoga techniques and breathing exercises available for guests to tune their mind and posture to help catch the perfect wave!

Gili Lankanfushi enjoys an unspoilt island location in the Maldives’ North Malé Atoll, just 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé Airport, with direct flights from London now available. Perfectly suited for couples, families, solo travellers and groups alike, the resort combines rustic eco-design, unparalleled service and stunning natural scenery with a laid-back-luxury, ‘no news, no shoes’ philosophy.

Nightly rates at Gili Lankanfushi start from £1,070/$1,440, based on two adults sharing a Villa Suite including breakfast. For more information or to book please visit www.gili-lankanfushi.com

Excursions

Experience ocean encounters: Manta Month at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives

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Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has announced the return of Manta Month this September, following the success of last year’s initiative. Now established as an annual programme, the celebration offers guests of all ages the opportunity to engage with the ocean while supporting marine conservation, with a particular focus on the manta ray.

Throughout the month, guests are invited to take part in guided excursions to known manta hotspots, led by the resort’s experienced team, who share insights into manta behaviour and conservation. Awareness talks highlight the story of a manta rescued near the island, serving as a reminder of the resort’s continuing efforts to protect marine life. Children can enjoy manta-themed arts and crafts as well as beach games, while the wider community will join reef and island clean-up activities, with collected waste repurposed into manta sculptures. In addition, proceeds from manta pendant sales at the resort’s retail boutique will be donated to The Manta Trust, extending support for research and protection initiatives.

Located close to several of the Maldives’ top ten dive sites, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives places importance on the wellbeing of the ocean and its ecosystems, a priority shared by both guests and staff. The resort’s sustainability initiatives are aligned with IHG’s purpose, True Hospitality for Good, through its Journey to Tomorrow programme, which supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and demonstrates a commitment to long-term environmental protection.

Commenting on the event, Mark Eletr, General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, said: “What started as a special event last year has now grown into an annual month-long celebration. Kandooma Manta Month is not just about seeing these magnificent creatures up close, but about creating meaningful experiences that inspire awareness, responsibility, and care for our ocean environment.”

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Conrad Maldives Rangali Island achieves PADI Eco Center Certification

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Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has been officially certified as a PADI Eco Center, becoming one of only two resorts in the Maldives to receive this recognition in 2025. The certification is awarded to dive resorts that extend their efforts beyond standard operations, with a strong focus on protecting marine environments and raising awareness among future generations.

As part of the certification process, the resort’s team adopted the Conrad House Reef through PADI’s Adopt the Blue programme. A Dive Against Debris clean-up dive was conducted around the reef near Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, during which 10 kilograms of marine litter, primarily plastics and metal fragments, were collected.

The team also joined Green Fins in June 2025 and has since introduced a series of sustainable practices. These include paperless dive check-ins, eco-briefings before excursions, reduced use of plastics through the introduction of glass alternatives, and signage encouraging responsible snorkelling and diving across the dive centre.

Guests are also directly engaged in conservation activities through coral restoration initiatives. In 2025, the team has facilitated 17 coral line adoptions, where participants attend an educational session before attaching coral fragments to nursery lines and assisting with their placement underwater.

Jessica Miller, Marine Biologist at Conrad Maldives, commented: “This certification represents a milestone for us. It’s the result of dedicated teamwork and genuine care for the ocean. Watching our guests become part of the solution, whether through coral planting or learning about local marine life, is what makes this so special.”

Nick Flynn, General Manager of Conrad Maldives, added: “We’re incredibly proud of the team’s achievement in making Conrad Maldives a certified PADI Eco Center. This milestone is part of our long-term commitment to sustainability and a testament to how luxury and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.”

Ranjit Batra, Chief Executive Officer of Ventive Hospitality, the owning company of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, highlighted the wider significance of the achievement. He said: “The PADI Eco Center recognition for Conrad Maldives Rangali Island underscores our commitment to protecting marine ecosystems while shaping the future of responsible travel. We are proud of Conrad for leading the way in sustainability across the Maldives.”

The certification strengthens Conrad Maldives’ broader sustainability objectives under Hilton’s Travel With Purpose programme. The resort will continue to offer educational dives, coral adoption opportunities, and conservation briefings, encouraging guests to actively participate in marine protection efforts during their stay.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island operates under Hilton and is part of Hilton Honors®, the global guest loyalty programme. Hilton Honors members booking directly through official Hilton channels receive a range of benefits, including exclusive discounts, free standard Wi-Fi, flexible payment options combining Points and money, and contactless technology via the Hilton Honors mobile app, which enables digital check-in, room selection, and access.

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Excursions

Marine encounters: spinner dolphins at Canareef Resort Maldives

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At Canareef Resort Maldives, one of the most popular experiences for guests is the dolphin tour. The abundant presence of dolphins in the surrounding waters ensures that each cruise offers a remarkable encounter with these marine creatures, creating lasting memories for visitors.

Every dolphin tour at Canareef provides an opportunity to observe pods of dolphins gliding and leaping across the waves. Guests often describe the sight of spinner dolphins darting through the clear ocean as a defining image of the Maldives’ natural marine beauty.

Morning cruises and sunset tours alike are guided by experienced staff, who share insights as dolphins appear in their natural environment. Many guests recount moments when dolphins swim alongside the boat, a spectacle that creates a unique sense of connection.

The activity is regarded as more than just an excursion; it is considered a celebration of nature and a highlight of a stay at Canareef. It allows guests to experience the Maldives in a way that underlines why dolphins are seen as ambassadors of the islands.

For travellers seeking encounters with dolphins amid turquoise waters, Canareef presents an ideal opportunity. The resort also offers seasonal promotions, including early booking discounts for the remainder of this summer, next winter, and summer 2026.

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