Action
One&Only Reethi Rah, United Fitness Brands launch exclusive partnership

One&Only Reethi Rah, the ultra-luxury all-villa resort set on one of the Maldives’ largest private islands has announced an exclusive partnership with leading fitness experts United Fitness Brands (UFB), offering guests on-demand videos for completely private, in-villa workouts along with on-resort classes with several visiting practitioners to experience their groundbreaking fitness classes while holidaying in the tropics.
This partnership comes as an evolvement of the resort’s prior partnership with Barrecore and allows the resort to expand its offerings with the group’s four main fitness brands: Barrecore, Boom Cycle, KOBOX, and triyoga. Guests at One&Only Reethi Rah will have access to a range of fitness videos on Barrecore, KOBOX, and triyoga guided by expert instructors on the screens within their villas.
United Fitness Brands is the UK’s first fitness supergroup, offering its portfolio of premium studios, accelerated growth, scale, and commercial prowess within the industry and beyond. The parent company to some of the UK’s pioneering fitness brands, their mission is to take their four brands across international waters, including to the stunning azure shores of One&Only Reethi Rah.
There’s something for everyone among UFB’s four main disciplines, whether you’re new to fitness or a seasoned expert. Barrecore, a method founded in 2011 that uses your own body weight and isometric exercises for high intensity and low impact workouts, is recognised as one of the fastest, safest, and most effective body transformation exercises in the UK. Boom Cycle, the nation’s first indoor cycling chain founded in the same year, offers guests an immersive ‘party on a bike’ workout for a heart-pumping fun time. KOBOX, the newest of the four, founded in 2015 and first of its kind, brings high intensity boxing classes under the concept of ‘Fight Club Meets Nightclub’. triyoga, founded in 2000, combines the three elements of yoga, Pilates, and treatments to help individuals achieve true wellbeing inside and out with the support of the best teachers and therapists.
Hilary Rowland, Chief Product Officer at United Fitness Brands, had the following to say about the partnership: “United Fitness Brands is overjoyed to bring our four long-standing and well-loved wellness brands: Barrecore, Boom Cycle, KOBOX and triyoga to the excellent and stunning One&Only Reethi Rah. We believe our class formats and expert trainers will bring an additional edge to the existing perfection achieved by the team at the resort and we only hope we can spend more time there.”
The partnership with UFB complements One&Only Reethi Rah’s complete and holistic programme of wellness and fitness experiences. Home to a cutting-edge gym with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, an outdoor Queenax functional area perched on the beach, and a snack and juice bar, the resort’s personal training programmes are uniquely tailored to each guests’ personal fitness goals and potential with disciplines including kick boxing, Power Plate, and kinesis programmes.
Following their unique and exhilarating workouts, guests can retreat to the award-winning One&Only Spa for a fully rejuvenating treatment at the serene ocean-side sanctuary, where they can indulge in an extensive menu of Asian-inspired revitalising and personalised face and body treatments based on one-on-one consultations.
As part of their holistic and tailor-made health and wellness programme, One&Only Reethi Rah invites fitness and wellness enthusiasts to experience one or all United Fitness Brands’ trailblazing classes in the heart of paradise, either from the comfort and privacy of their own beautiful villa, or against the unrivalled backdrop of the Indian Ocean.
Action
Netflix’s ‘All the Sharks’ puts global spotlight on tiger shark paradise in Maldives’ Fuvahmulah

The first episode of Netflix’s new competition series All the Sharks is set in Fuvahmulah, Maldives — an island now confirmed by scientists as home to the largest documented aggregation of tiger sharks in the world.
The global series, which premiered Friday, follows four teams of marine experts racing to photograph the most shark species across six biodiverse marine locations. Its opening episode brings viewers into the waters of Fuvahmulah, a shark diving hotspot in the southern Maldives, where recent research has identified 239 individual tiger sharks over six years — more than any other single location globally.
A peer-reviewed study published earlier this year in Nature.com, led by Lennart Vossgaetter of the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research in Germany, used non-invasive photo identification to confirm Fuvahmulah’s ecological significance. Researchers found that adult female tiger sharks show strong site fidelity, remaining in the island’s warm, food-rich waters for extended periods during gestation.
The big picture: Science meets streaming in Fuvahmulah
Fuvahmulah, long renowned by divers for consistent encounters with tiger sharks, now features prominently in both marine research and global entertainment. The Netflix episode captures this extraordinary setting as part of a larger series spanning Japan, South Africa, the Galapagos, Australia and the Bahamas.
According to the study, Fuvahmulah’s waters — influenced by oceanic currents and lacking a surrounding atoll — provide ideal reproductive conditions for tiger sharks, particularly pregnant females. The research team documented the world’s highest number of individual tiger sharks identified in one confined marine area.
The scientists described Fuvahmulah as a “bright spot” for tiger shark conservation in the Indian Ocean, bolstered by the Maldives’ national shark sanctuary status.
Zoom in: A friendly global shark race
All the Sharks follows four two-person teams — Shark Docs, Gills Gone Wild, British Bait Off and Land Sharks — competing to photograph the most and rarest shark species at each location.
The series is hosted by Tom “The Blowfish” Hird, a marine biologist known for his dramatic delivery and braided pirate-style beard.
Points are awarded based on species rarity, with the season’s top team winning US$50,000 for a marine conservation charity of their choice.
Though the show leans on reality TV conventions, its content remains grounded in ocean science and conservation. Fuvahmulah’s inclusion in the series serves as both a dramatic setting and an educational entry point into the world of shark biology and environmental protection.
Details: Unregulated tourism meets scientific concern
The Nature.com study also raised concerns about the rapid growth of shark tourism in Fuvahmulah, particularly at the island’s famed “Tiger Harbour.” While tourism provides a major economic boost for the island, shark provisioning and diving currently remain unregulated, with no official national guidelines.
The researchers warned that the absence of regulation — including standardised safety measures and environmental practices — could jeopardise both shark welfare and the long-term viability of the tourism industry.
They pointed to successful models in countries like Fiji, where community-managed marine protected areas (MPAs) have been implemented to balance economic activity with ecological sustainability. The study recommended similar frameworks for the Maldives, calling for inclusive stakeholder management plans to ensure responsible ecotourism in one of the world’s most important shark sanctuaries.
Why it matters: Maldives in the global spotlight
The series premiere and the scientific findings together shine a global spotlight on the Maldives’ critical role in shark conservation. As the world celebrates 50 years since Jaws and enters another summer of shark-themed content, All the Sharks provides a rare blend of adventure, education and scientific relevance.
The show includes conservation graphics detailing the biology and threatened status of each shark species, shifting the narrative from fear to appreciation. For viewers — and for the Maldives — the message is clear: these apex predators are essential to ocean health and worthy of protection.
The bottom line: Fuvahmulah is both spectacle and sanctuary
As All the Sharks captures the thrill of underwater discovery, Fuvahmulah emerges not only as a top-tier dive destination but as one of the most ecologically important shark habitats in the world. With Netflix bringing its waters to millions of viewers and science affirming its global conservation value, the moment calls for action — to protect, to regulate and to preserve this unique corner of the Maldives for generations to come.
Action
Dive for free at Kandooma, just named Maldives’ leading dive resort

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has been crowned ‘Maldives Leading Dive Resort 2025’ at the prestigious World Travel Awards, marking a major milestone as the inaugural winner of this newly introduced category.
The announcement was made at a glittering gala ceremony held on 29 June in Tanzania, attended by tourism and hospitality leaders from across Africa and the Indian Ocean. The accolade honours Kandooma’s commitment to exceptional diving experiences and innovation in accessible underwater tourism.
“We’re surrounded by some of the most awe-inspiring marine life in the Maldives – it’s truly like diving in a living aquarium,” said Mark Eletr, General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives. “From graceful manta rays and reef sharks to turtles, moray eels, and vast schools of tropical fish, our waters are teeming with life.”
Just minutes from the resort are world-class dive sites including Kandooma Thila, a renowned cleaning station for grey reef sharks; Guraidhoo Corner, famous for its strong currents and pelagic encounters; and Medhu Faru, where divers drift alongside vibrant coral walls. The close proximity of these sites allows for up to three dives a day – ideal for enthusiasts chasing underwater thrills.
Central to Kandooma’s diving success is its bold ‘Dive Free’ initiative – a game-changer for the scuba community. Guests who stay three nights or more and are certified divers receive two complimentary boat dives per day, including equipment and professional guidance.
“Diving can be an expensive pursuit, so we decided to flip the script,” Eletr added. “Our ‘Dive Free’ program removes the barriers and makes the underwater magic of the Maldives accessible to more people than ever.”
Kandooma’s on-site 5-star PADI dive centre offers courses for beginners through to advanced, specialty certifications and refreshers, as well as private excursions for underwater photography, night dives, and wreck explorations.
With its commitment to sustainability, marine preservation, and guest experience, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has proven that world-class diving doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag – just a sense of adventure.
For more information or to book a diving escape, visit: www.maldives.holidayinnresorts.com
Action
Siyam World kicks off August with star-studded football camps

No shoes, no stress, just goals! This August, Siyam World Maldives is turning up the heat with not one, not two, but three football legends taking over the island for exclusive five-day Football Residence Camps – Wayne Bridge, Kean Bryan, Andrew Johnson.
Wayne Bridge | August 1–5
A former England international and Premier League left-back with over 300 top-flight appearances, Wayne is best known for his time at Chelsea, Manchester City, and Southampton. His elite-level experience, from Champions League nights to FA Cup triumphs, makes him the ultimate coach for young players looking to level up.
Kean Bryan | August 11–15
A midfield dynamo with a Premier League pedigree, Kean’s career includes spells at Manchester City, Sheffield United, and West Brom. Known for his technical skill and tactical brain, he brings a youth-focused approach packed with energy, precision, and motivation.
Andrew Johnson (AJ) | August 17–21
A former England striker and Crystal Palace legend, AJ lit up the Premier League with his pace and goal-scoring flair. His sessions will bring fast-paced drills, goal-scoring tips, and a whole lot of fun to the pitch.
Each 5-day camp for kids between 5 and 12 years, takes place on the resort’s own World Sports Arena, as part of their exclusive Football Residences programme, designed to inspire the next generation of football stars while having the time of their lives in paradise. Spots are limited, and trust us, they’ll go fast. Give your child the chance to train with football legends, make lifelong friends, and experience the magic of the Maldives—because this is one match they won’t want to miss.
Siyam World has already hosted some of the biggest names in football, with past camps featuring stars like: Francesco Totti, Alessandro Del Piero, Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves, Daniel Agger or Esteban Cambiasso. Joining this incredible lineup, those football legends in August are making Siyam World the go-to destination for football-obsessed kids and their families.
-
Action21 hours ago
Netflix’s ‘All the Sharks’ puts global spotlight on tiger shark paradise in Maldives’ Fuvahmulah
-
Action1 week ago
Consistently awarded, beyond compare: Machchafushi Island Resort’s house reef
-
Cooking1 week ago
Jumeirah Olhahali Island welcomes Shimmers’ Chef Emanuele for exclusive culinary residency this July
-
Drink1 week ago
Cellar of quiet distinction: Vakkaru Reserve wins fifth Wine Spectator Award
-
Action1 week ago
Siyam World kicks off August with star-studded football camps
-
Awards7 days ago
Atmosphere Kanifushi marks 6 years as Maldives’ leading family resort
-
Drink1 week ago
Dare to taste with W Maldives at Island Alchemy Ft. Beckaly Franks
-
Action1 week ago
Making waves all summer long: Manta rays, mini explorers take over The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives