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Support builds for code of conduct to protect gentle giants of South Ari Marine Protected Area

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A campaign launched this week is urging tourists to choose tour operators who have signed up to a new whale shark code of conduct when visiting the Maldives’ magnificent marine wildlife.

Launched by Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWRSP) and marine conservation charities Maldives Resilient Reefs (MRR) and Blue Marine Foundation, #BeGentleToGiants seeks to encourage both tour operators and marine wildlife visitors alike to protect this iconic gentle giant of the ocean from negative effects of marine encounters.

The South Ari Marine Protected Area (MPA), located in the Maldives, plays host to a unique and naturally occurring year-round aggregation, and to date, no whale shark found here has been recorded anywhere else in the world. Sadly, they are declining in abundance, reduced in numbers by at least 16 per cent since 2014.

Some 45 per cent of whale sharks in the South Ari MPA waters now show signs of major injury – many of which can be attributed to boat strikes. These happen when boats speed within the reef where whale sharks cruise in the warm, shallow waters to regain energy after long periods in deeper, colder water. The code of conduct requires operators to cruise below ten knots within the reef to reduce the risk of these collisions.

The code also recommends limiting disturbance to these filter-feeding sharks when swimming with them as encounters that are too crowded or noisy can alter their natural behaviour. The code of conduct promotes just one boat per shark, encouraging those in the water to give the whale sharks space and keep splashes and sudden movements to a minimum.

Shaha Hashim of Blue Marine and MRR said: “The current whale shark tourism in the South Ari MPA is not only unsustainable, but it is also dangerous for the whale sharks and the tourists. It is crucial that all tour operators who use the area sign up to the #BeGentleToGiants code of conduct and abide by it to safeguard the whale sharks and their businesses while providing an enjoyable experience to their guests. In the past, we have seen how the Maldives tourism industry can be a driver of conservation and it’s time for them to step up again.”

Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme said: “South Ari atoll MPA is desperately in need of better protection, and we can all agree that full-on enforcement of the regulations set in place can only be achieved through a proper management plan. That said, each and every one of us using the area for its various ecosystem services have a role in ensuring our individual impact on the area is minimal, and that our actions do not lead to the degradation of the population and habitat of these gentle giants.”

Ibrahim Usman, President of Dhigurah Council: “Dhigurah has always been a partner to protect South Ari Atoll MPA since the work began in Maldives by the Maldives whale shark research programme. Whale shark snorkelling is the most important marketing tool for the nearby resorts and our island guest houses as well. Therefore, protecting whale sharks is very vital to promoting tourism in South Ari and the Maldives. To protect whale sharks, we must give our commitment and support in all activities and practices that promote policies and regulations in the South Ari MPA. Dhigurah Council and the whole community will definitely support the campaign.”

John Rogers, General Manager of LUX* South Ari Atoll which is championing the code of conduct, said: “We actively promote and follow the code of conduct for swimming with the whale sharks during each excursion; educating our guests on the importance of respecting these amazing creatures by providing awareness sessions prior to entering the water. It would be great to see whale shark tourism in the Maldives carefully regulated to avoid losing sight of whale sharks completely. Proper regulations will not only protect the sharks but it will continue to attract the tourists to visit South Ari Atoll and benefit the tourist industry in the long term.”

Alexandra Jamaica at Scubaspa:  “With increasing number of tourist vessels entering SAMPA every day, we observe whale sharks being harassed by visitors and struck by speeding boats on a daily basis. Guides and operators need to take responsibility for the protection of our whale sharks, starting with extensive safety briefings and enforcing the simple Code of Conduct among their guests. Hopefully the Gentle to Giants campaign will reach many local and tourist ocean enthusiasts and inspire them to make a difference.”

Amir Schmidt at MV KEANA said: “It seems like whale sharks are home to Maldives before there were even humans. Over time human impact has reached alarming levels on the atoll ecosystems. Nobody actually wants to hunt down a whale shark together with a dozen different boats but it’s happening. Nobody wants to encircle a whale shark together with dozens of people not giving the fish its space but it’s happening. Nobody wants to ride over a whale shark with the boat but it’s happening. All stakeholders need to make a choice. Time is running out.”

Andre Horn at dive centre from resorts, EURODIVERS, said: “Whale sharks have roamed the oceans for over 70 million years and are an indicator of a healthy ocean itself. As whale sharks feed on ocean plankton, their role in regulating the ocean is as important as other species of sharks. These gentle giants are on the list of endangered species. Euro-Divers believes in the code of conduct as we are fortunate enough to visit the South Ari Marine Protected Area frequently with our guests and use these events to educate the various guests about the importance of whale sharks not only here in the Maldives but around the world.”

Tour operators who have signed up to the whale shark code of conduct can be found by visiting www.begentletogiants.org/maldives

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Denise Höfer returns to The Nautilus Maldives for four-day padel programme in March 2026

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The Nautilus Maldives is set to welcome back Denise Höfer, Germany’s No. 1 padel player and a leading global ambassador of the sport, for a renewed edition of its Masters for Masters series, taking place from 25 to 28 March 2026. This four-day programme invites families, couples and players of every level to discover Padel as a joyful shared adventure, guided by one of the world’s most inspiring Padel athletes.

Padel has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, celebrated for its accessibility and its ability to bring people together. Fast, intuitive and inherently social, it is the perfect sport for parents and children, partners and friends. With its playful nature and quick learning curve, Padel creates rare moments where beginners and seasoned players can genuinely enjoy the game side by side.

In this spirit, The Nautilus presents a Padel Masterclass shaped by connection. Whether learning your first rally with your partner, watching your children gain confidence on the court, or joining a spirited group session with fellow travellers, the programme transforms play into an experience of shared joy and discovery.

Guests will train with Denise Höfer across a curated line up of classes. Tailored, on-demand experiences including Couples Escape, Family Fun, Cardio Padel and Padel × Wellness invite guests to hyper-personalise their journey, blending movement with mindfulness, and performance with light hearted enjoyment. Complimentary daily sessions feature a Group Masterclass and a Children’s Masterclass, each thoughtfully crafted to suit different learning styles and skill levels.

After energising mornings on the court, guests can retreat to Solasta Spa for treatments inspired by natural flow and deep release. Personalised massages, stretching rituals and ocean-influenced therapies provide a gentle counterbalance to the day’s activities, inviting both body and mind to settle into a state of restoration. The experience becomes a soothing rhythm of movement, rest and reconnection, perfectly aligned with the private island’s unhurried philosophy.

With just 26 ultra-luxury houses and residences in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, The Nautilus offers the ideal setting for meaningful time together. Days unfold freely, guided not by schedules but by the simple desire to savour each moment. Whether learning a new skill as a family, sharing a playful match at sunset, or cheering one another from the sidelines, every experience becomes part of a memory shaped by spontaneity and warmth.

The Padel Masterclass with Denise Höfer invites guests to discover more than technique. It offers a chance to bond, to grow and to reconnect with the joy of learning something new together. At The Nautilus, this journey is shaped not by rules, but by the freedom to follow your own rhythm.

Denise Höfer, Germany’s No. 1 Padel Player, shares: “I’m thrilled to be returning to The Nautilus for this special edition of its Masters for Masters series. The Nautilus’s Padel court is truly one of my favourites in the world: it’s incredible setting and stunning lagoon views create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. I can’t wait to share this unique experience with The Nautilus guests once again.”

Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus Maldives, adds: “We are delighted to welcome Denise Höfer back to our shores. Having an athlete of her talent and success return to our island is a true honour and offering our guests the rare opportunity to train with her makes this event genuinely exceptional.”

Event Details:

  • Dates: 25 to 28 March 2026
  • Location: The Nautilus Maldives

To learn more about Denise Höfer and this exclusive experience, please visit the resort’s website. To book your stay, please contact hello@thenautilusmaldives.com

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Siyam World achieves snorkelling world record with 307 participants

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Siyam World Maldives has officially made global history. On December 5th, the island pulled off one of its boldest ideas yet, becoming the first resort on the planet to earn a Guinness World Records title for The Most People Snorkeling Simultaneously at a Single Venue. In partnership with Freedive Maldives, Siyam World rallied an incredible 307 snorkelers from guests, neighbors, and ocean lovers across the region, diving past the required 250 participant mark and turning the house reef into a spectacular sea of fins and fun. Guinness World Records officials flew in to verify every detail, and for the first time ever in the Maldives, every participant received an official Guinness World Records medal, making “Snorkel World 300” a milestone etched not only in record books but also in everyone’s memories.

The energy of the day embodied everything Siyam World stands for — a big, bold, anything-is-possible playground where imagination meets island life. The event was more than a record attempt; it was a celebration of marine life, community connection, and Siyam World’s adventurous DNA. The event aligned with Sun Siyam Resorts’ ongoing sustainability initiatives, encouraging guests and locals alike to appreciate and protect the natural beauty of the Maldives’ underwater world. It also served as a proud moment for the destination. As the first Guinness World Records medal ceremony ever held in the Maldives, the event spotlighted Maldivian hospitality, creativity, and ocean culture on a global stage.

“What a moment. Being the first resort in the world to set a Guinness World Records title is something we will always carry with pride, not just for Siyam World and Sun Siyam Resorts, but for the Maldives as well. We have never been the type to follow the usual path; doing the unexpected has always been our style. A huge thank you to everyone from the nearby islands who came together to make this possible,” said Ausy Waseem, Resort Manager, Siyam World.

If any resort was going to break a world record, it was always going to be Siyam World. From adrenaline-fueled adventures to quirky island experiences that spark global attention, Siyam World has earned its reputation as the Maldives’ most unrestrained, maximalist playground. This Guinness World Records title adds yet another chapter to its growing list of “only-at-Siyam” moments, proof that the resort is not just a place to stay, but a destination where the extraordinary is the everyday.

Siyam World now stands proudly as a Guinness World Records titleholder, an extraordinary accomplishment shared with the Maldives and the global travel community.

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World-first overwater padel tennis court launched at Meyyafushi Maldives

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Meyyafushi Maldives, a new five-star premium all-inclusive boutique resort, has introduced what it describes as a world-first in resort recreation: a fixed overwater padel tennis court. Positioned above clear lagoons and framed by sweeping sunset views, the court offers guests an opportunity to play and unwind in a distinctive setting surrounded by panoramic ocean vistas.

Located in the Lhaviyani Atoll, the overwater court allows players to take part in a match while immersed in the natural calm of the surrounding seascape. Guests staying at the resort are offered one hour of complimentary padel tennis as part of the premium all-inclusive package. The setting provides a secluded and tranquil space for both beginners and experienced players to practise with the sound of the ocean beneath.

“Padel tennis has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and we wanted to bring it to life in the most spectacular way possible,” said Ahmed Siaar, Cluster General Manager of BeKind Hotels & Resorts. “Playing on water, surrounded by endless blues, transforms the game into something transcendent – it’s active luxury at its finest.”

The overwater court forms part of Meyyafushi’s wider range of facilities, which include an underwater dining restaurant, an overwater wine cellar, water pool suites with slides, a mini bowling lane, and an adults-only sky bar featuring a glass-bottom infinity pool. Each facility has been created to offer experiences that encourage connection, exploration and wellbeing.

With uninterrupted sunset views and a distinctive overwater location, Meyyafushi Maldives’ padel tennis court marks a global first for the sport, bringing together physical activity, landscape and design in a single setting.

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