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W Maldives Brings in the London Beats Duo
Maldives Promotion House – Surprisingly enough, it actually starts with your feet. You’re sitting down at a table, making small talk with your friends and before you know it, your fingers are moving. Then your hands slowly start drumming on the table. You start feeling hazy, and then the energy hits you. Just as you’re about to realise the motion of your head, the rhythms envelop you. The beats muffle out the voices of the excited crowd, and you lose control of your entire body. The flashing disco lights blind you, and you slip off your seat and the dance floor becomes the only world you exist in.
It is a very unique kind of music that can do that to you. Every DJ can’t do that, and every party can’t bring out that side of you that no one knew existed. But here are two DJs who can. Hailing from two very different parts of the world, DJ Klaus from Brazil and Ameet ‘El Bongo’ Jugnauth from the Mauritius are famously known as the London Beats. I was lucky enough to experience their vibes during their performance for the guests at W Retreat & Spa Maldives, earlier this week.
With a unique combination of traditional club DJ and raw live music, London Beats is one of London’s top act responsible for some of the wildest and craziest performances. The pair have played all over the world with a host of celebrity DJs and stars including Pete Tong, Shakira, Hot Chip and Bob Sinclair. Besides their London based residencies in Eclipse Bar and Boujis nightclubs, the duo also take London Beats abroad with regular performances at W Barcelona and W Doha. They have also performed in Taipei, St Petersburg, Barcelona, Doha, Hong Kong, Miami, and now Maldives
A DJ since 17, DJ Klaus spent half of his childhood in Brazil. He explained, “For me the whole DJ thing actually came from Brazil. My cousin was a DJ and that’s how I got into DJ. I did a lot of clubs in Brazil and then I moved to UK. Then back in London I did this gig in a club. The owners of the club also owned a couple of bars in London. So in 2008 for the 10th anniversary in one of the bars called Eclipse, they asked me to play.”
“Apparently Eclipse also had a guy who played percussion there. I had never heard of him or met him. So I was doing my set and he turned up, because he was going to play anyway. And the place just went wild, and I thought ‘wow’ this is actually pretty cool. So we ended up doing another gig together, and Eclipse wanted to use more DJs on the weekends so we started off playing regularly every Friday,” Klaus told me the story of how London Beats came to be.
“It was very unique and different because eclipse was very much a bar than a club, and unlike Europe, in London they’re both very different places. Klaus was very well known for what he was doing in the clubs and I was very well known for what I was doing in the bar. There were a lot of people who wanted to see the two of us come together. Everyone would talk about it, but they never really put us together until that day,” Ameet added.
In October 2009 when W Barcelona opened with an Eclipse bar, part owned by the W Brand, the duo was once again called to perform during the launch. That would be their first trip together and also the beginning of what is now known as London Beats. While most people would think that London beats started in London, it actually started in Barcelona. What kicked off as a theme night was named as London Beats to define where the beats of the duo come from.
The uniqueness and the sheer beauty of their performances, that has mesmerised audiences from all over the world, come from deep within their persona. “What we are actually trying to create is that fusion of live music and the DJ vibe. It’s a risky mix, because it either works really well, or it doesn’t work at all. And for us, the crowd speaks success,” says Ameet. “W has got a very strong brand so it’s relatively the same in every destination, but what’s interesting is that, it’s always a different crowd. Because the people are different, and that is our challenge.”
What DJ Klaus and Ameet ‘El Bongo’ Jugnauth performs is not just art. It’s not just music. It’s not just rhythms either. It goes far deeper than that. It mixes with the very essence of our inner child. The tunes reverberate through our body and mind and linger around us. It brings out the children in us, once again opening the flood gates to the innocence of youth. For a moment, everything stops, and the beats disappear into the night, along with the worries and stress of responsibilities. And all that is left is the floor, the lights and the energy that flows.
Bandos Maldives recently marked a significant milestone with two of its most loyal guests, Kate and Andy, who have shared a long-standing connection with the island.
Andy achieved an impressive feat by completing his 900th dive, all undertaken with Dive Bandos. His wife, Kate, surpassed this accomplishment by reaching her 1000th dive, with over 900 of those dives also completed alongside the Bandos team.
The Dive Bandos team joined the couple in celebrating this memorable occasion, recognising not only their dedication to diving but also the enduring bond they have formed with the resort over the years.
Kate and Andy’s relationship with Bandos extends far beyond statistics. Having first visited the island in 2006, they have returned every year since, making Bandos an integral part of their lives. In 2014, the couple even chose to exchange their wedding vows underwater at the resort — a unique moment that forever linked their love story with Bandos.
“Celebrating guests like Kate and Andy reminds us of what Bandos truly represents,” said Ismail Rasheed, General Manager of Bandos Maldives.
For Bandos Maldives, moments such as these exemplify why guests continue to choose the island for both adventure and a sense of belonging. With stories like Kate and Andy’s, Bandos stands not merely as a dive destination, but as a home — both beneath and above the waves.
Sun Diving will host a special ocean experience with world champion freediver Alessia Zecchini on 13 October 2025. The event is scheduled to take place at Sunrise Beach, Sun Siyam Olhuveli, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, offering guests the opportunity to meet the athlete widely recognised as ‘The Deepest Woman in the World.’
Born in Rome in 1992, Zecchini began freediving at the age of 13 and went on to set multiple world and European records. She was the first woman to reach a depth of 100 metres in free immersion and has since achieved 123 metres in constant weight with monofin. Her career has been celebrated internationally, including in the film Vertical Breath and the Netflix documentary The Deepest Breath. She continues to advance the sport while promoting awareness of ocean conservation.
The event at Olhuveli will feature an informative talk where Zecchini will reflect on her freediving journey, achievements, and the importance of protecting the marine environment. Guests will also have the chance to take part in a Q&A session with her and the Sun Diving team. In addition, Sun Diving will organise an interactive beach activity where participants can try scuba and snorkel gear in shallow waters under the guidance of instructors. Guests will also be able to capture photographs, collect autographs, and learn more about diving at the dedicated booth, which will highlight special offers from Sun Diving.
“Welcoming Alessia Zecchini is an honour for us and an inspiration for our guests,” said Ahmed Nihaan, Dive Centre Manager at Sun Siyam Olhuveli. “Her achievements beneath the waves embody both human potential and the importance of protecting our oceans.”
Sun Diving, the official diving division of Sun Siyam Group, provides SSI-certified courses, snorkelling, freediving, and specialty programmes across its Maldives properties. As a subsidiary, it enhances guest experiences with curated dive packages, illustrated dive maps, lifeguard training, and eco-focused initiatives, positioning Sun Siyam as a leader in sustainable marine-based activities.
Dive Butler International, in collaboration with Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, is highlighting the achievements of Mara Restelli, recognised as the Maldives’ only certified PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer.
With this rare qualification, Restelli offers a series of exclusive experiences designed to introduce guests of all ages to the art of mermaiding. The programmes range from playful introductory sessions to advanced courses and professional-level Instructor Development Courses (IDC).
“Mermaiding is more than a trend — it is a joyful way to connect with the water, express creativity, and feel empowered,” Restelli explained. “I enjoy watching guests discover confidence, freedom, and a sense of fun in the ocean. It is as much about transformation as it is about adventure.”
As part of Finolhu’s extensive marine offerings, the PADI Mermaid programmes provide an engaging complement to the resort’s diving and snorkelling activities. Participants may learn to glide gracefully underwater in a mermaid tail, capture striking images during professional photo sessions, or pursue advanced training that strengthens skills and deepens their connection with the ocean.
By hosting the Maldives’ only PADI Mermaid Instructor Development Course, Finolhu reinforces its reputation as a pioneering destination for distinctive and life-enriching marine experiences.
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