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Maldives to Host its First Watermen Event

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Maldives Promotion House – Spread across the Indian Ocean with its low lying islands, Maldives has always given a great importance to global warming and climate change. Maldives has also hosted many awareness programs and has taken many steps to protect its beautiful islands.

In its fight against the destruction of the environment, Six Senses Resort & Spa has planned to hold the annual Six Senses Watermen event in Maldives, for the first time. The gathering that will begin on September 30th and last until October 4th, this year, will bring in water sports icons such as legendary surfers, windsurfers, kite surfers, divers, free divers and the world’s leading water conservationists.

The event will be hosted in Six Senses Laamu and guests will be offered instruction sessions by the Watermen. According to Six Senses, renowned musicians will also participate offering live music on the sand banks of the tropical resort. Conservationists will lead riveting dialogues and debates about the most sensitive water issues, and guests will be given the opportunity to participate.

Six Senses Watermen event offers an innovative and meaningful opportunity to experience water activities among living legends while also helping Maldives in its efforts to protect these gems of the Indian Ocean.

The event will be held in the latest addition to the Six Senses resorts in Maldives, Six Senses Laamu. Six Senses Laamu is the only resort in the remote Laamu Atoll of Maldives. While the list of participants continue to increase, some of the major gatherers include the following.

Pascal Bronnimann (SUI, +H2O long time pro wind surfer and Diamond Head Pro-Am winner)
Levi Siver (USA, +H2O windsurf wave riding champion and surfer)
Jake Miller (USA, +H2O windsurf wave riding and freestyle rider)
Keith Teboul (MAD, +H2O long time pro wind surfer)
Herbie Fletcher (USA, Longboard surfing legend and artist)
Chris Garrett (AUS, Gold Coast eco-surfer)
Archie Kalepa (USA, Legendary watermen, Hawaiian lifeguard captain)
Buzzy Kerbox (USA, World Cup surf winner, co-inventor of tow-in surfing with Laird Hamilton and longtime face of Ralph Lauren Polo Sport)
Kai Lenny (USA, Maui born 17 year old stand up paddling world champion and Naish protégé)
Takuji Masuda (JPN, Kamakura born longboarder and surf documentarian)
Bob McTavish (AUS, Australian surfer, storyteller and short board inventor)
Tripoli Patterson (USA, surf champion and New York gallerist)
Terry Sims (USA, 25 year surf pro and one of the finest surf coaches in the world)
Davey Blair (USA, Naish Team kite surfer)
Alex Caizergues (FRA, Kite surf speed world champion)
Sean and Jesse Richmann (USA, Kite surfing champion brothers)
Mark Shinn (GBR, 2 times Kite surfing World champion)
Duncan Zuur (NED, one of Europe’s most successful kite surfer and wake boarder)
Bernd Breymann (GER, Catamaran world champion)
Sara Campbell (GBR, Free diving world champion)
Fabien Cousteau (FRA, Third generation French ocean explorer, aquatic filmmaker and Founder of Plant A Fish)
Dr. Jacqueline Chan (USA, Co-founder of Water Charity)
Carl Gustaf Lundin (SUI, Director, Global Marine Programme, International Union for the Conservation of Nature)
Dr. Callum Roberts (GBR, Marine conversation biologist and oceanographer)
Jane Seymour (GBR, Actress and environmentalist)
Averill Strasser (USA, Founder of WaterCharity)
Charles Clover (GBR, Author, The End of the Line, documentary about overfishing)
Prahlad Kakkar (IND, Indian filmmaker, diver and Reef Watch Marine Conservation co-founder)
Shekhar Kapur (IND, Golden Globe winning Indian filmmaker of the forthcoming Paani exploring Mumbai’s shrinking water supply)
Jim Thebault (USA, Documentary filmmaker of Running Dry and hydro-philanthropist)
Christo Edwards (AUS, Margaret River winemaker and surfer)
Mick Scott (AUS, Australian winemaker and waterman)
Jason Mraz (USA. International chart topping singer and surfer)

Other diverse and stimulating events that will keep the guests occupied include a marine restoration project with Fabien Cousteau, Chagos Islands marine conservation update by Blue Marine Foundation, beach cleanups, and a painting workshop engaging the local community.

From sundown onwards, environmental documentaries such as Running Dry and The End of the Line will be shown. Blue Marine Foundation, Plant A Fish, Water Charity and the Six Senses Carbon Offset Programme will be granted the proceeds from the event as donations.

Note: Six Senses Laamu has ninety seven luxurious villas sat back on the beach, nestled among the lush indigenous vegetation, and over the clear turquoise lagoon, offering complete privacy along with Six Senses signature creature comforts. Moreover a fine cuisine of ethically sourced gourmet food with a collection of biodynamic wines from Australia’s Margaret River will be served.

Six Senses Laamu, Maldives: Laamu Atoll, Maldives (+960 680 0800; www.sixsenses.com).

Six Senses Watermen Package: For four nights USD6,000 for doubles and USD4,400 for singles. For seven nights USD9,900 for doubles and USD7,400 for singles. Breakfasts and dinners, Barefoot Gala Dinner, a limited number of spa treatments and seaplane return and transfer flights included.

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From first visit to thousand dives: Love story anchored at Bandos Maldives

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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.

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Dive into inspiration: Alessia Zecchini at Sun Siyam Olhuveli

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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.

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Finolhu showcases Maldives’ only PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer

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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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