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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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Go behind scenes at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives with new immersive tour

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At Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, the allure of turquoise waters and golden sunsets is only part of the journey. As part of its Week in Paradise initiative, they have introduced a rare and eye-opening experience that takes guests behind the scenes—offering a deeper appreciation for what it truly takes to keep island life thriving.

Titled the Explore Our Resort Tour, this guided walkthrough is designed to go beyond the beach, spotlighting the systems, spaces, and people that quietly power of its island. It’s an invitation to witness the inner workings of paradise, where sustainability, efficiency, and teamwork come together in perfect harmony.

The tour begins at their Eco Park, where guests learn about our waste management operations—specifically the incinerator and digestor systems that play a critical role in reducing the resort’s environmental impact. From there, they visit the sewage treatment plant, where water is processed responsibly to maintain a clean and eco-conscious environment.

A stop at the diesel tanks and generator systems offers insight into the island’s energy supply, revealing how carefully calibrated operations ensure uninterrupted comfort for guests and colleagues alike. The RO (reverse osmosis) plant—another key highlight—demonstrates how seawater is converted into fresh, usable water through advanced desalination technology.

Guests also visit the laundry facilities, where mountains of linen are refreshed daily, and the often unseen administrative offices and associate accommodation units, which form the backbone of daily resort life. It’s a behind-the-curtain view of the dedication and effort that go into creating the effortless luxury that defines the Cinnamon experience.

More than just an operational tour, Explore Our Resort is about storytelling. It’s about giving guests a richer understanding of the care, coordination, and innovation that support each moment of their stay—from the spotless sheets to the lights that twinkle across the lagoon at night.

By launching this initiative, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives invites travellers to connect with the island on a deeper level—not just as guests, but as curious explorers of the world that quietly exists beyond the beach.

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Ocean, culture, community: sustainable celebrations at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru & Dhawa Ihuru

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Single-use plastics continue to pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, with over 11 million metric tonnes entering the oceans each year. Since the Banyan Group began its efforts to eliminate single-use plastics in 2018, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru have led the way within the group—achieving a 75% reduction in plastic use, the highest rate across all properties.

This July, guests are invited to participate in a series of sustainability-focused activities designed to create meaningful impact:

  • 12 July: A community clean-up in Malé City in collaboration with CLEAN Maldives, bringing together locals, guests, and team members to reduce marine waste in urban environments.
  • 19 & 26 July: Marine litter snorkelling clean-ups around the house reef, removing plastic debris while protecting marine life and habitats.
  • 29 July: A recycled arts and crafts workshop at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in partnership with Feyran Craft House, transforming collected plastic into handcrafted artworks.

These efforts support the Banyan Group’s ‘Brand for Good’ sustainability targets, which include the complete elimination of guest-facing single-use plastics by 2025 and full elimination across operations by 2030.

Taking place at Dhawa Ihuru—recognised for having one of the best house reefs in the Maldives (Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2025)—the Rannamaari Dive Fest invites divers and marine enthusiasts to explore the famed Rannamaari Shipwreck, located just metres from the shoreline.

This immersive day features:

  • Guided dives to the shipwreck
  • Underwater treasure hunts
  • Marine conservation talks
  • Cultural experiences including local arts and crafts, Maldivian cooking classes, and spa rituals

The event pays tribute to the vibrant marine ecosystem that defines Dhawa Ihuru as a premier dive destination.

Observed on 26 July, Maldivian Independence Day commemorates the country’s emergence as a sovereign island nation. In celebration of this historic occasion, both Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru have curated three days of experiences rooted in national pride, community, and tradition.

  • 26 July: Guests may participate in a symbolic swim across the channel connecting the two islands, representing unity and freedom. The day continues with a Maldivian Culture Talk exploring traditions, language, and the significance of Independence Day, followed by a traditional Bodu Beru performance and beach bonfire under the stars.
  • 26–28 July: Three days of beachside “Fun Olympic Games” celebrate island spirit through friendly competition and laughter.
  • 25–31 July: Special dive and water sports promotions of up to 30% will be available. Offers include signature experiences such as diving the Rannamaari Shipwreck and snorkelling excursions with nurse sharks and stingrays.

The July programming forms part of the lead-up to Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru’s official 30th anniversary in September 2025. Each initiative reflects the resort’s founding philosophy: Embracing the Environment, Empowering People. Guests are invited to reconnect with nature, engage with Maldivian culture, and experience the true spirit of the Original Maldives.

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COMO Maalifushi and Cocoa Island join global tribute to women divers on 10th PADI Dive Day

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In celebration of the 10th anniversary of PADI Women’s Dive Day, COMO Maalifushi and COMO Cocoa Island will host dedicated dive experiences in tribute to the passion, resilience, and adventurous spirit of women divers worldwide. Scheduled for Saturday, 19 July 2025, this global initiative brings together divers in a united effort to increase female participation in scuba diving, while also promoting marine conservation and inclusivity beneath the waves.

On this date, both COMO properties in the Maldives will organise specially guided dives exclusively for certified female guests. These experiences offer participants the chance to explore the region’s thriving marine ecosystems and connect with a broader movement that champions gender inclusivity and environmental stewardship in the diving community.

Situated in the unspoilt waters of the Maldives, COMO Maalifushi provides access to a range of renowned dive sites, including coral gardens and manta ray cleaning stations. These underwater landscapes are ideal for divers seeking meaningful interactions with marine life in a setting of natural splendour.

Peter Nilsson, Managing Director of COMO Hotels and Resorts in the Maldives, commented, “At COMO, we are committed to empowering women not only on land but also beneath the surface of the ocean. PADI Women’s Dive Day gives us a platform to honour values such as inclusivity, passion, and marine conservation — all of which resonate strongly with our brand ethos. We are proud to create experiences that allow our guests to forge lasting connections with the natural world in transformative and memorable ways.”

At COMO Cocoa Island, participants can expect similarly enriching experiences, with access to gentle reef slopes, crystal-clear lagoons, and a diversity of marine life. Supported by expert marine guides, the dives are designed to be both empowering and educational, fostering a deeper appreciation of the ocean’s delicate balance.

First launched in 2015, PADI Women’s Dive Day has grown into the world’s largest celebration of women in diving. This year, both COMO resorts aim to inspire a new wave of female divers while reinforcing the importance of sustainability and unity beneath the surface.

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