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Adopting corals at The Beach House at Iruveli Maldives

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Maldives Promotion House – Think of the Maldives and beautiful white-sand beaches and warm, turquoise-blue seas to explore may spring to mind.  However, over recent years, the Maldives’ underwater world as a whole has weathered a few storms and natural disasters and now needs help be restored.  Lending their full support, The Beach House at Iruveli Maldives has established a coral reef restoration programme to ensure their lagoon and surrounding islands receives the regeneration it needs to remain full of interesting and diverse marine life, so key to the planet’s eco-system.

‘Adopt a Coral Reef’ aims at protecting and developing the large coral population around the resort and guests are given the opportunity to actively participate in the making of the coral frame and leave a positive footprint in the Maldives by sponsoring a reef.  These fragile and endangered coral reefs act as key feeding and breeding grounds for a myriad of marine life and provide essential shoreline protection.

The Beach House at Iruveli Maldives enlists the services of a resident marine biologist, Alexia Pihier, who explains, “The lagoon surrounding the resort offers diverse marine life including baby and adult reef fish, rays, turtles and reef sharks.  Coral reefs are recovering from the previous El Niño quasiperiodic climate patterns whose unusually long periods of high water temperatures caused the death of a large part of the reef. Fortunately, we can now observe juvenile coral colonies around the resort’s lagoon and are inviting guests to participate in our coral reef restoration programme by installing handmade coral frames that offer artificial habitats for many marine organisms.”

Alexia has produced a booklet entitled ‘Marine Life at The Beach House at Iruveli Maldives’, which guests receive when they arrive.  It details photographs and information on the different types of marine life to be seen and the best snorkelling sites in the resort’s lagoon.

The not-for-profit ‘Adopt a Coral Reef’ programme costs US$150 per frame and includes a talk on coral life, the reef and how important it is to the world’s eco-system.  Participants are shown the frame, which is coated with sand and natural glue and has coral fragments attached to it.  Once placed in the sea, the frame is inspected at regular intervals to see how the coral is growing and progress updates and photographs can be emailed to guests who were involved in its creation. Kids can also participate for a reduced cost of US$40 per child (minimum of four children) which can be organised as part of the kids’ club programme.

The Beach House at Iruveli Maldives comprises 83 beautifully designed thatched villas, suites and pavilions, each with a private pool and villa host. Three fine dining restaurants boast a gastronomic experience rich in culinary diversity and include a unique dining opportunity in an underground wine cellar, housing one of the most extensive collections of fine vintages in the Indian Ocean. Facilities include an extensive spa, five-star PADI dive centre, 18-hole golf simulator, fitness centre, extensive kids’ club and three swimming pools.

Featured

Green turtle hatchlings emerge at Dhigali Maldives

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Dhigali Maldives recently witnessed two extraordinary natural events on the sands of Haali Bar, offering guests a rare glimpse into the cycle of marine life.

On the night of 27 June 2025, a Green Turtle emerged from the sea and made its way onto Haali Beach, where it laid its eggs in the soft sand before returning to the ocean. Two months later, on 27 August 2025, the eggs hatched, and tiny hatchlings instinctively made their way to the sea under the guidance of the moonlit shore.

The Green Turtle, a long-distance ocean traveller, returns to the beach of its birth by navigating through the earth’s magnetic field. However, survival for hatchlings is far from guaranteed. Exposed to predators, climate change, and marine debris, only one in ten is expected to reach adulthood.

Dhigali Maldives’ sustainability team closely monitored the nest throughout the incubation period, ensuring the eggs were safeguarded from threats and giving the hatchlings the best chance to survive.

The nesting and hatching of Green Turtles at Dhigali Maldives underscore the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and the importance of conservation. For guests, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness nature’s resilience, set against the backdrop of the Maldives.

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Excursions

Marine encounters: spinner dolphins at Canareef Resort Maldives

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At Canareef Resort Maldives, one of the most popular experiences for guests is the dolphin tour. The abundant presence of dolphins in the surrounding waters ensures that each cruise offers a remarkable encounter with these marine creatures, creating lasting memories for visitors.

Every dolphin tour at Canareef provides an opportunity to observe pods of dolphins gliding and leaping across the waves. Guests often describe the sight of spinner dolphins darting through the clear ocean as a defining image of the Maldives’ natural marine beauty.

Morning cruises and sunset tours alike are guided by experienced staff, who share insights as dolphins appear in their natural environment. Many guests recount moments when dolphins swim alongside the boat, a spectacle that creates a unique sense of connection.

The activity is regarded as more than just an excursion; it is considered a celebration of nature and a highlight of a stay at Canareef. It allows guests to experience the Maldives in a way that underlines why dolphins are seen as ambassadors of the islands.

For travellers seeking encounters with dolphins amid turquoise waters, Canareef presents an ideal opportunity. The resort also offers seasonal promotions, including early booking discounts for the remainder of this summer, next winter, and summer 2026.

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Culture

Maldives unveiled: Khalid Al Ameri’s off-resort exploration

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The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), known as Visit Maldives, recently collaborated with popular Emirati content creator and digital storyteller Khalid Al Ameri for an exclusive familiarisation (FAM) trip held from March 22 to 26, 2025. The result: a heartfelt and engaging YouTube video that has already begun resonating with viewers across the globe.

Known for his authentic storytelling and ability to connect deeply with different cultures, Khalid’s visit captured the Maldives from a refreshingly local perspective—beyond the five-star resorts and crystal-clear lagoons that dominate travel brochures. The trip offered a deep dive into the culture, history, food, and way of life of the Maldivian people.

A Journey into the Heart of the Maldives

The video begins with Khalid journeying to Paree Fengandu—the mysterious “Fairy Pond.” With a sense of humor and wonder, Khalid narrates legends surrounding the lake’s reddish waters, rumored to be a gateway to the spiritual world. As he climbs into a canoe for the first time, Khalid embodies the spirit of exploration that threads through the entire video.

From there, viewers are taken to a traditional Maldivian home—“Relax Home”—for a dinner hosted by a local family. Khalid learns to prepare baiy mas, a traditional fish ball curry, alongside warm and welcoming hosts. His attempt at flaking fish may have been clumsy, but the scene was full of joy, laughter, and appreciation for Maldivian home cooking. A tasting session of local delicacies, including riha folhi (crepes) and mas huni, added a layer of culinary discovery to the experience.

Tracing History Through Mosques and Markets

Day two brought a deeper exploration of the country’s religious and architectural heritage. Khalid visits the historic Jumma Mosque, a 332-year-old structure known for its coral-stone architecture and wooden panels inscribed with Qur’anic verses. He reflects on the historical and cultural significance of the site, describing it as “hundreds of years of lessons” preserved through careful conservation.

He later visits the King Salman Mosque, the largest mosque in Malé, which was officially opened in 2024 and can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers. Khalid admires the blend of modern design with island culture, noting the mosque’s woodwork and glass detailing. The segment subtly highlights the Maldives’ connections to the broader Islamic world while grounding them in local identity.

In between mosque visits, Khalid explores the vibrant local market in Malé. With his signature charm, he engages in friendly haggling with vendors—unsuccessfully, but humorously—while taking in the colours and sounds of everyday Maldivian life.

A Cultural Celebration and a Lesson in Patience

In a lighthearted moment, Khalid joins a group of performers from Rhythm Boduberu, a traditional Maldivian drumming troupe, in a high-energy beach performance. The scene is filled with laughter, clapping, and dancing—an authentic portrayal of Maldivian cultural expression.

The journey concludes with a fishing trip off the coast of Malé, where Khalid reflects on life’s simple lessons after a mostly fishless outing. “Sometimes we have to lose to win,” he remarks, as the group eventually enjoys a seafood buffet prepared by local chefs.

More Than Just a Vacation

The final moments of the video capture the essence of Khalid’s experience. “Not the Maldives that everyone shows on Instagram. The Maldives that the people live every day,” he says, offering a powerful reminder that behind every postcard-perfect beach lies a community, a culture, and a story worth telling.

This collaboration between Visit Maldives and Khalid Al Ameri marks a significant step in diversifying the global perception of the Maldives. By spotlighting its heritage, traditions, and people, the video invites travellers to look beyond the water villas and instead connect with the soul of the islands.

The full video is now available on Khalid Al Ameri’s YouTube channel, providing a heartfelt window into an unseen side of the Maldives.

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