News
Knox, Beachley and Carroll complete lineup for Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy 2013
Maldives.net.mv – The final three challengers in this year’s Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy have now been announced. Surfing legends Taylor Knox (USA), Layne Beachley (Australai) and Tom Carroll (Australia) will complete the illustrious line-up at the prestigious event, organized by Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa in conjunction with luxury surfing pioneers Tropicsurf.
News of Taylor Knox’s imminent arrival has sent a ripple of excitement around the island. Knox, aka “TK,” is an outright celebrity whose career skyrocketed in 1998 when he won the first K2 Big-Wave Challenge – dropping into a 52-foot mega wave at Todos Santos. Along with a respectable set of battle scars, surfing’s “Mr. Nice Guy” has notched up an impressive 19 years on the ASP World Tour. The new school trailblazer is highly revered not just for his progressive fins-free demos but also for his incredibly deep and powerful turns – his trademark power-surfing style earning him a global fan base equalled only by the likes of teammate Kelly Slater.
Leaving retirement to contend for the Surfing Champions title, Knox reveals he is “honoured” to be competing with his “peers and heroes.” He adds, “No doubt this will be a Four Seasons experience of a lifetime. The Maldives is somewhere I have always wanted to visit.” He will travel to Kuda Huraa with his wife Ann-Marie.
Returning to Kuda Huraa for the second time, Layne Beachley is one of Australia’s most influential athletes. Beachley, who competed in 2011’s Surfing Champions Trophy, turned pro at the tender age of 16, rising to sixth in the world by age 20. Being the only woman in this year’s line-up will scarcely daunt this surfing icon who is well accustomed to breaking down barriers. She is the only woman to win seven ASP world champion titles, a staggering record that arguably defines her as the greatest female surfer in history. Renowned for riding the biggest waves, Beachley continues to inspire generations of sportswomen worldwide with her unparalleled strength and style.
Commenting on her impending revisit to Kuda Huraa with her partner, INXS musician Kirk Pengilly, Beachley revealed their excitement extends way beyond the quality surf breaks: “The Resort, the incredible food and the friendly staff make Kuda Huraa one of our favourite holiday destinations.”
True “surfer’s surfer” Tom Carroll concludes the line-up for this year’s event. Carroll blasted onto the amateur stage in the 70s, winning the New South Wales Pro Juniors in 1977 and 1980. Such coveted victories ensured his rapid ascendancy, with his powerful “goofy-footing” manoeuvres bagging him two historic ASP world champion titles in 1983 and 1984. He later conquered the notorious Banzai Pipeline to seize Pipe Masters’ crowns in 1987, 1990 and 1991. Signing of a mega deal with sponsors Quiksilver in 1989 meant Carroll made history again – becoming the first-ever surfing millionaire. The legendary “storm surfer” lives to chase the largest most demanding waves – a daring quest that has been captured in the epic documentary Storm Surfers 3D, in which he stars.
Carroll admits the Surfing Champions competition will provide “a chance to put my surfing to the test against my peers and, possibly, win some kudos and money.”
Running for the third successive year, Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy 2013 will pit six ex-world champions in a USD 25,000 showdown across three surfboard divisions: single-fin, twin-fin and triple-fin. Knox, Beachley and Carroll join defending champion Damien Hardman (Australia), Tom Curren (USA), and Pedro Henrique (Brazil) to complete an all-star roster in what’s set to be the summer’s hottest action on Maldivian waters.
Running from August 26 to September 2, 2013, the event is hosted aboard Four Seasons Explorer – the Maldives’ ultimate surf vessel – and will once more simultaneously feature Four Seasons Maldives Domestic Champions Trophy: a thrilling display of local talent that last year saw Hussain Areef, the country’s reigning national champion, scoop MVR 25,000.
Guests of Four Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa can catch all the action with day passes aboard Four Seasons Explorer or book the all-inclusive Group Surf & Stay (available from August 26 to September 2 for a minimum booking of five rooms or more for seven nights). In addition to competition day passes, full board and transfers, Group Surf & Stay includes seven days of intense surfing with Tropicsurf’s expert guides, plus the chance to rub shoulders with all the Surfing Champions contestants in Kuda Huraa’s award-winning surrounds.
Drink
German winemaker Patrick Heitlinger to headline exclusive dinner at SO/ Maldives
On 07th March, SO/ Maldives collaborates with Germany’s prestigious family wineries, Weingut Heitlinger and Burg Ravensburg, to present an intimate and stylish Winemaker’s Dinner a celebration of modern Pinot set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Maldives.
In a refined fusion of European heritage and island glamour, SO/ Maldives will host third-generation winemaker Patrick Jacklin Heitlinger and his wife Lilly for a singular evening dedicated to craftsmanship, storytelling, and exceptional wine.

At the heart of Weingut Heitlinger lies a philosophy of balance, tradition reimagined for the modern palate. As a proud VDP estate, the winery is known for its biodynamic approach and its expressive Pinot wines that range from vibrant estate selections to complex single-vineyard masterpieces.
Hosted in the fashion-forward surroundings of SO/ Maldives, the evening unfolds as an intimate encounter between vineyard and island. Guests will indulge in a meticulously curated five-course menu, each dish artfully paired with Heitlinger’s celebrated Pinot wines revealing layers of texture, minerality, and character.
Between courses, Patrick and Lilly will share personal stories of their heritage in Tiefenbach, of vineyards kissed by German sunshine, and of a family legacy that continues to evolve with grace and ambition.

This collaboration is more than a dinner it is a meeting of worlds: German terroir and Maldivian glamour, biodynamic purity and contemporary luxury, heritage and haute living.
Seats are limited for this exclusive one-night affair.
For more information or to book your perfect getaway, please visit so-maldives.com or contact so.maldives.reservations@so-hotels.com or call +960 664-9100
News
An invitation to savour the good life at Le Méridien Maldives
There are Maldives resorts, and then there is Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa. Set on the pristine Thilamaafushi island in the Lhaviyani Atoll, the chic, eco-conscious retreat transforms the Maldivian escape into a journey of exploration, creativity and the art of savouring life’s simple pleasures. Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and a vibrant housereef, each day unfolds at the rhythm of the ocean, guided by elevated dining, meaningful experiences and moments crafted to inspire discovery, indulgence and lasting memories.
From extraordinary marine encounters and globally influenced gastronomy to year-round sun-soaked experiences and island living tailored for couples, families and friends, the resort embodies the hallmarks of meaningful travel today: authenticity, creativity and sustainability.

Nature as an experience, not a backdrop
At Le Méridien Maldives, nature is not observed, it is experienced. Through Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy™, guests are invited to embrace intentional travel by participating in initiatives that support marine conservation and sustainable island living.
At the heart of the island’s conservation ethos is the Marine Conservation Hub. Led by the resident marine biologist, the programme delivers immersive, hands-on experiences that transform curiosity into contribution. Signature programmes include Turtle Quest, Seagrass Awareness, Reef Explorer, Ray Bay and Coral Awareness, each designed to deepen understanding of the Maldives’ fragile ecosystems while actively protecting them.
Sustainability extends onto land at one of the largest greenhouses in the Maldives. Guided by the resort’s head horticulturalist, guests discover how hydroponic farming supports year-round food production in land- scarce environments. This innovative system reduces water consumption while supplying fresh lettuce, herbs and leafy greens to the island’s restaurants, reinforcing the resort’s commitment to responsible island lifestyle.

A culinary journey across cultures
Dining at Le Méridien Maldives is a journey shaped by global flavours and refined technique. Five distinctive restaurants and bars offer a spectrum of culinary experiences, from Japanese precision and teppanyaki theatre at Tabemasu, to Spanish-inspired cuisine at Riviera, relaxed beachfront grills at Velaa Bar + Grill and international favourites at Turquoise.
As the sun begins to set, La Vie, the adults-only bar, celebrates French joie de vivre through curated roséwines and golden hour experiences defined by relaxed elegance, sociable energy and effortless style.

Au Soleil: where the spirit of summer never fades
At Le Méridien Maldives, summer is a state of mind. Through the brand’s signature Au Soleil programme, the resort invites guests to celebrate the spirit of endless summer inspired by the French Riviera. This philosophy comes to life through relaxed poolside moments, live DJ sessions and sunset soirées that blend laid-back glamour with tropical ease.
A chilled glass of rosé, the signature rosé-inspired sorbet, a spontaneous game of backgammon and live music under an amber sky transform each afternoon into a celebration of the good life, framed by the endless blues of the Indian Ocean.

Movement, creativity and effortless wellbeing
For travellers seeking balance, the resort offers a harmonious blend of vitality and restoration. Sunrise and sunset yoga, Pilates, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding energise the day, while the Art Gallery invites guests to explore their creative side through immersive experiences such as Sip & Paint.
The island’s padel court introduces one of the world’s fastest-growing sports to the Maldives, adding a contemporary, social dimension to island living. Beneath the surface, guided snorkelling, diving expeditions, night dives and dolphin cruises reveal the extraordinary biodiversity of the surrounding waters.
Suspended above the lagoon, the overwater Explore Spa completes the wellbeing journey. Glass-panelled floors reveal the coral garden below, creating a serene connection to the ocean. Personalised therapies and couples’ experiences restore balance, calm the mind and reconnect body and spirit to the rhythm of the sea.

Island living designed for families and friends
Le Méridien Maldives seamlessly caters to families and multi-generational travellers. Spacious villas, including two-bedroom beach and overwater havens, provide generous shared living areas alongside private spaces for rest and retreat.
Younger guests are welcomed at Le Méridien Family Kids Hub, where enriching programmes blend creativity, environmental awareness and island discovery. From hands-on crafts and culinary workshops to outdoor adventures and night camping, children experience the Maldives through their own lens of wonder, while parents enjoy uninterrupted moments of reconnection.

An invitation to Savour the Good Life
Rooted in the brand’s philosophy to Savour the Good Life, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa offers more than a holiday, it is a place where culture meets conservation, creativity meets comfort, and each experience feels effortless yet intentional.
Whether travelling as a couple, with family or among friends, every stay brings inspiration and a renewed appreciation for the beauty of slow mornings, golden sunsets and meaningful connection.
For the ultimate island escape, the resort introduces a limited-time offer featuring an all-inclusive meal plan, seaplane transfers for two adults, complimentary stay and dining for children, access to Le Méridien Family Kids Hub and a wealth of curated adventures. The package is available for a minimum seven-night stay, with bookings and travel valid until 30 April 2026.

For more information about Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, please visit lemeridien-maldives.com or contact the resort at reservations.maldives@lemeridien.com.
News
Niva Dhigali Maldives to host wellness week with Gemma Merna this June
This June, Niva Dhigali Maldives invites guests to experience wellbeing at its own pace. As part of Wellness Week with Gemma Merna, this private island becomes a space for calm, connection and renewal, with five days shaped to restore the body and mind in a setting that feels open, natural and alive.
Gemma Merna is a Master Intuitive Psychology Coach, hypnotherapist, yoga and Pilates teacher, sound healer, and founder of Mind and Wellness. She blends science-backed practices with intuition, movement, and mindfulness to guide guests in reconnecting with themselves, cultivating clarity, confidence, and calm in a deeply restorative way.
For this Maldives retreat, Gemma has curated a five-day programme combining mindful movement, meditation, sound healing, and reflective workshops. Guests can expect a nurturing yet empowering journey, supported by the island’s natural rhythm of light, sea and open space.
Each day begins framed by gentle ocean breeze and sunrise light, with revitalising yoga flows designed to awaken the body and calm the mind. Guided workshops explore simple tools for releasing tension and inviting ease, from Gua-Sha self-care techniques to sessions that encourage inner strength and mental clarity. Movement finds its own pace with Pilates sessions that balance breath and body, while sunset yoga flows and restorative soundbaths invite quiet reflection as day turns to evening.
Surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali offers a setting made for presence and renewal. Days are unhurried, horizons stretch endlessly, and the sea is a quiet companion to every moment. Whether practising on the jetty at sunrise or resting under palms after a soundbath on Haali Beach, each day unfolds with ease, allowing guests to reconnect with their body, mind and surroundings.
Pause. Breathe. Enjoy the simple rhythms of the island, carrying the feeling of this week with you long after departure.
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