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Yoni Klein Win Maldives Open Surfing Championship

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Asian Surfing Championship

Maldives.net.mv – After two days of perfect weather and surfs, Yoni Klein has won the Asian Surfing Championship Maldives Open 2015 by defeating Raditya Rondi at the finals in Lohis. Rina Kitazawa succesfully defended her title in Women’s division. Ali Khusruwan claimed Bodyboarding division by beating Ali Javid.

The championship was concluded with the awarding ceremony which took place on 16th September at Lhohis, Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi. The Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports, Ahmed Zuhoor attended the event as the chief guest alongside the Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC), Abdulla Ziyath. At the ceremony which took place yesterday evening, Minister Ahmed Zuhoor presented the awards for the main category which was the “Men’s Open” category. Managing Director of MMPRC, Abdulla Ziyath handed the awards for the “Body Boarding” category, followed by the awards for the “Women’s Open” category for which the awards were presented by the Secretary General of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), Bassan Adil Jaleel.

Maldives Open 2015 was a collaborative effort from Maldives Body Boarding Association (MBBA), Ministry of Tourism and the Asian Surfing Championship (ASC) under a signed MOU for 5 years, starting 2014. This was the 2nd annual event for this championship which ended successfully. This event is hosted by the Adaaran HudhuranFushi Resort every year as the primary host.

Several local and international participants were given special awards from ASC, for the recognition for their efforts throughout the competition. The President of MBBA, Abdulla Areef and the vice president of MBBA, Mohamed Khushruwan Ahmed later on expressed their support towards helping the disabled, by giving a generous donation to the Maldives Association of the Physical Disables (MAPD). Afterwards, Certificates of Appreciation were also handed out to all the sponsors by Abdulla Areef for their support and help in making the event a success.

The event concluded with a cultural performance by a boduberu group and a cocktail reception hosted by the Adaaran Resort. This event is the third International surfing event to take place in Maldives after O’Neill and Sri Lankan Airlines Pro Surfing Event, which went off tremendously well with a lot of support from the participants and sponsors. Such events would further put Maldives as a sought after surf destination in the global arena.

Men’s Open
1) Yoni Klein (Israel) – 13.13 pts
2) Raditya Rondi (Indonesia) – 11.83 pts
3rd) Garut Widiarta (Indonesia)/Made Adi Putra (Indonesia)

Bodyboard
1) Ali Khushruwan (Maldives) – 14.00 pts
2) Ali Javed (Maldives) – 13.23 pts
3rd) Gavin Botha (South Africa)/Ahmed Rasheed

Women Open
1) Rina Kitazawa (Japan) – 13.17 pts
2) Kailani Johnson (USA/Indonesia) – 10.13 pts
3) Caity Griffin (USA) – 9.86 pts
4) Amy Kotch (USA) – 8.13 pts

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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef unveils expanded marine excursion portfolio

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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Sun Siyam Privé Collection, has introduced an expanded portfolio of water-based experiences designed to showcase the natural environment and marine life of the surrounding atolls. The enhanced programme combines exploration, activity and moments of calm, offering guests new ways to experience the Maldives through curated ocean journeys and personalised excursions.

Building on established activities such as Jet Car rides, SeaBob adventures and windsurfing, the resort has expanded its watersports offering to include private speedboat journeys and bespoke marine experiences. These additions are tailored for small groups seeking intimate and meaningful encounters with the ocean.

Available daily from the resort’s Watersports Centre, the new private speedboat excursions provide a personalised way to explore the hidden marine sites of Dhaalu Atoll. Designed for one to four guests, each journey offers flexibility and individual attention. Guests may choose from four-hour, five-hour or full-day itineraries, all of which include a freshly prepared barbecue lunch. From coral gardens to secluded sandbanks, the excursions highlight the region’s diverse marine landscapes.

The programme’s centrepiece is the Full Day Adventure Trip, which offers an extended exploration of key marine locations. Highlights include the Coral Garden, known for its biodiversity and reef formations; Turtle Point, where sea turtles are frequently sighted; and Nurse Shark Point, which provides opportunities to observe nurse sharks in their natural environment. The experience concludes with a beachside lunch on a private sandbank, set against uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean.

For guests seeking a balance between activity and relaxation, the Waves of Adventure and Calmness experience combines a private two-hour snorkelling safari or Jet Ski safari with a full-body massage at the resort. The programme is designed to transition smoothly from ocean exploration to restorative island time, reflecting the relaxed pace that characterises Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.

As part of the Sun Siyam Privé Collection, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef continues to focus on personalised service and experiences rooted in the natural setting of the Maldives. Through its expanded watersports offering, the resort invites guests to engage with the marine environment while enjoying a sense of privacy, discovery and connection to the Maldivian seascape.

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Excursions

Discover Raa Atoll: Ifuru Island Maldives adds new dive packages for 2026

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Ifuru Island Maldives has introduced a new collection of curated dive packages, inviting guests to explore the exceptional underwater world of the Maldives through programmes designed for beginners, aspiring divers and certified enthusiasts alike.

Located in the pristine waters of Raa Atoll, Ifuru Island Maldives provides access to vibrant house reefs, calm lagoon conditions and several of the region’s most celebrated dive sites, including the renowned Ifuru Thila. The newly launched dive packages are crafted to combine professional training, guided exploration and the convenience of a premium island stay.

The collection begins with an introductory diving experience tailored for first-time divers seeking to discover the underwater world in a safe and relaxed setting. Guests undergo lagoon-based training before progressing to the house reef, offering an ideal entry point into scuba diving with no prior experience required.

For guests ready to advance further, the resort offers a globally recognised scuba certification course. Designed for confident swimmers and snorkellers, the programme includes professional instruction, open water dives and an internationally valid certification, opening access to dive destinations worldwide.

Certified divers can choose a three-day dive escape that highlights the best sites in Raa Atoll. Featuring guided morning dives across renowned locations, the experience showcases the atoll’s rich marine biodiversity, striking reef structures and clear waters.

“Diving is an essential part of the Maldivian experience, and we wanted to create a collection that feels both accessible and exceptional,” said Marcel Sawyer, General Manager of Ifuru Island Maldives. “Whether it marks a guest’s first dive or their next significant underwater journey, these packages are crafted to offer confidence, comfort and memorable experiences beneath the surface.”

All dive packages may be booked alongside the resort’s premium accommodation offerings, including the Exclusively Yours Premium All-Inclusive meal plan, daily resort touches, complimentary non-motorised water sports, snorkelling equipment and return domestic flight transfers for qualifying stays.

The dive packages are available for booking and travel throughout 2026 and must be confirmed ahead of arrival. Package rates apply in addition to accommodation and are subject to availability.

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Niyama Private Islands enhances surf lifestyle with stylish new surf venue

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Niyama Private Islands Maldives now offers what is considered the most luxurious surf experience in the Maldives, enhanced by the introduction of its new Surf Shack — a stylish beachfront hangout serving gourmet bites, drinks, sunset views and lively parties.

Known as Nature’s Playground, the resort has long attracted surf professionals from around the globe. Located in the southern Maldives, where swells are at their strongest, it is a preferred base during peak surf season. Waves break directly on shore, with additional surf spots accessible within minutes by speedboat.

Niyama’s signature waves roll in at Vodi Point, situated on the westernmost tip of its twin islands. It is here that the resort has unveiled the new Surf Shack, designed to make time off the waves equally appealing. The thatched-roof venue encourages a barefoot, relaxed atmosphere, offering an upper deck for sunset viewing and picnic-style seating below. Reflecting Niyama’s sustainability ethos, Area Chief of Engineering Michael Patrick Slevin notes that 75 per cent of construction materials were repurposed, blending beach casual with environmentally conscious design.

Guests can enjoy gourmet dishes served from service windows, with a menu inspired by iconic surf destinations worldwide: Australian fish and chips, Indonesian satay, Mexican nachos and Japanese takoyaki. The drinks list pays tribute to rum, featuring an extensive collection and signature cocktails inspired by renowned surf breaks.

While the Surf Shack maintains a laidback feel during the day, the beachfront transforms at dusk as the tides shift and the DJ elevates the atmosphere. The resort’s rum and reggae Sundays have already become a celebrated weekly event.

Surfers at Niyama can design their days as they wish — chasing waves or relaxing ashore. The Surf Centre offers equipment and guidance, while Drift by Niyama provides recovery treatments to soothe muscles, repair sun-exposed skin and restore energy. Resident professional surfers remain available to advise on technique and wave conditions.

“The new Surf Shack forms part of the renewed Niyama experience, which includes significant refurbishments across the resort, inventive culinary additions and a greater emphasis on active living and wellness,” said Hafidh Al Busaidy, General Manager of Niyama Private Islands Maldives. “With more developments on the way, we look forward to sharing what comes next.”

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