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Expert-led manta ray expedition aboard Four Seasons Explorer

It’s an experience that tops many a bucket list: the chance to swim with manta rays. But how about spending three, four or seven nights in floating Four Seasons luxury, contributing to the pioneering research of these gentle giants alongside some of the world’s leading manta experts?
Across two weeks of oceanic wonder – September 10 to 17 and September 24 to October 1 (with the option of shorter three- or four-night cruise within the dates) – divers and non-divers alike, including families with children as young as eight years old, are invited to join Four Seasons Maldives Manta Trust Expeditions aboard the group’s only floating resort, Four Seasons Explorer.
Cruise highs and highlights include a full immersion into every aspect of the research experience, from improving free-diving techniques and learning how to take underwater ID photos to helping record vital environmental information and understanding manta feeding and breeding habits.

As well as becoming part of the conservation story of these gentle giants, chances of whale shark encounters are high, with these epic fish attracted to local waters by the same seasonal abundance of plankton that attracts the mantas. Cruise options include three-, four- or seven-night itineraries, with direct links to resort-based stays at Four Seasons Resorts Maldives.
In addition to exhilarating underwater encounters, Manta Trust Expedition guests get to enjoy all the laidback luxury of the inimitable Four Seasons Explorer: a sleek three-deck catamaran that offers hand-line fishing, kayaking, wakeboarding, water skiing and windsurfing; Captain’s Dinners and remote BBQs; thrilling diving, sandbank spa treatments and star-gazing; plus 10 bright and airy en-suite State Rooms and one Explorer Suite complete with outdoor deck.
The Maldivian archipelago is home to the largest recorded population of manta rays in the world. Thanks to the tireless data capturing of the Maldivian Manta Ray Project (the founding project of The Manta Trust, based at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru since 2006), this uniquely identified population is one of the most studied in the world, and has helped pioneer some of the world’s most insightful knowledge into the behaviour of mantas.
Based on more than a decade of close research, Manta Trust founder Dr Guy Stevens’ carefully selected cruise dates maximise chances of frequent sightings, with previous years’ cruises boasting a 100 per cent success rate for encounters with manta rays, whale sharks, pilot whales, dolphins and more.

Combining innovation, wellness and conservation, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru is a 44-acre, 103-villa wonderland in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — a 30-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport.
Its sister property, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa lies to the south: an enchanting garden island complete with Island Spa sea sanctuary and Tropicsurf coaches and guides. It features 96 thatched beach and water accommodations constructed by local craftsmen using indigenous materials and techniques to reflect a true sense of the Maldives.
The luxury catamaran Four Seasons Explorer connects the two properties via three, four and seven-night cruises, plus private leisure, surf and manta ray charters.
The latest addition to the Maldives collection, Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll opened in 2016 as the group’s first exclusive-use private island: off limits to everyone else, limitless to the guests.
To join a Manta Trust Expedition onboard Four Seasons Explorer, contact the Reservations team at tel: +960 66 00 888 or email: reservations.mal@fourseasons.com
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Ifuru Island Maldives takes part in Burunu Boma sport fishing tournament

Ifuru Island Maldives has announced its participation in the inaugural Burunu Boma Sport Fishing Tournament, taking place from 2 to 4 May 2025. Organized by the Visit Maldives Club (VMC), this premier event aims to position the Maldives as a leading destination for sustainable sport fishing.
As one of the select resorts competing in this prestigious tournament, Team Ifuru Maldives will showcase its commitment to marine conservation and responsible tourism. The competition emphasizes “catch and release” practices, aligning with global efforts to preserve marine biodiversity.
Participants will target species such as marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, swordfish, and bigeye tuna, with a grand prize of USD 25,000 awarded to the top-performing team. The event also features live entertainment and a festive atmosphere, celebrating the Maldives’ rich fishing heritage.
“We are thrilled to be part of Burunu Boma and to represent Ifuru Island Maldives in this landmark event,” said Marcel Sawyer, General Manager at Ifuru Island Maldives. “Our participation underscores our dedication to sustainable practices and our passion for the ocean that surrounds us.”
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Sirru Fen Fushi to host ‘One Ocean, One Breath’ with Freedive Maldives to mark World Oceans Day

Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort, invites ocean lovers and adventure seekers to a purposeful World Oceans Day celebration in partnership with Freedive Maldives, Guinness World Record Holder for the Most People Performing Static Apnea held last October 2022.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of one of the largest natural lagoons and house reefs in the Maldives, the event promises a deep connection to the ocean through expert-led PADI Freediving courses, ranging from basic to advanced levels. Participants will have the opportunity to earn their freediving certification, explore Sirru’s 9-kilometer-long house reef, and admire vibrant marine biodiversity, including manta ray cleaning stations, nurse shark points, flourishing coral gardens, and turtle habitats, home to 93 resident turtles and 11 successful hatchings this year alone.
“Our house reef, one of the longest and most vibrant in the Maldives, is a sanctuary for marine life and a symbol of our deep commitment to ocean conservation,” said Lukasz Prendke, General Manager of Sirru Fen Fushi. “We are honoured to collaborate with Freedive Maldives in celebrating World Oceans Day, not only to offer our guests an unforgettable underwater journey, but also to empower local talents and inspire our community to protect what lies beneath the surface.”
The initiative aligns with the resort’s ongoing sustainability commitments, including regular lagoon cleaning programs and support for local marine conservation efforts. This collaboration further emphasizes a shared mission to preserve the Maldives’ rich underwater heritage and engage the local community in meaningful environmental action.
In a broader commitment to sustainable tourism, Freedive Maldives has also signed a partnership agreement with the Baa Atoll Council to host another record-breaking freediving event in October 2025, coinciding with World Tourism Day, reinforcing Baa Atoll’s position as a leader in eco-conscious marine tourism.
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Napoli back on top of Serie A as De Laurentiis celebrates in Maldives

Aurelio De Laurentiis, owner and chairman of SSC Napoli and one of Italy’s leading film producers, is celebrating his club’s return to the top of Serie A while holidaying in the Maldives.
Napoli secured a crucial 2–0 victory over Torino in the 34th round of the league, taking full advantage of Inter Milan’s 1–0 loss to Roma. With the win, Napoli now lead the table with 74 points, three points clear of Inter, with four matches remaining in the season.
Many had expected De Laurentiis to be present at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for such a pivotal match. However, according to Italian media reports, he remained in the Maldives. After the match, the Napoli president posted a message from afar, encouraging his team to stay composed during the decisive final stretch of the season: “Cool heads. Calm and steady. Forza Napoli Sempre!”
The radio station Kiss Kiss Napoli suggested that De Laurentiis’ decision to stay in the Maldives, distant from Italy, reflects his strategy of giving space to the team and coaching staff while firmly maintaining control over the club’s direction.
Following Napoli’s historic league triumph in 2023, their first in over three decades, the club endured a turbulent season marked by coaching changes and management instability. Many attributed last season’s struggles to the lack of continuity.
Determined to rebuild, De Laurentiis appointed Antonio Conte, a proven winner, as head coach ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, a move that is already delivering results.
As the race for the Scudetto intensifies, Napoli’s dream of winning a second title in three years remains very much alive, with De Laurentiis steering the course even from thousands of miles away.
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