The first ever property of the Waldorf Astoria in the Asia Pacific could be found nowhere else, but in the Maldives

Effective since March 1st, 2010, The Beach House Maldives was renamed “The Beach House Maldives, The Waldorf Astoria Collection”. The Beach House Maldives has affiliated with legendary Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts. And in celebration to the newly upgraded resort’s debut, guests from different parts of the world were invited to join its inauguration ceremony and became part in a chapter of the resort’s exclusive history.

Located in the refined, lagoon-surrounded Haa Alifu Atoll, the 35-acre resort features 83 Maldivian-style villas, 3 world-class restaurants, 4 bars, and a luxurious spa. And each villa comes with a private pool and butler.

Since July 1, 2009, the Hilton Worldwide Management Team has been in the Maldives, working on key developments as part of the US$ 58 million renovation project – which had gloriously led to the Beach House Maldives in becoming the first Waldorf Astoria property in the Asia Pacific.

“An independently branded hotel since 2007, The Beach House Maldives has built a solid reputation for world-class luxury and quality that epitomises the Waldorf Astoria name,” said Martin Rinck, President of The Hilton Worldwide – Asia Pacific. “The Maldives remains one of the most sought-after luxury leisure destinations in the world, and we are delighted to be able to offer our guests the unique experience of Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts on the beautifully private and breathtaking island of Manafaru”.

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Ambassador of Germany, Jens Ploetner, Pays Courtesy Call on Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed

Ambassador of Germany to the Maldives, Mr. Jens Ploetner, has paid a courtesy call on President Mohamed Nasheed. The meeting was held this afternoon at the President’s Office.

Meeting between German Ambassador Ploetner and Maldives’ President Nasheed

In the meeting, President Nasheed and Ambassador Ploetner discussed the friendly relationship between the two countries and ways to strengthen the current relationship between the Maldives and Germany. Mr. Ploetner gave additional details on the President’s upcoming official visit to Germany.

The President was joined at the meeting by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed, Special Envoy to the President Ibrahim Hussain Zaki and Political Advisor to the President Hassan Afeef.

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Whatever you do… Don’t Fart in your Wetsuit!!!

Never Fart in a Wetsuit!

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Wetsuits – Choosing the Right Fit for You

The success in advancing your scuba diving abilities are affected by many factors. Diving takes lots and lots of practice as well as knowledge of the sport. This should be your first priority. If you’re really serious about diving, next on the list would be to invest in good scuba gear or equipment. Aside from your breathing apparatus, wetsuits are another important investment of equal importance.

Choose the Right Wetsuit

Choose a Wetsuit by Water Temperature

In choosing the right wetsuit for you, there are a number of factors to consider. It would be practical to first determine where you’ll be diving as different locations embody varying water temperatures. A piece of clothing as unique as the scuba wetsuit is exclusively designed to endure diverse conditions one may encounter during diving activities. Wetsuits come with either short legs and sleeves, or long legs and sleeves. Thickness of the suit is a crucial factor in picking the right suit for a particular dive spot. These articles of clothing are often sold in 3mm and 6mm specifications which are ideal for usual dives. If diving in waters above 85 degrees, an optimal choice would be a short leg and sleeved wetsuit with a thickness of 2mm, whereas a long suit with a thickness of 6-7mm is ideal for waters with a temperature of about 60-70 degrees.

Wetsuit Thickness and Length

Guidelines in thickness and length of wetsuits are great indicators for choosing the most comfortable suit for you. Some divers are also particular with the type of stitching in his/her wetsuit. Although in some cases, selecting the proper suit also depends on your body’s tolerance temperature change. If you’re unsure on the specifications of the suit that you need to purchase, it may be wise to try a friend’s wetsuit before making your decision. Also, be sure to look for the right size because a loose part on the underarms or in between the legs will make you uncomfortable during a diving activity.

Another option you’d encounter in purchasing a wetsuit is the type of neoprene it’s made up of. A number of choices are available on the market differing in price and quality. An example of such is the chemical blown wetsuit which has a soft and light feel, and much less expensive than the durable and stronger gas blown wetsuit. If you feel like really spending, you can get the Titanium suit which claims to keep the diver warm by preventing heat from entering the body.

Choosing the right suit for you really depends on comfort and intent of use. A professional diver might want to invest more on his wetsuit or may also prefer to use cheaper ones. The bottom line is it really depends on the diver’s personal choice. Just keep in mind that there are factors to be considered when making that decision.

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Vabbinfaru, Maldives – After years of scientific research, scientists watched astoundingly under the full moon as they witnessed reproducing corals eject pink-orange eggs and copious amounts of sperm, which confirms that the Maldives’ endangered reefs are on its way to regeneration.

“That was the first time in the history of the Maldives that we had discovered coral spawning! It went into our hearts.”, stated by marine biologist, Azeez Hakim, who was one of the watchers that evening. Twelve years ago, a spike in the water temperature, brought about by the El Nino phenomenon, had nearly killed 2/3 of the Maldives coral reefs. Those scientists had blessed the Maldives with a great gift, it was like saving the island from an upcoming economic downfall.

“If the reef is gone, we are gone”, stated by Hakim.

The researchers have found a way to regenerate those coral reefs by using cone-shaped steel frames which served as nurseries for the corals, passing small electric currents through the metal to form limestones, on which the corals could grow after they had produced their eggs and sperm.

The coral reefs play a very important role in the economy of the Maldives. Aside from its beaches and turquoise waters, those reefs lure the tourists as they exhibit pure, natural, underwater beauty, which is basically the main attraction in scuba diving. The corals also serve as building materials for Maldivian homes. And without the coral reefs, coastal erosion could ravage 1,200 islands lying low in the ocean.

“Before 1998, we never thought that this reef would die. We had always taken for granted that these animals would be there, that this reef would be there forever. El Nino gave us a wake-up call that these thing are not going to be there forever.”, Hakim said.

Today, the world is going through another El Nino crisis, and coral regeneration would play a big part in the marine life and the lives of the Maldivian people.

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Theia Currently Cruising the Maldives

The newly-launched liveaboard, Theia, is currently cruising the Maldives, having set off  on Wednesday, February 24 with 9 scuba divers.  The orientation dive was held at Maagiri Thila, and a second dive on the first day was held at Boduhithi Thila.

Boduhithi Thila Dive Site Map

Manta Rays Spotted at Rasfari North

After the dive at Boduhithi Thila, Theia cruised on to Rasfari North, where guests were able to snorkel with some manta rays.  This had been a great day’s diving and everyone was excited for more exciting dives throughout the rest of the week.

Rasdhoo Atoll: Day 2 of Theia Cruise

The second day of the Theia dive trip began at Rasdhoo Madivaru in the Rasdhoo Atoll, a dive site known for hammerhead sharks, manta rays, reef sharks and other large species.  The Rasdhoo Madivaru dive started early in the morning, just before 6.00 a.m., which is the best time of the day to see the hammerhead sharks.

Rasdhoo Madivaru Dive Site

Maaya Thila Dive Site

After a successful morning hammerhead dive at Rasdhoo Thila, the guests took another short dive at Bathala Maaga Kan Thila and later two dives at Maaya Thila.  Maaya Thila is one of the most popular dive spots in the Maldives, famed for grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks and turtles.  The site is also regarded as the best night diving spot in the whole archipelago.  Divers on Theia were lucky enough to do an afternoon and a night dive here at Maaya Thila, making for an unusual four dives in one day!!!  That’s what you can achieve when you wake up early!  Reports of both Maaya Thila dives were excellent, including reef sharks, turtles, stingrays, moray eels (swimming freely in the night dive)

Theia Liveaboard

Theia Liveaboard continues to cruise the Maldives for the next few days.  Check back here for more diving reports and updates.  After she returns from this cruise, the next cruise sets off on March 3.  There are many more cruise dates confirmed for this brand new luxury diving liveaboard.

To book a space on Theia, please contact us today!

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Parth Sanghvi of Mumbai is the World’s Youngest Scuba Diver

Mumbai’s Parth Sanghvi broke the world record to be the youngest scuba open water diver this week after he dived 40 feet underwater near Grande Island in Goa, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) said today.

10-year-old Parth awarded PADI junior open water scuba divers certificate

Anindya Mukherjee, PADI instructor, said that 10-year-old Parth was awarded PADI junior open water scuba divers certificate on February 23, a day after his birthday, at exactly at 7:01 a.m.

The 10-year-old from Mumbai broke the earlier record of Egypt’s Natasha Turner, who had become the youngest diver at the age of 10 years and three days.

“Parth got the certificate at the age of 10 years and one day, which is two days short than Turner,” Mukherjee said.

Accompanied by his father, Mehul, a certified diver, Parth jumped off the grande Island near Vasco port town in Goa to break the record. Parth is a fourth standard student of CNM School at suburban Ville Parle in Mumbai.

The boy was trained at Goa Aquatic dive resort at Candolim near here before he jumped in for the world record.

“Parth had his first encounter with scuba at the age of nine years and four months when he went to Phillipines for a holiday with the family,” Mehul told reporters in Mumbai.

“The minimum age of scuba diving is ten years, so he took up the bubble maker course where they teach the basics of scuba diving,” Parth’s father said.

Mehul, who runs an import export business in Mumbai, said that Parth was really inspired by experience, so his parents decided that he starts the course on his tenth birthday.

“Three months before he started his course, Parth studied the open water diver manual by PADI,” he said.

In Indian, Sahil Pisharody of Mumbai, had formerly achieved the record of youngest scuba diver of nation when he dived at the age of 10 years six months, Mehul said.

“It was really amazing world down the water. I saw lot of fishes and a ship wreck too,” Parth said.

His coach, Mukherjee, said that the boy came back with two shells, although it is prohibited to disturb anything underwater.

“He said he wanted to show them to his younger brother, so we allowed it,” the coach added.

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Despite the recent economic crisis, the Maldives tourist industry is going strong!

The Maldives President’s Office has reported that 67,478 tourists arrived in the Maldives during January 2010, making it the country’s strongest January in five years.

***Check out Maldives Dive Travel’s BEST PRICE GUARANTEE for unforgettable liveaboard diving holidays!***

Moosa Zameer, Head of Planning and Statistics for the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, said that January 2o1o was “the best [January] we have ever had.”

Tourists Arrive in the Maldives on Cruise Ships

Sim Mohamed from the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), added that many of these tourists are “surface arrivals,” such as passengers on a cruise ship who arrive for a day or two.

Sim Mohamed noted that a number of services have begun bringing tourists regularly from India and Sri Lanka.

Under normal circumstances, most tourists coming to the Maldives are at “the high end of the market – those who have the disposable income to go wherever they want to go,” he says.

Airlines and Resorts Have Cut Rates

However, in light of the recent economic crisis, many resorts and airlines have reduced their rates significantly, he explained, with some resorts cutting their rates up to 30-50 percent. More airlines opening their routes to the Maldives also means more competitive air fares. Get more information about flights to the Maldives here, like flights from Germany to the Maldives!

Because resorts are operating at lower rates, “there isn’t a significant rise in financial activity in Malé or even in other islands,” Sim said, but “it’s still a win for the government since they get bed rent.”

Zameer believes that the rise in tourist arrivals is not only accredited to cheaper rates at resorts, but to all the “work in promotions carried out after the [economic] crisis at the end of 2008.” He believes both the private sector and the ministry have put a lot of work into promoting the Maldives as a tourist destination, even for those who are more budget conscious.

Shift in the Tourism Market in the Maldives

Traditionally, the key markets for tourism in Maldives have been the UK, Italy, Germany, France, Russia, China and Switzerland, according to MATI. But this trend has already seen a change this year.

Zameer says there has been a “shift in the market,” as European seasonal tourist numbers are dropping and the Chinese and Indian markets are emerging. Kuwaitis have also helped the market “enormously,” he says.

Zameer believes people are starting to realise this is the right time to travel, and they can “go to the destination they have been waiting to go to.”

Sim agrees “there has been a big rise in tourists coming from India. There is also a very sharp rise in Chinese arrivals after Chinese New Year, and there will be another one towards Easter, mostly Italians.”

He added that MATI is “feeling good vibes” from the market, especially from Germany and the UK.

***Check out Maldives Dive Travel’s BEST PRICE GUARANTEE for unforgettable liveaboard diving holidays!***

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If you are looking for the perfect season to visit the Maldives, now would be the best time!

Never worry about the bookings, we’ve got the best offers you could ever find!

The warm, tropical weather, the fine sand, the crystal clear beaches, and the best accommodations.. All those are to be found only in the Maldives. The Maldives‘ perfect season for vacations may vary upon every tourist’s preference, but as a matter of fact, the whole year could be the best season for the Maldives! But if you’re really looking for the perfect, hot summer vacation where you could simply bathe yourself under the heat of the sun, then the best months to visit are within December and April, which is the dry season. The wet season of the Maldives may come around the middle of May to November. So, if you are in search of the perfect time to visit the Maldives, now would be it! These months may be the high season for tourists and resorts may be fully booked. But, if you are to book in advance within these months, you are most likely to be able to enjoy the tropical paradise of the Maldives.

We are more than grateful to help you with your reservations! Click here for the best liveaboard offers with the lowest rates!

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A liveaboard would be the best way to enjoy the Maldives

Experience the beauty of the islands in the middle of its pristine waters

The Maldives caters one of the  best liveaboards in the world. Discover the beauty of its 26 different islands and dive into its wonderful and unspoiled reefs with its crystal clear waters which are perfect ways to spend the holidays. There is a wide range of liveaboard vessels that can be chosen from – all of which must comply with reasonably high regulatory standards, for people to live as comfortably and as luxurious as possible. Most vessels nowadays are equipped with air-conditioned cabins with toilets, lounge areas, restaurant and bar facilities, sun decks, video facilities, and complete diving equipment such as oxygen cylinder tanks, compressors, dive suits, snorkels, etc. All liveaboard vessels in  the Maldives are operated and maintained by professional technical crew and captain to make you journey safe and pleasurable. Liveaboard vessels in the Maldivescome in different shapes and sizes and take you to innumerable dive sites or strolls you to deserted uninhabited islands.

The Maldives liveaboards are perfect ways to enjoy the fascinating underwater world and also give you a chance to experience live dolphins as you cruise through the transparent waters the country has to offer. Enjoy the liveaboard adventure, which is virtually an exotic way to experience surf and dive.

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