Three stories from the Maldives worth knowing about before you book your next Indian Ocean trip.
First, Best Dives Maldives picked up a pair of honours at the World Luxury Travel Awards 2026, named Best Diving Experience in Indian Ocean Islands and Best Diving Centre in Indian Ocean. The company has been operating for more than two decades and works with resorts across the country, so if you're staying at a Maldivian resort and want to get underwater, there's a decent chance Best Dives is the outfit behind it. Beyond standard dive trips, they run watersports, excursions, luxury yacht charters, guest transfers and certification courses — useful if you want to turn a snorkelling holiday into a PADI one.
Second, tennis is coming to the sticks — literally. The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is hosting a run of tennis residencies from 26 October to 30 November 2026 as part of its Astor Club Soirée series with LUX Tennis. Donna Vekić opens things up from 29 October to 1 November, followed by Paula Badosa on 13–14 November, and former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev headlining 26–27 November. Guests can book private lessons, group clinics and junior sessions, plus casual appearances. If you've ever wanted your forehand dissected by a US Open champion between breakfast and a lagoon swim, this is the window.
Third, Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi in North Malé Atoll recently hosted an eight-day all-female surf retreat (11–18 October) organised by coach Elle Sampiere of SurferElle, bringing 40 women together for coaching, yoga, snorkelling, diving and island excursions. The event also connected international participants with Surf Her Story, a local Maldivian women's surf community — a sign of how the country's surf scene is maturing beyond just importing wave-chasers.
The retreat's home break, Lohis, is genuinely notable: a left-hand reef break right off the resort, with access capped at 45 registered surfers per day. That's a rare setup — a world-class wave you can walk to from your room, without the free-for-all crowds of better-known surf towns. The resort also runs boat excursions to other North Malé Atoll breaks, and it's only a short speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, so no seaplane connection needed.
What ties these together is that the Maldives is diversifying what a trip there can be. The classic overwater-villa honeymoon market still dominates, but there's now a credible offer for divers who care about operator quality, tennis players who want a pro's eye on their game, and surfers — including a growing number of women — who want waves with structure and community around them.
Who's each for: certified divers should look at resorts partnered with established operators like Best Dives; the tennis residencies suit families and couples at the luxury end who want structured activity alongside the beach; and Lohis appeals to intermediate surfers who'd rather pay for managed line-ups than fight for waves. The awards and residencies are 2026-dated, so book early if either is on your list.
