News
Carpe Diem Maldives Celebrates a Decade With Resort Expansion
Since 2008, the award-winning hospitality group Carpe Diem Maldives Pvt. Ltd. has been growing its fleet of luxury dive and surf liveaboard cruises, sharing the beauty of the Maldivian waters with adventurous travellers.
Adding to the existing three high-end liveaboard cruise vessels, the private island Carpe Diem Beach Resort & Spa is scheduled to open June 2018 in Raa Atoll, northern Maldives. With the emphasis on an activity-driven atmosphere, the resort’s tagline ‘Social by Nature’ reflects an easygoing travellers’ finesse against the backdrop of a healthy house reef and a significantly large lagoon.
Each of the 115 private pool villas at Carpe Diem Beach Resort & Spa have sliding doors leading on to a large deck with a shaded seating area and a sun-drenched plunge pool. Ten accommodation choices have been designed with a modern and social traveller in mind to offer a vibrant addition to this revered Indian Ocean destination. Introducing a new room category to the Maldives market, five Over Water Pool Villas are dedicated to solo travellers looking to share twin bed accommodation, omitting the need for a single supplement. A full-board stay for all guests at Carpe Diem Beach Resort & Spa includes house wines and beer, as well as access to an inflatable water park in the private lagoon. Bespoke and signature dining choices, a contemporary Spa, and an over water tapas and sunset club with a transparent dance floor combine with a myriad water sport experiences to create a truly unique, forward-thinking resort.
Speaking on the expansion, Managing Director of Carpe Diem Maldives Pvt. Ltd., Amir Mansoor says:
“From our first boat a decade ago, Carpe Diem Maldives has grown to become a collection of three unique liveaboard dive and surf cruises, each catering for 20-22 guests. We are the only liveaboard operator in the Maldives to offer diving adventures with a team of all-Maldivian Dive Masters. With the expansion into resorts, Carpe Diem Maldives becomes the only hospitality brand in the country to offer year-round liveaboard cruises that can be combined with a resort stay. This vibrant new offering and collection of activities brings a fresh approach to holidays, one that also meets the changing traveller demographics to this popular destination.”
Renowned for delivering a sense of discovery, adventure and excellence, Carpe Diem Cruises have established a solid relationship over the years with the top echelons of the diving & leisure travel industry.
“Our guests now have a wider array of choices – go diving or surfing on a luxury cruise for a few days, or stay in one place with a naturally soft, white-sand beach, spa and a multitude of dining options where like-minded travellers meet… Even better, do both!” explains Assistant Managing Director, Agnes van Linden. “We’ve taken the knowledge and experience gathered over the last 10 years, listening to our guests’ preferences, observing the changing demands from global travellers, to create a resort with a social and vibrant personality,” adds Agnes.
Located on the cusp where Raa and Baa atolls meet, the area is rich in marine diversity; Baa atoll, renown for the annual Manta Ray migration from May to November in Hanifaru UNESCO Marine Biosphere, is just 15 minutes away by speedboat. The home base of Raa Atoll is teeming with wildlife and a survey in June this year by US-based marine organisation Coral Reef CPR identified an extraordinary array of rare coral species, some of which are 500-1000 years old, attracting over 215 fish species to the house reef at Carpe Diem Beach Resort & Spa.
The resort’s General Manager, Socrates Alvaro comments:
“At Carpe Diem Beach Resort & Spa the emphasis is on a social holiday where like-minded travellers meet. Today’s holidaymakers are seeking a more engaging environment paired with adventure and excitement, rather than a romance and honeymoon emphasis, and Carpe Diem Maldives is set to deliver on that rising market demand. With new budget airline routes into Male, and the new travel trends to this destination, it means the Maldives is now more accessible to a much wider demographic than previously, and that’s very exciting.”
Carpe Diem Beach Resort & Spa is a 40-minute seaplane ride from Malé International Airport, or a 20-minute flight to Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport in Baa Atoll combined with a 25-minute speedboat ride. Full-board room rates accommodating 2 adults and 2 children, or 3 adults, start from USD899 per villa, per night, and for solo travellers in a shared twin-bed Over Water Pool Villa from USD450. The resort is already accepting bookings for stays from 1st June 2018 onwards.
For more information visit www.carpediembeachresort.com (live from 6 November 2017).
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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