Nova Maldives will partner with PADI to host Project AWARE Week from 16 to 20 September, combining guest experiences with marine conservation activity across the South Ari Atoll.
The programme will be delivered by Nova’s marine team and is designed for guests ranging from first-time snorkellers to experienced divers.
This year’s event coincides with PADI’s 60th anniversary and Nova Maldives’ fourth year of operation.
Now in its eighth global edition, PADI AWARE Week brings together divers and ocean enthusiasts through conservation and citizen-science projects.
Nova’s programme will include Dive Against Debris underwater clean-up dives, giving guests the opportunity to remove plastic and other waste from the lagoon before recording findings within PADI AWARE’s global database.
Guided whale shark snorkelling experiences will allow guests to enter the water with whale sharks found around the South Ari Atoll.
Boat excursions will also focus on spotting manta rays and turtles at feeding and nesting locations.
Coral restoration workshops will introduce guests to the resort’s ongoing reef regeneration programme, including coral planting and monitoring techniques.
The week will also incorporate sessions focused on marine life and ocean storytelling, drawing on wildlife documentaries to explore the biodiversity and environmental challenges facing marine ecosystems.
Abdulla Aboobakuru, General Manager at Nova Maldives, said: “Some of the most meaningful work happens when you show up year after year.
“Four years into Nova’s story, we’ve learned that the health of the reef tells us a great deal about the impact we’re making, and that the guests who choose to return aren’t just here for the view.
“They’re here because Nova reflects something they already care about, including care for the ocean, a sense of community and a more thoughtful way of experiencing the places we visit.
“That’s what we hope Nova can inspire in new and returning guests alike: less a destination, more a calling.”
Nova Maldives’ marine conservation work extends beyond Project AWARE Week through its active coral nursery.
The nursery contains a growing collection of metal coral frames carrying individually secured coral fragments, which are subsequently transplanted onto the resort’s house reefs.
Nova’s marine team monitors the developing colonies as part of the regeneration programme, while guests can participate in coral planting activities throughout the year.
The resort also works with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme and Manta Trust and is accredited as a Responsible Manta Tourism Operator.
Project AWARE Week will run at Nova Maldives from 16 to 20 September 2026.
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