Nova Maldives has concluded a three-day Women’s Dive Day programme held from 17 to 19 July, bringing together distinguished marine professionals, resort guests and schoolgirls from the local community for a series of educational discussions, introductory diving experiences and practical reef conservation activities. The programme reflected the resort’s commitment to inclusive marine engagement, environmental responsibility and meaningful connections between tourism, education and island communities.
Set within the Maldives’ exceptional marine environment, Nova Maldives offers guests direct access to the natural beauty and biodiversity that have established the country as one of the world’s leading diving destinations. Through programmes that combine guest experiences with marine education and conservation, the resort continues to demonstrate how the tourism sector can contribute positively to ocean stewardship, skills development and community participation while strengthening the Maldives’ global reputation for sustainable and responsible hospitality.
The programme began on 17 July with a fireside conversation featuring Zoona Naseem, the first female PADI Course Director from the Maldives; Jenna Lehocki, Nova Maldives’ resident marine biologist; and PADI AmbassaDiver Maëlly Faure. The discussion explored the experiences of women in diving, the importance of representation and the need to create stronger professional and social networks that encourage women to participate confidently at every level of the industry.
The speakers highlighted that the gender gap in diving is often influenced by limited access to visible female role models rather than a lack of interest among women. They emphasised that greater representation among instructors, marine scientists, photographers, dive-centre operators and conservation professionals can help women view the ocean sector as an accessible and rewarding field. PADI’s international dive-learning community and annual Women’s Dive Day programmes were also recognised for creating supportive environments in which women can develop skills, exchange experiences and build a lasting sense of belonging.
The conversation also examined how digital media has contributed to changing public perceptions of sharks, rays and other marine species. Increased access to underwater photography and educational content has helped transform fear into curiosity and appreciation, encouraging more people to understand the ecological importance of these animals. Initiatives such as PADI’s Global Shark & Ray Census provide divers with structured opportunities to record sightings and support wider efforts to monitor and protect marine species that have often been misunderstood.
Participants were also encouraged to recognise that careers in the marine sector do not always follow a single or conventional path. The speakers shared examples of science graduates who became educators, divers who developed careers in underwater photography and instructors who progressed to managing their own dive centres. Their message to the next generation was that professional interests can evolve and intersect, creating diverse opportunities across tourism, education, science, conservation and creative industries.
On the morning of 18 July, seven women participated in complimentary Discover Scuba Diving sessions, with five successfully completing the full introductory experience. For several participants, the session represented their first opportunity to breathe and move underwater under the supervision of trained diving professionals. The experience provided an accessible introduction to the confidence, calmness and sense of discovery frequently associated with diving, without requiring participants to immediately undertake a complete certification course.
Group-based introductory dives are widely regarded as an effective pathway into the sport because they allow first-time divers to learn in a supportive environment alongside others with similar experience levels. By offering these sessions, Nova Maldives helped reduce barriers to participation and created an encouraging setting for women interested in developing a deeper connection with the ocean and potentially pursuing further diving qualifications.
Later that afternoon, the resort welcomed 15 pupils from Dhangethi School for a marine careers guidance workshop led by Zoona Naseem. Drawing on her journey to becoming the Maldives’ first female PADI Course Director, she introduced the students to the range of educational and professional opportunities available within the diving and marine sectors. The session provided the pupils with a valuable opportunity to engage directly with an accomplished Maldivian professional and gain insight into the dedication, training and experience required to build a career connected to the ocean.
The workshop was followed by a practical coral-planting activity involving students, resort guests and members of Nova Maldives’ dive team. Participants helped attach coral fragments to specially prepared metal frames before accompanying the dive team as the structures were placed on the resort’s house reef. The activity connected the classroom discussion on marine careers with direct conservation work, enabling the Dhangethi pupils to contribute meaningfully to the protection and recovery of the reef environment surrounding their community.
Coral restoration has become increasingly important in the Maldives following major bleaching events in 1998, 2016 and 2024. During the most recent event, unusually high sea temperatures placed significant pressure on coral ecosystems and reduced live coral coverage across several atolls. Frame-based coral planting, including the approach used during Nova Maldives’ programme, is among the restoration methods adopted by resorts across the country to support damaged reef areas by securing young coral fragments while they establish and grow.
The initiative also highlighted the constructive role that resorts can play in supporting the Maldives’ environmental and social development priorities. By engaging local students alongside international guests and marine professionals, Nova Maldives created a platform for knowledge-sharing, practical learning and responsible tourism. Such programmes strengthen cooperation between the hospitality industry and island communities while inspiring younger generations to consider careers in marine science, diving, conservation and sustainable tourism.
Nova Maldives will continue its marine-focused calendar with PADI AWARE Week in mid-September. The week-long programme will include lagoon-based Dive Against Debris activities, guided snorkelling experiences for non-divers and educational workshops designed to increase awareness of marine conservation. Further details of the programme are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Through its Women’s Dive Day programme and forthcoming conservation activities, Nova Maldives is expanding opportunities for guests and local communities to engage with the ocean in meaningful ways. The resort’s efforts support greater female participation in diving, encourage young Maldivians to explore marine careers and contribute to the continued protection of the natural environment that remains central to the Maldives’ tourism industry and international appeal.
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