LUX Island Resorts to Host First Maldives Underwater Festival In May 2012

by

Susan Crown

Photography enthusiasts will be able to dive beneath the surface of the Indian Ocean as LUX* Maldives launches the first Underwater Festival from 14th and 20th May, 2012.

Fans of diving and photography will be able to take part in a series of workshops, courses, and introductory sessions during Maldives holidays. Award-winning photographers will run numerous underwater courses that will allow visitors to experience free-diving and fluo night diving.

The General Manager of LUX* Maldives and avid free-diver, Dominik Ruhl, explained: This time its all about water. We wanted to draw the curtains of the underwater world to our guests by giving them the unique opportunity not only to dive some of the most beautiful dive sites on the planet, but also to meet the experts of the sea and learn how to bring these treasures home.

The luxury resort recently opened a Marine Biology Centre on the island which is dedicated to protecting whale sharks in the South Ari Atoll waters and this years festival allows tourists to learn more about the underwater world throughout their holidays in the Maldives.

The festival will feature leading marine experts including the French multi-award winning underwater photographer, Pascal Kobeh, who will take part in the festival as a member of the judging panel and a coach.

Kobeh commented: I started shooting underwater pictures while I was a diving instructor here in the Maldives; I havent stopped since then, and it became by profession. It brought me here today with the same passion I had ten years ago and I am very excited to join the festival.

While enjoying holidays to the Maldives at the resort, attendees will have the chance to take part in interesting and informative workshops with LUX* Maldives resident marine biologist, Chiara Fumagalli.

There will also be documentaries about the oceans diverse marine life, underwater films, and news about the ongoing research on the whale sharks at the Marine Biology Centre.

The festival will also allow participants to try free diving sessions with Jean-Jacques Mayol, the founder of the free-diving Team Mayol and son of free-diving legend Jacques Mayol.

Photographers booking Maldives holidays at the resort can experience the underwater world at night by taking part in fluo-diving excursions. Divers use a set of special filters on their masks and torches, which enhances a unique diving experience at night.

Festival-goers will have the chance to win several prizes during the week-long event and the best photographs will be submitted to the judging panel with a top prize including a five-night stay at one of LUX* Islands Resorts Mauritius, La Reunion or Maldives hotels.

The newly revamped LUX Maldives will soon be launching the Maldives first ever Underwater Festival. Those lucky enough to be

enjoying Maldives holidays

at the resort during 14th- 20th May 2012 will be able to join special workshops, scuba diving and underwater photography courses and introductory sessions. The event will include special guests such as award-winning photographers and divers.

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LUX Island Resorts to Host First Maldives Underwater Festival In May 2012}