The Maldives’ South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), known for its diverse marine life and vibrant coral reefs, provided the backdrop for a three-day underwater photography experience hosted at Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa, The Centara Collection.
Organised by the Youth Global Programme in partnership with Nikon Middle East and Nikon India, the initiative brought aspiring underwater photographers together to explore and document the region’s marine ecosystem. The programme also received support from Lexar Middle East and Hollyland Middle East.
Designed to make underwater photography more accessible to beginners, the experience combined practical photography training with guided diving sessions, offering participants an opportunity to discover the underwater world through a different lens.
“Today’s travellers want more than to see a destination; they want to take part in it. Over three days with the Nikon Youth Global Programme, participants who had never dived learned not only to explore but to photograph a reef most people only glimpse from the surface, empowering the person behind the camera and guided by our dive team every step of the way. That same reef is open to all our guests, from children taking their first breaths underwater in the PADI Bubblemaker programme to divers working towards certification. We look forward to welcoming more guests to discover the Machchafushi Universe for themselves, and to leave understanding more about the living world above and below the water than when they arrived,” Francesco Pompilio, Cluster General Manager of Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, The Centara Collection and Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives said in a statement.
Introducing beginners to underwater photography
For several participants, the programme marked their first experience of scuba diving and underwater photography.
Before entering the water, participants received diving equipment, safety briefings and practical guidance from Best Dives Maldives, the resort’s dedicated dive centre. They were then accompanied by underwater photographers Ola Khalaf and Khawla AlShehhi, who introduced them to the fundamentals of capturing images beneath the surface.
Unlike photography on land, underwater photography presents a unique set of challenges. Changing light conditions, limited visibility, moving marine subjects and altered perceptions of distance require photographers to adapt their techniques and develop greater patience and awareness.
Through guided dives and hands-on instruction, participants learned to navigate these conditions while developing their confidence and photography skills.
The resort’s house reef served as one of the primary locations for the sessions. Covering more than five times the area of the island, the reef extends to sandy depths of approximately 15 to 20 metres and supports a diverse range of marine life.
Participants also explored the Kudhi Maa wreck, a 52-metre Japanese cargo vessel deliberately sunk in 1999. Over the years, the ship has transformed into a thriving artificial reef, attracting species including glassfish, trevally, snapper and reef sharks.
“Underwater photography asks you to slow down, observe carefully, and understand your subject before you take the picture. Machchafushi provided an exceptional environment for the Nikon Youth Global Programme, with a remarkable range of marine life and a resort and dive team that made it possible for participants with no previous experience to explore this world and tell their own visual stories. When people learn to look at nature with greater curiosity, photography can become a powerful way to encourage understanding and respect for the environment,” Arya Chitra, General Manager of Youth Global Program (in partnership with Nikon MEA and Nikon India) added.
Showcasing Maldives’ marine biodiversity
Located within the South Ari Marine Protected Area, Machchafushi Island offers access to one of the Maldives’ most recognised marine environments.
The surrounding waters are home to whale sharks, manta rays, nurse sharks and whitetip reef sharks, making the region a popular destination for divers, snorkellers and underwater photography enthusiasts.
Beyond its appeal as a diving destination, the island also provides opportunities for visitors to learn about the importance of protecting marine ecosystems.
Best Dives Maldives incorporates responsible diving and snorkelling practices into its guest briefings, with guidance on avoiding contact with marine life and using reef-safe sunscreen.
The dive centre also operates a coral regeneration project, first established in 2014. Following damage associated with the 2015–16 El Niño event, the initiative was rebuilt, with the team continuing to monitor the growth and development of newly planted coral fragments.
By combining photography training with firsthand encounters with marine life, the Nikon Youth Global Programme aimed to encourage participants to observe the underwater environment more closely and develop a deeper appreciation of marine conservation.
“Seeing participants with no previous diving or underwater photography experience get into the water and capture their own images was a reminder that, with the right guidance and an environment like Machchafushi Island’s reef, a first encounter with the underwater world can open up an entirely new way of seeing,” Ola Khalaf, underwater photographer further explained.
“What made the experience so special was watching participants gain confidence beneath the surface, with the Best Dives Maldives team guiding them through the water and helping them discover marine life they might never have imagined seeing for themselves,” Khawla AlShehhi, scuba diving instructor and freediver added.
Making underwater experiences accessible to more travellers
While the Nikon Youth Global Programme focused on introducing beginners to underwater photography, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa offers a broader range of marine experiences for guests with different interests and skill levels.
Visitors can explore the surrounding reef through guided snorkelling excursions or experience the underwater environment without getting wet through the resort’s semi-submarine experience.
For those interested in diving, Best Dives Maldives offers PADI programmes catering to both beginners and experienced divers. These include Discover Scuba Diving for participants aged 10 and above and the PADI Bubblemaker programme for children from the age of eight.
With its location within the South Ari Marine Protected Area, established dive facilities and ongoing coral conservation initiatives, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa continues to position marine exploration as an important part of its guest experience.
The Nikon Youth Global Programme further highlighted how underwater photography can connect travellers with the Maldives’ marine environment, transforming a first diving experience into an opportunity for learning, creative expression and greater environmental awareness.
