Project AWARE Week

Project AWARE Week

This September, join us for Project AWARE Week from 16 to 20 September and spend a little more time getting to know the blue world around Nova. Together with PADI, we’ll be sharing a week of ocean encounters, hands-on conservation and experiences that bring you closer to the incredible life of the South Ari Atoll.

Swim alongside whale sharks, discover more about the species that call these waters home and take part in coral conservation. Whether you are picking up a snorkel for the first time or already feel at home with your fins on, you are welcome to be part of our island community.

A Week for Ocean Lovers

Throughout Project AWARE Week, our island community will come together with PADI professionals and Nova’s marine team to learn more about the ocean and play a part in caring for it.

Join marine education sessions with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme and Manta Trust, settle in for screenings of Blue Planet, or head out onto the water in search of some of the South Ari Atoll’s remarkable marine life.

Dive in and Make a Difference

Make your next dive count with Dive Against Debris, an underwater clean-up experience in Nova’s lagoon.

Alongside our dive team, you will help remove marine debris from beneath the surface, with everything collected recorded through PADI AWARE. It is a hands-on way to care for the waters you have spent the day exploring and be part of a conservation effort that reaches beyond Nova.

Meet the Gentle Giants of South Ari

There is something pretty special about slipping into the blue and spotting the unmistakable silhouette of a whale shark beneath the surface. Join a guided whale shark snorkelling experience in the open waters of the South Ari Atoll. Swim alongside these gentle giants in their natural environment and learn more about the species that make this part of the Maldives so extraordinary.

You can also head out on manta ray and turtle spotting excursions, with more opportunities to discover the marine life around our island home.

Give the Reef a Little Love

Our reef is part of island life at Nova, and this week you can get a little closer to the work that goes into caring for it. Join our coral restoration workshops to learn how the team supports reef recovery and see Nova’s coral nursery for yourself. You will discover what helps coral grow, why healthy reefs matter and how our Soulmates are caring for this underwater home throughout the year.

Nova’s active coral nursery has already planted approximately 32 coral fragments, with our community regularly invited to get involved and help the project grow.

Make September Your Time to Dive Deeper

Join us at Nova from 16 to 20 September 2026 for Project AWARE Week and spend your island days getting closer to the ocean, learning more about its marine life and playing your part in caring for it.

Ready for good soul days beneath the surface?

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