PADI Women’s Dive Day, held globally on 19th July, encourages more women to embrace the underwater world, develop new skills, and become advocates for the ocean. At OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, this mission has been extended to an entire month of activities, open to solo travellers, female adventurers, and families alike.

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To mark the month, the resort also hosted seven international women journalists for three days of scuba diving, storytelling, and sisterhood as part of its inaugural International Women’s Dive Month initiative in partnership with dive centre TGI Maldives and ELE|NA Ayur spa, pioneers in wellbeing in the Maldives.

“At Helengeli, we believe that diving is for everyone, and this month, that belief came to life in the most magical way. It was powerful to see an East-meets-West gathering of journalists, from London to Almaty, supporting and encouraging each other, both in and out of the water. It’s exactly the kind of energy we love to foster here” said Alain Trefois, General Manager at OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO.

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With its vibrant house reef just metres from the shore and world-class dive sites nearby, Helengeli offers an idyllic setting for beginners and seasoned divers alike. For many of the visiting journalists, this was their first time exploring the underwater world—and it won’t be their last. By combining scuba diving experiences with ocean-themed wellness rituals, relaxing spa journeys, and engaging marine conservation talks, the resort crafted a unique and holistic programme that resonated deeply with the journalists.

And of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible warmth, expertise, and enthusiasm of the resort operations team, who delivered heartfelt service, seamless logistics, and genuine hospitality every step of the way.

Greta Marcelli, Operations Manager at TGI Maldives, joined the journalists on their dives and shared a fresh perspective, "There’s nothing quite like witnessing the excitement of someone taking their first breath underwater. Diving alongside this group of trailblazing women from such diverse cultures was incredibly inspiring. It reaffirmed why we introduced Women’s Dive Month this year. Not just to celebrate women in diving, but to create space for connection, confidence, and community”.

Hailing from across Europe and Central Asia, the all-women media group included Ms. Dorothee Elisabeth Pfaffel from Augsburger Allgemeine and Allgäuer Zeitung (Germany), Ms. Camilla Rocca from Forbes and StyleCorriere (Italy), Ms. Irina Buchnaya from STEPPE (Kazakhstan), Ms. Míra Németi from Marie Claire (Hungary), Ms. Ivana Bednářová from Prestige Magazine (Czech Republic), Ms. Tamara Rybicka from Zwierciadlo (Poland), and Ms. Monica Daisy Meade, a freelance journalist from the UK. Their diverse backgrounds in luxury, lifestyle, travel, and culture journalism brought a rich, international perspective to the celebration, both above and below the surface.

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As the final dives conclude, one thing is clear: this celebration was more than a press trip. It was a movement. A moment. A memory in motion. And these journalists will carry that ripple into the wider world – with salt in their hair, stories in their hearts, and a newfound bond with the sea.