PADI Women’s Dive Day, celebrated worldwide on July 19, aims to inspire more women to explore the underwater realm, acquire new diving skills, and become passionate advocates for ocean conservation. At OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, this mission has been expanded into a full month of activities designed for solo travelers, female adventurers, and families alike. To mark this occasion, the resort hosted seven international women journalists for three days filled with scuba diving, storytelling, and a sense of sisterhood during its inaugural International Women’s Dive Month initiative. This effort was conducted in partnership with dive centre TGI Maldives and ELE|NA Ayur spa, leaders in Maldivian wellness.
General Manager Alain Trefois expressed the resort’s commitment: “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.” The resort’s vibrant house reef, located just meters from shore, along with access to world-class dive sites, offers an ideal environment for both novice and experienced divers. For many journalists attending, this was their first underwater experience—and one they hope to repeat. By blending scuba diving with ocean-themed wellness rituals, soothing spa treatments, and marine conservation discussions, OBLU NATURE Helengeli created a comprehensive program that resonated profoundly with the visiting journalists.
The success of the initiative was also due to the dedication and expertise of the resort’s operations team, who provided seamless logistics and genuine hospitality throughout the event. Greta Marcelli, Operations Manager at TGI Maldives, joined the diving sessions and reflected on the experience: “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.”
The diverse group of journalists hailed from Europe and Central Asia, representing various publications including Dorothee Elisabeth Pfaffel from Germany’s Augsburger Allgemeine and Allgäuer Zeitung, Camilla Rocca from Italy’s Forbes and StyleCorriere, Irina Buchnaya from Kazakhstan’s STEPPE, Míra Németi from Hungary’s Marie Claire, Ivana Bednářová from Czech Republic’s Prestige Magazine, Tamara Rybicka from Poland’s Zwierciadlo, and Monica Daisy Meade, a freelance journalist from the UK. Their collective expertise in luxury, lifestyle, travel, and culture journalism brought a rich international dimension to the celebration both above and below the water.
As the final dives wrapped up, it became evident that this event was far more than a press trip; it was a movement, a moment, and a living memory. These journalists will carry the spirit of Women’s Dive Month into the wider world—salt in their hair, stories in their hearts, and a deepened connection with the sea.