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Sustainable July 2025 at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru & Dhawa Ihuru: Celebrating Ocean Conservation, Culture & Island Legacy for Maldives’ Independence Day
As Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru marks its 30th year as a pioneer of barefoot eco-luxury in the Maldives, July brings a meaningful celebration of sustainability, culture, and community—honouring a legacy deeply rooted in environmental stewardship and purposeful travel.
This month, both Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru reaffirm their commitment to regenerative tourism through curated activities in support of Plastic Free July, national Independence Day celebrations, and the highly anticipated Rannamaari Dive Fest.
Plastic Free July: Action with Purpose
Single use plastics are one of the major pollutants to the marine environment, over 11 million metric tons enters the ocean every year. Since Banyan Group launched its journey to eliminate single-use plastics in 2018, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru & Dhawa Ihuru have led the way - achieving a 75% reduction in plastic use, the highest across the Group. This July, guests are invited to join hands in driving meaningful impact through a series of engaging sustainability-led activities:
- 12 July: Community Clean-up in Malé City, in collaboration with CLEAN Maldives -rallying locals, guests, and associates to reduce urban marine waste.
- 19 & 26 July: Marine Litter Snorkelling Clean-ups around the house reef to remove plastic debris while protecting marine habitats.
- 29 July: Recycled Arts & Crafts Workshop at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru with Feyran Craft House - transforming collected plastics into handcrafted artworks.
These initiatives align with Banyan Group’s Brand for Good sustainability goals, including the elimination of all guest-facing single-use plastics by 2025 and 100% elimination by 2030.
Rannamaari Dive Fest 2025 – A Celebration Beneath the Surface
Hosted at Dhawa Ihuru, home to one of the Best House Reefs in the Maldives (Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2025), this annual dive celebration invites travellers to explore the legendary Rannamaari Shipwreck, just metres from shore. The day features guided dives, underwater treasure hunts, marine conservation talks, and cultural experiences for spa, local arts and crafts, Maldivian cooking class, and more to honour the vibrant reef ecosystem that makes Dhawa Ihuru a truly exceptional dive destination.
Learn more about the Rannamaari Shipwreck and Dive More, Pay Less offer here.
Maldivian Independence Day – Honouring Island Pride and Heritage
Celebrated annually on 26 July, Maldivian Independence Day commemorates the nation’s freedom — a pivotal moment marking the Maldives’ emergence as a proud, independent island nation.
To celebrate this national milestone, both Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru invite travellers to embrace the island spirit through three days of cultural, educational, and joyful experiences:
- 26 July: Swim Across the Channel between the two islands—a symbolic connection of unity and freedom.
A Maldivian Culture Talk explores local customs, language, and the history behind this significant day, followed by a traditional Bodu Beru performance and bonfire under the stars - a lively tribute to the nation’s enduring rhythm and soul.
- 26 – 28 July: Fun Olympic Beach Games in 3 days ignite the playful spirit of community.
- Dive & water sports promotions up to 30% from 25–31 July, with exclusive offers on packages including the iconic Rannamaari Shipwreck Dive, nurse shark and stingray snorkelling trips, and more.
A Legacy of Purposeful Travel
This July’s programming is part of the year-long lead-up to Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru’s 30th anniversary in September 2025. Each initiative reflects the resort’s founding ethos - Embracing the Environment, Empowering People - and invites guests to reconnect with nature, culture, and authentic local community of the Original Maldives.