Cinnamon Maldives Resorts Win Three SATA 2026 Awards for Surfing, Beach Stays and Community Diving

Dhonveli claims its eighth Leading Surf Resort Gold as Velifushi wins beach and community recognition at the South Asian Travel Awards in Malé.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earned its eighth Leading Surf Resort Gold and fourth consecutive win at SATA 2026.
• Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives secured Leading Beach Resort Gold for a second consecutive year.
• Velifushi also received Silver for a dive education programme that certified nine students aged 16 to 18 from Keyodhoo and Felidhoo.
• The tenth SATA ceremony took place in Malé on 8 October 2026.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts has added three honours to its Maldives portfolio at the 2026 South Asian Travel Awards (SATA), with prizes recognising two distinct styles of island holiday and a diving initiative designed to benefit local young people. The awards, presented in Malé on 8 October, bring together the visitor-facing appeal of the archipelago’s surf breaks and beaches with a less visible question in resort tourism: how neighbouring communities can participate in the marine economy.

According to an announcement published by Visit Maldives, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives received Gold for Leading Surf Resort for the eighth time, including four consecutive years. Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives won Gold for Leading Beach Resort for a second straight year and Silver in the Nishan Seneviratne Best CSR Programme category.

Surfing recognition for Dhonveli

In North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has a particularly strong association with Pasta Point, the celebrated surf break that helps distinguish the resort from more conventional beach-focused stays. The property also offers water sports, wellness activities and a range of island accommodation, making the surfing proposition part of a broader holiday experience rather than its only attraction.

The latest Gold award continues a run of recognition for the resort in the same category. General Manager Marlon Robert credited the support of guests, the international surfing community and staff, and reiterated the property’s commitment to surf-focused holidays in the Maldives.

Beach stays and marine experiences at Velifushi

The second Gold award went to Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, whose appeal centres on beaches, lagoon scenery and a choice of beachfront and overwater accommodation. The resort in Vaavu Atoll combines its island setting with dining, wellness, snorkelling and diving opportunities, offering a different experience from Dhonveli’s surf-led identity.

Its repeat Leading Beach Resort win reflects an emphasis on the setting and facilities visitors encounter directly. The additional Silver award, however, focuses on opportunities created outside the conventional resort-guest experience.

Local students gain diving qualifications

Velifushi’s recognised community programme was delivered with Dive & Sail, the resort’s PADI-certified dive centre. Over six days, nine students aged 16 to 18 from schools in Keyodhoo and Felidhoo completed training leading to PADI Open Water Diver certification. The programme combined classroom instruction, practical skills and supervised dives, with attention to safe diving and reef conservation.

The initiative is significant in a destination where marine ecosystems support both tourism experiences and local livelihoods. By offering an entry-level professional pathway into underwater activities, the resort linked environmental awareness with potential future employment in marine tourism. The award recognises the programme; it does not in itself establish how many participants will go on to work in the sector.

Sanjeeva Perera, Area General Manager for Cinnamon Maldives Resorts, said the accolades reflected the work of resort teams and the support of guests. The company’s three awards span recreational travel and community engagement, two strands of hospitality that are increasingly discussed together in island destinations.

The tenth South Asian Travel Awards ceremony took place at Barceló Nasandhura Malé in the Maldives on 8 October 2026. Travellers considering the contrasting island experiences can consult the resorts’ official pages, while Visit Maldives provides broader destination information.