Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) has announced "Across Maldives 2026," an ambitious underwater record attempt by Maldivian diver Shafraz Naeem.
Set to begin on 23 January, the expedition marks the inaugural record attempt of the year for the Visit Maldives Book of Records.
Across Maldives 2026 will see Shafraz attempt two records as he journeys underwater across three atolls. Over a course of around 15 days, he will dive more than 450 kilometres, completing around 55 dives and spending over 90 hours underwater using a Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV).
The official record categories include:
1. Longest distance covered in open ocean on a single dive using a DPV
2. Longest distance covered using a DPV within one month
According to VMC, the initiative is designed to introduce a new era of adventure-based storytelling for the Maldives, positioning the nation as an Ocean Nation and a world-class destination for marine, adventure, and experiential tourism. The journey will highlight the Maldives’ unique underwater landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and extraordinary cultural connections to the sea.
Shafraz will make scheduled stopovers across selected islands, supported by partner, hotels and local councils. The expedition will be documented through underwater videography, island visit highlights, interviews, and sustainability-focused storytelling, offering global audiences an immersive view of the Maldives’ marine heritage.
Across Maldives 2026 is led by Visit Maldives with Shafraz Naeem, supported by Ooredoo Maldives as the tech partner and beOnd Airlines as the airline partner.