Making waves

July 16, 2024 - Ride the surf at Six Senses Fiji (without getting your toes wet!), live your own mermaid moment in the Maldives and at Six Senses Ibiza, and glide down the glittering Douro River on a vintage boat ride.

Blessed with prime positions side-by-side with majestic oceans and flowing rivers, our resorts in Fiji, Portugal, and Ibiza are making a splash with fun activities on and under the water. This month, we’re highlighting three brand new ocean and river vacation experiences, so dive right in.

Exhibition Surfing

Sublime Malolo Island, a short boat ride from the main island, is the tropical, palm-fringed setting for Six Senses Fiji. Surrounded by crystal clear waters and a picture-perfect white sandy beach, you’re at the epicenter of a renowned surfing destination and can choose from a plethora of over-and-underwater adventures year-round that go beyond riding the waves to include diving, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, SUPs, and sailing.

Fiji’s epic waves draw surfers from across the globe, including professionals who come to catch a swell and ocean lovers who come to marvel at the white-horse waves. To witness the ethereal magic of the sea at its wildest and most awe-inspiring, our team have crafted a unique experience for non-surfers to get a taste of this thrill-seeking sport without donning a wetsuit or even getting your feet wet.

All aboard

Hop aboard a comfortable boat to chase the nearby surf breaks of the Mamanuca Islands. You’ll visit a selection of legendary surfing hotspots, which might include Swimming Pools, Namotu Lefts, Wilkes, Restaurants, Tavarua Rights, Desperations, and the famous Cloudbreak, depending on which briny breakers are putting on the best show for your trip.

Beyond the breaks, the boat journey, private or shared, is the perfect place to watch dolphins leaping through the waters, glimpse turtles gliding gracefully, and gaze at schools of vibrant fish darting through the glass-clear deeps. The reefs and colorful corals below add to the breathtaking scenery. This is the perfect experience for getting close to the natural wonders and surfing thrills of Fiji.

River cruising

At Six Senses Douro Valley, we’re offering a fresh perspective when you explore the verdant Douro Valley with our exclusive Vintage Boat Experience on a cruise down the Douro River. The river twists and turns for 475 miles (765 km) all the way from northern Spain before plunging into the ocean near Porto. 

As one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions, the valley is awash with lush vineyards and historic wine estates carved into verdant hills, the perfect backdrop to surrender to the peaceful ambiance aboard a relaxed vintage boat. Departing from our dock just a short stroll from the hotel, you’ll glide along the tranquil Douro River soaking up the breathtaking scenery, bathed in amber light on a serene morning cruise or watching the sky turn crimson on a romantic sunset voyage.

Captained by a knowledgeable skipper providing fascinating information about the area's history, culture, and winemaking legacy, you’ll delve into the terroir's nuances and return ready to sample a glass of the region’s best.

Movement Underwater

Take the plunge and immerse into Six Senses Ibiza's spellbinding underwater world for a photoshoot like no other. Join an individual or group professional Movement Underwater shoot capturing the hypnotic movement of bodies, light, and shadows and create precious memories to take home and cherish forever.

You’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the crucial role Posidonia sea grass meadows play in keeping our ocean waters crystal clear, while you discover the wonders that the Ibizan underwater world has to offer.

Calling all Ariel fans to the Maldives

Our Maldivian sister properties Six Senses Kanuhura and Six Senses Laamu warmly invite wannabe mermaids and mermen to dive into the magic of our PADI Mermaid Programs. Guided by certified PADI scuba dive instructors, the programs promise to be an enchanting experience for anyone with basic swimming skills, so don your shimmering fabric mer-tail and dive in for an underwater adventure like no other. While the mermaid experience shares techniques and equipment with scuba and freediving, mermaiding is its own unique form of diving designed for both divers and non-divers alike, requiring no prior knowledge or experience.

Judith Scheibelberger, PADI trainer and resident mermaid expert at Six Senses Laamu, explains, “Our mermaid courses are not only a source of fun and excitement for kids but also invite adults to tap into their imagination and reconnect with their inner child. Beyond the entertainment aspect and capturing Instagram-worthy memories, participants will also gain valuable underwater skills and learn about the awe-inspiring secrets of the sea.”

Water as lifeforce

Just as we understand on a subliminal level that being in nature is good for us, being in or near water with its expansive energy and vibrant aura offers even more transformative power. Something that author and marine biologist Rachel Carson understood when she bridged the scientific with the poetic and said, “In every outthrust headland, in every curving beach, in every grain of sand, there is the story of the earth.” Her seminal 1962 book Silent Spring led to the creation of Earth Day, an acknowledgment that nature, and water in particular, are vital to humanity and a portal to transformation and transcendence.