Visit Maldives is proud to announce that Maldivian diver Shafraz Naeem has officially secured two prestigious entries in the Maldives Book of Records following the “Across Maldives 2026” expedition. This pioneering initiative, a collaboration between Visit Maldives and Mr. Naeem, has redefined the boundaries of underwater endurance and exploration in the region.
The two official Visit Maldives Book of records recognized are:
- Longest Underwater Distance Covered: A monumental journey totaling 335 kilometers in 2 weeks, completing over 55 dives.
- Longest Single-Stretch Underwater Traverse: A remarkable 16.5 km continuous dive completed in a single session lasting over 5 hours and 30 minutes.
Additionally, his earlier achievement from 2022 – the longest recorded open water scuba dive in the Maldives and the region (50 hour continuous open water scuba dive at Anantara Lagoon, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Maldives tourism and diving) was also inducted into the Book of Records.
The Across Maldives expedition culminated with a ceremony for the official induction to the Book of Records held on 04 February 2026 at Phase 1 Beach, Hulhumale, marking the completion of his final dive. Upon arrival at the beach, Mr. Naeem was presented with a commemorative coin and certificate by Minister of Tourism and Environment, Thoriq Ibrahim and Visit Maldives’, CEO and Managing Director, Ibrhaim Shiuree.
“While setting three records on the official book of records and being officially listed in the book of records is something I’m extremely proud of, the bigger purpose goes beyond the numbers,” said Mr. Shafraz Naeem. “My goal is to inspire fellow Maldivians to explore the world of technical diving and push their own limits. More importantly, I hope this encourages locals to see our oceans not just as a resource, but as something worth
protecting and to develop a deeper connection with the marine environment. I am deeply grateful to our sponsors and Visit Maldives for sharing this vision and making it possible.”
“This is a landmark achievement for the Visit Maldives Book of Records and represents a significant milestone in our efforts to celebrate and document extraordinary feats that highlight the Maldives’ unique marine identity. Shafraz Naeem’s record-breaking expedition not only demonstrates exceptional skill and endurance, but also reinforces the Maldives’ global reputation as a leading ocean nation and a world-class destination for marine and adventure tourism. We hope this achievement will be an inspiration and encourage more such ambitious endeavours and have their accomplishments recognised in the Visit Maldives Book of Records.” said Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation.
The expedition provided a unique platform to highlight the Maldives’ deep-rooted connection to the ocean, while positioning the country globally through a compelling record-breaking achievement that aligns adventure tourism with environmental sustainability.
Across Maldives 2026 was delivered through the collaboration and support of key stakeholders and partners, with the State Trading Organization (STO), technology partner Ooredoo Maldives, while beOnd Airlines served as the airline partner, facilitating international connectivity and logistical support. The expedition was further supported by H78 Hulhumale, Ocean Junkies, and Safari (Southern Cross), whose contributions were integral to the successful execution of the journey.
Across Maldives 2026 reflects Visit Maldives’ continued commitment to innovative initiatives that elevate global awareness of the Maldives, while emphasising the importance of marine conservation and climate resilience for island nations.
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