Shafraz Naeem’s two underwater records inducted to Maldives Book of Records

Maldivian diver Shafraz Naeem has officially secured two prestigious entries in the Maldives Book of Records following the "Across Maldives 2026" expedition - a collaboration between Visit Maldives and Shafraz that has redefined the boundaries of underwater endurance and exploration in the region.

The two records inducted to the Maldives Book of Records are:

• Longest underwater distance covered: A journey totaling 335 kilometers in two weeks, completing over 55 dives.
• Longest single-stretch underwater traverse: A 16.5-kilometer continuous dive completed in a single session lasting over five hours and 30 minutes.

Additionally, his earlier achievement from 2022 - the longest recorded open water scuba dive in the Maldives and the region - a 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 Wednesday at beach in Hulhumale’ Phase I, marking the completion of Shafraz’s final dive.

Upon arrival at the beach, Shafraz was presented with a commemorative coin and certificate by Tourism Minister Thoriq Ibrahim and Visit Maldives' CEO and Managing Director Ibrahim Shiuree.

Shafraz expressed great pride at being inducted into the Book of Records.

“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 Shafraz.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Shiuree described the achievement for the Book of Records as a landmark achievement that represents a significant milestone in Visit Maldives’ 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,” said Shiuree.

“We hope this achievement will be an inspiration and encourage more such ambitious endeavors and have their accomplishments recognized in the Visit Maldives Book of Records.”

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.

According to Visit Maldives, Across Maldives 2026 reflects the tourism board’s continued commitment to innovative initiatives that elevate global awareness of the Maldives, while emphasizing the importance of marine conservation and climate resilience for island nations.