MerPeople Retreat Maldives (September 2025)

MerPeople Retreat Maldives invites all mermaids, mermen and other water enthusiasts to to join us for an unforgettable and magical vacation. This trip is an adventure holiday with unforgettable experiences, hands-on workshops and photo shoots. Our Mermaid Weeks were created to give your inner child the opportunity to heal, play and go crazy in the most possible way. If you have a passion for the underwater world, are fascinated by the magic of mermaids and want to spend an exciting week with other water lovers and a fun team, then you’ve come to the right place.

MerPeople Retreat Dates:

Mermaid Week 1: September 14th – September 21st 2025 or Mermaid Week 2: September 21st – September 28th 2025

Included:

7 nights on the EcoPro Moonima Yacht (double room occupancy)
Support boat (fully equipped diving boat)
Dinghy (small inflatable boat)
Full board, vegan
One beach BBQ
Drinking water from dispenser, tea and snacks
Mermaiding training
Yoga sessions
Breathing and relaxation exercises
Underwater posing tips
Scuba dives (if you have a diving license)
Support of our safety team
Rental fabric tail from Mermaid Kat Shop (if needed)
Photo shoots (above and under water)
10 edited, high-resolution photos (you can choose)
1 souvenir video from this trip (approx. 2-3 minutes long)
GST and Green Tax
Entry to Hanifaru Bay (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its manta ray encounters)
Transport from the airport to the yacht and back

Not included:

Return flights to Male
Soft drinks
Alcoholic drinks
Try diving for non certified participants
Diving equipment rental on board
Wifi
Additional photos (if you would like to select more than 10, these can be purchased for EUR 65 (around USD 70 / AUD 100) per photo)
Single videos (you can choose from different video options for an additional charge, see below)
The use of silicone tails from Mermaid Kat Shop (a selection of tails is available for hire but you would need to check with us at least 3 months prior to travel)

Price:

EUR 3,450 (around USD 3,700 / AUD 5,700) for accommodation in a double cabin on the lower deck or EUR 3,650 (around USD 3,900 / AUD 6,000) for accommodation in a double cabin on the upper deck.

A deposit of 20% is due immediately after booking. The course fee of EUR 1,000 (around USD 1,000 / AUD 1,700) is due 90 days before retreat starts (this will not be refunded if you cancel). The remaining amount is due 30 days before retreat starts.

Additional options:

You can extend your stay in the Maldives for another week at the Royal Island Resort and Spa Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The price here is EUR 1,500 (around USD 1,600 / AUD 2,500) per person for a double room occupancy in a beach villa. In addition, the price includes full board for the week.

Booking via:

Thomas Scholz (Tom)
Mobile: +49 173 3725736
Email: t.scholz@scubactive.de

Please note: Spots are in high demand and book up quickly. Therefore, we can only reserve your spot once we have received your booking and deposit.

Video of MerPeople Retreat Maldives 2021

This is What Awaits you on this MerPeople Retreat

For example, the MerPeople Retreat and Mermaid School includes training sessions on how to swim in mermaid tails and how to pose for the camera. First we start training on land and later we practice mermaiding and modelling in the water.

In addition, you can participate in relaxation and breathing exercises that will support you in extending your breath hold times and calibrate your body better.

You will also be photographed by professional photographers who are always looking forward to shootings with new mermaids and mermen. The unique underwater world in the North Ari Atoll and Baa Atoll offer breathtaking scenery for your underwater shoots. The islands approached also offer unique locations for photo shoots. Of course, you will receive ongoing support and assistance from our experienced team.

If you have a diving license, then you can experience unique scuba dives. If you aren’t a certified diver but interested in a try dive, you can of course book this on board. You can also take part in guided snorkelling trips.

Not only will we go to small and uninhabited islands for photo shoots, but we will also have a BBQ on the beach here.

The yacht offers various accommodation options to relax between activities.

Hanifaru Bay

Hanifaru Bay is one of the best places in the world to swim with manta rays and is famous for its mass concentrations of manta rays and whale sharks. It is located in a marine reserve on the eastern edge of Baa Atoll in the central atolls of the Maldives. On our mermaid tour 2019 we also had the opportunity to visit Hanifaru Bay. Here we encountered hundreds of manta rays and it was an unforgettable experience for all participants. Feel free to watch a little backstage video of Mermaid Kat at Hanifaru Bay:

Who is the MerPeople Retreat suitable for?

Have you always been enchanted by “The Little Mermaid” and interested in fantasy and the seas? Then you’ve come to the right place! With this MerPeople Retreat and Mermaid School we want to create a place here where like-minded water lovers can connect, share and go home with love in their hearts, long lasting memories, friends for life and stunning photos and videos.

To take part in this Mermaid Retreat it is important that you can swim well and safely. In addition, we recommend a general basic level of fitness, because swimming in mermaid tails, especially in the open sea, can be exhausting.

Most underwater shoots will take place in shallow water. Should it get a little deeper, you have support on the water surface, such as a safety person or a buoy to hold on and rest. Accordingly, you are welcome to join even if you have no experience in free diving, scuba diving or mermaiding at all. We cater for all levels, from aspiring mers to professionals.

Because we firmly believe that mermaids and mermen come in all sizes, shapes, colours, ages and genders, there is no visual criteria to meet. However, participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

Photo Shoots at MerPeople Retreat Maldives

In addition to workshops, training sessions and open ocean swims, photo shoots are of course also the focus of this trip. Our team works day after day to bring out the best in you and capture you from your best side. So we will create unique photos in the course of the MerPeople Retreat.

After Mermaid Week you will receive a link with an overview of your photos. Here you can select your 10 included photos (and more if you want to purchase additional ones). Shortly afterwards you will receive the fully edited and high-resolution version of your photos. You can then use these images for private use and self-promotion, for example on social media or on your websites. Please note that a model release must be signed so that we can use the images too.

Video Packages as an Additional Option at MerFolk Retreat Maldives

If you would like to have individual videos of yourself in addition to the souvenir video, you can book these additionally.

Option 1: PERSONAL TRAVEL HIGHLIGHT VIDEO Your personal highlights of Mermaid Week selected by us and edited as an individual film. | backed with music | Duration 2-3 minutes | as MP4 file | additionally as a reel | Makes your underwater modeling trip unforgettable! Price: EUR 150 (around USD 160 / AUD 250)

Option 3: DELUXE MOVIE Film creation cut together as a short film in a cinematic look according to your individual storyline. | Preliminary meeting with concept development | Script writing | individual video coaching | additional video shooting and individual shooting time |backed with music | Duration 5-7 minutes | as MP4 file | additionally as a reel | Show your personality! Epic video recordings for marketing, campaigns, portfolio and more. Price: EUR 450 (around USD 480 / AUD 750)

Optional: additionally all individual scenes uncut (including unpublished ones) Price: EUR 100 (around USD 100 / AUD 160)

Larger changes on average Price: 50 EUR (around USD 50 / AUD 80)

If you are already sure that you would like to book a video option, please contact Jens and Melli from D Image Factory directly.

Lydia’s Highlight Video from Maldives MerPeople Retreat 2021

Partners and Companions

Partners and other accompanying persons are of course very welcome at MerPeople Retreat Maldives. If your companion is not interested in mermaiding and photoshoots, he/she can participate in scuba diving (if licensed) or guided snorkelling tours instead. Diving and snorkelling tours are included in the price.

Accompanying persons also have the opportunity to select 10 photos from the trip. However, they can also assign these to the participating person.

Good to know

Mermaid Kat and her team have been organising international Mermaid Weeks and underwater model trips since 2013. Our entire team has won various prizes and awards over the years. So you get to work on site with the “crème de la crème” in this area, so to speak. But most importantly: the whole team is motivated, funny and enjoys their work. It is important to us that we all meet as equals, support, encourage and empower each other. The MerFolk Retreat Maldives is designed to create positive memories that will last a lifetime and be a lot of fun for everyone. If you would like to connect and exchange ideas with other mermaids and mermen from all over the world in advance, we cordially invite you to join our Facebook group: Drama Free Mermaid Community

What to bring to MerPeople Retreat Maldives:

Passport
Travel insurance
Diving license (if you have one and want to go diving)
Bikini/swimsuit/swimming pants
Mask, snorkel, fins (if available)
Summer clothes
Sweatshirt/light jacket
Rash guard/long sleeve shirt
Light long trousers
Sunglasses and hat
Required medication
Adapter
Natural mosquito repellent
Ocean friendly sunscreen
Mermaid tail (if you have your own)
Waterproof mascara and extra makeup (other than mascara, regular makeup stays in place reasonably well unless you wipe your face)
Accessories
Credit cards and cash

EcoPro Moonima Yacht

The EcoPro Moonima yacht is our home during Mermaid Week. It is built in traditional Maldivian style and from high quality tropical timber. The yacht is 30 meters long and has a total of 10 cabins, each with its own bathroom and air conditioning. On board the Moonima there is a relaxed atmosphere with the highest quality and safety standards. Relax in the various outdoor areas.