📍 Huvadhoo Atoll, Maldives
🏝️ April 5th - 11th, 2026
👩🏻🎤🧑🏻🎤 Laura Juan Marti & Laura Mommicchi
Beneath the surface, everything shifts. Light bends. Silence expands. And we, as humans, are reminded that we are not above nature—but part of it. Balance. Humility. Respect.
The Essence
... of the
Blue Journey
retreat
is to guide you beyond the familiar—beyond habitual ways of living, thinking, and seeing. This is an immersion into island life at its purest, set in a region still untouched by mass tourism. A preserved environment that invites you to return to the essence of your Self.
Throughout the retreat, we’ll explore five islands, vibrant lagoons, and underwater worlds alive with corals and wildlife. These remote landscapes offer the ideal setting to share our passion for photography—where calm waters, pristine nature, and the rhythm of island living naturally open the space for creative expression.
Here, photography becomes more than aesthetics; it becomes a passage into deeper worlds. A way to meet yourself beyond limitations and to connect with your surroundings in a more meaningful, intimate way.
Beneath the surface, everything shifts. Light bends. Silence expands. And we, as humans, are reminded that we are not above nature—but part of it. Balance. Humility. Respect.
We are fortunate to witness this, and even more so, to capture it through our lenses.
EARLY-BIRD SPECIAL available until January 23rd, 2026
In this unique photography retreat
You’ll discover How to
Set up your camera depending on the conditions
Work with all weather and visibility conditions
Move underwater and position yourself
Direct the model(s) - Humans only of course
Work with accessories underwater
Frame and get the best composition for your photos
Capture Wild Life
Experience and find your voice
Edit underwater photography using Lightroom
Unleash your creativity through editing
All people interested in underwater photography (novice, beginner, experienced of all kind);
Freedivers with level 1 certification (Molchanovs Wave 1, AIDA 2, or other equivalent). The freediver should be able to go to 10 meters down easily with fins.
The
Blue Journey
retreat...
is designed for:
Photography Gears that you’ll need:
Any waterproof camera, or camera in a waterproof housing.
Go pro is a great way to start. We recommend bringing a fish eye case for your Go pro. It’ll enhance your options of shots. Trust us!
Discover a tropical Island lifestyle with radiant white sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons filled with prismatic reefs, and the rich untouched underwater paradise of Maldives in Huvadhoo Atoll.
Guests can relax on the sun terrace or in the garden. The property features a restaurant, coffee shop, and outdoor seating area.
Free WiFi is available throughout the guest house.
The
Blue Journey
retreat...
ACCOMODATIONS
Prime location High Lights
Air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms, bathrobes, and garden views. Each room includes a work desk, TV, and wardrobe.
Choose between Single room occupancy and Double shared room
The
Blue Journey
retreat...
YOUR ROOM OPTIONS
EARLY-BIRD SPECIAL: Reserve your spot early and get 300€ off until January 23rd, 2026
BRING A FRIEND PORMO: Book Together with a friend or family member and save 150€ each
We’ll enjoy a delightful dining experience at the in-house restaurant, offering a delicious blend of local and Western cuisine.
From traditional flavors to international favorites, the menu is crafted to satisfy every palate in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
During our adventures, we’ll also barbecue on the inhabited islands.
The
Blue Journey
retreat...
DINING
Join us for a week of adventure and learning — an invitation to connect with yourself, with us, with the ocean.
The retreat includes:
5 nights' accommodation at a blissful resort in South of Huvadhoo Atoll, Maldives
1 night (last night) in Male
Domestic flights from Male to the island
Transfer to and from retreat center on day of arrival and day of departure
Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner (including a special fancy farewell dinner on your last night)
Classroom workshops on underwater photography
1 freediving session in crystal water to get ourselves in the mood
Private boat excursions to explore the underwater lifeof the Maldives
Yoga classes (all levels welcome)
What your day will look like
Sample Daily Schedule
*this is a sample schedule and is subject to change
7:00 AM:
8:00 AM:
12:00 PM:
2:00 PM:
5:00 PM:
7:00 PM:
Breaksfast
Pick-up at the resort to go on one of our excursion - Supervised Practice of underwater photography
Lunch
Workshop session
Free Time / Yoga class
Dinner
Excursions planned:
5 islands
Lagoon
Underwater Wild life
Barbecue on an inhabited island
Laura Mommicchi
Your Hosts
Laura Mommicchi is an artist from the South of France who specializes in photography.
Laura captures the subtle dialogue between natural elements.
The fluid motion of water,
The atmosphere of the air and space around us,
The breath of wind,
The suspended water within the clouds.
These forces influence how she experiences and interprets a scene.
Her work seeks to reveal a presence that is both ephemeral and profound. Something that reaches beyond what is immediately visible.
In 2025, her work was nominated for the Exposure One Award Contest.
Underwater art
Laura has dedicated several years to training as a freediver, enabling her to hold her breath longer, which is essential for her art. All her photographs are taken on a single breath hold, rather than using scuba diving gear
Her artwork draws inspiration from the spiritual domain. Laura follows her intuition, drawing from her experiences, dreams, and insights during meditation.
Her approach transcends traditional photography, as it involves a deeply personal process of entering the vulnerable space of another individual. The values she upholds in her work include patience, respect for boundaries, and a profound love for what she does.
Laura Juan Marti
Your Hosts
Laura Juanmarti is a Spanish freediving photographer guided by a deep love for the ocean and its quiet magic. Through her lens she explores the meeting point between light, shadow, and movement in a weightless world.
Her work seeks to reveal an intimate and surreal dimension of the ocean, capturing emotions that feel both raw and dreamlike.
Laura has photographed major freediving events around the world, experiences that have refined her ability to portray authentic emotion and fluid movement with clarity and depth.
Underwater art
Laura is dedicated to creating artistic underwater imagery — portraits, storytelling sessions, and conceptual pieces that highlight the fluidity and strength of the human form in the sea.
Her practice is deeply tied to freediving: every image is taken on a single breath-hold, allowing her to remain present and connected to the environment.
Her approach blends technique with intuition. She guides her retreat participants to develop their own underwater visual language, encouraging them to combine skill with artistic intention and to discover the unique perspective that emerges when they surrender to the ocean.
Send your inquiry and confirm your accommodation option with us at:
The
Blue Journey
retreat...
BOOKING
Travel Insurance:
Remember that many travel insurance plans require you to purchase them within a few days of purchasing your flight.
Diving Insurance:
Get your diving Insurance or get it with us for €20. The insurance will cover you during the retreat.
The
Blue Journey
retreat...
Insurance Requirements
Mask, snorkel
Fins
Wetsuit or Swimsuit that covers your arms and legs. We will be spending few hours per day in the water so we want you to be protected from the cold, the sun, the jelly fish if any. This way you’ll be able to enjoy fully the photography experience.
Accessories like textile, outfits for example, that you wish to include in your photoshoot when shooting a model.
Your photographer gears: GoPro with fish eye case, waterproof camera, camera and waterproof housing
Your laptop with Lightroom to work on your edits with us if you want
The Maldives weather in April is a summer feel-like climate in April. Temperatures are expected to be around 28°C-32°C (82°F-90°F).
At night the temperatures are still very pleasant, bring a light jacket just in case.
When packing, pack a little bit of everything: on the next page, you'll find a list of what we consider essential for your trip.
Luggage
What to Bring
Swimsuit / bikini
Towel, preferably a poncho
Flip-flops
Sneakers / comfortable
Comfortable clothes for yoga and walking
Shorts
Long pants
Short-sleeved shirts
Light jacket
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sun hat or cap
Your photographer gears: GoPro with fish eye case, waterproof camera, camera and waterproof housing
Your laptop with Lightroom to work on your edits with us if you want
Luggage
The Basics
All the images of marine life appearing on social media have been from lucky days.
Remember, these are wild animals, and that's precisely why it's so special to be able to observe them in their natural habitat.
This means that there are times when we'll be luckier and others when we'll be less so.
All activities are subject to change due to weather and other external factors and circumstances that may be beyond our control. In all cases, so much cna be done and discover in Coron, that your experience will never be short.
We can’t wait to welcoming you and share this special project together!
Expectations
vs. Reality
EARLY-BIRD SPECIAL available until January 23rd, 2026
Get in touch with any questions related to the retreats:
WE CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU!
EARLY-BIRD SPECIAL available until January 23rd, 2026
Together, we create a community rich in creativity
We only send a few meaningful newsletters each year. You won't need to concern yourself with being inundated by my emails.
We will keep you informed about the exciting updates, like:
Invitations to forthcoming events & exhibitions
Advanced notice of the upcoming retreats
Exclusive offers