To celebrate Disney’s new live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, the Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives is giving guests the chance to swim with the resort’s resident mermaid. And the Sani Resort in Greece is giving mermaid swimming lessons. Jenny Southan reports
Tapping into the Limelight Locations trend, which sees people travelling to places inspired by movies and TV shows, the Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives is bringing The Little Mermaid film (released last month) to life with its own resident siren, Lhu Lhu, who can join guests at the beach club pool for an afternoon dip.
Beyond the pool, aspiring mermaids and mermen wanting to experience life under the sea, can book a private excursion at the Oceanic Centre, operated by the Dive Butler International dive centre. 
With a marine biologist at their side, guests can explore the shallow house reef or discover the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Hanifaru Bay – the world’s greatest hotspot for manta rays.
Stays in an overwater villa at the Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives from £959, based on a family of four travelling in August on a B&B basis.
Owned and managed by Seaside Collection, Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives, is a luxury island resort renowned for its 2km white powdery beaches that stretch out across four islands. It has 125 beachfront and overwater villas (more than half with a private pool), four restaurants and a kids’ club.
Mermaids are certainly on trend right now – there is even a new documentary on Netflix called MerPeople, which explores the curious world of professional mermaids.
From late August 2023, Sani Resort in Greece will be offering PADI Mermaid Courses with a PADI Mermaid Instructor. All lessons include learning how to swim with a Monofin and take place at Sani Beach where the PADI and Sea World Dive Centre is located. 
The luxury resort offers two mermaid experiences for those of differing abilities, the PADI Mermaid Course and the PADI Advanced Mermaid Course. During these lessons, the instructors will teach guests the basics of mermaid diving and how to swim in and under the water with their new tails and introduce them to the art of breath-holding mastered by most freedivers.
The Sani resort PADI Mermaid Course is 90 minutes and starts from €160 per session.