MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 15, 2025--
Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham, an all-inclusive resort on Grand Bahama Island, is pleased to announce the return of its signature Dive Weeks in 2025. In addition to its diving offerings, Viva Resorts is reaffirming its commitment to sports tourism and community engagement through the continued and expanded sponsorship of the Dominican Republic Open (DR Open) - a premier international beach tennis event that promotes wellness, connection, and active travel.
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Designed for certified divers, the Dive Weeks offer the opportunity to experience the world-renowned underwater ecosystems of the Bahamas. Participants will explore vibrant coral reefs, exciting wrecks, and abundant marine life, all under the guidance of professional PADI-certified dive instructors.
Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham is the only all-inclusive resort on Grand Bahama Island with a full-service dive center on property. Guests can immerse themselves in the beauty of the underwater world while enjoying the resort’s signature hospitality, amenities, and stunning beachfront location.
Dive Week participants can choose from four dates in 2025: May 17-24, September 13-20, September 21-27 and November 8-15. Packages start at $1,305 per person, based on double occupancy in a Garden view room, and include 7-night all-inclusive accommodations, four days of tank boat dives (10 dives total), airport transfers, all meals, beverages, taxes, and resort activities.
In addition to the diving experience, Viva Resorts by Wyndham continues to expand its support for the DR Open. The 2025 series will feature tournaments in Las Terrenas from July 4–6. The event brings together both local and international athletes, showcasing the culture and community of the Dominican Republic.
“From immersing yourself in the breathtaking underwater landscapes of the Bahamas to experiencing the vibrant energy of beach tennis in the Dominican Republic, we are dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences that celebrate the natural beauty and dynamic spirit of our destinations,” said Amanda Santana, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Viva Resorts by Wyndham.
Viva Resorts by Wyndham is also a proud sponsor of the 2025 Master of the Ocean, taking place Sept. 17–21 in Cabarete, Dominican Republic. Now in its 20th year, the event is the only competition in the world to combine five ocean disciplines—surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, kitesurfing, windsurfing and wing foiling—into a single showcase of athleticism and ocean culture. Set along Cabarete’s scenic coastline, the event draws top international athletes and ocean enthusiasts for a week of adrenaline, celebration and community.
Continuing its support of open-water sports, Viva Resorts by Wyndham will also host Oceanman at Viva Dominicus Beach in Bayahibe from Oct. 10–12. Part of the world’s premier open-water swimming series, the event welcomes amateur and professional swimmers from around the globe to compete in an inspiring Caribbean setting, underscoring the brand’s commitment to wellness, personal challenge and immersive travel experiences.
For more information or to book, visit: www.vivaresortsbywyndham.com/diving-bahamas.
About Viva Resorts by Wyndham
Viva Resorts by Wyndham expresses a passion for life throughout the brand’s all-inclusive resorts located in the Caribbean, including Mexico, Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas. Tropical settings that collaborate with the local environment and feature choice amenities complemented by onsite entertainment allow the brand and its multilingual staff to create unique and memorable experiences for guests. Furthermore, Viva Resorts by Wyndham strives to protect local natural habitats, surrounding environments and cultures through green programs at each resort. Viva Resorts by Wyndham has more than 37 years of experience developing, managing and marketing hotels in the Caribbean. Its portfolio includes Club Viva for Members Only. For more information, visit www.vivaresortsbywyndham.com.
Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham is an all-inclusive, family-friendly resort, located on a secluded beach on beautiful Grand Bahama Island.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its bloody crackdown on protesters, a move coming as activists said Monday the death toll in the nationwide demonstrations rose to at least 544.
Iran had no immediate reaction to the news, which came after the foreign minister of Oman — long an interlocutor between Washington and Tehran — traveled to Iran this weekend. It also remains unclear just what Iran could promise, particularly as Trump has set strict demands over its nuclear program and its ballistic missile arsenal, which Tehran insists is crucial for its national defense.
Meanwhile Monday, Iran called for pro-government demonstrators to head to the streets in support of the theocracy, a show of force after days of protests directly challenging the rule of 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian state television aired chants from the crowd, who shouted “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!”
Trump and his national security team have been weighing a range of potential responses against Iran including cyberattacks and direct strikes by the U.S. or Israel, according to two people familiar with internal White House discussions who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
“The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night. Asked about Iran’s threats of retaliation, he said: “If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before.”
Trump said that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports of the death toll in Iran mount and the government continues to arrest protesters.
“I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States,” Trump said. “Iran wants to negotiate.”
He added: “The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what’s happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate.”
Iran through country's parliamentary speaker warned Sunday that the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America uses force to protect demonstrators.
More than 10,600 people also have been detained over the two weeks of protests, said the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years and gave the death toll. It relies on supporters in Iran crosschecking information. It said 496 of the dead were protesters and 48 were with security forces.
With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the toll. Iran’s government has not offered overall casualty figures.
Those abroad fear the information blackout is emboldening hard-liners within Iran’s security services to launch a bloody crackdown. Protesters flooded the streets in the country’s capital and its second-largest city on Saturday night into Sunday morning. Online videos purported to show more demonstrations Sunday night into Monday, with a Tehran official acknowledging them in state media.
In Tehran, a witness told the AP that the streets of the capital empty at the sunset call to prayers each night. By the Isha, or nighttime prayer, the streets are deserted.
Part of that stems from the fear of getting caught in the crackdown. Police sent the public a text message that warned: “Given the presence of terrorist groups and armed individuals in some gatherings last night and their plans to cause death, and the firm decision to not tolerate any appeasement and to deal decisively with the rioters, families are strongly advised to take care of their youth and teenagers.”
Another text, which claimed to come from the intelligence arm of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, also directly warned people not to take part in demonstrations.
“Dear parents, in view of the enemy’s plan to increase the level of naked violence and the decision to kill people, ... refrain from being on the streets and gathering in places involved in violence, and inform your children about the consequences of cooperating with terrorist mercenaries, which is an example of treason against the country,” the text warned.
The witness spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing crackdown.
The demonstrations began Dec. 28 over the collapse of the Iranian rial currency, which trades at over 1.4 million to $1, as the country’s economy is squeezed by international sanctions in part levied over its nuclear program. The protests intensified and grew into calls directly challenging Iran’s theocracy.
Nikhinson reported from aboard Air Force One.
In this frame grab from video obtained by the AP outside Iran, a masked demonstrator holds a picture of Iran's Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi during a protest in Tehran, Iran, Friday, January. 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)
In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media from Iran shows protesters taking to the streets despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026.(UGC via AP)
In this frame grab from footage circulating on social media from Iran showed protesters once again taking to the streets of Tehran despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world in Tehran, Iran, Saturday Jan. 10, 2026. (UGC via AP)
