This June, Niva Dhigali Maldives invites guests to experience wellbeing at its own pace. As part of Wellness Week with Gemma Merna, this private island becomes a space for calm, connection and renewal, with five days shaped to restore the body and mind in a setting that feels open, natural and alive.

Gemma Merna is a Master Intuitive Psychology Coach, hypnotherapist, yoga and Pilates teacher, sound healer, and founder of Mind and Wellness. She blends science-backed practices with intuition, movement, and mindfulness to guide guests in reconnecting with themselves, cultivating clarity, confidence, and calm in a deeply restorative way.

For this Maldives retreat, Gemma has curated a five-day programme combining mindful movement, meditation, sound healing, and reflective workshops. Guests can expect a nurturing yet empowering journey, supported by the island’s natural rhythm of light, sea and open space.

Each day begins framed by gentle ocean breeze and sunrise light, with revitalising yoga flows designed to awaken the body and calm the mind. Guided workshops explore simple tools for releasing tension and inviting ease, from Gua-Sha self-care techniques to sessions that encourage inner strength and mental clarity. Movement finds its own pace with Pilates sessions that balance breath and body, while sunset yoga flows and restorative soundbaths invite quiet reflection as day turns to evening.

Surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali offers a setting made for presence and renewal. Days are unhurried, horizons stretch endlessly, and the sea is a quiet companion to every moment. Whether practising on the jetty at sunrise or resting under palms after a soundbath on Haali Beach, each day unfolds with ease, allowing guests to reconnect with their body, mind and surroundings.

Pause. Breathe. Enjoy the simple rhythms of the island, carrying the feeling of this week with you long after departure.

View the full schedule here and booking information here.

Milaidhoo Maldives, the renowned luxury boutique resort in the heart of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, has announced the evolution of Ba’theli by the Reef – the world’s only Maldivian fine-dining restaurant set aboard traditional dhoni boats in a lagoon.

The reimagined concept honours the Maldivian tradition of gathering and sharing meals, introducing a family-style menu designed to be enjoyed communally, just as food is experienced in local island homes.

A new chapter: from individual to communal

Ba’theli has long been Milaidhoo’s signature dining destination, celebrated for its unique setting on three traditional Maldivian dhoni boats and its cuisine inspired by the historic spice route. The new direction deepens this narrative, transforming the experience from individual plating to heartfelt communal celebration.

“At Milaidhoo Maldives, we’ve always believed the best way to truly experience the Maldives is through our flavours,” says Paul van Frank, General Manager. “Ba’theli by the Reef is the heart of that story. By moving to a communal, family-style way of dining, we’re inviting you to eat exactly as we do in our own island homes: passing plates, sharing seconds and letting the conversation flow as naturally as the tide.”

The refreshed concept was guided by Nasreena “Natti” Ali, sous chef from our sister resort Dhigali Maldives, whose expertise in traditional Maldivian cuisine brings depth and authenticity to every dish. Working alongside Ba’theli’s talented local chefs, Natti transformed existing signatures into elegant family-style presentations while introducing new dishes that honour island traditions.

Signature dishes that tell stories

Two dishes exemplify Ba’theli’s dedication to Maldivian culture and sustainability:

• Fihunu Bodu Ihi – Grilled coral Maldivian lobster with curry sauce, featuring lobster caught by local fishermen and curry made from leaves grown in the resort’s Chef’s Garden, connecting the dish to both land and sea.
• Dhivehi Raha – A collection of traditional Maldivian mini dessert treats paired with screw pine ice cream. The ice cream is made from kashikeyo, a rare and exquisite fruit unique to the Maldives, allowing Ba’theli to showcase ingredients found nowhere else on earth.

The menu also features the Malaayfaiy – a traditional, large Maldivian wooden serving dish intricately decorated with lacquer work, historically used to serve elaborate feasts during special occasions like Eid. Culturally, it represents shared meals celebrating community, often featuring fish curry, rice and an array of accompaniments. At Ba’theli, this tradition is honoured and elevated.

The menu celebrates this heritage through:

• Rice dishes including Mas Bai (smoked tuna rice), Aafalu Bai (apple rice), Barabo Bai (pumpkin rice) and Falho Bai (papaya rice), alongside Sri Lankan Lamprais representing the broader spice route influence.
• Traditional soups and breads such as Garudhiya (the beloved Maldivian tuna broth), Roast Paan and Mas Banas (fish buns) – staples of island hospitality.
• Satani (salads) featuring Kopi Fathu Satani (curry leaf salad), Fiyaa Satani (onion salad), Barabo with coconut roti (pumpkin) and Falho Satani (raw papaya) – vibrant accompaniments designed to be shared.

An experience to remember

Ba’theli’s culinary narrative began over 5,000 years ago when the Maldives became a key port for traders sailing from Indonesia and India to Arabia with precious cargoes: cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, cloves, ginger and pepper. That story continues as talented local chefs create dishes of finesse based on the epicurean delights of the spice route, bringing Maldivian cuisine to life, and supported by the resort’s Chef’s Garden where herbs, vegetables and curry leaves grow just steps from the kitchen.

Ba’theli by the Reef remains the only restaurant in the world set on boats in a lagoon, creating an authentic and unforgettable sense of place. Guests dine aboard three traditional dhoni boats with stunning sunset views over the lagoon, surrounded by the gentle sounds of water and the warmth of Maldivian hospitality.

This is Ba’theli’s new chapter: more communal, proudly Maldivian and as refined as ever.

This Easter, Villa Park welcomes travellers to slow down and reconnect on one of the Maldives’ most spacious, naturally lush island escapes, available as part of Villa Resorts’ Easter Offer. Guests can enjoy up to 25% savings when booking direct, with an Easter Escape that also includes exclusive direct booking benefits and 50% off domestic flight transfers for Villa Park, adding extra value for a longer island holiday.

Set in the South Ari Atoll, Villa Park is designed for families and experience-led travellers who want the Maldives with room to roam. Tropical greenery, wide beaches, and a relaxed sense of adventure that makes it easy to spend time together without feeling rushed, whether that means snorkelling in clear lagoon water, cycling around the island, or simply stretching out poolside shape days here.

A key highlight for ocean lovers is Villa Park’s location in the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), a region known for year-round whale shark sightings. It brings an added sense of discovery to an Easter break, with the chance to experience one of the Maldives’ most iconic marine encounters as part of a holiday that still feels effortless.

For families, Park Players Kids Club elevates the season, where younger guests can enjoy their own island adventures while parents take time to properly unwind. Accommodation is equally tailored to multigenerational travel, with Villa Park offering a standout variety of Beach Pool Villas, giving families and groups the flexibility to choose the space and privacy that suits them best.

The Easter Offer at Villa Park includes up to 25% off accommodation when booking direct, plus exclusive direct booking benefits and 50% off domestic flight transfers, making it easier to turn school-holiday time into a sunlit, meaningful escape in the Maldives.