Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives, a tropical paradise known for its vibrant energy and playful luxury, is elevating the destination wedding experience with the launch of its exclusive 2025 packages. These packages offer couples the chance to celebrate their love in one of the most extraordinary settings in the world. Located in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, Finolhu is celebrated for its pristine natural beauty, world-class service, and seamless fusion of Maldivian charm and contemporary luxury. Surrounded by a secluded environment, a mile-long sandbank, and stunning kaleidoscope-inspired architecture, Finolhu offers the perfect canvas for couples to create a truly unforgettable celebration.

The resort’s bespoke wedding packages have been thoughtfully designed to cater to a variety of tastes and preferences, from intimate beachfront ceremonies to grand celebrations under the stars. Each package combines the highest level of service, attention to detail, and the unparalleled beauty of the Maldivian landscape. Couples can choose from four exclusive packages, each offering a distinctive ambiance and luxurious inclusions:

• ISHGI “Romantic”: A serene ceremony on a secluded sandbank, featuring elegant floral decor, a dedicated wedding coordinator, a one-tier wedding cake, and Taittinger Brut Reserve Champagne. Additional touches include 10 digital photos, a decorated buggy for the ceremony, in-villa bed decoration, a bridal bouquet. Package pricing starts at $1,600 USD.
• DHAAIMEE “Everlasting”: Building on the ISHGI package, this elevated experience features a Maldivian drumming performance, a four-course sandbank dinner, and an intimate in-villa celebration with beautifully arranged bed and bath decor. Package pricing starts at $2,600 USD.
• HITHU VINDHU “Heartbeat”: A stunning ceremony at Finolhu’s iconic 5° North venue, a sunset cruise on the “Little Seahorse” Dhoni, a four-course dinner at 5° North, in-villa romantic decor with a floating breakfast, two-tier wedding cake, and a 20-photo digital album. Package pricing starts at $3,400 USD.
• LOABIVERIN “Lovers”: Offering the ultimate wedding experience, the LOABIVERIN package features Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose, flower ladies, traditional Maldivian drummers, and a choice of a Beach Bubble experience or a private sandbank four-course dinner for the newlyweds. Package pricing starts at $5,000 USD.

To make their day even more memorable, couples can indulge in a rejuvenating day at the property’s Fehi Spa, with beauty services available to pamper the bride and groom before the ceremony. Finolhu also offers a range of personalised enhancements, including pre-wedding hair and makeup services, private fireworks displays, saxophonist performances, a romantic night under the stars in the exclusive Beach Bubble Experience, and curated wedding photography and videography packages by IM Studio.

“We believe that every love story deserves a one-of-a-kind celebration,” said Steven Philips, General Manager of Finolhu Baa Atoll. “Our new 2025 wedding packages have been curated to offer not only a stunning setting but also a level of service that is tailored to each couple, ensuring their special day exceeds all expectations.”

For a fully immersive property experience, couples are encouraged to arrive at Finolhu at least two days before their ceremony. Finolhu’s dedicated wedding specialists will work closely with each couple to curate a personalized and unforgettable celebration. Please note, package prices do not include accommodation, meal plans, transfers, or any additional items not specified in the package.

Forbes Travel Guide (FTG), has announced its 2025 Star Awards, and Amilla Maldives is named among the exceptional resorts recognised for their commitment to outstanding guest experiences and thoughtful service. 

Nestled within the peaceful Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Amilla Maldives is known for its expansive villas, sustainability initiatives, and dedication to personalised guest experiences. From wellness offerings to an array of dining options, Amilla strives to create a unique blend of comfort, simplicity, and a deep respect for nature and the local community.

“We are grateful for this recognition from Forbes Travel Guide,” shared Narelle McDougall, General Manager of Amilla Maldives. “This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our team in delivering a guest experience that feels both inviting and connected to the beauty of our island home.”

Forbes Travel Guide is the world-renowned authority on excellence in hospitality, and Amilla Maldives is now among the distinguished properties featured in its annual Star Rating list.

“Forbes Travel Guide’s Star Award winners exemplify excellence in hospitality,” says Amanda Frasier, President of Standards & Ratings for Forbes Travel Guide. “This year’s list continues to reflect the changing landscape of luxury, with properties setting the standard for authentic experiences while offering unparalleled amenities, enhanced well-being, and delivering unforgettable moments. We are thrilled to recognise their dedication to creating truly world-class travel options for today’s discerning guest.”

Shipwrecks have long captured the imagination of adventurers and explorers, evoking tales of mystery, and rebirth beneath the ocean’s surface. Off the southern coast of Keyodhoo in Vaavu Atoll, a hauntingly beautiful shipwreck rests in its final slumber, a vessel transformed into a thriving underwater sanctuary. Just a 20-minute boat ride from Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, this site has become an unmissable attraction for snorkelers and divers alike.

A ship frozen in time

The origins of the Vaavu Shipwreck remain shrouded in mystery. What is known, however, is that the vessel succumbed to the relentless forces of nature during a massive storm in 2015, coming to rest at a dramatic 140-degree angle in the shallow waters of Kuda Lagoon. Unlike deeper wrecks reserved for experienced divers, this shipwreck is a snorkeler’s dream as its bow emerging from the waters, offers a striking visual from the surface.

Adam Ali, Operations Manager at Dive & Sail, notes, “what makes the Vaavu Shipwreck truly special is that you don’t need to be a scuba diver to experience it. Snorkelers can take in the entire scene from above, with crystal-clear visibility and an ever-changing marine landscape.”

Beneath the waterline, the wreck has transformed into a thriving marine oasis. The captain’s wheelhouse and deck are draped in vibrant table corals, soft corals, and sea anemones, creates a dynamic and colorful habitat. Schools of fish dart between the crevices, while curious eels peek out from rusted openings. Explorers have often commented about how the this wonder is not just a wreck but an evolving ecosystem where marine life flourishes.

Snorkeling in Vaavu Atoll

Vaavu Atoll, often referred to as the ‘untouched paradise’ of the Maldives, is renowned for its unspoiled reefs, remote islands and dive sites. Unlike the bustling atolls closer to Malé, Vaavu offers a sense of seclusion, where the natural world thrives uninterrupted. Its waters are home to an astonishing variety of marine life where you can find graceful manta rays and reef sharks to luminescent plankton that creates a magical bioluminescent display at night.

However, nature continues to shape the ship’s fate. In early 2025, torrential rains and relentless ocean currents altered the wreck’s position, flipping it upside down. While its mast and hull were once familiar landmarks, the ship now lies in a different orientation, revealing new vantage points for exploration. At high tide, portions of the wreck may submerge completely, but at lower tides, snorkelers can still enjoy an immersive view of this ghostly yet vibrant spectacle.

How to experience the Vaavu Shipwreck

Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives offers guided excursions to the Vaavu Shipwreck in collaboration with Dive & Sail, ensuring every snorkeler whether seasoned or first-time, can safely explore this ever-evolving marvel with expert insight. A short speedboat ride from the resort takes you to the wreck, where you can slip into the waters and witness the striking contrast between man-made history and nature’s reclamation.

As you snorkel above, schools of fish will weave through the skeletal remains of the ship, while vibrant corals flourish on its once-steel surface. For those eager to dive deeper, free divers can venture closer, gliding through the wreck’s passageways for an up-close look at this submerged spectacle.

With the shipwreck continuing to change, shifting with the tides and evolving with the reef, one thing remains certain that it will continue to captivate those who seek adventure beneath the waves. The Vaavu Shipwreck isn’t just a site to visit; it’s a story in motion, waiting to be discovered.