The Fari Islands Festival returns from 13 to 15 August 2026, bringing together Patina Maldives, Fari Islands and The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands for a second edition headlined by Academy Award-nominated actress and humanitarian Rosamund Pike.

The programme spans music, wellness, gastronomy, art, and marine conservation across three days and two resorts – moving through a natural daily rhythm from reflective mornings to conversational afternoons, to gatherings in the evenings and performances into the night.

Rosamund Pike— Festival Headliner

Golden Globe, Emmy and Olivier Award-winning and BAFTA and Academy Award-nominated actress Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Saltburn) headlines the 2026 festival as a returning guest and has been part of shaping this edition from the inside.

Pre-opening, Pike will host a charity dinner in her role as Ambassador for MAG (Mines Advisory Group), the humanitarian organisation dedicated to clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance from conflict zones around the world. Her involvement across the festival includes a solo address on creative expression — exploring the roles we choose to play, relating both to her work as an actress and how we want to show up in the world. She will also lead a guided meditation in partnership with Lumenate, the psychedelic meditation app, where she will be introducing Nova, the game-changing light therapy mask which allows users beautifully efficient access to a place of insight and calm. Rounding out her programme: a Maldivian cooking class at Patina Maldives’ newly-launched Kandu restaurant.

“I am delighted to be returning to Patina to headline the Fari Islands Festival for this innovative brand. I am interested in what relaxation means in terms of mental and physical resets, and how resets relate to creativity and performance. The festival will allow guests to open their minds to new people and experiences, disconnect with the digital world, and enjoy a space of insight, interest, connection, and a freedom to be. There is a crossover between the life of an actor and the responsibilities each one of us takes on in the roles we play in life. Hopefully the festival will allow discussion of the intersection of the two. All we ask is for you to show up,” says Pike.

2026 Festival Lineup

Alongside Rosamund Pike, the 2026 programme brings together an exceptional group of artists, designers, and culinary talents. Globally recognised designer and cultural tastemaker Sean Wotherspoon, best known for the iconic Nike Air Max 1/97 collaboration and his influence across fashion, streetwear, and sustainability culture. Wotherspoon joins the festival to create a collective art installation and design the official festival merchandise.

Cult French musician, producer, and creative icon Sebastian Tellier, recently appointed Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government. Tellier closes the festival with a live piano set on the final night. Michelin-starred Hong Kong-born chef and founder of Parisian neo-bistrot SENsation Chef Samuel Lee brings his refined Cantonese cooking — precise, and shaped by contemporary French influences — across the festival nights.

WAGYUMAFIA, the Tokyo-born dining collective internationally known for redefining luxury beef culture through exclusive omakase experiences and a devoted celebrity following, arrives at Fari Islands with a bold culinary showcase across the festival. Ranked No. 5 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, Dry Wave Cocktail Studio will partner Michter’s for narrative-led cocktail experiences.

Danilo Pozone, Global Brand Manager of Sei Bellissimi, official sponsor of The World’s 50 Best Hotels, joins the festival to host curated experiences centred around fine spirits and cocktail culture.

Wellness by Bamford returns for a second year as the festival’s wellness partner, led by CJ Jones-Leake and Stephanie Waxberg. Bamford will offer a new signature treatment at both resorts’ spas alongside nutrition sessions and movement workshops.

“We are thrilled to welcome guests back for the second edition of the Fari Islands Festival,” says Oscar Postma, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. “The first year showed us what this gathering can be. This year, we build on it — more artists, more culinary ambition, and the same spirit that made Fari Islands the right place for a festival like this.”

“The festival gives us the chance to explore what this place can offer when you remove the ordinary boundaries between art, food, wellness, and nature,” says Anthony Gill, General Manager of Patina Maldives, Fari Islands. “In its second year it feels more confident, more ambitious — and still rooted in genuine respect for the islands and the people who call them home.”

Reserve a stay at Fari Islands Festival at The Ritz Carlton Maldives or Patina Maldives. Experience the journey via fari-islands.com.

NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort, a newly-opened sanctuary in the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll, has introduced Caravela, an immersive culinary journey inspired by the great maritime expeditions that shaped global gastronomy.

Blending Spanish culinary heritage with Maldivian provenance, Caravela offers a multi-sensory journey where each course unfolds as a chapter in the story of exploration, trade and cultural exchange. The concept takes its name from the caravel, the agile Portuguese vessel that enabled pioneering voyages between the 14th and 17th centuries.

Designed as an intimate, dinner-only experience for up to 12 guests, Caravela centres around a communal table, fostering connection and shared discovery. The inaugural menu, The Atlantic Voyage of 1487, traces the route of early explorers who sailed from Iberia along the African coast towards the Cape of Storms in search of a sea passage to India.

The five-course menu opens with First Light of the Atlantic, crispy King Crab fritters with ikura and lime-yuzu vinaigrette, before moving into Winds of the Cantabrian Sea, a torched Maldivian tuna loin with escabeche and subtle Moroccan spices. Crossing the Madeira Currents follows with local job fish, confit plantain purée and a prawn coral tuile. A green apple sorbet, inspired by the Wambugu Apples of western Africa, serves as a palate cleanser before the main course, Benguela Shores at Dusk: a 12-hour sous vide pork belly glazed with smoky chilli and Spanish chorizo jus. The voyage closes with Triumphant Return to Iberian Coast, an olive oil cake with port wine and blood orange gel, encased in a sugar sphere inspired by the Armillary Sphere, a symbol of Portuguese navigation.

Petit fours of caramelised torrija, coffee chocolate bonbon and South African milk tart complete the evening, alluding to the upcoming voyage that discovered the Americas.

Caravela’s narrative-driven approach will continue to evolve as future voyages launch, including The Pacific Voyage of 1492 and The Indian Ocean Voyage of 1498. Each new menu will introduce a distinct flavour map, encouraging guests to return and explore the histories that shape modern cuisine.

The concept was created under the direction of Resort Manager Melroy Fernandes, in collaboration with the resort’s culinary team, drawing on a deep appreciation for the Age of Discovery. Fernandes, a Master Sommelier, has also curated a thoughtful wine pairing experience alongside the resort’s sommelier team to complement each course.

On the launch of Caravela, Fernandes said, “NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort is designed for travellers seeking meaningful and memorable experiences. Whether exploring the natural wonders of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and nearby Hanifaru Bay or embracing the tranquillity of our island, Caravela offers a journey of a different kind, one that connects history, culture and cuisine in a truly immersive way.”

Caravela completes NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort’s diverse dining portfolio, spanning all-day dining at Jumla, signature restaurants Alifaan and Kaiyo, beverage-led experiences at Atardecer, Handhuvaru, Madumaithiri and Splash Bar, and the Adrift destination dining concept.

The Atlantic Voyage tasting menu with wine pairings is priced at USD 190++ per guest and is available by prior reservation. For more information or to book, visit the resort’s website.

W Maldives has introduced the FIT Padel Court, a dynamic open-air sporting space that brings one of the world’s fastest-growingsports to the island in signature W style.

Set within the resort’s lush greenery, the FIT Padel Court is more than just a game. Designed as both a sporting arena and social hub, it welcomes beginners and seasoned players alike to rally, connect, and compete in an effortlessly vibrant setting. Open daily and availablefor private bookings, the court brings a fresh rhythm to island days, blending movement with moments that matter.

Elevating the experience further, the resort’s FIT team completed an intensive training with the Asia Pacific Padel Academy (APPA), the region’s leading institution for padel education and coach development. Designed to sharpen both technical precision and on-court strategy, the program ensures that every guest interaction is guided by knowledge, confidence, and an intuitive understanding of the game.

Led by a certified coach and national athlete, Karyn Emeralda, the training immersed the team in the fundamentals of technique, tactical play, and smart positioning, equipping them to deliver engaging, high-quality sessions tailored to every level. From first-time players discovering the sport to those looking to refine their edge, guests can now tap into beginner-friendly sessions and social matches designed to spark both skill and connection.

“Padel is more than a sport, it is a social movement, and we are excited to bring that energy to the island,” said Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives. “With the launch of the FIT Padel Court and a team trained to guide and inspire, we are creating an experience that is equal parts playful, dynamic, and elevated. It is about giving our guests new ways to move, connect and feel the pulse of the destination.”

As part of W Maldives’ ever-evolvingapproach to fitness and lifestyle, the FIT Padel Court reflects a broader commitment to experiences that are immersive, social, and distinctly of the moment. Here, every serve is set against a soundtrack of ocean waves, every match unfolds under Maldivianskies, and every guest is invited to play their way.

For those looking to extend the experience, the Original Wave maker package offers the perfect invitation to stay longer and dive deeper. With a minimum stay of four nights, the package includes seaplane transfers and a half-board meal plan for two adults, ensuring a seamless and elevated island getaway.

For more information, visit www.wmaldives.com or connect with the resort’s team at reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.