News
Gili Lankanfushi plugs in the largest floating solar panel in the Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – Gili Lankanfushi has plugged in the largest floating solar panel in the Maldives.
Gili Lankanfushi partnered with Swimsol, an Austrian company that specializes in ground-breaking floating solar power solutions. Their idea is to bring green power to the parts of the World, like the Maldives, where land space is limited.
The 15×15 solar power floating platform itself is an engineering marvel; an innovative floating structure that is designed to survive waves and water turbulence. It consists of glass fibre tubes, aluminum frames and 112 solar panels.
Weighing over 5 tonnes, it took nearly one third of Gili Lankanfushi’s hosts to push it into the water. After more than two weeks of hard work in the blistering heat of the dry season, the Swimsol team have plugged the largest floating solar platform in the Maldives into Gili Lankanfushi’s power grid.
“This is the largest floating solar panel structure to be plugged in in the Maldives, and we are incredibly proud here at Gili Lankanfushi to participate in finding ways forward into a more sustainable future” said Deborah Burn, Marine Biologist & Environmental Officer.
Swimsol’s platform has a nominal capacity of 28 KW and on sunny days it will produce up to 200 kWh, which is enough to power all pathway and jetty lights, as well as the main office building lighting for 12 hours! The platform will reduce resort’s carbon footprint by 35 tonnes of CO2 per year, which is equivalent to the emissions of 30 return flights from Europe to Maldives per person.
Gili Lankanfushi™, Maldives is an intimate coral island in a sparkling lagoon, with jetties threading across the water out to spacious villa accommodations. Gili Lankanfushi™ is set on the private island of Lankanfushi in the North Malé Atoll.
Featured
Westin Maldives Miriandhoo introduces Family Fun Summer package
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort has introduced its Family Fun Summer offer, aimed at families seeking longer island stays built around shared activities and rest. The offer is available for booking from 15 April to 15 June 2026, with a minimum stay of four nights for travel through to 20 December 2026.
Located within Baa Atoll, the Maldives’ first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort is positioning the offer around family wellness, marine experiences and time spent together in a natural island setting. Seasonal snorkelling with manta rays in Hanifaru Bay remains one of the area’s key attractions, while the resort’s collection of beach and overwater villas is designed to accommodate families looking for space and flexibility during their stay.
For larger families and groups, the resort also offers the two-bedroom Heavenly Beach Residence, which includes a living room, kitchen and dining area intended to support longer and more relaxed island stays.
The resort says the guest experience can be shaped around both activity and downtime, supported by Westin’s Sleep Well concept and Heavenly Bed. Children have access to the Westin Family Kids Club, which includes a children’s pool and pirate ship, while parents can make use of Heavenly Spa by Westin.
Away from the villa, the resort is also promoting shared family experiences through Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy activities focused on the culture and environment of Baa Atoll. These include traditional lacquer craft workshops, visits to local islands and guided marine activities in surrounding waters.
The Family Fun Summer package includes three meals per day, with children under 12 dining free of charge. It also includes a one-time dolphin cruise for two adults and two children, a 30-minute photography session with one printed photo, and a USD 150 resort credit.
Awards
Reethi Faru Resort recognised in four categories at 2026 Haute Grandeur Awards
Reethi Faru Resort has been recognised at the 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Awards, receiving honours in four categories: Best Beach Villa in Indian Ocean, Best Pool Villa in Indian Ocean, Best Eco-Friendly Resort in Maldives, and Best Sustainable Hotel in Maldives.
The awards recognise performance across villa accommodation and environmentally focused hospitality, reflecting the resort’s emphasis on guest experience alongside sustainability and environmental stewardship.
According to the resort, the recognition supports its positioning within the Maldives market as a property that combines natural surroundings, accommodation standards and responsible hospitality practices.
Located on Filaidhoo in Raa Atoll, Reethi Faru Resort features 145 villas, including beachfront and overwater accommodation designed in a style that combines Maldivian elements with contemporary comfort.
The resort’s food and beverage offering includes six restaurants and six bars, while its leisure facilities cover watersports, diving, yoga, spa treatments and fitness activities. Surrounded by coral reefs, the resort also offers guests access to marine-based experiences in the Indian Ocean.
Sustainability remains a central part of the resort’s operations, with initiatives that include coral reef restoration and guest experiences linked to environmental awareness.
Through its recognition at the 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Awards, Reethi Faru Resort has added to its profile as a Maldives resort with a focus on both accommodation standards and sustainability.
News
Sun Siyam Iru Veli organises tree planting activity for Earth Day
In celebration of Earth Day 2026, Sun Siyam Iru Veli, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Sun Siyam, hosted a purposeful evening inspired by this year’s global theme, Our Power, Our Planet. The evening brought together guests and team members for a meaningful tree planting ceremony along the shores of Magoodhoo Beach. It was an evening dedicated to celebrating the belief that everyday actions can lead to lasting environmental progress through collective, community-led effort.

The bamboo planted during this ceremony was chosen with purpose, representing more than a symbolic gesture. This fast-growing plant absorbs high levels of carbon dioxide, releases generous amounts of oxygen, and regenerates naturally from its root system. For small islands, it offers a thoughtful and space-efficient solution that supports greener landscapes while helping protect fragile coastlines. The planting also builds on a growing legacy at Magoodhoo Beach, where coconut trees planted during last year’s Eid celebrations are now thriving, adding new life and shade to the island’s natural beauty.

Sustainability at Sun Siyam Iru Veli is a year-round commitment shaped through everyday action. Earlier this April, 29 team members took part in a recycling training session led by the resort’s Training and Quality Assurance team, reinforcing environmental awareness across departments. Fresh herbs and produce grown on the island, including chillies, limes, coriander, rosemary, and pandan leaves, are incorporated into culinary experiences across the resort. Craftsmanship also plays a meaningful role, with statement planters, tabletops, and other design elements created in-house by the resort’s skilled engineers and carpenters using repurposed materials, reducing waste and transport impact while adding character and authenticity.

These initiatives reflect Sun Siyam Iru Veli’s year-round commitment to thoughtful hospitality, responsible island living, and the values of Sun Siyam Care. They are guided by a belief that meaningful progress is shaped through consistent action, and the resort remains dedicated to preserving the beauty of its surroundings while creating impactful experiences for the guests.
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