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South Ari Atoll Celebrates Third Annual Whale Shark Festival

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Maldives.net.mv – The 3rd annual Maldives Whale Shark Festival, organised by Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWRP) was bigger and better than ever before, with participants from local communities, throughout Maldives and from around the world!

This year’s Festival saw the participation of 6 local islands: Dhigurah, Maamigili, Fenfushi, Dhangethi, Mahibadhoo, and Mandhoo, collaborating with our dynamic team of highly experienced Maldivian Artists Maeha Zahir, Jauna Nafiz, Dhahau Naseem, Ali Rishwan and Arizlaan, as well as our Festival Storytelling Facilitator, Fazail Lutfi.

The festival kicked off on Friday with ScienceFEST, a conference of Researchers, Marine Biologists and Community members, in Dhigurah, Alif Dhaal Atoll. A new aspect of the Festival, ScienceFEST was an opportunity to discuss conservation projects in the area, share research and celebrate the work of Conservation NGO’s in the Maldives. The event was a big success with 20 presenters attending including representatives from environmental groups Manta Trust and Damage Control.

“It was really great that we were able to so many people together for the Science FEST to be able to generate some really wonderful discussions between everybody and especially to have the Deputy Minister present as well.” Katie Hindle, In-Field Manager, Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme.

Yesterday, on the island of Maamigili in Alif Dhaal Atoll, 500 people came together to celebrate the marine life of South Ari Atoll and the majestic whale sharks that call it home.

The festivities of the day kicked off with huge inter- island whale shark quiz complete with a life size whale shark “bodumas” assault course and a 20ft interactive world map. Cultural stories from each island came alive with a combination of traditional story telling techniques, raivaru and choreography performed by community members, councilors and school children.

Whale Shark Festival

The procession was a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes glittering in the sunshine, as huge kinetic whale shark sculptures danced their way through the streets of Maamigili, accompanied by 3 bodu-beru bands. Each island donned the costumes and mobile artwork which they had made in collaboration with their festival artist in residence and wove their way through the streets. People of ages came together, inspired by the Whale Shark and Maldivian Marine Life, to be part of the festival, creating a feast of color and music that echoed across the host island.

Afterwards, the three festival judges presented awards to Dhangethi for winning the quiz, Dhigurah for best costume, to Maamigili for best Mascot (Kinetic Whale Shark Sculpture), and to Mahibadhoo for best Story Performance. The island team from Dhigurah was awarded the Festival Trophy for best overall contribution before the Festival finale performance kicked off with performances from Dhigurah, Maamigili and Mahibado Bodu-Beru bands. The whole day was brought to a fantastic conclusion with a performance by the Maldivian singing sensation Unoosha with thanks to our Festival Partner Lux.

“This is more than just a Festival it is a celebration of unity within the community. How much we take care of our natural environment. Great team work. Congratulations to the MWSRP and its festival team. Thank you to LUX* Maldives for inviting me to this event, it’s an amazing event. Hope the event continues, the Festival brings boost for everybody, especially because the message of this Festival to me is that everybody has play their part in preserving the natural beauty of this country”. Unoosha, Singer.

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ELE|NA at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI recognised at Global Spa Awards 2026

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ELE|NA Elements of Nature at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI has been honoured with the title of Best Spa Resort Maldives at the Global Spa Awards by The Luxury Spa Edit 2026, recognising the resort’s exceptional commitment to luxury wellness and transformative spa experiences in the Maldives.

Widely regarded as one of the most authentic and respected recognitions in the global spa and wellness industry, the awards celebrate the world’s most outstanding spas, wellness retreats, clinics, and spa brands. Nominees are carefully curated by leading spa and wellness experts, with winners selected through a global public vote, making the recognition both credible and highly regarded.

Located in the serene island setting of the Maldives, ELE|NA Elements of Nature at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI offers a holistic approach to wellbeing through thoughtfully designed wellness journeys that integrate therapeutic traditions, modern wellness science, and immersive sensory experiences. Guided by the brand’s philosophy of Wellness Your Way™, each experience is tailored to the individual, allowing guests to embrace wellbeing in a way that feels intuitive, personal, and effortlessly luxurious.

The spa experience is further enriched by distinctive wellness spaces and programmes. Vihaara, the spa’s alchemy-inspired sustainable workshop and garden, is filled with nurturing plants and herbs, inviting guests to reconnect with nature through hands-on, sensorial rituals. A tranquil Zen Garden offers a meditative sanctuary for stillness and reflection, complemented by a dedicated meditation corner designed for mindful escape. Signature experiences such as OceanFlow Therapy, energy healing sessions, and a curated Visiting Practitioner Programme bring together global expertise and ancient wisdom, creating a dynamic and deeply personalised wellness journey. The spa’s tranquil overwater treatment rooms and personalised wellness programmes invite guests to reconnect with balance, relaxation, and vitality.

“At ELE|NA, wellness is deeply personal,” said Heidi Grimwood, Senior Vice President of ELE|NA. “Our Wellness Your Way™ philosophy is at the heart of everything we do, empowering each guest to define their own wellness journey. This recognition reflects the dedication and passion of our entire team at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, who create exceptional wellness experiences for every guest. We are honoured to receive this award and grateful for the trust and support of our guests and partners.”

The recognition further reinforces ELE|NA’s commitment to redefining luxury wellness experiences across its portfolio of spa destinations, championing a more personalised, intuitive approach to wellbeing through Wellness Your Way™.

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Reethi Faru Resort joins global Earth Hour campaign with conservation efforts

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On Saturday, March 28th, Reethi Faru Resort joined millions worldwide in observing Earth Hour 2026, a global initiative encouraging individuals and communities to switch off their lights for one hour to raise awareness about environmental sustainability. This year marked the 20th anniversary of Earth Hour, themed “Create the Biggest Hour for Earth,” inspiring participants to dedicate time to meaningful environmental actions.

In a hands-on commitment to the planet, guests joined our team members in coral planting, actively contributing to the preservation and restoration of local reefs. This initiative reflects the resort’s ongoing dedication to marine conservation and sustainable hospitality practices.

In a powerful display of unity, participants came together to form the number 60 on the beach, symbolising the 60 minutes of Earth Hour. The visually striking formation served as both a memorable tribute and a compelling reminder of the resort’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Between 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM, the resort further demonstrated its sustainability ethos by dimming lights and turning off non-essential equipment, effectively reducing energy consumption while maintaining guest comfort and safety.

Following Earth Hour, guests enjoyed a relaxing movie night under the stars, complemented by a cozy bonfire, offering a memorable conclusion to the day’s activities.

For Reethi Faru, Earth Hour represents more than just switching off lights; it is an opportunity to engage the community in meaningful actions for the planet. The resort was delighted to see guests and team members participate enthusiastically, making this year’s celebration both impactful and memorable.

Reethi Faru Resort remains committed to environmental initiatives and looks forward to future milestones in marine conservation, sustainable practices, and community engagement.

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dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives observes Earth Hour with sustainability efforts

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dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives has marked Earth Hour with a series of impactful initiatives focused on reducing electricity consumption and reinforcing its long-term commitment to sustainable hospitality.

Aligned with the global call to protect our planet, the resort implemented a coordinated energy-saving campaign across all areas of operation. From guest villas to heart-of-house facilities, lighting systems were optimised, unnecessary power usage was minimised, and energy-efficient practices were enhanced to ensure a measurable reduction in electricity consumption throughout the day.

As the sun set, the celebration took on a more symbolic and immersive form. More than 60 candles were lit along the beachfront in front of SOI, creating a serene and visually striking atmosphere. This simple yet powerful gesture replaced artificial lighting and highlighted the beauty of natural elements, reinforcing the importance of mindful energy use.

Beyond operational efforts, Earth Hour at dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives was brought to life through active participation from colleagues across all departments. The team united behind a shared purpose, embracing mindful energy use, promoting sustainable habits, and embedding environmental awareness into everyday actions. This collective approach reflects the resort’s belief that sustainability is driven by people as much as by processes.

Guests were also encouraged to be part of the journey. Through subtle in-villa messaging and on-ground engagement, visitors were invited to contribute by adopting simple yet effective practices, creating a shared sense of responsibility and connection to the destination’s fragile ecosystem.

Set within the pristine natural beauty of the Maldives, where the environment is both a privilege and a responsibility, dusitD2 Feydhoo continues to take conscious steps toward minimising its environmental impact. Earth Hour serves not only as a moment of reflection but also as a catalyst for ongoing action.

“Sustainability is at the core of how we operate,” said the resort’s management team. “Our Earth Hour initiatives are a reminder that small, consistent efforts, when embraced collectively, can drive meaningful change. We remain committed to evolving our practices to protect the environment for future generations.”

Blending a bold and vibrant lifestyle experience with responsible hospitality, dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives remains dedicated to advancing sustainability initiatives that preserve its surroundings while delivering exceptional guest experiences.

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