At Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, seven sea turtle hatchlings recently emerged from the sand and made their way towards the Indian Ocean, their tiny flippers carrying them across the beach before disappearing into the blue. It was a fleeting moment, but one that offered a beautiful reminder that the beaches of the Maldives are more than places to escape to. They are living environments where some of the ocean’s most extraordinary stories begin.

For a sea turtle hatchling, the distance between nest and ocean may be measured in metres, but it marks an important first chapter in a much longer journey.

Sea turtles nest throughout the year in the Maldives, with nesting activity recorded across almost all of the country’s atolls. Green turtles account for the majority of recorded nests, while hawksbill and olive ridley turtles have also been documented. Recent research into nesting activity in the Maldives found that nests typically take around two months to hatch.

Once they emerge, however, the hatchlings are immediately faced with a challenging journey. Their instinctive movement towards the ocean is one of the most vulnerable stages of their lives. Natural predators are only part of the challenge. Artificial lighting can disorient hatchlings and lead them away from the water, while pollution, fishing activity, habitat loss and the effects of climate change continue to present threats throughout their lives.

Surrounded by the waters of Vaavu Atoll, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives sits within a rich marine environment where encounters with the natural world extend far beyond the shoreline. The waters around the atoll are home to an abundance of marine life, from colourful reef fish and rays to sharks, dolphins and sea turtles, making the ocean an ever-present part of the island experience.

At Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, these seven hatchlings were only visitors for a matter of minutes before the ocean carried them away. But for those fortunate enough to witness their first journey, they left behind something much bigger: a reminder that in Vaavu Atoll, some of the Maldives’ most memorable experiences are the ones nature chooses to create itself.

Long before waterslides became a familiar sight at luxury resorts in the Maldives, Soneva introduced them to its overwater villas with a simple belief: luxury should never become so serious that it forgets how to play.

Since then, this sweeping curve over the Indian Ocean has become unmistakably Soneva and an invitation to let go. Now, it takes on a new form.

For Soneva × Jacob Felländer: Joy Takes Form, the Swedish contemporary artist transformed the iconic Soneva slide into a sculptural exploration of movement, freedom and imagination. Unveiled on 23 September at Slakthusområdet, Stockholm’s historic Meatpacking District, the installation took centre stage in a raw industrial space reinvented for one night. Friends of Soneva and longstanding guests came together for an evening of art, food and conversation, bringing the spirit of the islands to the city: slowing down, connecting and seeing the familiar differently.

The slide unfolds in layers, with three materials flowing into one another in a continuous movement through time. Raw, weathered metal holds the past, carrying the beauty of memories and moments that endure. The mirrored surface captures the present, alive with reflection, light and movement. The final layer opens towards the future, lighter, freer and filled with possibility.

Together, they are a reminder that joy is not fixed in time. It carries the past, comes alive in the present and moves towards everything still to come.

Celebrated chefs Adam Dahlberg and Albin Wessman created a menu inspired by the elemental character of the three islands: Earth, evoking the lush jungle of Soneva Fushi; Water, the luminous world of Soneva Jani; and Air, the remoteness of Soneva Secret. The final course was simply Whimsy.

The partnership reflects Bare Luxury, the evolved philosophy that removes the unnecessary to leave more room for what matters: wonder, curiosity, discovery and connection.

“The slide was never just a slide. It is a reminder that luxury should make us feel something,” said Neil Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer of Soneva. “By reimagining the slide through his artistic lens, Jacob has captured the sense of curiosity, freedom and joy that has always been at the heart of Soneva.”

“In today’s world, it’s increasingly important that we remember and develop what makes us distinctly human: imagination, intuition, empathy and our capacity for play. Art has a vital role in this,” said Jacob Felländer. “I’m excited about my ongoing collaboration with Soneva, a hospitality brand that truly understands the need to create space for curiosity, connection and possibility.”

Placing something born in the Maldives in the hands of a creative force brings it into a wider cultural conversation, connecting hospitality naturally with art, design and food.

The installation remains at Slakthusområdet until 31 December 2026. The creative exchange continues in the Maldives from 12 to 24 November 2026, when Felländer will be in residence at Soneva Fushi as a Soneva Star, leading workshops that encourage guests to explore their own creativity and intuition through experimentation and play.

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been named Highly Commended for Best Long-Haul Family Stay in the Family Traveller Awards 2026, recognising the resort’s thoughtful approach to family and multigenerational travel, where considered design, generous space and experiences for every generation allow families to holiday together while enjoying the freedom to create their own time and space.

Organised by Family Traveller, the UK’s leading family travel publication, the awards attracted hundreds of entries across 19 categories. An independent panel of expert family travel journalists selected the finalists before thousands of public votes determined the winners and highly commended properties, announced at an awards ceremony in London on 11 September 2026.

Just 30 minutes by luxury speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili combines easy accessibility with an island experience thoughtfully designed for families. Its 75 private-pool villas and residences include spacious multi-bedroom Villas, Residences and Retreats particularly suited to extended and multigenerational stays. Individual bedrooms and living areas feature separate external entrances alongside internal connecting doors. This allows families to stay together while retaining a sense of privacy and independence – particularly useful for grandparents, parents, couples and older children travelling together.

For younger guests, Kuda Fiyo Kids Club offers its own expansive beach beside the island’s shallow lagoon, giving children space to explore while parents enjoy time of their own. With supervised outdoor adventures, creative activities, games and island discoveries, the programme encourages young guests to experience the island independently. The daily Kuda Villingili train ride has become a much-loved ritual for little explorers.

Family-friendly thinking continues throughout the island. The resort’s spectacular 150-metre swimming pool features dedicated shallow areas for younger swimmers, while the surrounding lagoon opens the door to kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and other ocean adventures.

Budding surfers can also take their first steps into the sport with certified surf instructors at Baby Chickens, the beginner-friendly section of the island’s renowned Surf Chickens break, where they can gradually build their confidence and skills in the ocean.

Older children and teenagers are equally considered, with tennis, padel, pickleball, futsal, volleyball, watersports, diving and other recreational experiences offering plenty of independence and adventure beyond the Kids Club years. Across eight distinctive restaurants, diverse cuisines provide something for every generation, with children under 12 dining complimentary, while parents can retreat to the overwater Spa or enjoy time of their own as younger guests explore the island.

This balance between togetherness and individuality lies at the heart of Kuda Villingili’s family experience. Families can share a villa without sacrificing privacy, pursue different experiences during the day, and come together again over dinner, beside the pool or for a Maldivian sunset – allowing each generation to experience the island in their own way.

Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, said: “We are incredibly proud to be Highly Commended for Best Long-Haul Family Stay by Family Traveller. At Kuda Villingili, we have always believed that a family holiday should give everyone the freedom to enjoy the island in their own way – whether that means children discovering new adventures, parents finding time to unwind, or several generations coming together to share memorable experiences. This recognition is a wonderful acknowledgement of our team and the experiences we strive to create for every family who stays with us.”

The accolade further highlights Kuda Villingili’s family-focused offering in the Maldives, where “Time and Space Redefined” takes on a special meaning: more time to reconnect, space for every generation, and experiences designed to become part of the family story.

For more information and reservations, visit www.kudavillingili.com or contact reservations@kudavillingili.com.