News
Anantara takes holistic approach to reef protection in the Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – For over 15 years the team at Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas has been committed to protecting the local environment, communities and culture around each of its hotels and resorts whilst creating authentic, luxury travel experiences and indigenous adventures for modern travellers. With four luxury resorts in the Maldives – Anantara Kihavah Villas, Anantara Dhigu Resort, Anantara Veli Resort and Naladhu Maldives – guests can take their pick from some of the best locations and experiences in the Indian Ocean, including getting up close and personal with the local marine life and vibrant coral reefs, snorkelling with manta rays in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, free diving with whale sharks or cruising the house reef 18 metres below the surface, just a few strokes out from the shoreline.
In line with the luxury hospitality brand’s philosophy that environmental responsibility begins at home, the Anantara team in the Maldives joined forces with marine biologists from Coral Reef CPR – conservationists, biologists and ecologists whose mission is to reduce threats and promote sustainable management and rehabilitation of reef ecosystems – in October 2015 to develop ways to protect the coral ahead of the anticipated environmental stresses of El Niño, a climate cycle that has a global impact on weather patterns.
Led by Chief Scientist, Dr. Andrew Bruckner, the pioneering five-year programme, Holistic Approach to Reef Protection or ‘HARP’, encompasses practical environmental protection and marine education with the goal of limiting potential damage to the reefs in the Maldives and ensuring the coral reefs continue to not only survive, but to thrive. As well as Anantara taking its responsibility to the local environment very seriously, the programme will also ensure that guests at each resort – as well as the local community – can continue to enjoy the spectacular world beneath the waterline for many years to come.
Corals in the Maldives
Extending across the expansive Laccadive Sea in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a country of atolls; small coral islands encircled by azure lagoons. Unique to the Maldives, luxury resorts are the sole occupants of each island, providing a truly private and unique experience. Coral reefs beneath the shimmering waters of the Maldives protect the pristine beaches and guard the crystal-clear lagoons. They also support an astounding array of tropical fish, crustaceans and bizarre-looking molluscs. But for all of its beauty and apparent resilience, coral is a sensitive organism, vulnerable to extreme weather, sudden environmental changes, the effects of global climate change, as well as outbreaks of coral predators.
Principal investigator and lead scientist with Coral Reef CPR, Dr. Andrew Bruckner, explains: “Some reefs in the Maldives are experiencing unusually high water temperatures which is causing coral bleaching. These coral animals contain symbiotic single-celled algae within their tissues, which provide the coral with up to 90% of its energy. Once stressed, the coral expels these algae, causing them to turn completely white. If algae loss is prolonged and the stress continues, corals can die. But it’s not all doom and gloom, when a coral turns white, it is not dead and if the stress-caused bleaching is not severe, coral can recover.”
Director of Conservation for Minor Hotels, John Roberts, elaborates further: “On their first visit in October 2015 the visiting marine biologists performed a major Crown of Thorns Starfish removal from the reefs surrounding Anantara resorts in South Male Atoll. In the process, the scientists helped save a great reef on Anantara Veli Resort, which is now also proving most resilient to current bleaching. As part of those efforts last year, Coral Reef CPR and Anantara have produced a manual to distribute throughout the country outlining best practice should there be another Crown of Thorns Starfish outbreak.”
Taking A Holistic Approach To Reef Protection (HARP)
In collaborating with leading experts in their fields for ground-breaking marine biology research, Anantara is pioneering the HARP programme. Currently all project work undertaken in the Maldives by Coral Reef CPR for HARP is funded by the Anantara initiative ‘Dollars For Deeds’, whereby Anantara guests are invited to donate one dollar for each night of their stay, which is then matched dollar for dollar by Minor Hotels. Dollars for Deeds funds raised in the Maldives are committed over the coming five years to three key focus areas: protection of marine and coastal environments; environmental education; and community welfare.
In January this year, Coral Reef CPR returned to the Maldives for the first of four monitoring phases throughout 2016. Ten monitoring stations were set up on coral reefs surrounding Anantara resorts in South Male Atoll and Baa Atoll, with the purpose of evaluating the water conditions and marine populations before, during and post 2016 El Niño phenomena. Already widely reported by international media across the globe as being the longest El Niño on record, during Coral Reef CPR’s second visit to the Maldives in April this year, promising results have been extracted from the monitoring stations, despite some alarming findings.
“Since the beginning of March, temperatures on the reef have exceeded 30°C and they remained above 31°C during April, reaching 32 – 33 °C in lagoonal environments,” explains Dr. Andrew Bruckner. “Under normal conditions, sea water temperatures should be 3-4 degrees cooler at depth but these high temperatures are extending beyond 35 metres depth. These high water temperatures are due to an unprecedented El Niño event which is now in its second year. Simultaneously the sea has been unusually calm which has allowed excessive levels of UV light radiation to penetrate the reefs.”
“Due to stressful conditions corals in some areas in the Maldives began to pale in colour at the beginning of April and several sensitive species bleached white. By mid-April between 60-80% of corals on the reef we were monitoring were fully bleached or a very light yellow in colour.
In certain shallow lagoonal environments bleaching was much more severe, and sensitive corals were affected. On a positive note, by the end of April temperatures on Baa Atoll had begun to decline and there was very little coral mortality on the outer reefs.”
SUPER CORALS
Through this research some surprising and exciting revelations have been discovered. Georgia Coward, Project Manager and Fishery Biologist with Coral Reef CPR said: “Although the level of bleaching is similar to that reported during previous El Niño events and is comparable to reports from other countries, we have observed a number of colonies of each species that have proven resistant to changing conditions, possibly by producing protective fluorescent pigments. Similarly certain colonies have not bleached at all despite being located adjacent to corals of the same species that bleached severely. We refer to these as “super corals” and feel that these may have adapted to elevated sea temperatures. Over the coming months we will be analysing extracts taken from the super corals and other coral species in laboratory conditions, as well as looking closely at the fish population reports surrounding them.”
SUSTAINABILITY
In line with Anantara’s commitment to sustainability and a result of the luxury hospitality brand’s ongoing conservation efforts including the HARP project, Anantara Kihavah Villas, Anantara Dhigu Resort, Anantara Veli Resort and Naladhu have all been awarded with Green Growth Certification, an assessment framework for the travel and tourism industy which consists of 37 criteria and 406 indicators. It is based on global standards and international conventions including the UN Global Compact and the UNEP Green Economy Principles.
FUTURE VISITS
Since 2011, guests staying at Anantara resorts in South Male Atoll and Baa Atoll have been able to leave a lasting legacy by participating in coral reef propagation programmes and contribute to the ongoing conservation effort by adopting a coral frame and planting it with the guidance of Anantara’s resident marine biologists. The HARP programme now builds on those initial efforts, with a high level scientific-based practical approach to reef assessment, regeneration and community science.
The third and fourth phases of the HARP Programme with Anantara involve creating a coral nursery to assist in the rehabilitation of degraded and damaged reefs. Through coral mariculture, when the scientists return in July and October 2016, small branches from the identified super corals will be extracted and propagated. Once matured, these corals will be transplanted back on to the reef.
During the visits from Coral Reef CPR scientists, guests at the Anantara resorts in both South Male Atoll and Baa Atoll can enhance their diving and snorkelling experiences by joining the marine biologists on their excursions, and participate in Anantara’s endeavours to keep the reefs healthy and vibrant for generations to enjoy.
Future visits from Dr. Andrew Bruckner, Georgia Coward and other Coral Reef CPR scientists are set for the end of July until mid-August 2016 and October 2016. To select your Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli, Anantara Kihavah Villas or Naladhu Maldives experience and to help play a part in the protection and regeneration of coral reefs in the Maldives, visit anantara.com
Following his first visit earlier this year, award-winning Danish chef Jesper Koch returns to Vakkaru Maldives from 26 October to 5 November 2026, bringing the next chapter of his collaboration with the resort directly to guests.
Chef Jesper first visited Vakkaru in July, spending nearly two weeks working closely with the resort’s culinary and service teams. Centred on knowledge sharing and collaboration, his time on the island laid the foundation for this autumn’s programme and a series of dining experiences created for guests.
At the heart of his second visit will be three five-course tasting-menu evenings on 29 October, 1 November and 3 November, held at Vakkaru Reserve, the resort’s award-winning wine cellar. Home to one of the Maldives’ most exceptional wine collections, Vakkaru Reserve spans 680 Old and New World labels and has been recognised with Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for six consecutive years.
Working alongside the resort’s culinary team, Chef Jesper will bring together his Danish and Nordic culinary roots with the flavours and character of the Maldives, incorporating local ingredients, produce from Vakkaru’s Organic Farm, locally sourced seafood and regional influences where they naturally complement each dish. Separate wine and non-alcoholic pairing options are also being developed to accompany the menus.
The programme will begin on 27 October with a cocktail reception, offering guests the opportunity to meet Chef Jesper and welcome him back to the island before the series of dinners begins.
For Chef Jesper, his return is an opportunity to build on the connection established in July. “My first visit gave me the opportunity to spend time with the team, exchange ideas and experience the spirit of Vakkaru first-hand. Returning now feels like a natural continuation of what we started. I am looking forward to being back in the kitchen and, most importantly, to sharing our work with guests through these dinners.”
Teddy Susanto Wiryawan, General Manager of Vakkaru Maldives, added: “Chef Jesper’s first visit allowed us to establish a strong connection and lay the foundations for this collaboration. His return now brings that work to our guests. These evenings will offer them the chance to experience his distinctive approach to cooking and discover what can emerge when two culinary teams come together with a shared passion for hospitality.”
Regarded as one of Denmark’s most influential gastronomic figures, Chef Jesper brings more than three decades of experience spanning hospitality, gastronomy and entrepreneurship. He is known for combining Nordic culinary traditions with contemporary techniques and a distinctive approach to flavour.
His career has earned him wide recognition, including leading Restaurant Syttende to Michelin recognition, being named Danish Chef of the Year, representing Denmark at the Bocuse d’Or competition, receiving an Honorary Diploma from the Danish Gastronomic Academy, and being recognised as “Chef’s Chef” by the Danish Gastronomy Foundation. He is also widely known as a long-standing judge on the Danish edition of MasterChef.
Set within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, Vakkaru Maldives continues to bring new perspectives to its dining experiences through collaborations with leading culinary talent from around the world. Chef Jesper’s return marks the next stage of a partnership that began with an exchange of ideas and now comes to life at the table.
For further information about the resort, please visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact reservations@vakkarumaldives.com to make a reservation.
Summer Kamp 2026 at Kandima Maldives has delivered on its promise of a season built around Play, Create, Move, and nowhere was that spirit more visible than in the resort’s football-led guest activations. With World Cup fever sweeping the globe, Kandima Maldives welcomed freestyle football world champion Lia Lewis and Portuguese footballer Paulo Bernardo to the island, giving guests a summer highlight that blended sport, entertainment and genuine access to top-level talent.
PlaySpace and Football Fever Take Centre Stage
At PlaySpace, Kandima’s social hub for sport, gaming and entertainment, guests gathered throughout the summer for lively seasonal moments, casual bites, family fun and shared experiences, giving families, teens and active adults another way to connect after a day in the sun. The space took on extra energy during Summer Kamp’s World Cup Watch Party, becoming the island’s home for football fever this season.
This year, Kandima welcomed freestyle football world champion couple Lia Lewis and Nolan Cacheux for a beachside showcase of freestyle tricks, followed by a hands-on masterclass that saw holidaymakers of all ages picking up skills alongside the pair. Portuguese midfielder Paulo Bernardo also brought his expertise to the island, trading passes with guests and staff in a football friendly and making special appearances around the resort throughout his stay.
With football woven into the fabric of Kandima’s active lifestyle programming, Lia and Paulo join part of a growing roster of athletes who have touched down on the island, following Italian striker Mario Balotelli’s visit at the start of the year, alongside appearances from goalkeeper Ederson (Fenerbahçe, formerly Manchester City), Joe Gomez and Daniel Agger (Liverpool), and Wes Brown (Manchester United), among others.
Music, movement and family moments
Music adds another playful layer to the summer programme, with kids’ music lessons under the guidance of the resort’s musical talent creating fun opportunities for younger guests to explore rhythm, expression and performance.
Art, biodiversity and a living island exhibition
While football gave summer its energy, the resort’s Art for Biodiversity Exhibition, developed under the long-running KULA Art Initiative and backed by a grant from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), takes Summer Kamp into its final chapter.
The exhibition’s island-wide art trail will continue to feature into early October, with headline artist Petra Maitz, an Austrian interdisciplinary artist known for bridging contemporary art, science and environmental activism, joining with a residency. From 21 September to 5 October, Petra will host talks and crocheted craft workshops, while curating a coral artwork built from contributions by guests, local artists, resort staff and the wider community.
Beyond the art trail itself, the exhibition forms part of a wider effort to turn Maldivian creativity into a source of conservation funding and community support, alongside raising awareness of biodiversity and ocean ecology through storytelling.
An island that never stands still
Beyond these headline moments, Summer Kamp 2026 kept the wider island busy: mornings with the Kandima Running Club, tennis and yoga, diving and water sports with the Aquaholics team. This feel-good energy is one that Kandima will carry into autumn with Oktober Adventures, which will see residencies from tennis, karting and football talent, in the next chapter in the resort’s island-wide programming.
More information on Kandima’s autumn edit will be available soon. In the meantime, travellers can seize the tail end of summer with Kandima’s Flash Sale, offering up to 55% off room rates for stays this summer or next, when booking direct at kandima.com.
Sometimes, the most memorable part of a holiday isn’t found on an itinerary. It’s the quiet moment after a massage, the feeling of waking up well rested, or simply having the time to slow down without watching the clock.
As more travellers place greater value on how they feel when they return home, wellness has become an increasingly meaningful part of the holiday experience. Rather than viewing the spa as a single indulgence, many guests are looking for experiences that help them pause, recharge and reconnect throughout their stay.
Reflecting this shift, Chavana Spa has introduced a new collection of Wellness Programmes across participating resorts in the Maldives. Available as one-, three-, five- and seven-day journeys, the programmes combine personalised consultations with thoughtfully sequenced therapies, creating a guided experience that allows wellbeing to unfold naturally over time.
A More Connected Way to Unwind
The new Wellness Programmes are designed to complement Chavana Spa’s existing menu of massages, facials and body treatments, offering guests another way to experience wellbeing while continuing to enjoy the flexibility of individual therapies.
Every journey begins with a personal consultation, allowing therapists to understand each guest’s lifestyle, priorities and wellbeing goals before creating a personalised sequence of experiences. Therapeutic massage, body treatments, mindful movement, breathing practices and relaxation rituals are carefully combined to encourage balance, ease physical tension and support overall wellbeing.
Rather than choosing treatments one by one, guests are invited to follow a structured journey where each experience builds naturally on the last. Whether staying for a single day or a full week, the programmes create space to slow down and embrace a gentler rhythm throughout the holiday.
“Wellness is increasingly becoming an integral part of how people choose to travel. With these programmes, we wanted to create something more intentional than a single spa treatment, a personalised journey that gives guests the time and space to slow down and reconnect genuinely. At the same time, we recognise that a holiday in the Maldives is often a dream come true, whether it is a honeymoon, an anniversary, a family escape or a long-awaited break. Guests want to experience everything the destination has to offer, from the blue sea, white sands and golden sunshine to the food, culture and time together. Our Wellness Programmes are designed to complement that experience, giving guests moments to pause, restore and look after themselves, while still leaving plenty of time to enjoy the magic of the Maldives,” said Tenille Keats, Country Manager of Mandara Spa.
Wellness Inspired by Every Destination
No two holidays are exactly alike, and neither are Chavana Spa’s Wellness Programmes. Each participating spa has developed its own collection of journeys, inspired by its island setting, therapist expertise and the needs of its guests.
Some travellers may be looking for a restorative pause between diving, snorkelling or exploring the Maldives, while others may simply wish to dedicate more of their holiday to rest and self-care. By offering programmes across different durations, Chavana Spa allows guests to choose an experience that suits the way they travel, whether they have one day to recharge or several days to fully embrace a slower pace.
While every destination offers its own distinctive wellness journey, each programme reflects Chavana Spa’s philosophy of warm hospitality, thoughtful care and holistic wellbeing, creating experiences that feel both personal and approachable.
Wellbeing That Travels Home With You
The value of a wellness experience is often discovered long after the holiday has ended. It may be a better night’s sleep, a renewed sense of balance or simply the reminder to make more time for oneself in everyday life.
That is the intention behind Chavana Spa’s Wellness Programmes. More than a collection of treatments, they are designed to encourage guests to leave feeling refreshed, restored and inspired to carry simple wellbeing practices beyond their time in the Maldives.
As travellers continue to seek holidays that offer both relaxation and purpose, Chavana Spa invites guests to discover that sometimes the greatest luxury is simply having the time and space to pause.
Where to Experience the Wellness Programmes
Chavana Spa’s Wellness Programmes are available at the following participating destinations in the Maldives:
- Chavana Spa at Adaaran Club Rannalhi
- Chavana Spa at Cinnamon Dhonveli
- Chavana Spa at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon
Programme themes, durations and inclusions vary by destination. For more information or to enquire about individual programmes, guests are encouraged to contact their preferred spa directly.
-
Action1 week agoWorld record freediver Hanli Prinsloo to lead retreats at two Maldives resorts
-
News1 week agoAll 10 Mandara Spa Maldives locations recognised as Wellness HERO 2026
-
Cooking1 week agoJA Manafaru unveils Kuri, bringing Maldivian flavours to the treetops
-
Action1 week agoTennis stars Elena Rybakina and Ana Ivanović set for JOALI Maldives residencies
-
Cooking1 week agoAlila Kothaifaru Maldives positions dining at the heart of guest experience
-
News1 week agoNova Maldives launches festive season experience inspired by connection and wellbeing
-
Entertainment7 days agoSun Siyam Olhuveli turns three islands into Carnival of the Isles this festive season
-
News1 week agoJA Manafaru expands luxury villa collection with royal beach residence