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
There are festive celebrations. And then there are journeys that stay with you long after the season has ended. This festive season, RAH GILI MALDIVES, the inaugural island within the SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS collection, introduces Circle of Light, an immersive island journey unfolding from 21 December 2026 to 7 January 2027. Inspired by the changing light of the Maldivian day, the experience brings together food, culture, wellness, family and celebration within one evolving story.
At its heart is the SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS philosophy of Live Your Lifestyle. Rather than asking guests to follow a fixed festive programme, RAH GILI creates the setting and the possibilities, leaving each person free to decide how their days unfold. One morning may begin with meditation at sunrise; another with a long breakfast and time on the water. Families can spend the day together or follow different adventures before meeting again as evening settles over the island. That freedom is given a distinctly Maldivian character through Rayyithun — the People of the Island — whose warmth, traditions and sense of community bring the experience to life.
A Story Told Through Light
At RAH GILI, light is more than decoration. It is the thread running through the season.
The concept follows the natural cycle of the Maldivian sun. Sunrise marks new beginnings; golden noon brings discovery; starlight belongs to laughter and friendship; and candlelight draws people together. From the first glow over the Indian Ocean to lantern-lit shores, firelit gatherings and dinners beneath the stars, the mood of the island changes as the day does.
Across six chapters, the festive story moves naturally from Christmas into Maldivian culture, exploration, New Year and renewal. Guests gather for the ceremonial lighting of the First Light before Christmas unfolds through family traditions, Santa’s arrival by sea, children’s adventures and evenings beneath illuminated skies. As the season progresses, the Maldives itself comes further into view. Boduberu drumming, island craftsmanship, Rayyithun-led performances and culinary experiences sit alongside wine journeys and floating experiences. The intention is not to place culture on a stage, but to allow the character of the islands to form part of everyday life at RAH GILI.
Wellness follows the same rhythm. Sunrise yoga, floating meditation, sound healing and mindful rituals create moments of stillness between celebration, while evenings move from candlelit beach dining to curated wine and sake pairings. Younger guests have their own adventures through festive workshops, treasure hunts and glow games. Small rituals give guests a way to make the experience their own. Personal wishes can be written before illuminated lanterns are released across the lagoon, creating moments of reflection and connection throughout the stay.
The Island Comes Together
On 31 December, the journey reaches its crescendo with the Grand Circle of Light Gala. Champagne receptions lead into dinner, international performers, dancers and a fire performance, before midnight fireworks illuminate the Indian Ocean. Yet New Year’s Eve is conceived as more than a single night of spectacle. It is the moment when families, couples, friends and Rayyithun come together before the year turns.
Champagne receptions lead into dinner, international performers and dancers before midnight fireworks illuminate the Indian Ocean. Yet New Year’s Eve is conceived as more than a single night of spectacle. It is the moment when families, couples, friends and Rayyithun come together before the year turns.
The first morning of 2027 brings a change of pace. Sunrise meditation, wellness rituals and a recovery brunch give way to days shaped by ocean adventures, food, family time and island traditions. Orthodox Christmas celebrations continue the festive story into January. This movement between energy and stillness is central to the experience. Under Live Your Lifestyle, celebration does not mean having to do everything. Guests are free to choose the moments that matter to them.
A Festive Soundtrack By DJ Ravin From Buddha Bar Paris
Music becomes part of the season’s rhythm with DJ Ravin from Buddha Bar Paris joining RAH GILI for both the Christmas Gala Dinner on 24 December 2026 and the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner on 31 December 2026.
Known for a sound that moves between global influences, atmosphere and place, Ravin will bring a distinct musical identity to two of the season’s defining evenings. His festive appearances also build on his wider role as Music Curator by DJ Ravin for SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS, shaping selected playlists and musical moments across the collection.
A Memory That Remains
The final days take a quieter turn. Guests gather around a farewell beach bonfire before being invited to take part in planting a mango tree — a living memory that remains at RAH GILI after they have returned home. It is a simple ending to a season built around light: beginning with something illuminated and ending with something planted.
André Kretschmann, General Manager at RAH GILI MALDIVES, said: “Our festive season is about giving guests the freedom to experience RAH GILI in a way that feels personal to them. One guest may find their favourite moment at sunrise, another around a table with family, and someone else beneath the stars. That is the spirit of Live Your Lifestyle. We create the moments and bring people together, but every guest makes the experience their own.”
Festive Stays
Festive stays at RAH GILI begin from USD 2,588++ per night for a Beach Pool Villa, based on the published rate. Guests staying over the festive period will also receive complimentary Half Board, offer additional value while allowing them to experience more of the island’s dining journey throughout the season. Terms & Conditions apply. As the inaugural island within the SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS collection, RAH GILI offers the first expression of a hospitality philosophy centred on choice, human connection and a genuine relationship with place.
For Circle of Light, that philosophy takes a simple form: every light tells a story, and every guest decides how theirs unfolds.
The Standard, Maldives by Hyatt has introduced a limited time offer for its valued partners, inviting guests to discover its newly upgraded villas amid the natural beauty of Raa Atoll starting November.
Combining thoughtful interiors, private pool living and uninterrupted ocean views, the refreshed villa experience brings a new perspective to an island celebrated for its distinctive character.
Through this exclusive Offer, guests will enjoy a complimentary upgrade from a Water Villa with Pool to an Ocean Reef Pool Villa, offering an opportunity to experience the resort’s latest enhancements.
A Fresh Perspective on Island Living
On Huruvalhi Island, white-sand shores and a thriving house reef create a setting where discovery comes naturally. Beachfront and overwater villas, each with a private pool, invite guests to settle into their own rhythm, with the lagoon and ocean always close at hand.
The newly upgraded villas build on this connection to place, pairing refreshed designs with the privacy and ease of island living. Days unfold between the water, the reef and the resort’s distinctive dining and overwater wellness experiences.
Throughout, The Standard’s playful spirit lends the experience of a character of its own.
An Invitation Beyond the Villa
To complement their stay, guests booking the offer will also enjoy their first drink on the house at Castaway Bar, the resort’s adults-only island escape.
The Offer is available for new bookings only and may be combined with the ongoing offer, providing DMC and trade partners with an additional reason to introduce their clients to The Standard, Maldives.
An Evolving Island Experience
The offer marks a further chapter in the resort’s continued evolution, bringing refreshed accommodation together with the experiences that define its approach to Maldivian hospitality.
This is an exciting moment for The Standard, Maldives and for our valued partners. As the Maldives continues to evolve as a destination, we want to ensure that our partners have fresh and compelling experiences to take to their markets. The newly upgraded Pool Villa is a wonderful addition to our offering, and this exclusive upgrade gives travellers the opportunity to experience it in a way that feels truly special. We are excited to work closely with our partners to bring this new chapter of The Standard, Maldives to more travelers around the world,” said Sonika Adlakha, Commercial Director, The Standard, Maldives by Hyatt.
From quiet moments beside a private pool to marine adventures and evenings shared over exceptional food, the resort invites guests to experience the Maldives at their own pace.
When life revolves around cameras, scripts and packed schedules, finding uninterrupted time with family can be a luxury of its own. For Karan Tacker, that meant putting work on pause and heading to the Maldives with his parents for a few days of quality time together at Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives.
Rather than a typical celebrity getaway, the trip was very much a family affair. There were mornings on the water, long meals, quiet afternoons and plenty of time simply being together. Set within North Malé Atoll, the resort provided the backdrop, with the family settling into a lagoon facing villa just a short speedboat journey from Velana International Airport.
And while his parents embraced the slower side of island life, Karan was not quite ready to stay still. The actor took to the lagoon on a clear-bottom kayak before turning up the adrenaline with a jet ski and Seabob. The family later swapped the open water for a semi-submarine experience, heading beneath the surface to take in the marine life through panoramic viewing windows.
The quieter moments proved just as memorable. His parents spent time unwinding with a Balinese massage at SPA Cenvaree Retreat, while the family came together for a guided painting session and relaxed afternoons at Sunset Social. One of the more unhurried moments of the trip saw them settle into the catamaran nets with afternoon tea before watching the evening unfold over the lagoon.
Then there was the food. A floating breakfast became one of the mornings’ highlights, while dinner brought the family together over interactive teppanyaki, Indian grill favourites and Mediterranean inspired dishes. It was the kind of holiday where the itinerary mattered less than having time to sit around the same table.
“I spend most of my time on set, so time with my parents is something I really value, and this trip gave us plenty of it. My parents loved the calm of their villa and the evenings at Sunset Social, while I got my fill of time out on the water. The team at Centara Grand Lagoon looked after all three of us with so much warmth that it felt like home from the first day. I would happily come back with them.”
For Tacker, the Maldives offered something that can be difficult to find between work commitments: time without an agenda. Away from the spotlight, the trip became less about where they went and more about what they shared, from the thrill of the lagoon to sunset conversations, lingering dinners and simply having his parents beside him.
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