Featured
Three Baa Atoll islands pledge to end open burning in Soneva-led clean waste management initiative
Three islands in Baa atoll have pledged to end the open burning of island waste, in a radical shift towards eco-friendly waste management to be called ‘Namoona Baa Atoll’.
The pledge was made by the presidents of Maalhos, Dharavandhoo, and Kihaadhoo island councils, during a workshop on waste held at Soneva Fushi resort from January 5-8.
“With a population of 529, the waste management problem in Kihaadhoo is more manageable than in bigger islands. But we lack a system to manage waste in a way that is responsible towards the environment and human health. Through Namoona Baa Atoll, we can finally end the practice of open burning of waste in Kihaadhoo — that is a day I look forward to,” Ibrahim Fazeel, Kihaadhoo council president, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
In order to end open burning of waste, which poses a health and environmental hazard and damages tourism, each island will create an ‘eco-centro’ waste-to-wealth centre that will sort, recycle and reuse island waste.
The eco-centro waste-to-wealth model was pioneered at Soneva Fushi, which is located close to Maalhos. At the resort, food and organic waste, metals, and bottles are chipped, ground down or composted, and turned into things of economic value, such as concrete building blocks and fertiliser. Plastic waste is either recycled or used to create useful new objects.
Soneva has pledged funds from its Soneva Save our Seas programme to support creating the eco-centros on Maalhos, Dharavandhoo, and Kihaadhoo. The first eco-centro is due to open in Maalhos this summer. Open burning in Maalhos is expected to end shortly after the island’s eco-centro is fully operational.
“Maalhos is doing better than most islands when it comes to waste management but we still face problems managing solid waste. The Namoona Baa Atoll initiative will revolutionise the way we manage waste on Maalhos,” Abdullah Shujau, Maalhos council president, said.
Abdullah Shujau, president of Maalhos island council, explains how composting is done in Maalhos. PHOTO/ SONEVA
During the January workshop, the island council presidents helped forge a new partnership amongst their islands, Soneva Fushi and Common Seas, an international NGO dedicated to reducing marine plastic pollution.
“Dealing with the current volume of single use plastic waste is expensive for communities to manage, off-putting for tourists, and harmful to fish stocks. The items most commonly found on Maldivian beaches are plastic bottles, disposable nappies, cigarette butts, straws and plastic bags, so we already know where start. We are excited to work collectively and urgently to solve this problem,” Jo Royle, Managing Director and Founder of Common Seas, said.
The new partnership — part of the international Clean Blue Alliance which supports islands to prevent plastic waste leaking into the ocean — sets a course for Baa Atoll, and eventually the Maldives, to become a global leader in halting ocean plastic pollution.
“As an island that relies heavily on guest house tourism, this is an exciting prospect for Dharavandhoo. I hope that what is being done on Dharavandhoo, Kihaadhoo and Maalhos will be well received and the government and other stakeholders will look at these three islands as a model to be replicated on other islands,” Ali Maajidh, Dharavandhoo council president, said.
Senior officials from the President’s Office and the environment ministry, who attended the workshop, took note of the partnership and the plans to open eco-centros on Maalhos, Dharavandhoo and Kihaadhoo.
Plastic waste pollution is a huge problem in the Maldives, with plastic bottles littering beaches, plastic bags smothering coral reefs, and plastic detritus killing marine life.
More than 280,000 plastic water bottles are used daily in capital Male, and 104 million non-biodegradable plastic bags were imported to the Maldives last year. The President’s Office along with government ministries and state-owned enterprises recently banned the use of single-use plastic bottles.
Other countries are also taking action against single use plastic. Kenya has recently banned single use plastic bags. Vanuatu has pledged to be the first Pacific country to ban plastic bottles and bags. France will bring in a total ban on plastic cups, plates, and cutlery from 2020.
Soneva, which operates two resorts in the Maldives, recycles or reuses 90 per cent of their waste and has a zero waste target. Soneva replaced branded bottled water 10 years ago in favour of producing drinking water on site in reusable glass bottles, which has prevented the production of 1,500,000 single use plastic bottles.
“If we work together, we are sure we can create the right environment for the Maldives to be the world’s most progressive country on single use plastic. If we project forwards just a few years, we can see that all islands will have thriving waste-to-wealth centres; there will be no plastic bags; no plastic straws; islands will have their own water bottling plants; no guesthouses or resorts will serve water in single use bottles,” Sonu Shivdasani, Founder and CEO of Soneva, said.
Main photo:(From left to right) representatives from Dharavandhoo, Common Seas, Soneva, Kihadhoo and President’s Office with the signed pledge. PHOTO/ SONEVA
JOALI Maldives has been recognised in two categories at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia 2026, receiving honours among the Best Resorts in the Maldives and for the Most Outrageous Villa.
The recognition reflects the resort’s Creative Living philosophy, which brings together art, nature, wellbeing, sustainability and hospitality within the guest experience.
Located in Raa Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, JOALI Maldives opened as the Maldives’ first art-immersive luxury resort. Art installations, dining experiences, wellbeing programmes and accommodation are integrated across the island as part of its approach to resort living.
The property features 73 beach and overwater villas and residences, positioned across the island and above the Indian Ocean. The accommodation has been designed to provide privacy, space and access to views of the surrounding environment.
Each villa combines contemporary design with materials including timber, marble, bamboo and terrazzo, as well as handcrafted finishes. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides views of the ocean, while private pools connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Artworks and design pieces are also incorporated into each villa, reflecting the resort’s Creative Living concept and extending the art experience into the accommodation.
Guests can choose from Beach Villas, Water Villas and multi-bedroom Residences, with options designed for couples, families and groups. The larger residences provide additional living areas, pools and facilities for guests seeking more space and privacy.
Each villa is supported by a dedicated Jadugar, a term used by the resort to describe its butler service. The Jadugar assists guests throughout their stay by arranging dining experiences, island activities, celebrations and other personalised services.
Guests are also provided with bicycles to explore the island’s pathways, gardens and viewpoints.
JOALI Maldives said the awards reflected the work of its team and the support of its guests, partners and wider community. The resort also said it would continue developing experiences focused on creativity, wellbeing and connection.
The recognition adds to JOALI Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury resort sector, where its art-led design and Creative Living philosophy form the basis of its guest experience.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announced a culinary collaboration with Chef Grégoire Berger, chef and co-owner of the Dubai restaurant Kraken.
Known for progressive French cuisine influenced by the ocean, Berger has received a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Dubai from 2022 to 2024. His restaurant has also been included among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, while his work has received recognition through several international culinary awards.
Berger’s approach draws on the sea as a source of ingredients, ideas and presentation. His menus combine French culinary techniques with marine influences, with each dish developed around a narrative connected to the ocean.
As part of his visit to Lily Beach in August 2026, Berger will host a fine-dining dinner for a limited number of guests. He will also introduce a signature dish at AQVA Bar & Restaurant during the collaboration.
The programme forms part of Lily Beach’s efforts to expand its culinary offering and introduce visiting chefs and dining concepts to guests in the Maldives.
Located in South Ari Atoll, the resort will provide guests with an opportunity to experience Berger’s cuisine within its all-inclusive hospitality concept. The collaboration will combine his Michelin-recognised approach with the resort’s existing food and beverage programme.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has established its hospitality offering around its premium all-inclusive model, supported by a range of dining venues. Its restaurants offer overwater dining, international buffet selections, seafood and Asian-inspired dishes.
The resort’s culinary programme is supported by the Platinum Plan, an all-inclusive package that includes dining experiences, a selection of wines and spirits, excursions and personalised services.
Through the collaboration with Berger, Lily Beach aims to add another dining experience to its guest programme while continuing to develop its position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality market.
Milaidhoo Maldives has announced that it has been recognised in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2026, placing the island among the top 1% of hotels worldwide based on traveller reviews and ratings.
For Milaidhoo, the recognition is especially meaningful as it comes directly from its guests. Their stories, shared experiences, and reviews have earned the island a place among travellers’ favourite destinations around the world.
Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, Milaidhoo was created for guests seeking a more personal and authentic Maldivian experience. With just 50 villas surrounded by turquoise waters and flourishing coral reefs, the island offers a sense of intimacy and freedom, encouraging guests to reconnect with nature, with each other, and with themselves.
“We are deeply grateful to every guest who has chosen Milaidhoo and taken the time to share their experience,” said Paul van Frank. “To be recognised among Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best is an honour, but what means the most to us are the memories behind each review, the anniversaries celebrated, the friendships formed, the marine encounters discovered and the moments of joy shared on our island. This recognition also belongs to our Milaidhoo Family, whose warmth, care and genuine passion create the heartfelt experiences our guests remember long after they leave. We are proud to share this achievement with every member of our team and every guest who has become part of the Milaidhoo story.”
The Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards recognise the highest-rated hotels around the world, based on authentic reviews collected over a 12-month period. As one of the world’s most trusted travel guidance platforms, Tripadvisor’s recognition reflects the voices of travellers and the experiences that resonate most strongly with them.
As Milaidhoo continues to welcome guests from around the world, the recognition serves as a reminder of what has always mattered most to the island: creating meaningful experiences, sharing the beauty of the Maldives, and making every guest feel at home.
-
News1 week agoBanyan Tree Vabbinfaru marks Global Wellness Day with island wellbeing journey
-
Celebration1 week agoFinding your #JoyMagenta: Why the Maldives is the ultimate global capital for wellness
-
Awards1 week agoSun Siyam earns prestigious design accolades at International Property Awards
-
News1 week agoSirru Fen Fushi unveils summer getaway offer for couples and families
-
News6 days agoNiyama invites travellers to explore the Maldives with new summer escape package
-
News6 days agoOZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO earn Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice honours
-
Action6 days agoAnantara Dhigu partners with rrreefs on 3D-printed reef restoration project
-
News6 days agoFrom Shipwreck to Living Reef: Siyam World launches ambitious marine restoration project