Featured

What to pack for a week in Maldives

Published

7 years ago

April 12, 2019

By Kerry Brooks

This is it! The week you’ve been anticipating for a few months is just around the corner. The Maldives, we are coming! Your plane ticket is paid, hotel room booked, leave approved, and daydreaming the whole day. What’s left is just the packing part. Don’t worry; packing can be a breeze if you know what you’re taking. You don’t want to be the tourist that packs their entire room only to forget the one crucial item.

For a week in the gorgeous island nation of Maldives, here are the essentials:

1. Bathing Suits

What use would your beachfront hotel room be if you’re not getting into the crystal-clear waters that are only found in the Maldives? So better be well stocked on your bathing suits. You can choose to bring as many variations as you want or keep it minimal, maybe only bring two or three pieces that you can reuse. It’s easy enough to hang them to dry after a nice swim. That way you won’t have to struggle to haul your luggage from plane to van to boat cramped full of swimwear for every day of the week.

2. Sunblock

Do not underestimate the power of the sun. As a tropical nation, the Maldives gets its fair share of sunlight, and not just any sunlight, direct sunlight. It’s very easy to forget about sunblock when the appeal of the beach and pool are too inviting but the sunburn and skin damage you’ll experience after won’t be worth it. And don’t forget to reapply. All the swimming will certainly wash off some of that lotion and that can decrease its effectivity. A good rule of thumb would be to apply 15 minutes before getting sun exposure and reapply every one to two hours.

3. Bug Repellant

With tropical climate comes the inevitable mosquitos. While some hotels have implemented a few measures to keep their population low, it is better to be cautious and bring bug repellant spray. Mosquitos carry many diseases like malaria and dengue fever. You wouldn’t want to put a damper on your vacation by getting sick the whole time now, would you?

4. Sunglasses

The sun doesn’t just do damage to your skin; it can wreak havoc to your eyes as well. The glare from the water can do some damage to your eyes and can lead you to experience headaches, migraine, or worse, cataract. To mitigate that, don’t forget to bring a nice pair of sunglasses. When deciding on one, take into consideration the UV coverage for both UVA and UVB. Buying a gorgeous but cheap sunnies might prove to be even harmful to your eyes so might as well invest in a good pair from a good brand.

5. Snorkeling Gear

To truly enjoy the Maldivian beaches, it’s not enough simply to swim in it. Take it a step further and explore the coral life by going snorkelling. The Maldives has many spots teeming with ocean flora and fauna. With this in mind, make sure you pack your snorkelling gear. You can also rent one from your hotel, but it’s better to use one that you haven’t shared with hundreds of other tourists.

Now you’re all set, you are ready to roll. Don’t forget to experience what the Maldives has to offer culture-wise. The Maldivian people are some of the kindest and warmest people so make sure you make a couple of friends.

Author Bio: Kerry Brooks is ardent blogger and frequent traveller who enjoys writing and sharing about health, beauty, travel and physical fitness. She is currently working for Weighted Blanket in Canada, which offers world’s finest weighted blankets in Canada.

Featured

Villa Nautica’s festive glow: Yoga at sunrise, fireworks at midnight

Published

1 day ago

November 16, 2025

m@ldives

Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.

The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.

For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.

A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.

Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.

Featured

JOALI BEING launches global campaign ‘Joyful Journeys of Well-Living’

Published

2 days ago

November 15, 2025

m@ldives

JOALI BEING, the world’s first well-being island, has announced the launch of its new global brand campaign titled “Joyful Journeys of Well-Living.” The campaign celebrates the art of self-discovery, inviting travellers to reconnect with their inner selves through bespoke and transformative experiences.

Building upon JOALI BEING’s core philosophy of the “Joy of Weightlessness,” the campaign embodies the essence of harmony between mind, body, and spirit. It encourages guests to explore holistic pathways designed to restore balance and inspire personal growth.

Joyful Journeys of Well-Living serves as an invitation to travellers seeking meaningful change and renewal. The campaign narrates stories of individuals discovering joy through purposeful living, mindful connection, and immersive well-being experiences at JOALI BEING.

The visuals capture the island’s tranquil landscapes and nurturing spaces — from oceanfront sanctuaries to treetop villas and transformative healing sessions led by resident experts. The campaign presents JOALI BEING as more than a destination; it is a journey towards well-being, creativity, and self-transformation.

Each guest journey at JOALI BEING is founded on the resort’s Four Pillars of Well-Being — Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. Through tailored programmes, guests can embark on integrative wellness experiences encompassing sound therapy, movement and fitness, hydrotherapy, nutritional guidance, and energy-healing sessions curated by specialists.

The island features a series of advanced well-being spaces, including:

CORE: a movement and fitness zone
AREKA: a transformative treatment centre
KAASHI: a hydrotherapy hall
SEDA: a sound-healing room
Ocean Sala: an open-air meditation and relaxation deck

Each space is designed to nurture a profound connection with nature and the self.

The Joyful Journeys of Well-Living campaign has been conceptualised and produced by JOALI BEING’s in-house team in collaboration with creative partners and visual storytellers from across the globe. The multi-platform campaign integrates film, digital, and print media to convey JOALI BEING’s ethos — a celebration of joy, transformation, and harmony.

The visual narrative draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Maldives, reflecting JOALI BEING’s immersive design philosophy. The imagery captures the rhythm of the ocean, the play of light, and the flow of energy that define the spirit of the island.

Awards

Coco Bodu Hithi wins Best Waterside Hotel at Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2026

Published

4 days ago

November 13, 2025

m@ldives

Coco Bodu Hithi has been recognised on the global stage, winning Best Waterside Hotel (Riverside, Lakeside, Seaside) at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026, held on 3 November 2025 in the UK. It is the second consecutive year the resort has been honoured by the publication, following last year’s win for Best Service, reaffirming its focus on heartfelt Maldivian hospitality and refined island living.

Described by Condé Nast Johansens as an “over-water, over-indulgent Maldivian island outpost,” Coco Bodu Hithi offers an intimate retreat of comfort and calm. The resort’s 32 Water Villas and 24 Coco Residences, each measuring 184 square metres and featuring private pools, provide secluded spaces set above the lagoon, where nature, design, and comfort come together to reflect the island’s romantic ambience.

Known for contemporary design infused with Maldivian heritage, the resort continues to welcome travellers seeking time by the sea, complemented by culinary collaborations with celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. The experience balances privacy and comfort throughout a guest’s stay. With turquoise waters, quiet spaces, and experiences designed for connection and shared discovery, the resort presents a considered take on island living.

Located 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the island combines accessibility with seclusion—close enough for convenience, yet removed for privacy and serenity. As part of Coco Collection, the resort offers bespoke experiences, attentive service, and sustainable practices, shaping stays that feel personal and reflective of relaxed, authentic island life.