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Manta season is back at Four Seasons Resort Maldives Landaa Giraavaru
Manta season is back again in Baa Atoll and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru is the best place to swim with these gentle giants. Not only is the resort home to the Maldivian Manta Ray Project – the founding project of The Manta Trust – and close to some of the most renowned manta hotspots in the world, but the resort’s resident Manta Trust experts hold all the secrets to the mantas’ favourite feeding sites, personal history and most likely sighting dates.
Landaa’s 2019 manta ray activities include Manta-on-Call escapades, the thrilling Manta Ray Scientist for a Day experience and private manta ray snorkelling trips. All activities are conducted with the highest levels of care to ensure a safe and sustainable experience for guests and mantas alike.

And the good news keeps coming with a comprehensive update on 2018’s highs and highlights: from 54 new manta sightings and a record-breaking 59 pregnancies, to the clocking of the second highest manta sighting year (4,816 – including the highest ever in Hanifaru Bay) and 16 individual whale sharks too.
“We felt like some of the luckiest people on the planet in 2018 when we encountered 100 mantas, 2 whale sharks and a super rare oceanic manta in Hanifaru Bay on the same day,” Tam Sawers, The Manta Trust’s project leader in the Maldives, based at Landaa Giraavaru, said.
“Another Hanifaru Bay day brought 180 different mantas too. It’s the most enchanting experience to swim with one of these gentle giants, never mind more than 100!”

Landaa’s Manta-on-Call service sees guests given a “manta phone” that rings – wherever they are at the Resort – when mantas are sighted nearby. An exhilarating speedboat transfer ensues for a thrilling snorkelling experience.
Manta Ray Scientist for a Day is an adventure-meets-research immersion into the world of manta conservation, cruising the Baa Atoll, free diving, taking ID photos, recording environmental data and more.
Guests can also book private manta cruises and may even be lucky enough to swim with a manta in the Resort’s lagoon, where they are also occasionally spotted.
For a complete manta immersion, Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru also offers the minimum four-night Manta Watch package (June to November). A chance to discover the Baa atoll’s intense natural beauty with a Manta-on-Call trip; thrilling dolphin cruise; a chance to plant a personalised coral frame and more.
Having analysed monsoon currents and other predicting factors, Tam and The Manta Trust team have identified the following mass aggregation dates for the best chance of a manta sighting (or more!) whilst based at Landaa Giraavaru in 2019:
- June 1–5
- June 15–19
- July 1–5
- July 15–19
- July 30–31
- August 1–3
- August 13–17
- August 28–31
- September 12–16
- September 26–30
- October 12–16
- October 26–30
- November 10-14

Combining innovation, wellness and conservation, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru is a 44-acre, 103-villa wonderland in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — a 30-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport.
Its sister property, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa lies to the south: an enchanting garden island complete with Island Spa sea sanctuary and Tropicsurf coaches and guides. It features 96 thatched beach and water accommodations constructed by local craftsmen using indigenous materials and techniques to reflect a true sense of the Maldives.
The luxury catamaran Four Seasons Explorer connects the two properties via three, four and seven-night cruises, plus private leisure, surf and manta ray charters.
The latest addition to the Maldives collection, Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll opened in 2016 as the group’s first exclusive-use private island: off limits to everyone else, limitless to the guests.
For rates and reservations, visit www.fourseasons.com/maldiveslg/offers, email: reservations.mal@fourseasons.comor call the central reservations department of Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at tel: (960) 66 00 888.
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Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives introduces indoor mini golf experience
Resort experiences are increasingly shaped by the need for flexibility, with guests seeking activities that can be enjoyed beyond peak sun hours, creating a natural demand for engaging indoor spaces and particularly in tropical destinations where brief, seasonal rain showers are part of the island rhythm.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives builds on this evolving guest preference with the introduction of its new 8-hole Indoor Mini Golf Centre, adding a playful and interactive dimension to the island’s leisure offering. The space was officially unveiled at a recent opening, where a guest was invited to mark the occasion, setting the tone for an experience centred around shared enjoyment and light-hearted moments.

The indoor mini golf course offers a relaxed, air-conditioned space where guests of all ages can take part, whether as a casual game between families, a friendly challenge among couples, or a fun addition to group stays. It provides a comfortable alternative to outdoor activities while maintaining the sense of energy and connection that defines time on the island, regardless of the weather.
The addition builds on the resort’s existing indoor facilities, including billiards, table tennis, and a dedicated kids’ playroom, creating a more rounded leisure experience that caters to different moods and moments. Outdoors, guests can continue to explore a wide range of activities, from beach volleyball and futsal to badminton, diving, and both motorised and non-motorised water sports.

As one of the first resorts in the area to introduce an indoor mini golf experience, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives continues to evolve its offerings in line with how guests choose to travel today, blending activity, comfort, and shared experiences in a setting designed for both relaxation and discovery.
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COMO Maalifushi highlights uncrowded surf access across southern atolls
COMO Maalifushi presents a considered approach to surfing in the Maldives—one shaped by access, expertise, and the quiet privilege of space.
Located in the remote Thaa Atoll, the resort offers entry to a network of lesser-travelled breaks across the southern atolls, where consistent Indian Ocean swells meet uncrowded line-ups. Here, surfing unfolds without urgency—guided by natural rhythm rather than routine.
At the core of the experience is COMO Maalifushi’s long-standing partnership with Tropicsurf, daily sessions are shaped by real-time ocean conditions, with coaching that adapts intuitively to each guest—whether taking to the water for the first time or refining technique across more complex reef formations.
Guests are given access to a curated selection of breaks across Thaa Atoll, Laamu Atoll and Dhaalu Atoll—each offering a distinct character. From the long, forgiving rides of Farms to the more technical, fast-moving rights of ‘Machine’, the programme is designed to evolve with both conditions and capability.
“Surfing at COMO Maalifushi is defined by its sense of space and possibility,” says Peter Nilsson, Managing Director, COMO Maldives. “Our location allows access to some of the Maldives’ most consistent yet uncrowded waves, and through our partnership with Tropicsurf, we’re able to offer an experience that is both highly personalised and quietly exceptional—true to COMO’s way of doing things.”
The season, which runs from April through October, brings steady swells from the southern Indian Ocean. Yet beyond seasonality, it is the absence of crowds that defines the experience—allowing guests to engage with the ocean on their own terms.
Surfing at COMO Maalifushi sits naturally within the wider rhythm of the island. Time in the water is balanced with restorative treatments at the COMO Shambhala Retreat, unhurried dining, and the simplicity of island life—creating a sense of flow between activity and stillness.
Here, surfing is guided with care, framed by nature, and experienced without excess.
For more information, please visit the resort’s website.
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Angsana Velavaru marks reopening of upgraded futsal ground
Angsana Velavaru has reopened its futsal facility as part of efforts to enhance guest experiences and staff engagement through sport and community activities.
The reopening ceremony was officiated by Dhaalu Atoll Council president Ahmed Shafiu and the resort’s general manager, Ahmed Zahir, who jointly cut the ribbon to mark the occasion.
Located within the island grounds, the futsal court measures 57 metres by 38 metres and is intended to serve as a space for both recreational use and organised activities for guests and resort associates.
The resort said the facility would form part of its wider recreational offering and would host workshops and expert-led collaborations aimed at providing guests with sports-based experiences while also supporting skill development and interaction. It added that the initiative also reflects its focus on staff wellbeing, teamwork and active living.
The opening event included friendly matches between the Angsana Velavaru men’s and women’s teams, as well as an inter-resort match between the Angsana Velavaru Orange Army and Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru.
Adjacent to the futsal court is the resort’s upgraded watersports centre, which now includes updated guest facilities such as shower and changing areas.
Ahmed Zahir said the reopening of the futsal ground represented more than a recreational upgrade and reflected the resort’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences for both guests and associates. He said the facility would support active living, connection and wellbeing, while also serving as a space for learning and collaboration.
Angsana Velavaru, located in South Nilandhe Atoll, said the reopening of the futsal facility forms part of its wider efforts to expand its lifestyle and community-focused offerings.
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