Featured
Trans Maldivian Airways welcomes 53rd aircraft, to add three more

Maldives’ main seaplane operator Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) has announced plans to add four additional seaplanes to its fleet, with the first of the four arriving in the Maldives Thursday.
In what the airline calls its most aggressive expansion drive in its history of more than 30 years, TMA took delivery of its 53rd aircraft on Thursday. It was ferried from Santa Maria, Portugal and reached the Maldives’ main Velana International Airport at around 6.10pm.
The remaining three aircraft are scheduled to arrive in the Maldives in the upcoming months, expanding the airline’s fleet to 56 aircraft.
“TMA has played a pivotal role in developing the tourism infrastructure in Maldives and the latest addition to its fleet is in line with its commitment to serve the growing demand with the new upcoming resorts and also provide added flexibility to all its partner resorts,” a statement issued by TMA read,
“As the company welcomes the 53rd aircraft to its fleet, it would like to thank all its partners for their invaluable contributions and everlasting support in the growth story of TMA.”
TMA started in 1989 as a company operating a helicopter fleet under the name Hummingbird Island Helicopters.
Eight years later, the name was changed to Hummingbird Island Airways, as the first seaplane was added to the fleet. The transition to a seaplane-only fleet was completed in 1999. A year later, the name Trans Maldivian Airways came to be, and still today represents a synonym for connecting the Maldives islands.
In February 2013, Blackstone, one of the world’s leading investment and advisory firms, acquired controlling stakes in TMA and its sole competitor Maldivian Air Taxi (MAT), and merged the two under the TMA brand.
A consortium led by US-based Bain Capital and Chinese conglomerate Tempus Group had in 2017 bought TMA from Blackstone for around USD 550 million.
TMA currently operates an all-amphibian fleet of 53 Twin Otter aircraft on regular flights throughout the Maldivian archipelago, making it the largest seaplane operator in the world.
In 2016, TMA operated over 120,000 flights, transferring close to a million passengers, including 80,000 residents.
Seaplane is the preferred mode of transport between the main Velana International Airport and dozens of resorts, especially those located in the outer atolls.
Awards
Sirru Fen Fushi secures top spots in Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2025

Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has been honoured in the prestigious Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, securing top rankings in two highly sought-after categories:
- #2 Best Resort Pools in the Maldives
- #4 Best Resort for Families in the Maldives
These accolades underscore the resort’s unwavering commitment to providing immersive, meaningful, and luxurious experiences for guests of all ages.
Celebrated for its expansive villas tailored with families in mind, Sirru Fen Fushi offers serene sanctuaries in beach, jungle, and overwater settings. Accommodations include the unique Safari Tented Villas, Sirru Residences, and spacious two- and three-bedroom villas, along with deluxe family lodgings—each offering privacy, ample space, and direct access to either the lagoon or beach.
Beyond its thoughtfully designed accommodations, the resort presents a range of family-friendly experiences. Guests can enjoy an interactive Kids’ Club, curated cultural and nature-based activities, hands-on art and sustainability workshops, and unforgettable marine adventures such as turtle discovery, snorkelling safaris, guided dolphin cruises, and stargazing. Each offering is crafted to inspire connection, learning, and joy across generations.
Ranked as the #2 Best Resort Pools in the Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi features an awe-inspiring 200-meter infinity pool that spans from the island’s eastern to western shores, symbolically linking sunrise to sunset. Framed by soft white sands and boundless ocean views, the pool has become an iconic centerpiece of the resort—captivating photographers, influencers, and leisure seekers from around the world.
Nestled on a pristine, untouched island, Sirru Fen Fushi seamlessly blends the quintessential Maldivian experience with sustainability, artistic expression, and cultural immersion. With this latest recognition, the resort continues to set new standards for modern luxury through meaningful travel and exceptional hospitality.
Awards
Travel + Leisure Asia Pacific awards Villa Nautica Best Resort Pool in Maldives

Villa Nautica’s signature infinity pool has been awarded the title of Best Resort Pool in the Maldives by readers of the Travel + Leisure Asia Pacific Luxury Awards 2025. More than just an architectural feature, the pool serves as the heart of the resort—a tranquil expanse of water that seamlessly mirrors the sea beyond and transforms swimming into a meditative experience. Here, thoughtful design blends effortlessly with the natural environment, creating a space where the boundaries between land, water, and sky dissolve into serenity.
Located in the North Malé Atoll, only a short speedboat ride from the capital, Villa Nautica’s 1,350-square-meter pool is both a focal point and a design statement. It does not clamor for attention but draws it gently, extending confidently toward the horizon and creating the illusion of merging with the open ocean—while still offering the comfort and stability of land.
What distinguishes this pool is not merely its size or the flawless infinity illusion, but the way it quietly becomes part of the guest’s daily rhythm. Sun loungers are thoughtfully spaced and positioned, offering just the right amount of shade and always seeming to face the light at its most flattering angle. From morning sunbathing to lazy midday naps and sunset refreshments, the space is designed for lingering.
Adjacent to the pool is Press & Pot, a favoured spot among guests who enjoy pairing their swim with an artisanal coffee. The scent of freshly brewed espresso mingles with the sea breeze and the subtle aroma of sunscreen. Here, pastries come warm from the oven, tropical fruits are sliced to order, and coffee is served to a standard that rivals any urban café—with the added luxury of an uninterrupted ocean view.
Villa Nautica’s approach is not one of ostentation but of elegance. Its luxury lies in the details: the coolness of the stone underfoot, the soft rustle of palm leaves, and the way the water reflects the sky like glass as dusk approaches. It is an environment where nature and design exist in perfect, understated harmony.
This is what set Villa Nautica apart and earned it top honors. Among a competitive field of exceptional Maldivian resorts, the Travel + Leisure panel identified a timeless quality here. This is not simply a pool to swim in—it is one to experience. A space that encourages guests to pause, disconnect, and simply be.
Featured
Global recognition for InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort at 2025 T+L Luxury Awards

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has been named the #1 Best Resort for Families in the Maldives and secured the #7 position in the Best Resorts in the Maldives category at the T+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, held on 19 June at Capella Bangkok.
Organised by Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau, the T+L Luxury Awards celebrate excellence in luxury travel across the Asia-Pacific region. Voted on by readers, these prestigious awards honour outstanding hotels, resorts, and destinations throughout the region.
This recognition underscores the resort’s dedication to providing enriching, multi-generational experiences through carefully curated family-friendly offerings. Highlights include the Planet Trekkers Kids Club, Teen Escapades, and Family Beach Pool Villas, along with educational programmes such as the Junior Marine Biologist experience in collaboration with the Manta Trust. These features reflect the resort’s unique approach to combining luxury with meaningful and age-inclusive activities.
General Manager Reinhold Johann expressed pride in the achievement, noting that the accolades represent the team’s commitment to creating memorable experiences for guests of all ages in a breathtaking setting.
Nestled in the remote Raa Atoll and surrounded by the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort offers a rare blend of expansive space and barefoot luxury—ideal for family getaways, special celebrations, and immersive island adventures.
-
News1 week ago
Place to connect within and beyond: Meyyafushi Maldives to open on October 1, 2025
-
Featured1 week ago
Where wellness meets luxury: exclusive yoga retreats at Sun Siyam Resorts
-
Featured1 week ago
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives unveils holistic spa detox retreat for mind and body renewal
-
News1 week ago
Summer of romance ‘Avec Amour’ at Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa
-
Excursions6 days ago
Underwater adventure awaits at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa’s Aqua Week 2025
-
Cooking1 week ago
Local tastes take centre stage as Hard Rock Cafe’s World Burger Tour arrives in Maldives
-
Featured6 days ago
Summer escape starts here: discover Centara’s dream destinations in Maldives
-
Drink6 days ago
Island indulgence: immersive dining experiences at Angsana Velavaru