News
Soneva honoured at Departures Legend Awards for eco-friendly initiatives
Soneva has been recognised for its eco-friendly initiatives.
In its 2020 Legend Awards, Departures magazine listed Soneva’s Namoona Baa initiative amongst “The Best Eco-Initiatives in Hospitality This Year”.
Namoona Baa sees the islands of Maalhos, Dharavandhoo, and Kihaadhoo in the Baa atoll pledging to end the open burning of island waste, in a radical shift towards eco-friendly waste management.
The pledge was made by the presidents of Maalhos, Dharavandhoo, and Kihaadhoo island councils, during a workshop on waste held at Soneva Fushi on January 5-8, 2019.
To end the practice of the 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 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 the creation of the eco-centros on Maalhos, Dharavandhoo, and Kihaadhoo. 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.
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.
The Maalhos eco-centro waste-to-wealth centre – an innovative, waste processing complex modelled on Soneva Fushi’s Eco Centro — was inaugurated in February.
At the complex, the island’s waste is sorted into different categories such as plastic, glass, tin and wood; which is then compacted, crushed, and chipped where possible, and sent for recycling. The new eco-centro has enabled Maalhos to completely stop the open burning of rubbish and waste – making it the first inhabited island in the Maldives to do so.
Dealing with waste, particularly plastic, is a major issue for every island community in the Maldives. Plastic bottles and bags tend to litter streets, island jungle and beaches, while waste is routinely burned in toxic, open bonfires. Human health and guesthouse tourism suffer as a direct result of this practice.
Under the Namoona Baa Initiative, the Maalhos model will be expanded to neighbouring Dharavandhoo and Kihaadhoo, with eco-centro waste-to-wealth centres established on both islands later this year. With government support, it is hoped that the model can be rolled out across the Baa atoll, and eventually the whole of the Maldives.
In August 2019, Common Seas produced a preliminary report for the Maldivian government showing how the island nation could radically reduce the amount of single-use plastic it consumes, and reduce plastic pollution.
In September 2019, at his maiden address to the UN General Assembly, Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced a nationwide phase-out of single-use plastics to be implemented by 2023, including phase-outs of single-use plastic bottles and bags. It is one of the most comprehensive phase-outs of single use plastics in the world.
Soneva currently runs two resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, and luxury yacht, Soneva in Aqua. The world-leading luxury resort operator also operates Soneva Kiri resort in Thailand.
In 1995, the award-winning luxury resort Soneva Fushi set the standard for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways in the Maldives. Located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi pairs Robinson Crusoe fantasy with intelligent luxury.
Sixty-two private villas with their own stretch of beach are hidden amongst dense foliage within touching distance of a pristine coral reef. Eight new one- and two-bedroom Water Retreats, perched above the turquoise depths of the Indian Ocean, are scheduled to open to guests by May. Intuitive service is provided by Mr./Ms. Friday butlers.
Highlights include the open-air Cinema Paradiso, counting Saturn’s rings in the high-tech Observatory, the home-made chocolate and ice cream rooms, five hundred wines to choose from, six different restaurants and countless destination dining options.
In November 2015, Soneva launched a floating villa concept, Soneva in Aqua, a treasure trove children’s Den and a multi-purpose facility encompasses a glass gallery, boutique and studio where guests can learn the art of glass blowing.
Opened in December 2016, Soneva Jani is Soneva’s newest property and the world-leading luxury hotel group’s second resort in the Maldives.
Soneva Jani is located on the island of Medhufaru within a 5.6 kilometre lagoon in the Noonu atoll, and has uninterrupted ocean views in all directions. The lagoon is 35 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport and one hour by speedboat from Soneva Fushi.
Meaning ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, Soneva Jani currently comprises 24 overwater villas and one island villa, with additional villas to be built in phase two. Five islands encircle the lagoon, each one with soft white sands and covered in rich tropical vegetation. Four of the five islands will remain untouched, making Soneva Jani the lowest density development in the Maldives. The overwater villas are spaced across the expansive lagoon, offering privacy and extensive views over the Maldives’ turquoise waters. The island villas will be tucked into the lush greenery, providing the ultimate privacy, and all within steps of the beach.
Soneva Jani’s main guest facilities are located at The Gathering, the heart of the overwater villas. This dramatic three story structure is home to the main dining outlets, in addition to the Soneva Spa, library, retail area and wine cellar. It is located next to the Maldives’ first overwater Observatory.
Facilities on the island include the overwater Cinema Paradiso, the Eco Centro Waste-to-Wealth centre, organic gardens, tennis courts, water sports champa and Zuhair’s Beach on a desert island in the lagoon.
Departures magazine launched the Legend Awards last year.
The awards, selected by the Departures editorial team, span 24 categories, from Best Luxury Hotel Opening to Most Instagrammable Destination, covering every aspect of air, rail, and hotel travel experiences and amenities.
For the 2020 Legend Awards, editors curated the list of honourees based on experiences between May 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020, awarding honours to at least 10 properties, products or services per category.
Family
Reethi Faru Resort celebrates Halloween with family activities and costume party
On 31 October, Reethi Faru Resort invites guests to discover a different side of the Maldives, as the island transforms into a tropical Halloween escape filled with family fun, creative costumes, music, themed dining and unforgettable island moments.
Set against the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Halloween at Reethi Faru brings together the playful spirit of the season with the natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere of a Maldivian island. From afternoon activities for younger guests to an evening costume celebration, the programme offers something for everyone.

Halloween Fun for Little Ones
The celebrations begin with a dedicated afternoon of Halloween fun for younger guests. Children can get into the spirit of the occasion with face painting, themed games and specially curated activities designed to encourage creativity, imagination and plenty of laughter.
Families are invited to embrace the occasion together, with little ones transforming into their favourite Halloween characters before enjoying an afternoon of playful island adventures.
A Night of Costumes, Music and Celebration
As the sun sets and the island takes on a different atmosphere, the celebrations continue with the Halloween Costume Party.
Guests are invited to dress up and join an evening of DJ music, dancing and Halloween entertainment, with the island providing a unique tropical setting for creative costumes and festive fun.
From mysterious characters to imaginative creations, the costume party brings guests together for an evening where the unexpected feels right at home in paradise.
A Halloween Feast with a Tropical Twist
Food is at the heart of every celebration, and Halloween at Reethi Faru is no exception.
The resort’s culinary team will create a specially themed Halloween buffet, featuring a selection of international and local flavours presented with a creative seasonal twist. From the buffet to the bar, the Halloween spirit continues with specially prepared Halloween cocktails, adding a playful finishing touch to the evening.

Halloween Under the Maldivian Sky
Celebrating Halloween in the Maldives offers a setting unlike any other.
As darkness falls, the sounds of the ocean replace the bustle of everyday life, while the moonlight reflects across the lagoon and the island’s tropical surroundings create an atmospheric backdrop for the evening’s celebrations.
This combination of Halloween tradition and Maldivian island life makes the experience at Reethi Faru distinctive. The result is a celebration that feels festive and familiar, yet entirely at home in paradise.
Whether travelling with family, enjoying a romantic escape or simply looking to experience the Maldives in a different way, guests can join the festivities and create their own Halloween memories on the island.
A Different Kind of Halloween
On 31 October, Reethi Faru Resort invites guests to leave the ordinary behind and experience Halloween where tropical island life meets the spirit of the season.
With creative activities, costumes, music, cuisine and the beauty of the Maldivian night providing the backdrop, Halloween at Reethi Faru offers a celebration that is playful, atmospheric and uniquely island-inspired.
News
Nova Maldives invites independent travellers to reconnect during Solo Traveller Month
With solo travel increasing year on year, and more independent travellers seeking purpose, flexibility and meaningful connection, Nova Maldives opens its shores to the solo spirit for a late summer reset.
Following PADI AWARE Week centered on marine conservation and ocean stewardship, the month is set to take an inward turn for the return of Solo Traveller Month, dedicated to holidays for one, with thematic practitioner-led sessions and holistic experiences that can be enjoyed alone, or with newfound company.
A Weekend of Coming Home to Yourself
From 25-30 September, the resort will welcome Pika Dubey, award-winning ELLE Mental Wellness Expert 2025 and founder of The Head Space Lab to host three workshops open to all guests, designed to form a journey that promotes self-discovery, anchoring, and release:
- Notes to Self: Guided Journaling & Reflection: With prompts and helpful tips for guests to discover where they are, pause and reflect, and reconnect with what matters most to them.
- The Reconnection Circle: A heart-to-heart workshop on emotional wellbeing, boundaries and life transitions, using psychological frameworks, closing with a “letter to your future self” exercise to put insights into words.
- The Ritual of Release: A symbolic fire ceremony that turns reflection into action, letting burdens go and making space for what comes next.
Pika is an experienced professional who has dedicated her career to progressing mental health education and awareness across India. Having partnered with organisations to extend mental health access to underserved communities, and as an alumna of the National Healthcare Academy, Yale and Harvard, she brings a wealth of hands-on experience to equipping people with the tools to build resilience and cultivate inner peace at every stage in life.
The Journey Continues, At Your Own Pace
Beyond these sessions, travellers can also sample additional experiences at Nova that fosters stillness, with a chance to experiment with a retreat-style experience without signing up to a fixed schedule. The resort weekly programme ranges from group yoga across various modalities: from Vinyasa to Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) and Hatha, to sound baths with singing bowls, gongs and ocean drums, and Bodu Beru drumming classes rooted in Maldivian tradition, a meditative practice that encourages bonding through shared beats and vibrations.

Elsewhere on the island, solos can graze on plant-based Maldivian small bites at Soul Kitchen’s all-day dining, or slip beneath the surface to snorkel and dive alongside whale sharks and manta rays. For something more private still, curated sandbank escapes offer guests a slice of paradise entirely their own, after which they can settle into Mizu, the resort’s overwater pavilion, for a Teppanyaki dinner inspired by seafood and seaweed under the open sky.
These experiences reflect Nova’s belief in conscious connection, prioritising quality over quantity, where casual gatherings and shared moments create a natural setting for like-minded travellers to meet and connect over common interests.
Whether venturing out for their first solo trip or their tenth, Nova invites travellers to embrace a softer escape and experience the beauty of the South Ari Atoll. Beach Villas are available to book from £363/night and Water Villas from £439/night on Full Board, with up to 50% off room rates on nova-maldives.com.
News
Sun Siyam marks Golden Week across Iru Veli, Vilu Reef with dining and island experiences
This Golden Week, Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, two of Sun Siyam’s Privé Collection retreats in the Maldives, invite guests to celebrate one of the year’s most anticipated holiday periods with seven days of island experiences centred around togetherness, gastronomy, wellbeing and discovery.
From 1 to 7 October 2026, both resorts will bring their own character to the occasion, combining thoughtful Chinese-inspired touches with the warmth, natural beauty and sense of place that define a Sun Siyam escape. From sharing memorable meals and slowing down at the spa to discovering the Indian Ocean together, couples, families and friends can experience Golden Week at their own pace.

Golden Week at Sun Siyam Iru Veli
At Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Golden Week is shaped around time well spent together, with gastronomy and shared experiences at the heart of the programme.
Chinese-inspired flavours and hotpot experiences bring a familiar taste of the occasion to the island, while lantern-lit evenings by the beach combine dining with live entertainment and the sound of the Indian Ocean. Maldivian touches are woven throughout the week, adding a strong sense of place and allowing guests to experience the destination alongside the celebration.

Beyond the table, the programme creates plenty of opportunities to slow down, reconnect and explore. Ocean Spa brings a restorative element to the week with a special herbal rejuvenation offer, while younger guests can enjoy playful cultural activities at Turtle Kidz Club.
For those looking for adventure, the waters surrounding Dhaalu Atoll offer another side to Golden Week. Guests can set out in search of whale sharks, discover the underwater world through scuba diving, or take to the lagoon with flyboarding and extended Jet Car rides.
Whether spent exploring beneath the surface or simply enjoying time together by the ocean, the week is designed to leave guests the freedom to experience the island in their own way.

For more information and to view the detailed programme of Sun Siyam Iru Veli, please visit the resort’s website.
Golden Week at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef
At Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, Golden Week takes on a spirited ocean-inspired character, bringing together vibrant dining, family experiences, wellbeing and aquatic adventure.
The culinary journey moves from dedicated Chinese live-cooking stations to seafood barbecues beside the Indian Ocean. For a distinctly Maldivian experience, Golden Catch & Grill invites guests to head out onto the water, catch their own fish and enjoy it freshly prepared in traditional island style.

The celebration continues beyond the dining table. The Spa offers restorative wellness rituals for guests looking to slow down, while Island Movie Magic brings families together for cinema by the sea.
Out on the water, family dive journeys, guided Seabob experiences, introductory scuba excursions and the snorkelling adventures offer different ways to discover the surrounding marine world. As the day draws to a close, Golden Hour Jet Car rides bring an exhilarating finish to the afternoon against the colours of the Maldivian sunset.

For more information and to view the detailed programme of Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, please visit the resort’s website.
Two Islands, Two Ways to Celebrate
While Iru Veli and Vilu Reef each bring their own personality to Golden Week, both reflect the spirit of Sun Siyam’s Privé Collection: intimate island escapes where experiences feel personal, days unfold naturally and the Maldives remains at the heart of every stay.
From sharing a hotpot beside the ocean and discovering Maldivian flavours to exploring tropical reefs or simply watching the sunset together, the programmes are designed around what matters most during Golden Week, having the time and space to reconnect with the people who matter.
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