Featured
Enhancements, special offers, CSR initiatives mark The Nautilus Maldives’ reopening

The Nautilus, a luxury bohemian hideaway in the Maldives, where you may create “a World of Your Own Making”, has reopened on September 1.
Embracing liberating indulgences without the shackles of social constraints and time, this haven of barefoot luxury private island invites its devoted guests back to return to true paradise.
Located in the stunning Baa Atoll of the Maldives, in the heart of a UNESCO Biosphere, The Nautilus’ remote setting and size (one of the smallest islands in the Maldives) make this sublime tropical haven one of the safest places to be right now.
The already thorough cleaning and hygiene protocols in place across the luxury resort in the Maldives have been further reinforced in line with the public health guidelines issued by the WHO, as well as by national authorities.
The entire team at The Nautilus is fully trained and informed with these new protocols. The island has curated it’s very own travel guide for guests, available here, to highlight exactly what they are doing to maintain guests’ relaxation and safety as paramount.
With just 26 incredibly spacious Houses and Residences on the island each with its private freshwater temperature-controlled infinity pools, extensive private decks as well as a personal House Master offering exclusive full butler services, The Nautilus is perfect for a private family retreat or an intimate escape with a conscious lack of interaction with others in order to honour safety under the current climate.
The Nautilus Maldives’ private seaplane is available to
fly you and your loved ones directly from the airport to the island, avoiding any unnecessary contact with anyone.
Upon arrival at Velana International Airport, all guests are picked up directly from the aircraft and individually escorted to the exclusive CIP lounge (Maamehi Executive Lounge), regardless of the House category booked. No queuing is required as all matters regarding immigration, baggage (which will be disinfected for you) and customs will be handled by the VIP lounge personnel, further minimising contact with other travellers.
The island offers a la carte dining anywhere, anytime with no additional incurrences. Time stands still at The Nautilus, therefore there are no set opening and closing times for the island’s three restaurants; come as you please with eternal personal space.
All adventures you embark upon on the island are free of time restraints and wholly private to you and your loved ones making safety certain for all excursions.
The team at The Nautilus have not only used this time away from the bustling world to reflect and realign, but have also completed an abundance of enhancements to the island to accentuate The Nautilus’ ethereal aura even more.
Despite menus at The Nautilus’ being mere suggestions, new menus for all three restaurants have been introduced providing guests further epicurean inspiration. There is also a new expansion to the Ocaso restaurant, the island’s alfresco grill. An additional whimsical hut upon the beach adds to this sensational dining setting.
With exploration and liberation at the heart of The Nautilus’ core, they have replaced the Ocean House’s and Residence’s outdoor ladders to artisanal drift-wood staircases, making it even more tempting to dip into the pristine waters that surround the island.
The Nautilus’ dedicated team also have new multi-sports pitch where the island welcomes its guests to join in the games.

The Nautilus has also recently undertaken a major CSR initiative to support the local community, especially the people of Baa atoll, by funding the installation of a PCR testing facility in a specially created area within the healthcare centre on Dharavandhoo Island. Testing is carried out by the health centre.
The facility is just twenty minutes by luxury yacht from The Nautilus. This is one of the only PCR testing facilities within the Baa atoll.
In addition to providing Covid-19 testing for guests and staff of The Nautilus on a complimentary basis, the facility will also cater to the testing needs of the local community members. Any revenue generated by this initiative goes directly to the health centre of Dharavandhoo.
If you are ready to make a sublime return to normality amidst tourmaline-blue Indian Ocean waters, The Nautilus’ unique reopening offer, ‘Freedom at The Nautilus’, will secure your yearning to indulge. You can enjoy precious moments with loved ones from September 1 to December 26 and receive an exceptional one-off discount of 35 per cent off the total price of your stay.
Beyond the excess of timeless luxuries offered to you within this special offer, we also offer alternative packages such as The Nautilus island buy-out, or our Nautilus Workation package.
Hire out the entirety of The Nautilus and experience a private island all to yourself with loved one with ‘An Ultra Luxe Island all to Yourself’ package including a personal butler to take care of your every need and daily sunset cocktails.
The Workation package allows you to work remotely from paradise. The Young Wonderers club provides an extensive educational programme for your children while the resort team provides you with luxury office amenities to maintain productiveness.
Available from seven up to 28 days, The Nautilus houses and residences make working from paradise the most luxurious experience ever.
Experience The Nautilus’ utterly liberating ‘anywhere anytime’ gastronomic journey, unwind with bespoke holistic treatments at the island’s over-water Solasta Spa and witness the violet-tinted Maldivian sunset during daily sundowner cocktails at the renowned Naiboli pool bar.
What’s more, you may enjoy personalised once in a lifetime experiences such as an open-air ‘Cinema Under the Stars’ on a secluded sandbank, a guided snorkelling adventure within The Nautilus’ house reef with the resident marine biologist, or, join the timeless dance of the manta rays at Hanifaru Bay, just 15 minutes speed-boat ride away from the island.

The only Relais & Châteaux private island resort in the Maldives, The Nautilus offers life unbound. Its collection of 26 immensely private beach and ocean houses exists beyond the bounds of time. This private island in the Maldives is a place where nothing is fixed, and anything is possible. Where you are free to set your own beat. Free to do – and to be – as you please.
Conceptualised by a Maldivian entrepreneur, this is his most definitive project within the Maldives to date. Created to express his personal vision of what total luxury can be – not just in the Maldives, but worldwide. A celebration of the individual spirit, The Nautilus offers liberation and freedom unconditional. Space to share, to meet, where guests are encouraged to be themselves and shape their own personal journey.
Above all, The Nautilus champions it’s guests to reflect and celebrate with the people they’re with, in any way they choose. Because in the end, it’s these simple, elemental pleasures – that ability to simply be – that form the greatest luxury of all.
For more information and reservations, visit www.thenautilusmaldives.com or contact reservations@thenautilusmaldives.com.
Excursions
From first visit to thousand dives: Love story anchored at Bandos Maldives

Bandos Maldives recently marked a significant milestone with two of its most loyal guests, Kate and Andy, who have shared a long-standing connection with the island.
Andy achieved an impressive feat by completing his 900th dive, all undertaken with Dive Bandos. His wife, Kate, surpassed this accomplishment by reaching her 1000th dive, with over 900 of those dives also completed alongside the Bandos team.
The Dive Bandos team joined the couple in celebrating this memorable occasion, recognising not only their dedication to diving but also the enduring bond they have formed with the resort over the years.
Kate and Andy’s relationship with Bandos extends far beyond statistics. Having first visited the island in 2006, they have returned every year since, making Bandos an integral part of their lives. In 2014, the couple even chose to exchange their wedding vows underwater at the resort — a unique moment that forever linked their love story with Bandos.
“Celebrating guests like Kate and Andy reminds us of what Bandos truly represents,” said Ismail Rasheed, General Manager of Bandos Maldives.
For Bandos Maldives, moments such as these exemplify why guests continue to choose the island for both adventure and a sense of belonging. With stories like Kate and Andy’s, Bandos stands not merely as a dive destination, but as a home — both beneath and above the waves.
Featured
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort marks Mental Health Day with Tai Chi for inner peace

As the seasons change, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites guests to slow down and reconnect with themselves through a tranquil wellness retreat. In observance of World Mental Health Day on 10 October, the resort will host an exclusive ‘Tai Chi for Internal Peace’ session led by visiting practitioner Thana Jindashotinun, followed by complimentary one-on-one consultations. Guests can also opt for the AVI Wellness Journey, a holistic programme featuring breathwork, meditation, yoga, and spa rituals inspired by the island’s serene natural surroundings.
Located on the southernmost tip of Raa Atoll, on the edge of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort provides an ideal setting to reset both mind and body. As the first and only all-Club InterContinental property in the Maldives, the resort combines five-star island luxury with exclusive Club InterContinental benefits. Guests can customise their stay across 81 villas and residences, seven restaurants and bars, and The Retreat, an adults-only enclave dedicated to relaxation. The resort’s AVI Spa offers an overwater sanctuary specialising in signature treatments and therapies.
Harmony healer Thana Jindashotinun will guide guests on their wellness journey from October to 30 November. Having begun practising Tai Chi at the age of eight to manage asthma, Thana has dedicated his life to mastering the art. Combining a background in psychology, anatomy, and Oriental medicine, his sessions integrate a range of disciplines, including Qi Gong, Meridian breathwork, yoga, postural assessment, and acupressure.
Guests will have the opportunity to join Thana’s signature class, ‘Tai Chi for Internal Peace’, on 10 October at 18:00 hrs at Lighthouse Beach. The class focuses on calming the nervous system through gentle movement and mindful breathing, aiming to ease anxiety, improve sleep, and restore inner balance. Following the session, participants will receive a complimentary 15-minute consultation to explore personalised wellness guidance.
Throughout his residency, Thana will also offer a variety of therapeutic experiences such as Yin Yang Bodywork, the EnerQi Massage for restoring inner harmony, and energy-focused treatments designed to promote deep relaxation and improved circulation. His Energy Detox Treatment is particularly aimed at revitalising the body’s natural rhythms and promoting a sense of renewal.
Complementing Thana’s offerings, guests can join regular wellness sessions with resident experts Zhazira Kurmangalina and Mett, including guided yoga, aerial yoga, meditation, and mat Pilates. For those seeking more active pursuits, the resort offers high-energy bootcamps, circuit training, and private personal training sessions.
The resort’s wellness philosophy extends to guests of all ages, with dedicated activities for teenagers such as Peace of Mind meditation and posture yoga at the Yoga Pavilion. Younger guests can take part in Muay Thai boxing, creative crafts, and Boduberu drumming workshops, while the Young Spa Ritual offers facials, massages, and body scrubs tailored for teens.
Visitors are encouraged to celebrate wellness throughout the season by participating in the resort’s holistic programmes and exclusive sessions with Thana Jindashotinun. From complimentary Tai Chi and meditation classes to bespoke therapies at AVI Spa, the resort presents an ideal opportunity to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit.
For a complete restorative experience, the AVI Wellness Journey offers guests a curated itinerary based on individual goals, including private yoga, meditation, and fitness sessions, spa treatments, and thermal suite access. The package also includes complimentary breakfast and dinner, use of non-motorised water sports, and Club InterContinental benefits such as afternoon tea and evening aperitifs. Extended stays come with added privileges—30% savings on seaplane transfers and meal plans for stays of four nights or more, and USD 50 daily resort credit for stays of seven nights or longer.
This October, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort reaffirms its commitment to wellbeing, inviting guests to embrace stillness, mindfulness, and renewal in one of the Maldives’ most serene settings.
Entertainment
Joy, creativity and connection define JOALI Maldives’ ‘Rise & Shine’ festive journey

JOALI Maldives, the Maldives’ first and only art-immersive resort, is set to welcome guests to a radiant festive season celebration under the theme ‘Rise & Shine’ — a tribute to joy, beauty, and inner light. Taking place from 21 December 2025 to 10 January 2026, the Raa Atoll retreat will transform into a celestial haven of creative expression, blending art, culture, and wellbeing experiences inspired by the resort’s Joy of Creative Living philosophy.
“Each festive season, our goal is to create an atmosphere that uplifts and inspires,” said Shifaz Hassan, General Manager of JOALI Maldives. “With this year’s Rise & Shine theme, we invite guests to reconnect with loved ones, express their creativity, and celebrate the holidays surrounded by the island’s natural beauty.”
The celebration will encompass culinary artistry, interactive workshops, family adventures, and world-class fitness programmes led by visiting experts.
Visiting Experts:
- Chef Nina Tarasova, the acclaimed pastry chef, will return to host her signature Russian Voyage Wine Dinner — a multisensory journey through traditional flavours and curated wine pairings.
- Dr. Sanket Yadahalli, a respected wellness practitioner, will conduct transformative sessions in breathwork for pain relief alongside Pranayama Renewal classes designed to restore energy and balance.
JOALI Maldives’ Rise & Shine celebrations will feature a dynamic array of experiences across its restaurants and creative spaces:
- Culinary Events: Guests can savour themed dining experiences including A Taste of Japan at Saoke, Indian Ocean Voyage, and the Mediterranean-inspired Levantine Dream. Curated cocktail evenings such as Once Upon a Sake, Old World Wine Dinner, and Theatre of Gin will complement indulgent festive feasts for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, Orthodox Christmas and beyond.
- Art, Culture & Creativity: The resort’s immersive art spaces will host celestial pottery classes, wooden craft workshops, starry night painting sessions, and festive embroidery workshops at the JOALI Art Studio. Sustainability takes centre stage with coral nursery tours and reef restoration projects like Christmas Corals, reflecting JOALI’s ongoing commitment to marine conservation.
- Wellbeing & Movement: The resort will offer a holistic wellbeing schedule featuring Lunar Glow meditations, Qi Flow, HIIT Challenge, a Padel Tournament, and Sunrise Bootcamp. Guests may also book night snorkelling adventures, Primal Flow, and Core Connect sessions.
- For Families & Young Explorers: Under the enchanting theme “Stardust & Sparkle”, the Muramas Kids Club will curate daily programmes for younger guests — from Christmas tree decorating and mocktail mixology to galactic kite flying and star map painting — guided by Pico the Heron, the resort’s beloved festive mascot.
Beloved traditions will return, including the lighting of the Holiday Tree, the unveiling of the Gingerbread House, and the eagerly anticipated arrival of Santa Claus. Guests can enjoy festive favourites such as the Christmas Scavenger Hunt, a Football Tournament, and the dazzling New Year’s Eve Starlight Gala — a night of fireworks, live entertainment, and fine dining. The celebrations will also include My Maldives, an elegant cocktail reception where guests can toast the season alongside JOALI’s leadership team.
Guests can experience the festivities from one of 73 beach and over-water villas, ranging from one to four bedrooms, each attended by a personal Jadugar (meaning “skilled magician”). Villa rates start from USD 5,851 per night based on two guests sharing a Water Villa with Pool on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
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