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
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives reports rare whale shark encounter
Divers from Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives recorded a whale shark sighting last month during a dive at Kandooma Thila in South Malé Atoll.
The encounter took place on 13 April during a guided dive led by Dive Centre Manager Ibrahim Shaan. The whale shark, estimated to be approximately six metres in length, is believed to be a juvenile aged between eight and 15 years. The animal remained in the vicinity of the divers for more than 30 minutes before leaving the area.
Shaan said the whale shark entered the dive site calmly, circled alongside the group and remained present for an extended period. He described the encounter as one of the most notable experiences observed at the site.
Whale shark sightings are considered uncommon in South Malé Atoll, where the species is not typically resident. They are more frequently associated with the South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area, one of the primary aggregation areas for whale sharks in the country.
The Maldives is regarded as a key destination for whale shark encounters due to environmental conditions including warm waters, nutrient-rich currents and seasonal plankton blooms. Whale sharks are filter feeders and migrate across large distances, often following food sources.
The sighting at Kandooma Thila is understood to be linked to broader migratory movement through the atoll system, with the animal potentially following plankton concentrations or feeding opportunities created by ocean currents.
Kandooma Thila is known for its coral-covered structure, current-driven conditions and marine biodiversity, factors which may attract larger pelagic species on a temporary basis.
Following the sighting, the resort has submitted photographs and video footage to the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) for potential identification through its national database. Whale sharks can be identified through unique spot patterns located behind the gills and along their flanks.
The MWSRP’s Big Fish Network database has recorded more than 800 individual whale sharks in the Maldives, contributing to long-term research on migration patterns, population dynamics and species health.
Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing and Sustainability at the resort, said the data collected would support ongoing research and conservation efforts. She noted that such information contributes to understanding seasonal movement patterns, assessing environmental conditions and informing marine protection measures.
The resort has also reiterated the importance of responsible interaction with marine wildlife. Recommended practices include maintaining distance, avoiding physical contact, refraining from flash photography and ensuring appropriate buoyancy control.
Boat strike incidents remain a recognised threat to whale sharks in Maldivian waters, highlighting the need for careful vessel operation in areas where marine life is present.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is located approximately 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport and provides access to multiple dive sites in South Malé Atoll. The resort also operates a Dive Free programme, offering up to two complimentary dives per day for certified divers staying a minimum of three nights.
Celebration
Sirru Fen Fushi to host Eid al-Adha celebration from 27–29 May
Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has announced its “Eid in Harmony” programme for Eid al-Adha, scheduled from 27 to 29 May 2026, offering guests a series of curated experiences centred on dining, cultural elements and leisure activities.
The programme is designed to provide a structured yet relaxed approach to the celebration, with a focus on shared experiences and engagement with the island environment. According to the resort, the initiative aims to bring together cultural traditions and hospitality offerings within a resort setting.
A central feature of the programme will be the Eid al-Adha Feast, a dining experience presenting a selection of dishes prepared for the occasion. The event will be set in a themed environment reflecting elements associated with Eid.
The resort will also introduce an “Eid Gift with Purpose” initiative, positioned as a gesture aligned with the values of giving and reflection associated with the occasion.
In addition, guests will have the option to participate in a Guest Archery Competition, offering a recreational activity designed to complement the island setting and provide an alternative form of engagement during the celebration period.
Alongside the programme, the resort has launched an “Eid Island Escape” offer, which includes a range of inclusions for guests staying during the period. These include a 30-minute jet lag recovery massage, daily breakfast at Raha Market, dinner on a dine-around basis across selected restaurants, and a one-time floating breakfast experience.
In a statement, the resort’s management said the programme is intended to reflect the values of togetherness and reflection associated with Eid al-Adha, while offering guests opportunities to spend time with family and participate in shared experiences.
Through the three-day programme, Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort is presenting Eid al-Adha as a combination of dining, leisure and cultural activities within a resort environment.
Featured
Reethi Faru Resort awarded Green Globe certification
Reethi Faru Resort has received Green Globe certification, recognising its compliance with international standards for sustainable tourism.
The certification reflects the resort’s stated commitment to responsible hospitality, with a focus on environmental management, social responsibility and operational practices across the property.
Green Globe certification is awarded following an assessment based on established sustainability criteria and verified through independent third-party audits. The standard reviews performance in areas including environmental management, energy efficiency, resource conservation, community engagement and sustainable operations.
With the certification, Reethi Faru Resort joins a group of hospitality operators worldwide that have met Green Globe’s sustainability requirements and demonstrated an ongoing commitment to improvement in tourism practices.
In a statement, the management of Reethi Faru Resort said the recognition reflects the resort’s continued focus on preserving the natural environment of the Maldives while maintaining the guest experience. The management added that sustainability forms part of the resort’s daily operations.
The Green Globe standard includes more than 40 core criteria supported by over 380 compliance indicators, providing a framework for assessing sustainability performance in the hospitality sector.
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