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Sheraton Maldives introduces marine conservation experience under ‘Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy’ initiative

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Against the backdrop of the global pandemic, and with travellers increasingly aspiring to make a positive impact on the communities they visit whether locally or abroad, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is introducing Adopt a Coral, as part of Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy.

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa joins 14 other Marriott International properties across Asia Pacific as part of the programme’s pilot launch.

Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy is a programme offering meaningful travel across Asia Pacific, aiming to create opportunities for guests to forge first-hand connections with local communities and the environment during their stay, promoting both cultural understanding and positive change.

Adopt a Coral at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa invites guests to participate in the coral-fragment plantation activity in an effort to promote reef habitats and generate new coral.

The resort has teamed up with Reefscapers, a coral propagation organisation appointed by the Maldivian government as custodians of the coral colonies in the Gulhi Falhu lagoon which was slated to be destroyed as part of a reclamation project.

The activity is led by experts and offers a hands-on experience to participants while also providing an alternative business to the 250 inhabitants whose sole previous source of employment was fishing.

“One of the growing trends we’re observing is how conscious people are of their personal impact on the environment and the destinations they visit,” Emilio Fortini, General Manager at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, said.

“Adopt a Coral offered at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa provides an excellent opportunity for our guests to connect with the nature, allowing them to give back while staying with us. We are excited to launch Adopt a Coral as part of Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy and look forward to bringing truly meaningful travel to our guests at home, or from abroad once international travel resumes.”

The experience is available for guests to experience anytime. Guests can make a booking through here.

As of launch time, Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy features 15 meaningful experiences across three distinct pillars – environmental protection, community engagement and marine conservation.

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is situated on the private island of Furana in the Maldives, a 15-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport.

The five-star resort offers 176 guest rooms designed to blend into the surrounding turquoise waters, pristine beaches and lush greenery.

In addition to seven unique restaurants and bars, Shine Spa for Sheraton which is located on its very own island, and three outdoor tropical freshwater pools, the resort caters to all guests and is the perfect destination for honeymooners, families with young children or teens and solo travellers alike.

The resort completed a $20 million renovation in 2019 that saw enhancements to all facilities including guest rooms, dining venues and recreation.

Nightly rates at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa (http://sheratonmaldives.com/; +960 664 2010) start from $400/£315 per night based on 2 people sharing a Deluxe Garden View King Room on a B&B basis.

Excursions

Experience ocean encounters: Manta Month at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives

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Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has announced the return of Manta Month this September, following the success of last year’s initiative. Now established as an annual programme, the celebration offers guests of all ages the opportunity to engage with the ocean while supporting marine conservation, with a particular focus on the manta ray.

Throughout the month, guests are invited to take part in guided excursions to known manta hotspots, led by the resort’s experienced team, who share insights into manta behaviour and conservation. Awareness talks highlight the story of a manta rescued near the island, serving as a reminder of the resort’s continuing efforts to protect marine life. Children can enjoy manta-themed arts and crafts as well as beach games, while the wider community will join reef and island clean-up activities, with collected waste repurposed into manta sculptures. In addition, proceeds from manta pendant sales at the resort’s retail boutique will be donated to The Manta Trust, extending support for research and protection initiatives.

Located close to several of the Maldives’ top ten dive sites, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives places importance on the wellbeing of the ocean and its ecosystems, a priority shared by both guests and staff. The resort’s sustainability initiatives are aligned with IHG’s purpose, True Hospitality for Good, through its Journey to Tomorrow programme, which supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and demonstrates a commitment to long-term environmental protection.

Commenting on the event, Mark Eletr, General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, said: “What started as a special event last year has now grown into an annual month-long celebration. Kandooma Manta Month is not just about seeing these magnificent creatures up close, but about creating meaningful experiences that inspire awareness, responsibility, and care for our ocean environment.”

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Conrad Maldives Rangali Island achieves PADI Eco Center Certification

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Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has been officially certified as a PADI Eco Center, becoming one of only two resorts in the Maldives to receive this recognition in 2025. The certification is awarded to dive resorts that extend their efforts beyond standard operations, with a strong focus on protecting marine environments and raising awareness among future generations.

As part of the certification process, the resort’s team adopted the Conrad House Reef through PADI’s Adopt the Blue programme. A Dive Against Debris clean-up dive was conducted around the reef near Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, during which 10 kilograms of marine litter, primarily plastics and metal fragments, were collected.

The team also joined Green Fins in June 2025 and has since introduced a series of sustainable practices. These include paperless dive check-ins, eco-briefings before excursions, reduced use of plastics through the introduction of glass alternatives, and signage encouraging responsible snorkelling and diving across the dive centre.

Guests are also directly engaged in conservation activities through coral restoration initiatives. In 2025, the team has facilitated 17 coral line adoptions, where participants attend an educational session before attaching coral fragments to nursery lines and assisting with their placement underwater.

Jessica Miller, Marine Biologist at Conrad Maldives, commented: “This certification represents a milestone for us. It’s the result of dedicated teamwork and genuine care for the ocean. Watching our guests become part of the solution, whether through coral planting or learning about local marine life, is what makes this so special.”

Nick Flynn, General Manager of Conrad Maldives, added: “We’re incredibly proud of the team’s achievement in making Conrad Maldives a certified PADI Eco Center. This milestone is part of our long-term commitment to sustainability and a testament to how luxury and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.”

Ranjit Batra, Chief Executive Officer of Ventive Hospitality, the owning company of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, highlighted the wider significance of the achievement. He said: “The PADI Eco Center recognition for Conrad Maldives Rangali Island underscores our commitment to protecting marine ecosystems while shaping the future of responsible travel. We are proud of Conrad for leading the way in sustainability across the Maldives.”

The certification strengthens Conrad Maldives’ broader sustainability objectives under Hilton’s Travel With Purpose programme. The resort will continue to offer educational dives, coral adoption opportunities, and conservation briefings, encouraging guests to actively participate in marine protection efforts during their stay.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island operates under Hilton and is part of Hilton Honors®, the global guest loyalty programme. Hilton Honors members booking directly through official Hilton channels receive a range of benefits, including exclusive discounts, free standard Wi-Fi, flexible payment options combining Points and money, and contactless technology via the Hilton Honors mobile app, which enables digital check-in, room selection, and access.

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Excursions

Marine encounters: spinner dolphins at Canareef Resort Maldives

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At Canareef Resort Maldives, one of the most popular experiences for guests is the dolphin tour. The abundant presence of dolphins in the surrounding waters ensures that each cruise offers a remarkable encounter with these marine creatures, creating lasting memories for visitors.

Every dolphin tour at Canareef provides an opportunity to observe pods of dolphins gliding and leaping across the waves. Guests often describe the sight of spinner dolphins darting through the clear ocean as a defining image of the Maldives’ natural marine beauty.

Morning cruises and sunset tours alike are guided by experienced staff, who share insights as dolphins appear in their natural environment. Many guests recount moments when dolphins swim alongside the boat, a spectacle that creates a unique sense of connection.

The activity is regarded as more than just an excursion; it is considered a celebration of nature and a highlight of a stay at Canareef. It allows guests to experience the Maldives in a way that underlines why dolphins are seen as ambassadors of the islands.

For travellers seeking encounters with dolphins amid turquoise waters, Canareef presents an ideal opportunity. The resort also offers seasonal promotions, including early booking discounts for the remainder of this summer, next winter, and summer 2026.

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