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Maldives bucket list experiences with Crown & Champa Resorts
The Maldives’ leading resort collection brings out-of-the-ordinary experiences, unique encounters, and new ways to explore that aim to reignite the passion for travel and inspire bucket list dreams.
Crown & Champa Resorts, the leading resort collection in the Maldives, has revealed bucket list adventures travellers can look forward to, whether seeking new authentic experiences or booking their first post-lockdown getaway.
From swimming with whale sharks and scuba diving to luxury yachting and lifestyle retreats, it is time to make these holiday dreams come alive.
Luxury yachting with Kudadoo
Discerning travellers can enjoy bespoke excursions and romantic celebrations aboard Kudadoo Maldives Private Island‘s luxury yacht, Bella.
Embark on a search for pelagic species out in the blue water, seek out an uninhabited island for a picnic lunch, or admire the star-studded Maldivian sky while sipping champagne – these moments of magnificence are waiting to be unfolded.
Dream island escape with Hurawalhi
Alongside 5.8, the world’s largest all-glass undersea restaurant, the naturally chic Hurawalhi Island Resort also has its private sandbank called Dream Island, located just a short boat ride away and amidst the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean.
Offering that ‘luxury castaway’ island experience, guests can enjoy their own island paradise and spend the day exactly as they wish, whether that leads them to the relaxation under the sun, exploration of the spectacular life beneath the surface, or simply the enjoyment of endless ocean views.
Wellness retreat with Kagi
Holidaymakers seeking to rejuvenate their mind, body, and spirit may find themselves in the well being-focused paradise of Kagi Maldives Spa Island, a true sanctuary for the senses that offers the perfect setting to slow down and immerse into self-discovery and self-care.
Guest can dive into a world of wellness with the resort’s ‘Lifestyle Retreats’, which feature yoga and meditation, relaxing massages, and holistic healing, alongside nutritious meals and locally-inspired excursions.
Touch of romance with Veligandu
Honeymooners and romantic couples will enjoy a myriad of intimate experiences in the secluded haven of Veligandu Island Resort & Spa, voted a top romantic hotel in Asia and the Maldives: from adoring magical sunsets, indulging in a private dinner on a tranquil beach, opting for a private cruise, or enjoying a renewing spa treatment together.
Manta ray encounters with Komandoo
Nestled amid Lhaviyani Atoll’s manta hotspots, the adults-only (18+) Komandoo Island Resort & Spa is the perfect island retreat from which to experience magical adventures with manta rays, the queen of the ocean.
Although year-round sightings are common, these majestic creatures can be seen frequently from November through April, feeding on plankton and swimming around the rich waters of the Maldives.
Guests can turn their regular diving and snorkelling excursions into an adventure of a lifetime.
Shipwreck diving with Meeru
With an incredible diversity of marine life, there is no denying that the Maldives is a sought-after destination for a world-class scuba diving experience.
The palm-fringed paradise of Meeru Island Resort & Spa in North Malé offers a range of dive excursions, including diving amongst the wrecks.
Divers and adventure seekers alike will be mesmerised by an out of this world undersea environment with sunken ships teeming with aquatic life.
Touch of romance with Veligandu
Swimming alongside these gentle giants of the ocean is high on the bucket list experiences of many travellers to the Maldives.
Being the largest fish in the sea, snorkelling or diving with whale sharks is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The adventurer’s paradise of Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, located just about an hour Dhoni boat ride away from Maamigili Island, a premier Whale Shark Point in South Ari Atoll, affords guests the chance to swim with and even take photographs of these marvellous creatures.
Swim with sea turtles with Kuredu
The vibrant Kuredu Island Resort & Spa enjoys a desirable location in Lhaviyani Atoll, within easy reach of the largest community of green sea turtles in all of the Maldives.
Just a short boat trip away, guests of all ages can find themselves in the crystal-clear waters around Kuredu Caves, home to an abundance of marine turtles and other oceanic life.
Dolphin spotting with Innahura
Boasting the largest lagoon in the pristine Lhaviyani Atoll, the laid-back paradise of Innahura Maldives Resort is a natural playground for water sports enthusiasts and enchanting marine creatures such as dolphins.
Innahura is an excellent destination from which to experience hopeful dolphin encounters.
When lucky enough, guests joining one of the resort’s ocean excursions will have the opportunity to set their sights on these playful cetaceans jumping in the distance or swimming right next to the boat.
Find your perfect paradise in the Maldives with Crown & Champa Resorts.
Crown & Champa Resorts caters to every purpose of travel and connects travellers with a passion for a life fully lived to the best of this idyllic destination, offering world-class hospitality, thoughtful and attentive service, and authentic Maldivian experiences.
The diverse collection of properties includes Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, Hurawalhi Island Resort, Kagi Maldives Spa Island, Veligandu Island Resort & Spa, Komandoo Island Resort & Spa, Meeru Island Resort & Spa, Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, Innahura Maldives Resort, and one city hotel, Champa Central Hotel.
Visit www.crownandchamparesorts.com or email info@crownandchamparesorts.com.
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Simply summer at Milaidhoo: Invitation to slow living in the Baa Atoll
In a destination often defined by excess, Milaidhoo Maldives offers a different summer narrative: one of restraint, rhythm and rare stillness. Introducing Simply Summer, a seasonal escape that celebrates the art of slowing down within the UNESCO-protected waters of the Baa Atoll.
An intimate island sanctuary, Milaidhoo is designed for travellers who value time as the ultimate luxury. Days unfold unhurriedly, beginning with relaxed oceanfront breakfasts and shaped entirely by choice, from sunrise yoga and snorkelling in pristine coral gardens to long, private hours spent within the calm of one’s villa. Evenings are defined by elegant à la carte dining, inspired by seasonal flavours and served with effortless grace.
The Simply Summer offer enhances this experience with considered privileges rather than excess. Guests are invited to explore the Maldives’ natural wonders through manta ray encounters in the legendary Hanifaru Bay, indulge in restorative rituals at the overwater Serenity Spa, or discover the atoll through curated island adventures, all with exclusive seasonal savings.
A chilled bottle of Ruinart Champagne awaiting guests in their villa sets the tone on arrival, while flexible early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability) ensures that time is never hurried. Dining remains a central pleasure, with daily breakfast and à la carte dinners at Ocean Restaurant, complemented by generous dining credits across the island’s culinary venues.
Available for stays from 1st May to 31st October 2026, with a minimum stay of four nights, Simply Summer is an understated invitation to experience the Maldives at its most refined, quietly luxurious, deeply personal and guided by the gentle pace of island life.
Simply Summer – Key Inclusions:
- Daily breakfast at Ocean Restaurant
- Daily à la carte dinner at Ocean Restaurant
- USD 65 per person, per night dining credit (food-only) at other restaurants
- 30% savings on manta ray snorkelling in Hanifaru Bay (group excursion)
- 30% savings on selected treatments at Serenity Spa
- 30% savings on curated group excursions and island experiences
- Exclusive benefits when booking direct
Begin your Simply Summer at Milaidhoo.
Excursions
Manta season experience returns as InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau announces 2026 retreat
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has announced the dates for its 2026 Manta Retreat, following the programme’s strong reception in recent years. The retreat will take place from 24 to 27 March 2026, coinciding with the Maamunagau manta season, when juvenile manta rays are commonly sighted in the resort’s lagoon just offshore.
The resort will once again partner with The Manta Trust, one of the world’s leading manta ray research organisations, to co-host the retreat and offer guests an immersive, educational experience centred on marine conservation. The programme is designed for travellers seeking purpose-led experiences and a deeper understanding of manta rays within their natural environment.
Located on the edge of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and adjacent to a known juvenile manta ray aggregation site, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau provides direct access to key research and observation areas. During the retreat, guests will be able to participate in guided reef snorkelling, manta excursions led by The Manta Trust, coral restoration and planting workshops, and a series of educational sessions. Participants will also have the opportunity to adopt and name a manta ray as part of the conservation initiative.
The partnership between InterContinental Maldives and The Manta Trust has been in place since 2019. The retreat will be led by The Manta Trust’s base leader, Meral Hafeez, who will guide guests through manta ray encounters while sharing insight into the organisation’s ongoing research and conservation efforts in the surrounding waters. The programme offers participants a behind-the-scenes look at the daily work of the research team, including observing and recording manta ray behaviour.
In 2023, Maamunagau Lagoon was recognised as an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA), identifying it as a vital habitat for manta rays and a priority conservation site. The lagoon continues to serve as a key research area for The Manta Trust, allowing guests to observe manta rays in their natural environment within close proximity to the resort. Certified divers are also catered for, with access to dedicated dive sites where manta ray cleaning stations can be observed, highlighting the complex marine ecosystems of the Maldives.
Beyond the retreat activities, guests can enjoy the resort’s overwater villas, unwind at AVI Spa, or explore its range of dining experiences.
The participation fee for the Manta Retreat is USD 1,550++ per night, per room, based on double occupancy, with a minimum stay of four nights. The package includes one manta ray research trip, guided house reef snorkelling, manta ray adoption, educational workshops, and accommodation in a luxury villa or residence on a half-board basis.
Featured
Ten years of turtle conservation: Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Olive Ridley Project milestone
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, part of the boutique island resort collective Coco Collection, is marking ten years of partnership with the Olive Ridley Project (ORP), celebrating a decade-long commitment to marine conservation in the Maldives.
The partnership reached a significant milestone in 2017 with the opening of the Maldives’ first veterinary-led Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, pioneering specialised sea turtle care in the country. Since its establishment, the centre has treated and released 152 injured turtles, achieving a rehabilitation success rate of nearly 60 per cent. The facility plays a critical role in caring for turtles impacted by human activities, including entanglement in marine debris and ghost nets.
Beyond rescue and rehabilitation, the Olive Ridley Project leads long-term sea turtle research across the Maldives, collecting data on nesting activity, population trends and threats to marine life. This work contributed to the country’s first National Red List Assessment of Threatened Species, published in 2022. Supported by a network of citizen scientists, ORP’s Maldives research team has documented more than 45,000 sea turtle encounters nationwide. Over the past decade, Coco Collection has been a major contributor to this effort, recording nearly 3,500 encounters and reinforcing its position as one of ORP’s most significant research partners.
Guests at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu are invited to engage directly with these conservation initiatives through weekly marine talks, educational sessions led by the resort’s resident Marine Educator, and opportunities to witness rehabilitated sea turtles being released back into the ocean.

Commenting on the milestone, Siraj Waseem, General Manager of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, said that celebrating ten years of partnership with the Olive Ridley Project was a source of pride for Coco Collection. He noted that what began as a shared commitment to protecting marine life has evolved into a long-term collaboration rooted in education, conservation and meaningful guest engagement, adding that the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre continues to grow in strength with ORP’s support.
Dr Martin Stelfox, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Olive Ridley Project, said the decade-long partnership reflects a pioneering collaboration and significant progress in sea turtle conservation in the Maldives. He highlighted advances in conservation medicine and research achieved together, as well as the impact of inspiring guests and Maldivian interns to care for and protect the country’s marine environment.
Over the past ten years, the ORP Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu has hosted ten veterinary surgeons, each contributing to the development of sea turtle conservation medicine in the Maldives. Through the Sea Turtle Veterinary Trainee Programme, the resort and ORP have trained 29 veterinary professionals from 12 countries, helping to strengthen a global network of sea turtle clinical care across the Indian Ocean and beyond.
Alongside its conservation work, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu continues to offer a wide range of experiences for guests, from water sports such as water skiing, surfing and parasailing to sailing, paddle-boarding and kayaking in the surrounding lagoon. Visitors can also explore Maldivian culture through curated Coco Experiences that highlight local island life and heritage. As the resort marks ten years of collaboration with the Olive Ridley Project, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu continues to demonstrate how meaningful conservation efforts can coexist with memorable guest experiences.
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