Connect with us

Action

Exceptional new experiences, unforgettable on-board luxury on Soneva in Aqua Yacht

Published

on

The Soneva in Aqua Maldives yacht has elevated the definition of an ocean charter, offering Soneva’s signature luxury and impeccable service at sea.

Rare guest experiences are an intrinsic part of Soneva’s Slow Life philosophy, and Soneva in Aqua is no exception, with a captivating selection of new, one-of-a-kind activities, both above and below the waves.

Guests can come face-to-face with curious dolphins on the new Dolphin Sled experience, which glides through the ocean depths, or encounter nocturnal sea creatures on a moonlit snorkelling expedition. They can swim with gentle manta rays, paddle to deserted sandbanks in a kayak, or stargaze on deck with an expert astronomer.

Those looking for an adrenaline rush can swing from the boom mast or try out a range of new and exciting water sports from the yacht’s tender, including wake skating, skurfing or fun tubing. Or, for something more relaxing, there’s picnics on deserted islands, sustainable fishing or dolphin-spotting from the bowsprit nets.

Sailing from both Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and Soneva Jani in the tranquil and remote Noonu Atoll, Soneva in Aqua offers an unparalleled level of privacy and indulgence.

The 23-metre vessel was custom-built for the award-winning hospitality company, making its maiden voyage in 2017.

With two exceptionally spacious en-suite berths that accommodate four adults and two children, every detail of the yacht is designed to maximise a sense of luxury and space – from the expansive sun decks with plush daybeds and open-air Jacuzzi, to the glass-bottomed spa tub in the master suite.

Alongside the highly experienced captain and mechanic, the permanent crew also includes a dedicated Barefoot Butler, personal chef and wellness therapist to attend to guests’ every need.

From beach-side barbecues with the catch of the day, to deck-top dinners under the stars, the skilled chef prepares a personalised menu for every guest, for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between.

The wellness therapist is also a yoga and meditation expert, offering guests a choice of indulgent massages and wellbeing rituals, from sunrise yoga to meditation under the stars – whenever they choose.

Upon request, they can also be joined by an expert dive master, surf instructor, astronomer or a digital storyteller.

Every Soneva in Aqua itinerary is completely bespoke.

Voyages range from a half-day or full-day Soneva in Aqua cruise to five-day stay-aboard adventures, as well as multi-destination packages with combined stays at both Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, enabling guests to fully immerse themselves in Soneva’s luxurious Maldives experience.

Each voyage is fully tailored to guests’ desires, whether they prefer to explore remote islands and atolls, discover hidden surf breaks and secret dive sites, or simply relax with an on-deck massage under the stars.

The yacht’s itineraries take in some of the Maldives’ most spectacular locations, from the unique Rose Garden reef and Corbin wreck-site in the Goidhoo Atoll, to the unspoiled ecosystems of the Baa Atoll, rich in marine biodiversity.

Soneva is an award-winning sustainable luxury resorts operator that pioneered the concept of ‘barefoot luxury’ when it opened Soneva Fushi in the Maldives in 1995.

Today there are many imitators but no equals. Every Soneva resort is found in outstanding natural locations that are remote yet accessible.

Offering guests the luxury of space, privacy and seclusion, each resort is renowned for its exquisite private villa accommodation, one-of-a-kind experiences, memorable dining destinations and intuitive, personalised service.

For more information on Soneva in Aqua, please visit www.soneva.com/soneva-in-aqua.

Action

Noku Maldives strengthens reef protection through coral propagation

Published

on

Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection has announced the launch of its Coral Propagation Programme, a new reef enhancement initiative guided by the brand’s purpose-led pillar, Means for Good.

Set within the tranquil waters of Noonu Atoll, Noku Maldives is home to a naturally vibrant marine environment — and this programme reflects the resort’s long-term commitment to nurturing it with care, intention, and respect for the ocean that surrounds the island.

Supporting Natural Growth, One Fragment at a Time

At the heart of the initiative is a gentle and nature-led method using “fragments of opportunity” — naturally broken coral fragments that are collected and carefully secured onto coral frames to encourage healthy regrowth. These fragments are stabilised in an environment that supports their development, allowing new coral to establish and flourish over time.

Designed with both short-term progress and lasting impact in mind, the Coral Propagation Programme will monitor key indicators of success within its first year, including stronger, healthier coral growth and increased fish activity around the coral frames — a positive sign that biodiversity is thriving and marine life is naturally gathering around these new habitats.

Over time, the initiative aims to support the natural expansion of reef habitats by creating structured micro-environments that encourage marine life and contribute to the long-term resilience of the surrounding reef ecosystem.

A Wider Commitment to Ocean Stewardship

The Coral Propagation Programme forms part of Noku Maldives’ broader conservation focus — including the protection of one of the island’s most distinctive natural features: its lush and thriving seagrass meadows.

Unlike many destinations where seagrass is removed or covered, Noku Maldives has chosen to protect and celebrate this important ecosystem. As part of its participation in the Maldives Resilient Reef Industry Circle, the resort has pledged to safeguard at least 80% of its seagrass area, recognising its vital role in supporting marine biodiversity and strengthening environmental resilience.

Seagrass meadows are essential to the lagoon’s natural balance. They provide a nursery habitat for juvenile fish species, help stabilise sediment and reduce beach erosion, and are widely recognised as powerful natural carbon sinks — absorbing CO₂ up to 35 times faster than rainforests. Seagrass also plays a key role in supporting green sea turtles, who rely on it as a primary food source and can graze up to 2 kilograms per day.

Noku Maldives will continue ongoing seagrass monitoring through regular assessments of species composition, blade height, algae content, and ecosystem health markers measured across set quadrats. Of the eight seagrass species found in the Maldives, four have already been identified within the resort’s lagoon — a promising indicator of biodiversity and habitat richness.

A Stay That Leaves Something Behind

Through Means for Good, Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection invites guests to connect with the destination in a way that feels meaningful — where luxury is not only experienced, but thoughtfully shared with the place that makes it possible.

The Coral Propagation Programme is a step forward in ensuring that the island’s reefs, lagoon life, and underwater landscapes remain protected for generations to come — a living symbol of what happens when nature is given the space, care, and time to return.

For more information and reservations, please visit the hotel website or email us at noku.reservations@ihg.com.

Continue Reading

Action

Siyam World hosts Fernando Torres and Mark Noble for festive football camps

Published

on

Siyam World Maldives created the setting for two memorable football experiences during the festive season, as Fernando Torres and Mark Noble led a series of camps that transformed the holidays into shared moments of play, discovery and connection. With phones set aside and screens forgotten, more than fifty young players became fully absorbed in movement, laughter and island life.

Over two days, former World Cup winner Fernando Torres hosted an exclusive children’s football camp for resort guests, welcoming more than fifty players aged between four and fourteen. Mornings that began by the lagoon gradually shifted to the football pitch, as relaxed holiday routines evolved into informal training sessions filled with energy and enjoyment.

Torres, widely known as El Niño, brought the same enthusiasm that defined his career with Spain and Chelsea, tempered with humour and an easygoing approach suited to the island setting. He played alongside the children, encouraged the youngest participants and offered guidance without interrupting the sense of fun. One moment captured the tone of the camp when a four-year-old attempted to nutmeg him. The attempt failed, but the laughter that followed set the mood for the sessions that continued into the afternoon.

Torres remarked that children are less concerned with reputation than with the simple pleasure of playing the game, noting that this was when the experience felt most genuine. Parents observed from the sidelines as the sessions unfolded, gradually realising that the camp had become a highlight of their family holiday.

One guest, visiting from London, said the family had arrived for the sunshine and water park, and had not expected their eight-year-old to be playing football with a former World Cup winner. She added that her son had not removed his signed jersey since.

Earlier in December, Siyam World welcomed former West Ham United captain Mark Noble for a five-day football programme. Known for his long career and leadership at the club, Noble led daily sessions that focused on teamwork, simple technique and encouragement, exchanging formal settings for cones, drills and steady guidance.

By the end of the programme, the camp had taken on the character of an informal family memory rather than a structured course. For the children, it was several days of football. For parents, it became a defining moment of their stay, remembered through shared photographs, stories and moments that lingered beyond the holiday.

Together, the two camps reflected Siyam World Maldives’ growing emphasis on immersive, sport-led experiences, where internationally recognised athletes meet the informal rhythm of island life. The approach aims to create opportunities for families to connect through experiences that feel natural, joyful and quietly distinctive, adding another dimension to the resort’s family offering.

Continue Reading

Excursions

Discover Raa Atoll: Ifuru Island Maldives adds new dive packages for 2026

Published

on

Ifuru Island Maldives has introduced a new collection of curated dive packages, inviting guests to explore the exceptional underwater world of the Maldives through programmes designed for beginners, aspiring divers and certified enthusiasts alike.

Located in the pristine waters of Raa Atoll, Ifuru Island Maldives provides access to vibrant house reefs, calm lagoon conditions and several of the region’s most celebrated dive sites, including the renowned Ifuru Thila. The newly launched dive packages are crafted to combine professional training, guided exploration and the convenience of a premium island stay.

The collection begins with an introductory diving experience tailored for first-time divers seeking to discover the underwater world in a safe and relaxed setting. Guests undergo lagoon-based training before progressing to the house reef, offering an ideal entry point into scuba diving with no prior experience required.

For guests ready to advance further, the resort offers a globally recognised scuba certification course. Designed for confident swimmers and snorkellers, the programme includes professional instruction, open water dives and an internationally valid certification, opening access to dive destinations worldwide.

Certified divers can choose a three-day dive escape that highlights the best sites in Raa Atoll. Featuring guided morning dives across renowned locations, the experience showcases the atoll’s rich marine biodiversity, striking reef structures and clear waters.

“Diving is an essential part of the Maldivian experience, and we wanted to create a collection that feels both accessible and exceptional,” said Marcel Sawyer, General Manager of Ifuru Island Maldives. “Whether it marks a guest’s first dive or their next significant underwater journey, these packages are crafted to offer confidence, comfort and memorable experiences beneath the surface.”

All dive packages may be booked alongside the resort’s premium accommodation offerings, including the Exclusively Yours Premium All-Inclusive meal plan, daily resort touches, complimentary non-motorised water sports, snorkelling equipment and return domestic flight transfers for qualifying stays.

The dive packages are available for booking and travel throughout 2026 and must be confirmed ahead of arrival. Package rates apply in addition to accommodation and are subject to availability.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.