Featured
Vacay while the sun shines this summer in Maldives
Visiting the Maldives is always a good idea, particularly in the summer. One can soak in sunny blue skies and picture-perfect views with the many curated experiences by hotels across the islands. With alluring beaches, painted landscapes and tranquil shores it provides the space for a perfect summer vacation as one relaxes to the sound of the waves. Maldives is an ideal retreat in the summer with water sports activities that travelers of varied skill levels can enjoy such as snorkeling, parasailing, scuba diving, surfing and much more.
These resorts from Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio in Maldives are offering deals and experiences allowing travellers to choose from a variety of options between the curated multi-generational holiday packages at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, the luxury epic stay at W Maldives with one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, the family-friendly Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, and the wellness retreat at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort located at BAA Atoll – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site, as they step onto this secluded haven, surrounded by the endless blue of the Indian Ocean. Whether one is looking for the thrill of jetting underwater with a Seabob, snorkelling with the gentle giants of the sea, dining in unique settings or simply soaking up the sun and sand with endless shades of blue, these resorts all have something in store.
Savour the Endless at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
Located on Vagaru Island, Shaviyani Atoll, the luxurious five-star resort makes for a mesmerizing destination that focuses on holistic well-being and enriching, thoughtfully curated experiences. The resort features 60 beach and overwater villas, all with private pools, spacious wooden decks and a wide array of amenities with personalized Thakuru (Butler) service. Eclectic dining experiences are offered throughout the resort’s five dining venues, three full service bars, a wine room, which boasts of an impressive collection of 1,200 labels and private beach dinners. Traveling with children is now even easier with the FAMILY BY JW™ – Little Griffins Kids Club where the children can enjoy 100 exciting activities. As one of the largest kids club in the Maldives, the FAMILY BY JW™ – Little Griffins Kids Club has much to offer.
For this summer, guests can combine their getaway with a gastronomy adventure by opting for the all-inclusive package “Savour the Endless” and enjoy all the benefits of a luxury island stay, without a worry in the world. The indulgent package includes three meals a day, with unlimited beverages from the resort’s all-inclusive beverage list, served in all restaurants and bars. Dinner can be upgraded to a private dinner experience, set on the hotel’s stunning private beach, once during the stay and the package also offers discounts on the food bill when dining at signature restaurants, Hashi, which serves fine Japanese cuisine, and Shio, an overwater grill. The resort also features a wide variety of non-motorised water sports on offer included complimentary with the package, from Glass Kayaks for the ones who like to stay above the water, to snorkelling for those looking to explore the world below.

DETOX. RETOX. REPEAT. at W Maldives
Located in North Ari Atoll, W Maldives is a luxury private island resort, setting the stage to fuel the guests’ lust for life. The five-star resort is available for complete island buyout, allowing a group access to 77 private Escapes (Villas) located both on the beach and overwater – each with its own plunge pool and sundeck; six creative gourmet dining venues and lounge bars, overwater treatment rooms at AWAY ®️ Spa, and the world beneath the waves at DOWN UNDER with reef sharks, in one of the best house reefs in the Maldives for a quintessential escape. For those who would like to get the best of both island and ocean life, the luxurious two-cabin ESCAPE yacht is ready to sail for day-long adventures, private dive trips, sunset proposals, overnight excursions, or even for exclusive airport transfers. Whether one is overworked, under-slept or partied out, AWAY® Spa promises the outcome needed, in the time available, with the perks to get that glow on. The resort invites guests to keep their healthy routine or indulge as they have the option to do both and DETOX. RETOX. REPEAT.
W Maldives invites guests to an unforgettable adventure at sea with an exciting menu of experiences on offer above and below the azure blue waters of the Indian Ocean this summer. From big game fishing and night fishing to a unique night diving or night snorkelling experience, guests can explore the mesmerizing marine life. Giving visitors an aerial view of the island, taking off from the state-of-the-art parasailing boat, DREAM, guests can take to the skies and enjoy all the views. Additionally, perfect for the summer months, W Maldives invites guests to GET WET and cool down at their pool parties, with frozen cocktails at WET with DJ tracks to keep the beat up. The experience also includes a live grill and bites, along with the free flow of frozen cocktails, the ideal way to beat the heat!
W Maldives has your back with their all-inclusive package, WE GOT YOU COVERED! – the resort’s all-inclusive package that will take care of meal and beverage needs, breakfast through dinner, along with complimentary in-room W MIXBAR for non-alcoholic beverages, non-motorised activities and snorkelling gear, valid until January 10, 2023.

Break Away at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa
Located in North Male Atoll on the private Furanafushi Island, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa pays tribute to the island’s opulent and lush vegetation. The island is a haven, a hideout, enriched by private nooks, enchanting views, and manicured gardens. Easily accessible by a 15-minute scenic speedboat journey from Velana International Airport in Male, the resort is a preferred choice for those who favor convenient travel. Featuring seven restaurants and bars, two freshwater pools, a tennis court, a 24-hour gym and plenty of on-island activities including Sheraton’s signature Side-by-Side Family Program, the resort is the picturesque destination for honeymooners, families with young children or teens, and solo travellers alike.
This summer, guests can avail the all-inclusive offer which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and select beverages, daily use of snorkelling gear, paddleboards, kayaks and use of the tennis courts, along with complimentary round-trip speed boat transfers to Velana Airport and free Wi-Fi across the resort. One of many unique and thrilling watersports experiences offered at the resort includes Flyboarding that lets you experience the thrill of flying using jet propulsion powered by a watercraft. The resort also offers unique destination dining including Lagoon Lunch experiences, an ideal combination of sun & sea where guests can enjoy a hearty three-course lunch, barefoot in the calm, turquoise blue waters of the lagoon, and feel the water beneath their feet as they feast on sumptuous treats, and soak in the scenic views of their natural surroundings. The lunch on a sandbank is a quintessentially Maldivian, iconic experience, and by far one of the most popular dining excursions. Often featured on the covers of glossy editorials, this highly personalized trip is known to be the epitome of a true Maldivian vacation. The resort also welcomes guests to spend their afternoon with a long and relaxing picnic in a secluded location on the island, in their villa or on one of the lagoon islets.

Discover diverse Nature and Wildlife at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort
Nestled on a beautiful coral island of the BAA Atoll, the first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site in the Maldives, the five-star wellness resort is designed by award-winning architects PEIA Association from Italy, featuring 70 spacious villas, four restaurants and bars, the Heavenly Spa by Westin, the 24-hour WestinWORKOUT fitness center and the Westin Family. BAA Atoll is home to a handful of extraordinary and thriving reefs; home to no less than 250 species of vibrant coral and over 1,200 fish species; a bucket-list dream for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts.
This summer, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, located in Baa Atoll, offers guests the chance to get up-close-and-personal with manta rays at the world’s largest natural manta feeding destination with their Rendezvous with Manta Rays package which includes a Manta Ray snorkel trip, a turtle snorkel trip, one time scuba dive in the house reef and one time scuba dive in open water. Guests will have the rare opportunity to snorkel with the gentle giants at the protected site of Hanifaru Bay just 18 kms from the resort, which can attract more than 100 rays around the time of the full moon. With the season underway, guests can witness the spectacle first hand before the end of November or to plan ahead for the next season. Whilst guests regularly spot energetic and acrobatic spinner dolphins, particularly during cruises, there are also around 1,200 species of reef and reef-associated multi-coloured fish in the Baa Atoll region alone. Up to seven species of turtles can also be found nesting along the island’s pristine sandy beaches at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort and may, at times, include threatened and critically endangered species such as the green turtle and hawksbill turtle and leatherback turtle.

To know more about the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of resorts in Maldives click here. For more information, please visit www.marriott.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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