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Embracing 12 months in the Circle of Island Life: The Ritz-Carlton Maldives Fari Islands celebrates first anniversary
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands has hosted a blissful celebration of island life as the resort marks its first anniversary in the paradise of Fari Islands. In a year introducing the Indian Ocean to a unique resort destination, the celebrations began with recently appointed General Manager, Renato De Oliveira at the helm, and in the hands of the Ladies and Gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton, Fari Islands.
Twelve Poses of Yoga Circle
A pose for each month in the circle of life of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, 12 guests experienced an hour of energising yoga to prepare them mind, body and soul, for the celebrations ahead. This deep practice took place in the resort’s Mystique Garden at the foot of its 98-foot-tall banyan tree, planted in memory of the late great architect of the resort, Kerry Hill.
Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Programme
For both adults and children over fourteen, marine biologists trained by world-renowned oceanographic explorer, and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau, took up to 30 guests on a journey through the resort’s Ambassadors of the Environment Programme, exclusive to The Ritz-Carlton, and unique to the Indian Ocean. Guests observed marine life on the outer reef of the Atoll, using a flying drone operated by the team and forming part of a unique research programme to conserve the region’s waters. The session shared insights in to recent turtle rescue operations and the resort’s new Coral Regeneration Experience, inviting guests to create frames for new coral reef nurseries with organic clay.

12 Minute Spa Experience
A minute of bliss for every month of the resort’s first year, each guest was invited to the design masterpiece spa over the sparkling ocean lagoon, for a complimentary treatment to celebrate. Expert therapists guided guests in to a state of bliss with an express treatment incorporating the natural indulgence of organic Bamford products.
Embrace Island Quest
In a fun and engaging experience for all ages, guests explored every inch of the resort’s island paradise in a discovery tour testing observational and problem-solving skills. This made sure the little grey cells stay sharp while exploring the haven of Fari Islands, from gardens, lagoons to sandbanks.
MasterChef Cooking Class
For up to 10 guests the resort’s LA LOCANDA sets the scene for an unforgettable culinary journey through the senses. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands’ Chefs de Cuisine hosted an exclusive celebratory cooking class inspired by the global influences served across the resort’s seven restaurants. Guests learned how to prepare: Lebanese flavours by Chef Mohamed from Arabesque, Alaskan Crab Leg Tempura with Japanese Sweet and Sour by Chef Andrei from IWAU, Black Truffle Wagyu Beef with Asparagus and Cantonese flavours by Chef Franco form the Summer Pavilion, and a variety of desserts by local award-winning, Chef Aminath, including, Kiru Boakiba (Maldivian coconut pudding) and Dhonkeyo Kaju (Banana Fritters).
Anniversary Celebration Under the Ocean
Plugging in to nature is essential at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands and below the crystal waters is a good place to start. The celebrations took guests on a special journey led by Dive Butler to explore the reefs and marine life surrounding the resort. With options to snorkel or scuba dive this was a unique opportunity to celebrate and capture unforgettable #RCMemories.

Coral Regeneration Experience with Coral Ceramics Snorkel
The resort’s marine biologists invited up to 10 guests to experience one of the Fari Islands’ many environmental projects. Escorted by boat to the new coral nurseries surrounding the islands, guests observed the planting of ceramic coral frames made by guests, working to preserve one of the most enchanting and diverse coral reef systems in the world.
Art Collection Tour
Led by the Ladies and Gentlemen of the resort, an insightful art tour invited up to 10 guests to explore the islands’ curated art collection. From the pieces found in every villa to the colourful mural located inside Ritz Kids.
Ritz Kids Night Out
Junior guests aged four-12 enjoyed a celebratory evening in the Ritz Kids Club, a futuristic indoor-outdoor space with playgrounds, napping pods, an area for video games and movies, and a pool with slides and jets. With its daily programme based on the four pillars of land, water, environmental responsibility and culture and a regular schedule of activities including sports, arts, crafts and cooking classes, the big night out included hours of games, activities and a movie to keep little minds buzzing.
Anniversary Cocktail and Dinner
With sand between toes and relaxing vibes, the pinnacle of the celebrations invite guests to gather for a toast at the elegant yet laid-back Beach Shack. The celebrations commence with a complimentary cocktail, including a Sangu sundowner, before the skies drop a blanket of stars in time to indulge in a lavish buffet, serving flavours from across the globe.

The property is ideally located at Fari Islands, in the North Malé Atoll of the Maldives, which is a 45- minute journey by speedboat or a 10-minute seaplane flight from Malé International Airport. The resort features white sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons and coral reefs with marine life. Shaped by the Maldivian sun and shored by the Indian Ocean, guest villas at The Ritz Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands range in size from one to three bedrooms. The legendary service is refined by an Aris Meeha, island butler that define The Ritz-Carlton brand. The property offers a choice of outstanding culinary venues serving an array of international and local cuisines, in addition to a full suite of fitness and recreational facilities including Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassador of the Environment programme and a signature Ritz-Carlton Spa featuring Bamford amenities. Spaces have been designed by the renowned Kerry Hill Architects, to bring about a delicate balance of serene and social.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives is part of Fari Islands, an archipelago that features three world-class hospitality brands inclusive of The Ritz-Carlton. Guests have access to a picturesque Fari Marina – the archipelago’s communal beating heart. Built around a vibrant Beach Club, Fari Marina features charming boutiques and a handpicked selection of dining options.
For more information on The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands and reservations enquiries, please visit ritzcarlton.com/Maldives
Featured
Milaidhoo Maldives introduces high-end wellness residency led by Dr Lim Xiang Jun
Milaidhoo, an intimate island retreat located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, has announced a once-in-a-season wellness residency with internationally renowned integrative medicine specialist Dr Lim Xiang Jun, taking place from 22 to 28 February 2026.
For the first time, guests will have the opportunity to experience Dr Lim’s integrative approach to wellbeing in a private island setting. The founder of a leading modern Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice in Singapore, Dr Lim brings more than 20 years of experience and a rare mastery of both Eastern and Western healing traditions, including acupuncture, TCM, energy medicine, yoga, Ayurveda, meditation and metaphysics Bazi astrology.
During her residency, Dr Lim will offer bespoke one-on-one consultations and signature therapies aimed at restoring vitality, balancing energy and supporting transformation of mind, body and spirit. Guests will have access to her globally recognised treatments, including facial acupuncture, gua sha, reflexology and Chi Nei Tsang, as well as immersive sessions in meditation, qigong, yoga, sound healing and energy therapy. The residency’s distinctiveness lies in its integration of ancient wisdom, modern clinical practice and metaphysical insight, creating a personalised journey for every guest.
“Milaidhoo is an ideal sanctuary for guests seeking to reset, recharge and reconnect with themselves,” said Paul van Frank, General Manager of Milaidhoo. “By pairing the island’s serene, barefoot elegance with Dr Lim’s transformative expertise, this residency delivers an experience that is intimate, exceptional and truly unique.”
Dr Lim Xiang Jun added: “I am honoured to bring my holistic practices to Milaidhoo Maldives for the first time. The island’s natural tranquillity and energy provide an ideal environment for guests to embark on a personalised wellbeing journey. I look forward to guiding each guest through integrative traditional therapies, meditation and energy healing to help them reconnect with their vitality.”
With a limited number of consultations and treatments available, the residency is designed for guests seeking a holistic reset and a deeply personalised wellness experience within Milaidhoo’s peaceful island surroundings.
Guests wishing to secure their stay for this exclusive residency may visit the resort’s Special Offers page to reserve their wellness journey.
Featured
Year of the Horse celebrated with island-inspired festivities at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is inviting guests and visitors to welcome the Lunar New Year with a curated programme of celebrations from 16 to 19 February 2026, marking the Year of the Horse through cultural performances, signature dining experiences, wellness rituals and family-focused festivities.
Set against the natural beauty of Raa Atoll, the resort’s Lunar New Year programme blends cultural tradition with contemporary island living, offering moments of togetherness, creativity and indulgence across the four-day celebration.
Festivities begin on 16 February with a Lunar New Year Cocktail at Café Umi Beach, followed by the resort’s signature Lunar New Year Gala Beach Dinner. This elegant evening will include festive dishes, fresh seafood and live performances such as a Lion Dance and Fire Show under the Maldivian night sky.
Culinary experiences form the core of the programme, with themed dinners and tastings crafted to reflect the spirit of the season. Highlights include wine-led dining journeys, a reunion dinner, a seafood-focused evening at Fish Market and an Asian BBQ pop-up buffet, offering guests meaningful opportunities to come together and celebrate through food.
Wellness will also feature prominently, with restorative experiences encouraging balance and renewal. Guests may enjoy signature spa rituals inspired by local traditions, immersive sound healing sessions and energising fitness activities. A visiting integrative somatic practitioner will be present throughout the festive period to support mind-body wellbeing.
Daily entertainment and cultural performances will enrich the celebrations, including ribbon and fan dances, umbrella performances, fire shows and a full day dedicated to Olympic-style island games suitable for all ages. Younger guests will have access to creative workshops, festive crafts and outdoor activities, while art enthusiasts may join resin art sessions led by the resort’s resident artist.
In addition, the resort will offer relaxed seasonal experiences available throughout the festival period, such as a Lunar New Year signature cocktail and shisha offerings at select venues, allowing guests to enjoy the celebrations at a leisurely pace.
With its combination of cultural expression, refined dining, wellness and island-inspired entertainment, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort’s Lunar New Year celebrations promise a meaningful and memorable beginning to the Year of the Horse.
Featured
New era in reef conservation: Six Senses Kanuhura launches data-led Coral Census
Six Senses Kanuhura has announced a pioneering initiative that positions the resort at the forefront of marine conservation in the Maldives: the Kanuhura Coral Census, the world’s first long-term, 3D reef-monitoring programme implemented by a resort. Developed in collaboration with leading scientists from Newcastle University and University College London (UCL), this advanced methodology delivers an unprecedented level of accuracy, data integrity and ecological insight. The launch arrives at a critical moment, as global research indicates that up to 90% of the world’s coral reefs could be lost by 2050.
For decades, coral-reef monitoring worldwide has relied on clipboards, tape measures and diver observations—methods that, while valuable, only capture small portions of a reef and leave significant gaps. Traditional surveys remain slow, highly subjective and limited in scale, typically assessing less than 0.01% of any given site.
The Kanuhura Coral Census removes these long-standing limitations. Using 3D modelling and advanced AI analysis techniques, including Gaussian splatting, the system maps more than 100 square metres of reef at each site, capturing detail down to half a millimetre. The result is a hyper-accurate, fully repeatable digital reconstruction of the reef—something no other resort has achieved to date.
The new methodology resolves the constraints of conventional surveys in several transformative ways:
- Large-scale digital reef mapping: Entire reef sections are recorded in ultra-high resolution instead of limited snapshots.
- Rapid fieldwork: Only 20 minutes of diving is required to collect all images needed for each 3D model.
- Removal of human bias: AI-driven analysis ensures consistent, objective coral data regardless of the researcher.
- Unmatched ecological detail: Indicators such as rugosity, coral-canopy height, overhangs and habitat complexity—often overlooked in traditional surveys—are fully captured.
- Perfect repeatability: The same reef sections can be re-surveyed every few months, producing the Maldives’ most accurate time-series coral dataset.
- Visual storytelling: Immersive 3D models allow clear communication with guests, researchers and the public, transforming scientific data into intuitive visual insights.
Alicia Graham, General Manager of Six Senses Kanuhura, said: “The Kanuhura Coral Census represents a major step forward for reef science within the hospitality sector. By introducing advanced reef mapping, we are not only elevating how reefs are monitored but redefining what is possible. It allows us to track the smallest changes with scientific precision, share findings transparently and make data-driven decisions that directly support reef recovery. This project signals a new era of accountable and impact-driven conservation for the Maldives.”
The long-term objective of the Kanuhura Coral Census is to develop a next-generation restoration programme that moves away from traditional metal frames and towards sustainable, ecologically informed solutions. With highly detailed insights into which corals are thriving, struggling, recruiting or bleaching—and where—Six Senses Kanuhura will design a restoration blueprint that sets a new benchmark for the region.
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