Featured
By Atmosphere, Colours of OBLU offer unrivalled Maldives holiday plans

By Atmosphere and Colours of OBLU, portfolio companies of Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts (AH&R), are offering premium plans in the Maldives for a hassle-free holiday and include accommodation, dining and activities – all in one package.
Explore, dive in, and experience an array of Maldives excursions such as sunrise yoga by the pool, enjoy a Bodu Beru performance, or relax with a sundowner as you watch the sunset views. For something more adventurous, live the life aquatic with a dip into the lagoon and snorkel around the house reef while being inspired by the hues of a Maldivian sunset out in the sea. All this while your children enjoy the safe monitored play areas at the resorts with expert caretakers and babysitters.
You can also venture out into the sea with the resorts’ private cruises and enjoy the exhilaration of water sports with your family. Myriad memorable experiences await your delight at the By Atmosphere and Colours of OBLU resorts.
OBLU SELECT Lobigili
Perfectly put together for intimate escapes, OBLU SELECT Lobigili offers best of both worlds. Find thrills in blissfully natural surroundings and share romantic ‘us time’ on a magical sunset cruise into the Indian Ocean.
Settle into an intimate private cinema screening on the white, sandy beach under a starlit sky, with candles and torches creating a magical cocoon or snuggle into comfy bean bags by a beach bonfire set up in a perfectly secluded corner of the beach. Couples can get a romantic photoshoot done at the resort to create a timeless, enduring reminder of cherished moments spent at the island of love.
OBLU SELECT Sangeli
Experience adventures and activities which make your stay on Sangeli island vibrant. Starting with yoga by the beach to live musical performances, there are exciting daily activities and entertainment to keep you spirited. Guests have unlimited access to the resort’s scenic gymnasium with dreamy, turquoise lagoon views where weekly and seasonal group activities like yoga, aerobics, pilates, and more are organised. Besides these, themed nights, events, and other festivities happen all year round.
OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi
Take a night cruise into the majestic Indian Ocean – just for the two of you. The scene is one of magic and enchantment as moonlight shimmers over the waves. You can also watch the distinctive Maldivian hues of blues and turquoise transform into romantic red, pink, purple, and deep orange as you float across the sea in a dhoni. Fishing enthusiasts can try local line fishing aboard a traditional wooden Dhoni against spectacular tropical views and experience the classic sport.
OBLU NATURE Helengeli
With its island-inspired, bohemia vibe, Helengeli island is a favourite spot for divers and marine life enthusiasts along with being a top location among the best resorts for snorkelling in the Maldives. Brimming with an array of the best water sports in Maldives, the resort is undoubtedly the perfect destination for water lovers. Explore the underwater wonders with SSI and PADI courses and ocean excursions that suit all abilities and interests or kayak over crystal clear waters, zip across the lagoon on jet skis, and just float and soak in the golden sunshine. There’s an array of water-sports options, both motorised and non-motorised, to choose from.
Atmosphere Kanifushi
Atmosphere Kanifushi offers the perfect health and wellness getaway this summer. Surrounded by tall palm trees and a lush garden overlooking the Indian Ocean is the resort’s tranquil Akiri Spa by Mandara. The holistically focused spa menu features a range of treatments fusing spa traditions from India, Bali, Hawaii, and Thailand. Choose from a host of nourishing spa treatments, such as Ayurveda therapies, signature Mandara body and facial treatments, and body scrubs. Besides the spa, you can relish creative and delectable gourmet vegetarian dishes at the Just Veg restaurant – where even the most committed meat lovers sing praises of the vegetarian and vegan dishes served.
VARU By Atmosphere
VARU by Atmosphere is a five-star resort nestled in the pristine Indian Ocean which is accessible in under 40-minutes via speed boat. Adventures for families are aplenty here with non-motorised water sports such as windsurfing, stand-up paddle-boarding, and jet-skiing among others on offer. Art and craft workshops such as photo frame making, straw rocket art, clay art and recycle art, special Maldivian craft sessions, movie screenings, dancing, party games, fitness activities, sandcastle building, children’s yoga, children’s themed parties, and DJ nights are on offer for young adults at the resort.
Culture
Milaidhoo Maldives invites guests to discover real island living in Kihadhoo

Milaidhoo Maldives, a boutique luxury resort situated within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, has unveiled its latest signature offering – the Local Island Tour – a meaningful and intimate cultural experience that provides guests with a genuine insight into everyday life in the Maldives.
Nestled amidst the natural splendour of Baa Atoll, celebrated for its vibrant marine biodiversity and unspoilt local islands, this new experience extends beyond the boundaries of the resort. Guests are invited to journey just 15 minutes by boat to Kihadhoo, a serene and authentic island where tradition, community and simplicity remain firmly embedded in daily life.
Upon arrival, visitors are immersed not only in a new landscape but in a slower, more deliberate way of life. Much like the ethos of Milaidhoo, where barefoot luxury is designed to encourage presence and connection, Kihadhoo exudes its own quiet charm – a lifestyle shaped by nature, calm and community. Along its sandy paths, occasionally crossed by a scooter or two, time appears to slow down. It is a place grounded in authenticity and understated beauty.
The experience is personally guided by Ali “CR” Niushad, a Kihadhoo native and esteemed member of the Milaidhoo team. Acting as both host and storyteller, CR offers guests the rare opportunity to experience the island not as tourists, but as warmly welcomed friends. The visit begins with a traditional greeting from local flower girls dressed in Maldivian attire, setting the tone for an encounter steeped in culture and sincerity.
As the tour unfolds, guests are met with the everyday sights and sounds of the island: children waving in the distance, neighbours exchanging greetings, the rhythmic sweep of a broom, the gentle clatter of cooking utensils, and women gathered in joali seats, softly conversing in the afternoon light. A walk through Kihadhoo reveals vividly painted doors on homes – reminiscent of the colourful doors of Milaidhoo’s own villas – reflecting the island’s quiet charm and creative spirit.
This is not a traditional sightseeing excursion; it is an immersion into the heartbeat of island life. Guests enjoy fresh coconuts at a small, family-run café, visit the local school and community centres, and spend time in CR’s family home, sharing stories and perspectives. Each moment is organic, heartfelt, and grounded in sincere human connection.
In an era where travellers increasingly seek meaningful and mindful experiences, Milaidhoo’s Local Island Tour captures the spirit of slow travel: an invitation to pause, observe, and engage with respect and curiosity.
Experience Highlights:
- Price: USD 95++ per person (minimum of four guests)
- Inclusions: Return boat transfers, traditional island welcome, guided walk with CR, refreshments (fresh juice or coconut), visits to village landmarks, and a selection of homemade Maldivian snacks with tea or coffee
While Milaidhoo offers refined barefoot luxury that nurtures a sense of inner calm, Kihadhoo presents the soulful essence of Maldivian island life. Together, they create a compelling contrast – sanctuary and simplicity, elegance and authenticity.
This experience is more than a cultural outing. It is a return to the original purpose of travel: to connect, to learn, and to be changed in quiet, unforgettable ways.
Cooking
From garden to gourmet: Dusit Thani Maldives celebrates local, responsible cuisine

Widely recognised as a premier luxury resort in the Maldives, Dusit Thani Maldives is redefining the concept of sustainable dining. Central to the resort’s culinary ethos is a strong commitment to sourcing ingredients locally and responsibly, crafting exceptional, globally inspired dishes that reflect the natural abundance of the Maldivian archipelago.
Located just a short stroll from the resort’s kitchens, the organic Chef’s Garden thrives with fragrant herbs, edible flowers, vegetables, and fruits. Ingredients such as lemongrass, basil, papaya, and chillies are carefully hand-harvested at peak ripeness, ensuring that vibrant flavour and freshness are brought directly to the plate.
All fish featured on the resort’s menus is sustainably sourced from within the Maldives, provided by local fishermen who utilise traditional, low-impact fishing techniques. Wherever possible, produce is also procured from Maldivian farmers—an approach that supports island communities, reduces carbon emissions, and celebrates the rich biodiversity of the atolls.
“Our approach is rooted in a respect for the land and sea,” explains Executive Chef Olivier Portret. “Every dish reflects the story of the Maldives—not just its flavours, but its culture and its people. We want guests to experience something truly meaningful with every bite.”
Guests can enjoy these thoughtfully sourced ingredients across a variety of dining experiences, from fine Thai cuisine at Benjarong, to freshly grilled seafood served al fresco at Sea Grill, or even through interactive cooking classes led by the resort’s culinary team.
Through this garden-to-table philosophy, Dusit Thani Maldives offers more than exceptional cuisine—it fosters a deeper connection to place, purpose, and the planet. This commitment not only sets the resort apart as one of the finest in the Maldives, but also as a destination where sustainability and luxury exist in perfect harmony.
Action
Ocean, culture, community: sustainable celebrations at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru & Dhawa Ihuru

Single-use plastics continue to pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, with over 11 million metric tonnes entering the oceans each year. Since the Banyan Group began its efforts to eliminate single-use plastics in 2018, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru have led the way within the group—achieving a 75% reduction in plastic use, the highest rate across all properties.
This July, guests are invited to participate in a series of sustainability-focused activities designed to create meaningful impact:
- 12 July: A community clean-up in Malé City in collaboration with CLEAN Maldives, bringing together locals, guests, and team members to reduce marine waste in urban environments.
- 19 & 26 July: Marine litter snorkelling clean-ups around the house reef, removing plastic debris while protecting marine life and habitats.
- 29 July: A recycled arts and crafts workshop at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in partnership with Feyran Craft House, transforming collected plastic into handcrafted artworks.
These efforts support the Banyan Group’s ‘Brand for Good’ sustainability targets, which include the complete elimination of guest-facing single-use plastics by 2025 and full elimination across operations by 2030.
Taking place at Dhawa Ihuru—recognised for having one of the best house reefs in the Maldives (Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2025)—the Rannamaari Dive Fest invites divers and marine enthusiasts to explore the famed Rannamaari Shipwreck, located just metres from the shoreline.
This immersive day features:
- Guided dives to the shipwreck
- Underwater treasure hunts
- Marine conservation talks
- Cultural experiences including local arts and crafts, Maldivian cooking classes, and spa rituals
The event pays tribute to the vibrant marine ecosystem that defines Dhawa Ihuru as a premier dive destination.
Observed on 26 July, Maldivian Independence Day commemorates the country’s emergence as a sovereign island nation. In celebration of this historic occasion, both Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Dhawa Ihuru have curated three days of experiences rooted in national pride, community, and tradition.
- 26 July: Guests may participate in a symbolic swim across the channel connecting the two islands, representing unity and freedom. The day continues with a Maldivian Culture Talk exploring traditions, language, and the significance of Independence Day, followed by a traditional Bodu Beru performance and beach bonfire under the stars.
- 26–28 July: Three days of beachside “Fun Olympic Games” celebrate island spirit through friendly competition and laughter.
- 25–31 July: Special dive and water sports promotions of up to 30% will be available. Offers include signature experiences such as diving the Rannamaari Shipwreck and snorkelling excursions with nurse sharks and stingrays.
The July programming forms part of the lead-up to Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru’s official 30th anniversary in September 2025. Each initiative reflects the resort’s founding philosophy: Embracing the Environment, Empowering People. Guests are invited to reconnect with nature, engage with Maldivian culture, and experience the true spirit of the Original Maldives.
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