Featured
Light up this festive season at ‘Ignite your Soul’ festival at Nova Maldives

Escape winter this year at the new, Nova Maldives and get into the Christmas spirit with an exciting programme of magical events taking place at the resort’s ‘Ignite your Soul’ festival from 22 December 2022 to 6 January 2023. Each event is dedicated to reviving the soul – from tailored experiences to adrenaline-fuelled adventures.
Nova’s beautiful private island and its breezy villas are the ideal solutions to banishing any winter blues and the Nova’ elves have been busy creating some spectacular activities for Christmas and New Year for guests to enjoy. From fluorescent night snorkelling to sunrise yoga and from swimming with whale sharks on Christmas Day to dancing the night away and fireworks on New Year’s Eve. So let the feet wander, the eyes marvel and the soul ignite at Nova.
Once-in-a-lifetime aqua experiences
Dive into bucket-list adventures at Nova’s marine centre, Aquaholics, and discover what lies beneath the crystal blue waters around the resort. Experience the colourful marine life of the South Ari Atoll with Nova’s festive programme of events, including manta, turtle and dolphin quests, whale shark snorkelling tours, sunset fishing excursions, night scuba dives and coral gardening! For a truly personal adventure enjoy a private fluorescent night snorkelling excursion and experience the dark marine world in a whole new light or create happy memories on a sunset cruise on the beautiful Indian Ocean with the perfect bottle of Champagne.
A feast for the soul
Culinary connoisseurs are invited to nourish the soul by relishing in the fusion of authentic and global cuisines at Nova’s many restaurants including overwater traditional Maldivian dinners, cocktail receptions with DJ sessions on the beach and an elegant gala on Christmas Eve. Accompanied by live music under the stars and nostalgic festive activities such as a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Sandbank Sunset Party, Nova will set souls alight and ignite a lasting holiday spark right through to the New Year.
Soulful entertainment
While good soul days are a given at Nova throughout the year, the festive season is especially noteworthy as the days are filled with memorable moments designed to let the good times roll as the final days of 2022 approach. Enjoy live performances featuring an array of DJs and bands. From jazzy nights under the stars to captivating live music and funky pop; these soul-enriching performances invite everyone to grove along.
Other activities include themed soirees, ranging from disco nights and Latino dance parties complete with salsa lessons to poolside parties, fire shows and even a pop-up stall featuring the work of local craftsmen and artisans. For those looking for a cosy vibe, Nova offers movie nights under the stars.
Following the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, Nova invites guests to welcome in the New Year with a party at Wink, its vibrant beach bar, followed by a firework show where the celebrations will continue until sunrise with more festivities to come in the following days – guaranteeing an unforgettable way to start the new year.
Rejuvenating wellness
Awaken the spirit while rejuvenating mind, body and soul with Nova’s specially curated programme of wellness activities. Unwind with a sunrise yoga session, elevate mind and body and spirit with a massage workshop, relax into a signature spa treatment, participate in a sound healing session or make a head start on the New Year’s resolutions and join a group fitness class.
For more information about the festive season programme 2022/23 visit https://nova-maldives.com/nova-festival/
Featured
W Maldives to host ‘The Joy Rituals’ wellness programme in September 2025

W Maldives will introduce The Joy Rituals, a two-week wellbeing programme in collaboration with Happy Hormones Yoga founders Rajendra Kumar and Katrin Berger. Scheduled from 15 to 27 September 2025, the initiative will feature yoga, meditation, laughter, and sound healing sessions designed to encourage guests to reconnect with their inner energy while experiencing the natural surroundings of the Maldives.
The programme includes sunrise and sunset yoga, breathwork and meditation, laughter yoga, immersive sound healing, and lectures on health and happiness. Aqua Yoga in the lagoon and evening meditations under the stars will provide distinctive experiences. The schedule coincides with World Wellness Weekend, held from 19 to 21 September 2025, aligning the resort’s programme with global wellbeing initiatives.
Rajendra Kumar, a two-time world record holder and gold medallist in yoga, is recognised for his focus on laughter and presence in practice. His record for continuous laughter lasting three hours and 47 minutes reflects his approach to joy as a form of self-discovery. Katrin Berger, a certified yoga teacher, sound healer, and molecular biologist, integrates science and spiritual practice in her sessions, combining sound healing with yoga to encourage balance and connection.
Commenting on the collaboration, Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives, said, “At W Maldives, we are constantly looking for bold and inspiring ways to elevate the guest experience. The Joy Rituals with Happy Hormones Yoga brings a fresh dimension to wellness, blending the playful spirit of W with transformative practices. It is a chance for our guests to find balance, energy, and joy in one of the world’s most breathtaking settings.”
Rajendra Kumar added, “Yoga is not only about physical postures, it is about living fully, freely, and with a smile. Through The Joy Rituals, we want to remind people that laughter and joy are powerful tools for healing and awakening. Bringing this philosophy to W Maldives feels like the perfect match of spirit and setting.”
Katrin Berger also shared, “Our work is about creating harmony in both body and mind. With sound healing and yoga, guests can release tension, restore balance, and feel more present in their lives. At W Maldives, surrounded by nature and beauty, this experience becomes even more profound. We are thrilled to share The Joy Rituals with guests from around the world.”
Guests may book the Stay, Dine, and Fly package, which includes daily breakfast, a three-course dinner, and roundtrip seaplane transfers. The programme offers visitors an opportunity to engage in two weeks of movement, laughter, and wellness in a Maldivian island setting.yog
Excursions
Marine encounters: spinner dolphins at Canareef Resort Maldives

At Canareef Resort Maldives, one of the most popular experiences for guests is the dolphin tour. The abundant presence of dolphins in the surrounding waters ensures that each cruise offers a remarkable encounter with these marine creatures, creating lasting memories for visitors.
Every dolphin tour at Canareef provides an opportunity to observe pods of dolphins gliding and leaping across the waves. Guests often describe the sight of spinner dolphins darting through the clear ocean as a defining image of the Maldives’ natural marine beauty.
Morning cruises and sunset tours alike are guided by experienced staff, who share insights as dolphins appear in their natural environment. Many guests recount moments when dolphins swim alongside the boat, a spectacle that creates a unique sense of connection.
The activity is regarded as more than just an excursion; it is considered a celebration of nature and a highlight of a stay at Canareef. It allows guests to experience the Maldives in a way that underlines why dolphins are seen as ambassadors of the islands.
For travellers seeking encounters with dolphins amid turquoise waters, Canareef presents an ideal opportunity. The resort also offers seasonal promotions, including early booking discounts for the remainder of this summer, next winter, and summer 2026.
Featured
Maldives beaches rated among world’s best for rest and rejuvenation

Following a rise in searches for ‘calmcations’, long-haul travel specialists Travelbag have revealed the best destinations for a tranquil escape in 2025, with the Maldives named among the world’s most serene beachside getaways.
According to Travelbag, 72 per cent of British travellers go on holiday to relax and recharge, while 47 per cent seek experiences that help them feel more grounded and mindful. Searches for the term ‘calmcation’ – holidays focused on peace, quiet, and switching off – have doubled in the past three months, reflecting a growing shift away from busy itineraries towards more restorative travel.
To identify the most relaxing destinations, Travelbag analysed 36 global locations and ranked them against key serenity indicators, including noise and light pollution, cleanliness, the quality of green spaces, and local travel congestion.
Queenstown, New Zealand, secured first place as the world’s ultimate destination for tranquillity. Framed by the Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu, the town recorded exceptionally high scores for cleanliness (91.7) and quality of green spaces (94.4), alongside low levels of travel congestion and minimal noise and light pollution.
The Seychelles followed in second position, celebrated for its unspoiled natural beauty and exceptionally low noise and light pollution score of 16.7. Its islands, including La Digue, Praslin and Silhouette, remain havens of peace and natural charm.
Cairns, Australia, rounded out the top three, combining tropical serenity with well-maintained green spaces and an impressive cleanliness score of 69.6.
Also ranking among the top global destinations is the Maldives, long regarded as one of the world’s premier escapes for those seeking peace and seclusion. With its iconic turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and private island resorts, the country continues to attract travellers in search of restorative experiences.
According to Travelbag’s analysis, the Maldives achieved an impressive average beach rating of 4.63, placing it alongside the world’s leading beachside destinations. Beaches such as Bikini Beach, Baros Beach, and Reethi Beach were highlighted as examples of the country’s serene appeal.
Danny Hugill, Destination Executive for the Maldives at Travelbag, commented: “The Maldives is one of our most cherished destinations – an idyllic collection of tiny islands that offer unmatched opportunities to unwind. Long celebrated as a top honeymoon destination, it remains the ultimate place to escape, slow down, and enjoy the tranquillity of nature.”
The findings underline the Maldives’ continued appeal in a market increasingly shaped by wellness, mindfulness, and relaxation. While destinations such as New Zealand and the Seychelles excel in specific indicators of serenity, the Maldives’ unique combination of luxurious seclusion, natural beauty, and consistently high-rated beaches ensures its position as a global ‘calmcation’ favourite for 2025.
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