Featured
10 bucket list experiences to make your 2023 dream getaway in Maldives unforgettable

With more than a thousand splendid islands and the 26 coral atolls brimming with marine life, a dive into the unfathomable sea or sprawling across the sun-lounger on the powdery sand, the reasons to visit Maldives are unending. The destination lends itself seamlessly to suit all types of travellers from being a romantic hideaway, to a multi-generational getaway, for a best friends trip, to diving, a wellness retreat or even for the ones looking to go solo and these four resorts from Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio in the Maldives, give one a chance to tick off bucket-list things to do, in a bucket-list destination.
Experience a scenic seaplane or speedboat ride over the blues

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is located a swift 15-minute speedboat ride from Male International airport, while JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, W Maldives and The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort offer guests the chance to get on a seaplane and fly above the iconic shades of blue of the Maldives. Whether one chooses to soar in the skies, or ride the waves getting to these private island resorts is an experience to remember in itself.
Stay overwater

Ever dreamt of waking up to the sounds of the sea and nothing but sights of endless blue ocean around you? That could be your reality at these resorts from Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio in the Maldives. Pick from the Duplex Overwater Pool Villa at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa with two levels of luxury or the WOW Ocean Haven at W Maldives with two bedrooms, an oversized plunge pool and an overwater hammock. The Overwater Villas at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort boast a large glass floor in the main living space that provide a viewing area to admire the diverse Maldivian marine life below while the Water Bungalows at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa provide an intimate deck to soak in romantic sunsets with your loved one.
Snorkel with turtles, swim with whale sharks, freedive with mantas

W Maldives sits above one of the best house reefs in the Maldives. The heart-shaped luxury playground is home to hundreds of species of marine life ready to be explored. Accessible from anywhere on the resort, one can jump in with snorkelling gear at any time and have the adventure of a lifetime by swimming with reef sharks and turtles just outside their villas, an experience they will never forget. For those looking to venture into deeper waters the diving and watersports center DOWN UNDER & WAVE offers a myriad of water activities and excursions, including the opportunity to swim with Whale Sharks! The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, located in Baa Atoll, the first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives, presents guests the chance to get up-close-and-personal with manta rays at the world’s largest natural manta feeding destination. Guests have the rare opportunity to snorkel with the gentle giants at the protected site of Hanifaru Bay just 18 kilometres from the resort, which can attract more than 100 rays around the time of the full moon, between June to October. Up to seven species of turtles can also be found nesting along the island’s pristine sandy beaches and may, at times, include threatened and critically endangered species such as the green turtle, hawksbill turtle and leatherback turtle.
Start your day with floating breakfast

An insta-worthy moment that one can never get enough of is a beautifully set up breakfast – not in bed, but in the pool! Each having villas with private pools, Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of resorts in the Maldives give guests the ultimate in luxury and indulgence with lavish floating breakfast experiences, with a touch of colour, and a splash of fun.
Indulge in an overwater spa treatment

It’s all about seascapes and relaxation when it comes to the Maldives, and a spa experience here is definitely a not-to-miss. The Heavenly Spa at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort exudes an intimate and serene ambience that allows guests to reflect on their destination with panoramic views of the ocean, while Spa by JW at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa is a tropical sanctuary where luxury and indulgence blend seamlessly offering a range of therapies inspired by some of the world’s most ancient practices to ensure wellbeing in mind, body, and spirit.
Travel with a purpose: Adopt coral, go coral

Marriott International’s Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy program aspires to shift the way vacations are perceived – from pure leisure to a value-adding opportunity that allows travellers to explore and build deeper connections in local communities. The Adopt a Coral initiative at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa invites guests to participate in a fun and interactive coral-fragment plantation activity in an effort to promote reef habitats and generate new coral. The activity is led by experts and offers a hands-on experience to participants while also providing an alternative business to the 250 inhabitants whose sole previous source of employment was fishing. The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort offers guests an experience to be able to contribute meaningfully to the community by promoting the traditional art of lacquer to travellers coming to the Maldives, making it profitable and helping to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Liyelaa Jehun (art of lacquer) for future generations with an interactive workshop with local lacquer workers, to learn the art and help preserve one of the oldest traditional crafts in the Maldives.
Cherish memorable family moments

Traveling with children is now even easier with the FAMiLY BY JW™ Little Griffins Kids Club at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa where children can enjoy 100 exciting activities. Families can partake in activities such as FAMiLY Pizza Making, Scavenger Hunt & Treasure Opening, Hide & Seek, Movie Nights at the Pirate Ship, and many more such weekly activities, which feature both indoor and outdoor options. Family vacation goals are all about creating memories and Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa makes them easier than ever with the paradise island’s own Sheraton Side by Side Family Programme.
Gastronomical delights

With each resort offering a unique setting and a wide array of destination dining experiences curated based on cuisines, locations and occasions, one can prepare to sink their feet into pristine sand and relish a romantic private barbecue dinner on the beach, or enjoy a family movie night under the stars by the ocean or even sail out and escape on a boat for sunset cocktails. A unique and culturally significant experience offered at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa includes a private ‘Malafaaiy Dinner’ served on a stunning beach location where signature Maldivian dishes are carried to the table along with local drummers, singing, dancing and clapping to native songs, guests are also invited to join in the fun. Apart from six creative gourmet dining venues and lounge bars, the destination dining options at W Maldives range from a private dinner at the beach or coral terrace and barbecue dinners with a private chef, to experiences aboard the yacht, ESCAPE, or at Gaathafushi, a private castaway island that’s just a stone’s throw away from the resort.
Rekindle romance with custom engraved wooden plate or underwater

Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of resorts in the Maldives present the ideal backdrop and setting to celebrate love and unique experiences to make an escape here truly magical. Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa boasts a “Honeymoon Garden”, a special garden to commemorate the love and commitment between two individuals. Honeymooners are exclusively invited by the resort’s General Manager to an evening cocktail event every Tuesday and Friday, eternalising their name on a custom engraved wooden plate that is then ceremoniously hanging to the proud standing tree in the garden. Couples who are looking for a creative way to amplify their wedding vows, can dive into romance at W Maldives. The resort, which sits upon one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, offers ‘Deep Love’ – an underwater wedding package with a backdrop that is unmatchable – submerged in a heart-shaped paradise, surrounded by reef sharks and turtles for an experience one will never forget, and all while wearing traditional attires, if guests choose to.
Sail out into the sunset

Guests can get sailing and experience the Maldives at it’s best – in the middle of the ocean with nothing but endless blues and stunning sunsets to keep you company. Go fishing in a traditional Maldivian Dhoni boat, or chase a pod of dolphins – a memory for a lifetime. Take an excursion to a nearby island for an untouched snorkelling experience or just enjoy a luxury yacht cruise and toast to magnificent sunsets.
To know more about the Marriott Bonvoy Portfolio of resorts in Maldives click here. For more information, please visit www.marriott.com
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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