News
JOALI celebrates Global Wellness Day with local island events
In celebration of Global Wellness Day on 10 June, JOALI BEING – the first wellbeing island of its kind on the pristine isle of Bodufushi in Raa Atoll, Maldives – and JOALI Maldives – the first art-immersive resort in the Maldives on neighbouring Muravandhoo Island – celebrated with an exciting programme of events, aimed at bringing together guests and locals at each resort in celebration of the wellness community around the world.
In honour of this year’s official theme, #DanceMagenta, movement was at the heart of the experiences along with community – ‘celebrating the joy of connection’.
JOALI BEING
Redefining the meaning of wellbeing getaways, the island is home to unique transformative spaces – including hydrotherapy, movement and sound healing treatments – to nourish guests and give them a new sense of ‘weightlessness’.
Global Wellness Day featured an exciting array of events with transformation — and dance – at the heart of it.
- Dynamic Run and Dance – In rhythm to traditional Boduberu drums and a live DJ where guests could move to Chi-Flow on the sand
- JOALI BEING’s state-of-the-art Discovery Sound Path took guests on a Movement Meditation Journey through walking meditation whilst enveloped by the healing vibrations of musical instruments
- The Steps Aerobics Class offered a joyful blend of cardio and music
- Honouring all aspects of wellbeing, a healthy cooking class with the resort’s top chefs helped guests prepare nourishing, delicious dishes — from selecting the right ingredients, to using intelligent cooking techniques in the dedicated Culinary Learning Centre
- Aquatic Motion – fusing movement, live music and water in the main swimming pool
- For those looking for a slower paced experience, Sunset Yoga at MOJO Beach was the perfect alternative
- And finally, guests danced the night away at Chakra Dance in the scenic Ocean Sala
At the core of JOALI BEING is modern science and long-honoured traditions aimed at guiding guests on a journey of self-discovery and renewal. A dedicated expert team of naturopaths, therapists and movement experts aims to work with guests every step of the way to help set intentions, nurture and co-create moments of ‘wonder and transcendence.’
The Four Pillars of JOALI BEING include:
- MIND: Cultivate contentment and peace of mind through sound therapy and mind and body practices
- SKIN: Illuminate the skin with rejuvenating therapies that draw equally from timeless rituals and the world’s most advanced research
- MIRCOBIOME: Form a deeper understand of the connection between body, mind and nutrition while building eating habits around the body’s circadian rhythm
- ENERGY: Rebalance the nervous system and optimise energy flow through intelligent movement practices and restorative therapies
JOALI Maldives
The ‘Island of Joy’ brought an exciting blend of art, dance and learning to the mix with its programming this year, including:
- The JOALI Community Challenge – bringing dance to the forefront, the event encouraged guests to dance and run together
- At the Spa Pavilion, Movement Meditation took place with JOALI’s expert practitioner at the helm
- Aqua Jogging – a great way to improve your cardiovascular fitness and running form – was also on offer
- A Detox Drinks Workshop gives guests top tips in making their own health cleansing drinks
A Brand Rooted in Community
JOALI is committed to engaging with and empowering local communities. Since its arrival in the Maldives, the luxury lifestyle and hospitality brand has demonstrated this commitment in a variety of meaningful ways. The team has partnered with Maldivian organisations to aid the training of girls in local schools; provide hospitality internships for aspiring candidates; and conduct virtual educational sessions for local university students.







This year, in honour of community, JOALI created a memorable evening at Raa Maakurathu, a local island in Raa Atoll. Dedicated to living well, the community event featured an Island Walk and a Community Dance, inspired by #DanceMagenta. There was also a Kids’ Evening, including marine biology activities, exciting games and healthy food and drinks for young explorers.
“The community aspect was crucial for us here at JOALI because we truly believe in equality. We wanted to create a day where we could bring people together – uniting guests from both islands plus visiting other island communities – to focus on their wellbeing with the belief that: one inspirational day really can change your whole perspective. We want to try and collaborate with as many Maldivian island communities as possible and see how they have been inspired by Global Wellness Day and how it has impacted their day-to-day lives,” said Ozgiir Cengiz, General Manager of JOALI BEING.
“Our hope is that our communities take learnings from Wellness Day and they wake up every day and choose their joy.”
Ozgiir is also the official Ambassador of Global Wellness Day for the Maldives. In special honour of Global Wellness Day, Ozgiir Cengiz, talks to Belgin Aksoy — founder of Global Wellness Day – on their dedicated podcast on her journey, how she aims to change lives and communities through wellness plus her life-changing 7-step manifest.
JOALI has also made significant contributions to local agencies. Generous funds have been donated to several organisations working in the archipelago, including three Women’s Development Committees in Raa Atoll, Women in Tech Maldives, Zero Waste Maldives, and the Olive Ridley Project. Sustainability is also at the heart of the brand and both JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING are Silver Certified by EarthCheck, for initiatives towards creating a sustainable future.
For further details and booking, please visit www. joali.com
News
COMO Cocoa Island blends wellness and ocean experiences for guests
There is a moment, just after arrival at COMO Cocoa Island, when everything softens. Time loosens its grip. The horizon stretches and the only sound is the tide shifting gently beneath your villa.
At COMO Cocoa Island, experiences are not designed to impress, but to unfold. Each one invites guests to rediscover a slower rhythm—guided by water, light, and instinct.
Where the Ocean Becomes the Guide
The island’s house reef lies just steps from each villa—a living, breathing ecosystem that reveals itself gradually. Slip into the water, and the world shifts: parrotfish flicker past, reef sharks glide at a distance, and turtles move with unhurried grace.
Further afield, journeys into deeper waters bring guests face-to-face with nurse sharks in the nearby atolls—encounters that feel both grounding and quietly exhilarating.
For those who choose to dive, the surrounding sites offer dramatic topographies—caves, channels, and coral walls—each shaped by currents that have moved through these waters long before the first footprints touched the island.

Drifting Towards Stillness
Back above the surface, experiences take on a different pace.
A private sandbank emerges from the horizon—untouched, impossibly white. Here, lunch is served with nothing but the gentle rhythm of waves in the background. There are no interruptions, no schedules. Just a sense of being suspended between sea and open sky.
As the day fades, traditional dhoni boats set out across the lagoon. The light softens. The ocean reflects gold, then amber, then deep blue. Sometimes, dolphins appear—not as spectacle, but as part of the natural rhythm of the place.
Wellbeing, Without Boundaries
At COMO Cocoa Island, wellness is not confined within walls. It exists in the spaces between. Morning yoga unfolds overlooking the ocean. Breathing slows in time with the tide and sandbank meditation becomes instinctive—guided by wind, warmth, and the steady presence of the sea.
The COMO Shambhala Retreat complements this with therapies that are precise yet intuitive—designed not to transform, but to restore.

A Philosophy of Less, Perfected
“Cocoa Island has never been about doing more—it’s about feeling more, with less,”says Peter Nilsson, Managing Director, COMO Maldives. “What makes this island special is its restraint. We don’t try to fill every moment—we allow space for the ocean, for stillness, for genuine connection. Guests leave not because they’ve done everything, but because they’ve experienced something real.”
An Island That Stays With You
There are no grand gestures here. No overstatement.
Instead, COMO Cocoa Island offers something increasingly rare—an experience that lingers quietly, long after departure. Not defined by what you did, but by how it made you feel. Because here, in this small corner of the Maldives, the most meaningful moments are often the simplest ones.
For more information, please visit the resort’s website.
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Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives introduces indoor mini golf experience
Resort experiences are increasingly shaped by the need for flexibility, with guests seeking activities that can be enjoyed beyond peak sun hours, creating a natural demand for engaging indoor spaces and particularly in tropical destinations where brief, seasonal rain showers are part of the island rhythm.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives builds on this evolving guest preference with the introduction of its new 8-hole Indoor Mini Golf Centre, adding a playful and interactive dimension to the island’s leisure offering. The space was officially unveiled at a recent opening, where a guest was invited to mark the occasion, setting the tone for an experience centred around shared enjoyment and light-hearted moments.

The indoor mini golf course offers a relaxed, air-conditioned space where guests of all ages can take part, whether as a casual game between families, a friendly challenge among couples, or a fun addition to group stays. It provides a comfortable alternative to outdoor activities while maintaining the sense of energy and connection that defines time on the island, regardless of the weather.
The addition builds on the resort’s existing indoor facilities, including billiards, table tennis, and a dedicated kids’ playroom, creating a more rounded leisure experience that caters to different moods and moments. Outdoors, guests can continue to explore a wide range of activities, from beach volleyball and futsal to badminton, diving, and both motorised and non-motorised water sports.

As one of the first resorts in the area to introduce an indoor mini golf experience, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives continues to evolve its offerings in line with how guests choose to travel today, blending activity, comfort, and shared experiences in a setting designed for both relaxation and discovery.
News
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort hosts Earth Day experiences
In celebration of Earth Day, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites guests to reconnect with nature through a carefully curated programme of experiences taking place on 22 April 2026.
Set within the natural beauty of Raa Atoll, the resort’s Earth Day programme reflects its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, offering guests meaningful ways to engage with the surrounding marine and island ecosystem.
Throughout the day, guests are invited to explore sustainability through immersive experiences designed to inspire awareness and connection. A guided snorkelling experience with the resort’s Marine Biologist introduces coral restoration efforts within the Maamunagau Lagoon, offering insight into reef rehabilitation and the marine life it supports.
A dedicated coral workshop, alongside a manta ray session led by the Manta Trust team, further highlights the importance of marine conservation in the Maldives, sharing knowledge on the protection and preservation of these remarkable species.
On land, the resort offers a behind-the-scenes sustainability tour, showcasing operational practices that support island life, from renewable energy systems to waste reduction initiatives. Younger guests are engaged through an interactive bottling plant tour, encouraging environmentally conscious habits from an early age.
Wellbeing remains an integral part of the experience, with a digital detox offering at AVI Spa designed to encourage disconnection from screens and reconnection with the present moment. Complementing this, a plant-based breakfast and zero-waste cooking class highlight simple, mindful approaches to sustainable living.
As the day unfolds, guests are invited to participate in a tree planting activity within the resort’s greenhouse, contributing to the growth of native vegetation and supporting long-term biodiversity on the island.
The celebration concludes with a relaxed beachfront evening, featuring a curated BBQ dining experience complemented by live music and a traditional Maldivian Bodu Beru performance, bringing together culture, community, and connection.
Through initiatives that blend conservation, education, and wellbeing, InterContinental Maldives continues to champion responsible luxury, where every experience is thoughtfully designed with both people and planet in mind.
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