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Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru launches Manta Ray app in partnership with The Manta Trust
As part of its ongoing commitment to green NGOs and spreading the message of ocean conservation, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru has partnered with world-leading environmental charity The Manta Trust to create a unique interactive app that explores the underwater secrets of one of the world’s most incredible marine marvels – manta rays.
The Manta Story app – developed by Loopcraft and available to download for free on digital devices – is the latest development in a conservation partnership between Four Seasons and The Manta Trust that spans 17 years, since Chief Executive and Founder of The Manta Trust Guy Stevens had his first life-changing encounter with mantas while working as a marine biologist at Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru.
The App Experience
The fully interactive VR app takes the viewer on a mesmerising adventure into the world of manta rays, covering their dazzling courtship, feeding and cleaning rituals, as well as a manta pregnancy and birth. Based on the actual manta ray population studied by Stevens and his team in the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, users can click through to further facts at each stage of the learning journey, and test their knowledge with a quiz.
The app also includes ways to support the work of The Manta Trust, established by Stevens in 2011 as a UK-registered charity dedicated to the worldwide conservation of mantas and their close relatives. Users can choose to donate, adopt a manta, or join the “Cyclone” – a community of supporters who are investing in the conservation of the ocean’s rays, their relatives and their habitats.
“I’m super pleased and proud that we were able to create this app together with The Manta Trust and our passionate in-house techies, allowing us to spread our message of ocean conservation around the globe,” comments Four Seasons Regional Vice President and General Manager Armando Kraenzlin. “Getting up close with these gentle giants is both humbling and awe-inspiring and our mission has always been to inspire as many people as possible to help conserve them and their ocean home.”
An Immersive Experience
Narrating the app with soothing gravitas is British actor, environmentalist and host of Trees a Crowd podcast David Oakes, who relishes taking app users to swim alongside the Maldivian mantas he himself has met in the flesh. Passionate about championing conservation causes, the star of shows such as Netflix’s Vikings: Valhalla and ITV’s Victoria uses his influence to support charities including The Woodland Trust, Wildlife Trusts and the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.
“I’ve always had an affinity for manta rays so I was honoured when Guy and Armando asked me to narrate the Manta Story app,” Oakes explains. “To see so many of these magnificent and gentle giants, almost every time I’ve dived or snorkelled near Landaa Giraavaru – cycloning, surface feeding, rolling and loop-the-looping – is something impossible to take for granted, but conservation of our planet’s key megafauna shouldn’t just be a concern for those lucky enough to have had first hand encounters. The app is a beautiful and enjoyable way to get across the story of our planet’s mantas.”
Manta Rays at Landaa Giraavaru
The Manta Story app follows the recent launch of Landaa Giraavaru’s Hologram Room – an opportunity for the whole family to virtually “swim” with the Baa Atoll mantas. Other manta ray education experiences at the Resort include Manta-on-Call snorkelling adventures and a Trainee Manta Biologist module that gives conservation-minded teens a serious insight into the world of Manta Trust scientists.
Landaa Giraavaru is also home to one of the Maldives’ leading centres of marine research, working in partnership with local and national environmental agencies and employing 10 full-time marine biologists across pioneering conservation projects including sea turtle rehabilitation, coral propagation, anemone mapping and more. In 2020, the Resort partnered with the NOW Force for Good Alliance and EarthCheck, undertaking ongoing monitoring and annual Benchmarking Assessments to ensure that its presence in Baa Atoll is as beneficial as it can be.
“It’s clear to me that without the continued generosity of Four Seasons in the Maldives, The Manta Trust would not exist in its current form,” adds Oakes. “This app is but the dorsal-fin poking above the surface of how deep their collective conservation goals run.”
To find out more manta ray experiences at Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru, email: reservations.mal@fourseasons.com or call the central reservations department of Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at tel: (960) 66 00 888.
This Eid, Villa Resorts invites travellers to celebrate in the Maldives with an island break that feels warm, easy, and genuinely festive. With our Eid Offer, enjoy up to 30% off when you book direct at Villa Nautica, Villa Park, or Royal Island, and choose the kind of Eid escape that suits the way you want to spend the season.
At Villa Nautica, Eid feels effortless. Close to Malé and set over bright lagoon blues, it is ideal for a quick reset with family or friends, with the added joy of seasonal moments and celebrations that bring everyone together as the sun goes down.
For a bigger, more spacious holiday, Villa Park is made for families who want the full tropical-island feeling. Think lush greenery, wide beaches, and days that move easily between pool time, lagoon swims, and activities that keep every generation busy in the best way.
In Baa Atoll, Royal Island offers a quieter kind of Eid, with boutique island charm and a slower pace that helps you switch off properly. It is the perfect choice for travellers who want calm mornings, unhurried afternoons, and a celebration that feels more restorative than rushed.
The Eid Offer is valid for stays from 16 March 2026 to 12 April 2026, for new bookings confirmed from 01 March 2026, with savings of up to 30% available on Pool Villas, Water Villas, and Residences.
Book direct through the Villa Resorts website and let Eid unfold at island pace.
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa has announced a special Easter collaboration with one of the most celebrated Maldivian watercolor artists, Shimha Shakeeb, taking place from 4 to 7 April. The exclusive residency will introduce guests to the rich cultural narratives of the Maldives through art, creativity, and immersive experiences.
Shimha Shakeeb is known for her beautiful watercolor paintings that capture the landscapes, architecture, and traditions of the Maldives. She has exhibited her work at Dubai Expo 2020, Crossroads Maldives, and the National Art Gallery in Malé, and has worked with well-known institutions and resorts, including The Ritz-Carlton Maldives.
During the Easter residency, guests can join live painting sessions, interactive workshops, and kids’ art classes. For those looking for a more personal experience, private art sessions will also be available, allowing guests to work closely with Shimha to create their own unique pieces under her guidance. These activities let visitors of all ages explore their creativity and connect with Maldivian heritage in a hands-on way.
This collaboration reflects Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa’s commitment to creating immersive art experiences that inspire guests while promoting sustainable and mindful practices. Through workshops, live demonstrations, and private sessions, visitors are encouraged to explore their creativity in harmony with the island’s natural surroundings. Set against the stunning Indian Ocean, the Easter art residency offers a meaningful and inspiring holiday where guests can connect with both art and nature, celebrate creativity, and take-home memories and skills that extend beyond their stay.
For any reservations or inquiries, guests are encouraged to contact the resort at Resort.Kuredhivaru.Reservations@ennismore.com or +960 656 3000.
This Easter, Meyyafushi Maldives takes guests on a journey filled with sunshine, togetherness and memorable moments. With a fun-filled Easter Programme, from easter egg painting to bowling tournaments, Meyyafushi encourages families and couples to connect within and beyond.
At the heart of Meyyafushi’s appeal is its collection of distinctive experiences designed to elevate the Maldives experience. Guests can enjoy one of the resort’s most iconic attractions – the world’s first fixed overwater padel tennis court, where sport meets spectacular ocean views. Culinary enthusiasts can discover unforgettable dining moments across the island’s diverse restaurants, including the spectacular Bubble underwater restaurant. For those seeking relaxation, Meyyafushi’s wellness and recreation facilities provide endless ways to unwind and reconnect. From its serene overwater Veyoge Spa and state-of-the-art fitness centre to tennis, watersports and diving adventures, every element of the resort is designed to inspire discovery and wellbeing.
Families travelling during Easter can also enjoy a special programme thoughtfully curated for younger guests and families alike. Creative workshops such as bunny mask making and Easter egg painting, island games including Kids Olympics and scavenger hunts, and special celebratory moments like Easter happy hour and a festive Easter dinner bring a playful spirit to the island throughout the holiday period.
Beyond the festivities, Meyyafushi’s spacious villas, calm lagoons and warm Maldivian hospitality make it an ideal destination for families looking to slow down, reconnect and experience the magic of the Maldives together. Every experience at Meyyafushi is designed to create memorable moments that last long after the holiday ends.
For more information, please contact reservations@meyyafushi.com or visit www.meyyafushi.com.
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