News
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.
News
One&Only Reethi Rah unveils Jessie J as headliner for ‘Time as One’ festive season
One&Only Reethi Rah, the Maldives’ iconic private island retreat, has announced the powerhouse singer-songwriter Jessie J as the headlining entertainer for its highly anticipated New Year’s Eve celebrations. The exclusive live performance, reserved solely for resort guests, continues One&Only Reethi Rah’s growing tradition of welcoming the New Year with some of the world’s most celebrated musical acts.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Indian Ocean, New Year’s Eve celebrations at One&Only Reethi Rah will culminate in the resort’s Gala Night on 31st December 2026. The highlight of the festive season, the evening will begin with an elegant beachside cocktail reception before unfolding into an exhilarating celebration of culinary theatre and captivating live performances. As 2026 draws to a close, Jessie J will take the stage, bringing the celebrations to electrifying heights with her powerhouse vocals, dynamic stage presence and chart-topping hits.
Known for her exceptional vocal range and unique musical style blending soul, pop, and contemporary R&B; her prolific ear for musical hooks and confident stage persona, her global singles including “Price Tag,” “Domino,” and “Bang Bang” have reached #1 in the world, garnering various accolades including the Critics’ Choice BRIT Award and a Grammy nomination. Throughout her career, Jessie J has also served as a coach on the renowned singing competition shows The Voice UK, The Voice Australia, and The Voice Kids UK.

“We are excited to welcome Jessie J to One&Only Reethi Rah for this year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations,” said Jan Tibaldi, General Manager of the resort. “One&Only is all about creating unforgettable moments, and ringing in 2027 with an artist of Jessie J’s calibre promises to be a spectacular night that our guests will remember for years to come.”

This year’s festive season at One&Only Reethi Rah welcomes guests to explore unhurried moments of connection through the theme of Time as One, centred on sharing meaningful and liberating experiences. Guests of all ages are invited to discover unscripted memories through a season of family holiday traditions, divine culinary experiences, rejuvenating wellness treatments, and exhilarating activities on sand and in the sea. Jessie J’s performance at the end of the year is sure to embody the spirit of the season and ignite meaningful and special memories to welcome 2027.
The festive season at One&Only Reethi Rah commences on 20th December 2026 with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony & Cocktail and ends on 13th January 2026 with the resort’s Orthodox New Year Gala Dinner. Reservations and pre-bookings are recommended.

For inquiries and bookings, please contact the VIP Services team at reethirah.festive@oneandonlyreethirah.com. For more information about festive and the resort, please visit oneandonlyreethirah.com. For bookings, please call +960 664 8800 or contact the resort’s reservations team at reservations@oneandonlyreethirah.com.
Meditation
W Maldives to host neuroscientist Anne-Sophie Fluri for week-long ‘Restore Ritual’
W Maldives, a luxury private-islandresort with one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, will welcome neuroscientist, meditation coach, and wellness innovator, and Brainwave founder Anne-Sophie Fluri for The Restore Ritual, taking place from September 14 to 20, 2026.
The week-long wellness residency will combine neuroscience, mindfulness, and immersive island experiences, offering guests a new perspective on mental well-being. Through a series of guided practices, Fluri will explore how mental fitness can be developed with the same intention as physical wellness.
The Restore Ritual is the latest installment of The Wavemaker Edit, W Maldives’ signature series featuring global innovators across culinary, mixology, music, art, design, sustainability, and wellness. Set against the natural beauty of the Maldives, the week-longresidency brings a science-led approach to mental well-beingthrough experiences designed to encourage curiosity, reflection, and meaningful connection.
For Fluri, well-beingbegins with understanding the mind. Her work is built on the belief that resilience, focus, and emotional well-beingare skills that can be strengthened through science-backed practices and daily rituals. Rather than treating wellness as an occasional escape, she encourages people to develop sustainable habits that support a calmer, more present way of living, combining neuroscience with mindfulness to make mental fitness both practical and accessible.
Her career spans neuroscience research, technology, and wellness. During her Master of Research in Experimental Neuroscience at Imperial College London, Fluri contributed to pioneering research in psychedelic science and migraine treatment. She later earned a scholarship to develop algorithms addressing motion sickness in virtual reality.
Fluri went on to serve as Head of Mindfulness at a mental fitness platform and Chief Science Officer at a sleep technologycompany. She now develops neuroscience-based products and leads Brainwave, a global platform delivering science-backed talks, workshops, coaching and events delivered by scientists and academics.
Throughout the residency, Fluri will personally lead every session, using the island’s natural surrounds as a setting for explorationand reflection. The program will include sunrise meditationoverlookingthe Indian Ocean, conscious breathwork and visualization, invigorating ice bath challenge, and restorative rituals held in selected locations across the island. Sessions will unfold at settings including Coral Terrace, surrounded by the resort’s award-winning house reef, and the secluded shores of Gaathafushi Private Island. Each location brings nature into the experience, creating moments where nature and neuroscience come together in harmony.
“The Wavemaker Edit was created to bring inspiring voices and fresh perspective to W Maldives,”said Amila Handunwala, General Managerof W Maldives. “Anne-Sophierepresents a new generation of wellness innovators who combine scientific knowledge with genuine human connection. The Restore Ritual offers our guests an opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and discover that wellbeing extends far beyond the spa. It is about creating experiences that stay with you long after you leave the island.”
Guests interested in experiencing The Restore Ritual and the resort’s evolving calendar of cultural and wellness programming can book the Half Board Escape package, availableuntil August 31, 2026. This package includes a stay with daily buffet breakfast, a daily three-course dinner at selected dining venues, and an in-room W MixBar stocked with non-alcoholicbeverage.
For more information, visit wmaldives.com or connect with the resort’s team at reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.
Action
Joy Island Maldives expands guest activities with new Joy Arcade
Joy Island Maldives, part of The Cocoon Collection, has expanded its leisure offering with the launch of Joy Arcade, the resort’s first dedicated gaming room.
The new facility has been introduced as an indoor entertainment space where guests can play individually or with friends and family, adding another activity to the resort’s programme beyond the beach, lagoon and outdoor experiences.

Joy Arcade features four gaming stations built around simulation and virtual reality technology. The line-up includes a three-screen racing car simulator, equipped with a force-feedback steering wheel and pedals; VR Moto, a motion-based motorcycle simulator that moves in response to the virtual terrain; a 9D VR Platform, featuring two motion pods and a selection of adventure, horror and flight experiences; and VR Gun Shooting, which combines a headset with a motion-tracked controller and an in-room leaderboard.
The racing simulator accommodates one player at a time and is recommended for guests aged eight and above, while VR Moto is recommended for those aged 10 and above. The 9D VR Platform can accommodate up to two players and is recommended for guests aged six and above, while VR Gun Shooting is designed for one player at a time and recommended for ages eight and above.

The arcade operates daily from 10am to noon, 2pm to 6pm and 9pm to 11pm. Walk-in guests do not need to make an advance booking, with passes available from the arcade desk during operating hours.
Guests can choose from one-, two-, three- and four-hour Play Passes, as well as an Unlimited Day Pass. Each pass provides access to all four gaming stations, with the duration determining the amount of playing time available. The resort advises guests to check with the arcade desk for current pricing and any rates linked to resort or stay packages.
Joy Arcade is open to guests of all ages, although younger players may require a parent or guardian when using motion-based equipment. Headsets, controllers and safety equipment are provided and sanitised between uses. The room can also be booked for birthday parties and other events, with private sessions, party host assistance and refreshments available for groups.

The addition expands the range of recreational facilities at Joy Island, which positions activities as a central part of its guest experience. The resort also offers tennis and padel, fitness and wellness sessions, excursions, diving and water sports, while its Kids’ Club, Kiddie Cove, provides supervised activities for children aged three to 12.
Its Dive & Water Sports Centre offers activities including scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, jet skiing, parasailing, wakeboarding and waterskiing. Other experiences include dolphin cruises, fishing trips and marine excursions.
Joy Island is located in North Malé Atoll, around 40 kilometres from Velana International Airport and approximately 40 minutes away by speedboat. The resort has 151 villas, comprising 91 beach villas and 60 overwater villas, with accommodation options that include villas with private plunge pools. Interiors feature furnishings and design elements by Italian design company LAGO.
The resort also operates Oasis Spa, where treatments combine Eastern and Western wellness approaches, including Balinese massage, hot stone massage, aromatherapy and couples’ treatments. Its fitness programme includes yoga, Pilates, Zumba, aqua fitness, gym sessions, beach volleyball and racquet sports.
Joy Island’s food and beverage offering comprises three restaurants and a bar. The Market serves international cuisine through buffet and live cooking stations, while Il Basilico focuses on Italian dishes, including wood-fired pizza. Palm Beach offers beachfront dining, including seafood and grilled dishes, while Rainbow Bar, located beside the swimming pool, serves drinks throughout the day. The resort also offers destination dining experiences, including sandbank picnics, lagoon dinners, beach dinners and garden dining.
With Joy Arcade, the resort is adding an indoor gaming component to an activity programme that already spans water sports, diving, wellness, excursions, children’s activities and racquet sports, providing guests with an additional option for entertainment throughout their stay.
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