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.
Featured
Baros Maldives sets festive calendar of dining, culture and marine experiences
Baros Maldives will welcome guests for its festive season from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, with a programme centred on the island’s natural surroundings, Maldivian heritage and a series of culinary, marine and cultural experiences.
The programme will combine Christmas and New Year traditions with activities inspired by island life, including ocean excursions, local cultural experiences, festive dining and wellbeing sessions.
The season will begin with a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, followed by a series of activities introducing guests to festive traditions and Maldivian culture. These will include a Christmas cookie workshop, an Ocean, Coconut & Spice cooking class, a Maldivian Heritage Evening and an Island Christmas Market.
Marine experiences will remain a central part of the festive programme. Guests will be able to join a Sunrise Nooma sailing experience, take part in fishing trips at sunrise or twilight, explore the house reef with the resort’s marine team or join a dolphin-watching cruise.
Private yacht excursions, visits to local islands and trips to Malé will also be available for guests wishing to explore beyond the resort.
Baros Maldives will also offer a series of culinary experiences throughout the festive period. These will include a Sake Pairing Dinner, a Great Gatsby-themed five-course dinner and a Champagne Dinner inspired by the Seven Seas.
Other dining experiences will include a Butcher’s Block buffet, an Omakase tasting lunch and a Master Chef Tuna Carving Show & Tasting. Guests will also be able to take part in wine discovery experiences, cocktail-making sessions and an Island Crafted Cocktails programme.
On Christmas Eve, guests will gather at The Lighthouse for a cocktail reception before continuing to Lime for the Christmas Eve Gala Dinner.
Christmas Day will feature breakfast, festive activities and time for guests to enjoy the beach, lagoon and other island experiences with family and friends.
New Year’s Eve celebrations will begin with a cocktail reception, followed by a Gala Dinner, live entertainment and the countdown to 2027.
New Year’s Day will start with a celebratory brunch, followed by a selection of wellbeing and dining experiences. These will include a beachfront degustation dinner accompanied by live violin and saxophone performances.
Younger guests will also have a dedicated programme of festive activities, including mocktail-making, Christmas cookie workshops and island-based activities designed for families and children.
Throughout the season, Baros Maldives will host live music, marine presentations, yoga and meditation sessions alongside its wider programme of dining, recreation and ocean experiences.
The festive programme is intended to reflect the character of Baros Maldives by combining Christmas and New Year celebrations with the island’s marine environment, culinary offering and Maldivian culture.
Featured
Niva Kuramathi announces ‘A Tropical Festive Season’ for year-end celebrations
From 21 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, Niva Kuramathi will mark the festive season with “A Tropical Festive Season”, a programme of dining, entertainment, outdoor activities and family experiences shaped around the island setting.
The programme will make use of Kuramathi’s natural surroundings, including its house reef and sandbank, alongside its 12 restaurants and seven bars.
The festivities will begin on the evening of 21 December with a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the sandbank. Guests will be welcomed with drinks and live music at sunset, followed later in the evening by a traditional Bodu Beru performance.
On 28 and 29 December, the resort will host a traditional Maldivian Market, featuring Bodu Beru drumming, a folklore parade and locally made artisanal crafts.
Christmas Eve festivities
Christmas Eve celebrations will begin on the sandbank at sunset, with welcome drinks and Christmas carols. Santa Claus and his elves will also make an appearance before guests gather for a gala buffet dinner.
The evening will conclude with an outdoor screening of a classic Christmas film under the stars.

Countdown to 2027
New Year’s Eve celebrations will begin at sunset with cocktails on the sandbank.
A gala dinner will then be served across Farivalhu, Malaafaiy and Haruge restaurants before the countdown to 2027. Fireworks will mark the arrival of the New Year, while live music and DJ performances will continue at Fung Bar and Sand Bar.
Festive activities
Throughout the festive period, Niva Kuramathi will offer a programme of recreational, culinary and entertainment activities.
Guests will be able to take part in moonlit yoga sessions on the sandbank, sand sculpting, Sip & Paint evenings for couples and fire dance performances.
Sporting activities will include beach volleyball, a football match between the Niva Kuramathi team and guests, as well as kayak, pedal boat and stand-up paddleboard races.
The entertainment programme will also include wine tastings, karaoke, music trivia, live music and DJ evenings.
Cooking classes will be held at Kobe, where guests will be able to take part in sessions centred around the restaurant’s open kitchen experience.
The festive programme is designed to allow guests to participate in scheduled activities while also having the option to spend time at leisure.
The season will conclude on 1 January 2027 with a late-morning brunch and the first house reef dive of the year.
Festive programme for children
Bageecha Kids Club will host a separate festive programme for younger guests, combining recreation, creative activities and environmental learning.
Activities will include treasure hunts, splash pad games, cookie-making, arts and crafts, eco workshops, nature exploration, holiday films, karaoke, bracelet-making and gardening in the resort’s hydroponic garden.
Children will also be able to take part in scavenger hunts, mini-Olympic games, yoga and disco dancing, as well as shared lunches and dinners with other young guests.
On Christmas Eve, the programme will begin with a family photograph session, followed by gingerbread house decorating, writing letters to Santa, a palm-leaf handicraft workshop and outdoor games.
Christmas morning will feature a pyjama party with musical games and pool activities. Later in the day, families will gather at Athiri Deck to welcome Santa Claus, who will distribute gifts to children.
New Year’s Eve activities for younger guests will take place during the afternoon, with music and games around the pool followed by a children’s disco as part of the resort’s final celebrations of 2026.
News
Atmosphere Core unveils ONE BANYAN Amaraa Faru as 10th Maldives resort
Atmosphere Core, a leading hospitality company with roots in the Maldives, announces the signing of its 10th resort in the archipelago nation, ONE BANYAN Amaraa Faru An Atmosphere Hotel, Maldives, set to open in March 2027. Housed within the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts brand, the property will be positioned under the ‘An Atmosphere Hotel’ sub-brand and will be the first resort in the ONE BANYAN series of co-branded island resorts in the Maldives bringing a distinctive and independent character to the portfolio.
Commenting on the announcement, Salil Panigrahi, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Atmosphere Core, said, “As demand for the Maldives continues to grow and diversify, we are seeing travellers seek stays that are luxurious yet tailored to their individual needs, and purchasing decisions increasingly shaped by the quality of experiences rather than amenities and services alone. With Amaraa Faru, we bring our brand ethos of ‘A New Experience Awaits’ to life, while also responding to this evolving demand. At this resort, guests can look forward to a lavish yet grounded sophistication inspired by the natural rhythm, culture and people of the islands.”
ONE BANYAN is conceived as a unique co-branded concept within Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, designed to bring together individual resort identities while allowing each property to retain its own character. The name Amaraa Faru brings together two cultural references with ‘amaraa’ inspired by the Sanskrit word associated with eternity or immortality, while ‘faru’ means reef in Dhivehi, evoking a connection with marine life and the ocean.
The first of the series, ONE BANYAN Amaraa Faru, will offer freedom and flexibility rather than overly formal luxury. As ‘An Atmosphere Hotel’ sub brand, it is shaped by the spirit of its place, with a distinctive story, rhythm and sense of belonging. The concept is designed for today’s free-spirited explorer, responding to a growing desire for experiences that feel inspiring and have a lasting impact.

An Authentically Maldivian Setting
Promising enriching, immersive and authentic moments, ONE BANYAN Amaraa Faru will become the 9th resort worldwide within the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts brand. It is in Kaafu Atoll, accessible via a 45-minute speedboat transfer from Velana International Airport. Framed by wide, luminous lagoons in layered shades of blue and green, the island lends itself to unhurried days by the water. Guests will have the privilege of an indulgent Holiday Plan, a signature of the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts brand, encompassing dining, wellness, snorkelling and other tropical activities, all tailored to meet the most discerning expectations.

A Distinctive, Contemporary & Nature-Inspired Aesthetic
Aesthetics at Amaraa Faru will offer a fresh, contemporary design expression, introducing a new design language within the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Rooted in the island’s surrounding marine world, the design will draw inspiration from traditional palm-leaf craftsmanship, where coconut and palm fibres are woven into functional art. This traditional craft will be reinterpreted through couture elegance, with natural materials, locally influenced textures, Art Deco touches and eco-conscious finishes layered into a soothing palette of crème and soft greens.
Guests will choose from 118 beach and overwater villas, ranging from 100 m² standard beach villas to 164 m² family beach villas and 117 m² overwater villas, each with a private pool. Fluid indoor and outdoor spaces will create effortlessly stylish retreats, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the island’s natural rhythm.
An all-day dining restaurant will anchor the culinary offering, complemented by a relaxed main pool bar and three speciality restaurants offering diverse culinary experiences, ranging from vibrant Argentinian cuisine to a charming overwater Japanese dining experience.
Additional facilities will include a sprawling kids’ club, an ocean-view gym and fitness centre, a dive and water sports centre, and a promenade-style retail space. A spa and wellness centre by the company’s award-winning brand, ELE|NA Ayur, with overwater treatment rooms, a 40 m² saltwater pool, and sauna and steam facilities will round out the resort’s facilities.

Contemporary & Intuitively Innovative Experience
Technology will be seamlessly integrated throughout the guest journey. At its heart, the resort will foster a service culture that is smart, original and elevated. Resulting in a relaxed and elegant environment — modern in spirit yet grounded in the warmth and hospitality for which the brand is known.
Amaraa Faru will also incorporate solar energy solutions, water conservation systems, and a no-plastics approach, including in-house glass water bottling, aligning with Atmosphere Core’s broader commitment to sustainability.

A New Chapter for Atmosphere Core
Founded in 2013, Atmosphere Core has built a strong presence in the Maldives with nine operational resorts across three brands and two developments in the pipeline, including ONE BANYAN Amaraa Faru An Atmosphere Hotel. The company’s international journey continues with a heritage hotel now open in India and Italy, along with plans for over 20 upcoming properties across Europe and South Asia.
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