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
Angsana Velavaru plans Easter weekend of activities and dining
Angsana Velavaru is inviting guests to celebrate Easter with a two-day island programme featuring family activities, ocean experiences and seasonal dining from 4 to 5 April 2026.
Located within a lagoon in South Nilandhe Atoll, the resort will host a series of activities designed for families, couples and travellers seeking a seasonal getaway by the sea. The programme includes a combination of wellness sessions, marine experiences and leisure activities intended to bring guests together during the Easter holiday period.
Mornings begin with yoga sessions overlooking the lagoon, followed by opportunities to explore the island’s marine environment through guided snorkelling excursions and discovery experiences organised by the Endheri Marine Centre.
Throughout the day, guests can take part in a range of recreational activities across the island. These include beach kite flying, aqua aerobics sessions and bird feeding at the island’s sanctuary. Adventure-focused experiences are also available, with water sports such as family tube rides and sunset cruises offering guests the opportunity to explore the surrounding lagoon.
Dining experiences form a central part of the Easter programme. Guests can participate in interactive activities including cocktail-making sessions and the Wok & Toss dining experience, which allows visitors to engage with the resort’s culinary team. The programme also includes Easter buffet lunch and dinner at Kaani Restaurant, where seasonal dishes are served in a relaxed island setting.
Evening entertainment includes live music performances, DJ sessions and outdoor film screenings under the stars, creating a relaxed atmosphere for guests to gather and socialise.
Children’s activities are organised through the Ranger’s Club, where a dedicated Easter programme features creative workshops such as bunny mask making, Easter egg painting and string art. Traditional activities including Easter egg hunts and beach races are also planned for younger guests.
The Easter programme at Angsana Velavaru combines marine exploration, family-friendly activities and seasonal dining experiences, offering guests an opportunity to celebrate the holiday while enjoying the island’s natural surroundings.
News
Villa Park introduces Two-Bedroom Beach Pool House at top of villa collection
Villa Park, the lush island escape in the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), has unveiled its newest and most elevated accommodation category: the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool House. Spanning 456 square metres, this new addition becomes the highest category available at Villa Park, strengthening the resort’s position as a leading choice for family travel in the Maldives and expanding its reputation for offering one of the widest ranges of Beach Pool Villas.
Designed for families and groups who want space without sacrificing privacy, the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool House blends indoor comfort with open-air island living. Set within tropical greenery, it offers a private pool and generous outdoor areas that invite guests to slow down, reconnect, and settle into a true island rhythm, with the lagoon always close and the shoreline just beyond.

Inside, the layout is built around togetherness and ease. The master bedroom faces the pool and the beach, creating a calm, ocean-facing retreat, while the second bedroom features twin beds, making it ideal for children or additional guests. The villa also includes two bathrooms, ensuring everyone has room to move through the day comfortably, from early swims to post-sunset wind-downs.

A defining feature of the Beach Pool House is its sense of seclusion. Thoughtful spacing and natural landscaping create a private sanctuary, complemented by an elevated terrace balcony with views through the coconut palm canopy, a quiet perch for morning coffee, late-afternoon reading, or simply watching the light shift over the island.

The launch builds on Villa Park’s identity as one of the Maldives’ most family-friendly tropical getaways, known for its wide beaches, blue lagoons, and a full calendar of experiences designed for all ages. Located in SAMPA, Villa Park is also celebrated for year-round whale shark encounters, offering guests the chance to connect with one of the Maldives’ most iconic marine highlights as part of a relaxed island holiday.
Beyond the beach, Villa Park continues to be defined by variety, from its award-winning Araamu Spa to its signature dining moments, including ZERO, the resort’s treetop dining experience that celebrates island freshness and locally inspired flavours.

With the introduction of the Two-Bedroom Beach Pool House, Villa Park raises the bar for spacious, design-led family stays in the Maldives, offering a new standard of comfort, privacy, and island immersion at the very top of its accommodation collection.
News
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi launches ‘She Is Hospitality’ to celebrate women
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2026 and its global theme, “Give to Gain,” Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has unveiled “She Is Hospitality” at the resort this 8th of March. This photo portrait exhibition honours the unique personalities, skill sets, and values of the women who drive the resort’s success, highlighting how a culture of empowerment, guided by the Sun Siyam Care philosophy, fosters both professional excellence and personal autonomy.
At the Diving Centre, the manager, Danijela Podlipec, translates the language of the deep blue for those seeking adventure. With a joyful calm, she offers a sense of safety and a feeling of being at home beneath the sea. Nearby, in the sanctuary of the spa, Assistant Spa Manager Anna Vargas serves as a meticulous eye. With eighteen years of experience in the Maldives, she nurtures the next generation of therapists, teaching them that true wellness is a human centred art that begins with details, precision, and a refined attention to the unique needs of each guest.


In the quiet power of technical spaces working as Engineering Coordinator, Ofimaria Deliva proves that hospitality is built on a foundation of resilience. Having transitioned from the world of finance to the complexity of engineering, she stands as a reminder that no department is “too technical” for a heart driven by purpose. Similarly, Rabina Shrestha, Security Officer, navigates the male dominated world of security not by mirroring it, but by leading with a distinct femininity. She proves daily that softness and vigilance are not opposites, but a necessary, graceful balance.


The first light of morning at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is met with the quiet commitment of Mia Sumiati, Kitchen Attendant, whose power lies in her presence and the simple, human value of a genuine smile. Guests encounter this gentle strength at breakfast, as she crafts their first energy drinks to begin the day with vitality. Fathimath Afaa, from the Front Office, radiates a confidence that stems from an inner grace, believing that a warm welcome is a reflection of one’s own radiant spirit. In the heart of operations as a Butler for nine years, Ameni Dahmene bridges worlds; her Tunisian heritage brings a blend of traditional values and a liberal, wandering soul that delights in meeting people from every corner of the earth.



For Nancy Castano, Kids Club Supervisor, dance is more than movement—it is a form of healing and expression that she shares with the youngest travellers, turning the Kids Club into a stage for joy. This same rhythm is found in Lyrio May, Human Resources Executive, who brings the soul of her department to life through music and Maldivian dance, fostering a workplace rooted in empathy. Meanwhile, in the world of Reservations, Radhika Sabharwal guides guests towards their dream holidays while pursuing her own. By travelling with her mother, she honours the path paved by past generations while standing tall as a symbol of the modern, independent woman.



Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, part of the Luxury Collection of Sun Siyam, serves as a sanctuary where talent is nurtured and the unique traits of every woman are celebrated. Beyond professional roles, the women stand as leaders of values, architects of atmosphere, and the very soul of hospitality.
-
Family1 week agoMasters of the skies: Tom Kerss joins The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands for Easter 2026
-
Action1 week agoSun Siyam Olhuveli invests in staff wellbeing with upgraded sports facilities
-
Cooking1 week agoSirru Fen Fushi announces Michelin series collaboration with Chef Karim Khouani for Easter 2026
-
Cooking6 days agoChef Giorgio Servetto brings Michelin-starred dining to Atmosphere Core’s underwater restaurants
-
Drink7 days agoGerman winemaker Patrick Heitlinger to headline exclusive dinner at SO/ Maldives
-
News1 week agoNiva Dhigali Maldives to host wellness week with Gemma Merna this June
-
Family1 week agoJOALI BEING brings colour, movement and renewal to Easter 2026
-
News6 days agoInterContinental Maldives celebrates Women’s Day through creative expression


