News
Canareef Resort Maldives marks environment week with series of impactful activities
From June 1st to June 8th, 2024, Canareef Resort Maldives has hosted a series of environmental, sustainable, and educational activities in celebration of World Reef Day, World Environment Day, World Ocean Day, and Global Wellness Day. This week-long event, aptly named Environment Week, showcased the resort’s unwavering commitment to sustainable practices and ocean conservation. Through engaging and meaningful activities, Canareef involved both guests and staff in initiatives designed to preserve the pristine environment of the Maldives, establishing a tradition that underscores the resort’s dedication to environmental sustainability.
World Reef Day – June 1: Coral Transplanting
Kicking off Environment Week on June 1st, Canareef Resort commemorated World Reef Day with a coral transplanting event at Bar-Kuda Beach. This initiative aimed to preserve and restore the precious coral reefs, which are critical ecosystems under threat from climate change and human activities.
The featured coral, an Acropora Latistella (branching coral), was transplanted into the lagoon between Canareef Island and a nearby uninhabited island at a depth of approximately 3.5 meters. This location was chosen for its controlled environment and favorable water flow, which provide ideal conditions for coral growth and easy access for caregivers.
World Environment Day – June 5: A 100 for the Environment! Tree Planting
On June 5th, in celebration of World Environment Day, Canareef’s team and guests came together to plant trees around the resort, reinforcing their commitment to a sustainable future. Each sapling planted is a testament to their dedication to protecting the planet.
Guests had the opportunity to contribute to reforestation efforts by planting 100 fruit and vegetable trees throughout Canareef. These included mango, coconut, and drumstick trees, among others. By planting these trees, the resort is not only helping to mitigate climate change but also creating habitats for local wildlife and enhancing sustainability.
World Ocean Day – June 7: Awareness Program and Nurdle Hunt
In honor of World Ocean Day on June 7th, Canareef Resort, in collaboration with Maldivian environmental expert Shaziya Saeed, hosted a special awareness program. This session educated guests, team members, and local students from Seenu Atoll School on the crucial role of ocean conservation.
Saeed’s engaging presentation covered topics such as the phenomenon of milky seas, coral growth, the ocean’s contribution to oxygen production, and ways to protect our seas. Following the program, participants applied their newfound knowledge during a fun and impactful nurdle hunt at Meera Beach, cleaning the shoreline of these harmful plastic pellets.
Global Wellness Day – June 8: Wellness Activities
To celebrate Global Wellness Day on June 8th, Canareef Resort organized a series of activities promoting physical and mental well-being. The day began with a rejuvenating yoga and meditation session at Dhoni Bar for guests and staff, focusing on breathwork and mindfulness to foster a sense of centeredness and renewal.
In partnership with Maldivian Aero, the resort also hosted a 2K run and walk, starting at Meera Bar and ending at Bar-Kuda Beach. This event encouraged participants to stay active and create lasting memories under the beautiful Maldivian night sky.
Canareef Resort Maldives is dedicated to operating sustainably and responsibly, while offering authentic guest experiences. The resort prioritizes eco-friendly practices through initiatives such as reducing energy and water usage, managing waste to minimize plastic use, supporting community development, and investing in renewable energy. Additionally, the resort focuses on conservation efforts and preserving local heritage and cultural practices.
By adhering to these environmental practices, Canareef aims to minimize its impact and carbon footprint, while contributing to the socio-economic well-being of the communities it serves. The successful execution of Environment Week highlights Canareef’s ongoing dedication to preserving the environment and its role as a steward of the Maldives’ natural beauty.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has been recognised among the Top 10 Best Resorts for Families in the Maldives by the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026, marking the second consecutive year the resort has received this distinction.
Set within the pristine blue of Raa Atoll, the resort continues to be a meaningful island address for families seeking space, ease and time together. From beach and overwater villas to thoughtful programming for children and teens, InterContinental Maldives creates moments for every generation. Younger guests are invited into the world of Planet Trekkers, while teens can enjoy their own rhythm
on the island, from spa specials and games to time on the water and relaxed moments with new friends. Families can spend their days exploring the lagoon, learning about the marine life that surrounds Maamunagau, or sharing quiet evenings as the sky softens over the Indian Ocean. It is this balance of discovery, calm and togetherness that makes each stay feel deeply personal.
“We are incredibly honoured to be recognised as one of the Maldives’ leading family resorts for two consecutive years,”said Reinhold Johann, General Manager of InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort.“Family travel is central to our purpose here at InterContinental Maldives, and this award shines a light on our incredible team, whose genuine care consistently earns the highest praise from our guests. From curated experiences for all ages to multigenerational island adventures, we remain committed to making every family feel completely at home in our little slice of paradise.”
The T+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific celebrate exceptional hotels, resorts and travel experiences across the region, with winners selected by readers of Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau.
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa has officially launched the second annual Maldives Hideaway Resort Run 2026, with the main race set to take place on 18 September 2026 as part of a wider World Wellness Weekend programme from 17 to 20 September 2026 on the natural island of Dhonakulhi in Haa Alifu Atoll. The event brings together destination running, wellness, fitness, and island-inspired lifestyle experiences in one of the Maldives’ most scenic luxury resort settings.
The official partnership signing and launch ceremony, held at Muraka Maalam, Maagiri Hotel in Malé, brought together key event partners to formalise their commitment to the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run 2026. The event featured the official unveiling of the branding theme, event logo, launch video, and running jersey, all inspired by Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa’s lush tropical vegetation, natural island landscape, and Flora & Fauna. Guests were also introduced to the scenic race routes, designed to highlight the resort’s pristine beaches, island pathways, and tranquil surroundings. The race route spans three distinct terrains: North point beach, island trails, and the Deluxe Water Villa jetty.
The initiative is endorsed by Visit Maldives and delivered in partnership with TFG as race partner, with race consultation, registration, timing, and bib services powered by TFG Races. Maldivian joins as transport partner, Coral Glass as content partner, and Sporting Vacanze as agent partner. This partnership reflects continued collaboration between tourism, aviation, media, sports, and lifestyle stakeholders in supporting wellness tourism in the Maldives.
The Maldives Hideaway Resort Run 2026 will feature a 10K Challenge and a 5K Fun Run, welcoming both experienced runners and recreational participants. The 5K route will cover one lap of the resort’s scenic course, while the 10K will complete two laps. Participants will receive a race timing bib powered by TFG Races, a partner goodie bag, and the official Flora & Fauna Greenery Run T-shirt. Trophies will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in both the 5K and 10K categories.
Beyond the race itself, the World Wellness Weekend programme will offer a curated series of activities including shakeout runs, stretching sessions, fitness clinics, group workouts, sunrise and sunset yoga, aqua yoga, sound bath experiences by Naga Healing, wellness experiences, and evening entertainment. The programme has been designed to balance movement, recovery, connection, and celebration throughout the event period.
“Following the success of the historic inaugural edition in 2025, we are delighted to launch the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run in 2026,” said Mohamed Muzaffar Ahmed, Business Development Manager of Lily Hotels. “With the continued endorsement of Visit Maldives and the support of our partners, this event reflects the growing opportunity to position the Maldives as a destination for luxury wellness, sports, and active travel. Our ambition is to develop the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run into one of the country’s leading luxury destination running events, offering participants an experience that is truly unique to the Maldives.”
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Managing Director and CEO of Visit Maldives, Ibrahim Shiuree, highlighted the significance of events such as the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run in inspiring greater participation in sports tourism and diversifying demand for visiting Maldives as well. He emphasised that initiatives of this nature play an important role in positioning the Maldives not only as one of the world’s leading luxury holiday destinations, but also as an emerging destination for sports, wellness, and active travel. He commended the work behind the event and highlighted the value of continuing such experiences to strengthen the Maldives’ competitiveness in the global travel market.
The event is open to international guests and Maldivian residents, with dedicated participation packages available for participants booking directly with the resort. Packages include a stay at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, meal plan benefits, transfer arrangements, and access to selected resort experiences during the event period.
Registration is free. The official TFG Races registration page will be available soon, while participants may reserve their slots in advance by contacting Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa reservations.
For packages, registration, and event details, please click here for the official brochure.
The vibrant music festival held at Hard Rock Cafe Maldives on the 19th of this month was successfully concluded, marking its second consecutive year in collaboration with Alliance Française de Male’. The event once again delivered a dynamic celebration of music, culture, and international artistic exchange.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, this year’s festival featured a carefully curated lineup of three bands and two solo artists, creating a high-energy fusion of local and international talent that captivated audiences throughout the evening. The collaboration between Hard Rock Cafe Maldives and Alliance Française continued to strengthen cultural ties through music, offering a platform where local talent could perform alongside international artists in a shared creative space.
The lineup included:
- Equatic Vibe (Maldives)—full band
- SkyRock (Maldives)—full band
- Funk Island (Sri Lanka)—featured international highlight band
- Dr. Tatsuya Daniel (USA)—solo keyboard artist
- Katherine (Sri Lanka)—solo expat keyboard artist
This year’s edition was further strengthened through important cultural sponsorships and institutional support, which played a key role in bringing together an internationally diverse lineup. The featured international band Funk Island (Sri Lanka) was sponsored by the French Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, while Dr Tatsuya Daniel (USA) was supported by the United States Embassy in the Maldives, reinforcing the role of cultural diplomacy in enabling artistic exchange.
The festival also forms part of the global spirit inspired by La Fête de la Musique (World Music Day), an annual celebration that originated in France in 1982. Created to encourage both amateur and professional musicians to perform freely in public spaces, the initiative promotes the idea of “music everywhere, for everyone.” Held annually on 21 June, it has since grown into a worldwide movement celebrated in more than 120 countries, uniting people through the universal language of music.
“Music remains one of the most powerful tools for cultural connection. This partnership with Hard Rock Cafe Maldives allows us to bring French and international artistic influences closer to the Maldivian audience while celebrating local creativity. We are proud to see this festival grow into a much-anticipated annual event,” said Beblai Gabin, Director at Alliance Française de Male’.
“Hosting this festival for the second consecutive year is a testament to the strong collaboration we have built with Alliance Française and the incredible support from our community. Bringing together local bands with international artists creates an unmatched energy that truly defines the Hard Rock Cafe spirit,” said Frederic Lebegue.
Guests were treated to an immersive live music experience, with performances spanning multiple genres and styles, delivering the signature high-energy atmosphere that the festival has become known for. The seamless blend of local and international acts reinforced the event’s reputation as a standout cultural highlight in Malé’s annual calendar.
Organisers expressed their appreciation for the continued partnership and strong audience turnout, noting that the success of the second edition sets a strong foundation for future expansions of the festival.
The evening concluded on a celebratory note, with enthusiastic feedback from attendees underscoring the festival’s growing popularity and its role in promoting music-driven cultural exchange in the Maldives
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