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OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru unveils elevated luxury with Lonubo Island’s reopening

OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort is excited to announce the exclusive re-opening of Lonubo, a private island retreat that takes barefoot luxury to a new level. This enchanting island is now available for hire, offering discerning travellers an unparalleled experience of privacy, serenity, and bespoke indulgence.
Situated just 200 meters from OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort and accessible only by private boat, Lonubo Island provides a secluded escape for those seeking to disconnect and immerse themselves in nature. The island’s ambiance is perfectly curated with plush sun loungers, beanbags, sunshades, and refreshing beverages—set against a backdrop of swaying palm trees, powdery white sands, and the shimmering turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
“Lonubo has been reimagined as a sanctuary for guests who value exclusivity and barefoot luxury,” says John Allanson, General Manager of OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru. “It’s a tropical paradise where our guests can enjoy a truly personalised experience, whether they seek a tranquil daytime getaway or a magical evening under the stars. Lonubo is redefining what it means to relax in paradise.”
Guests can select from a range of curated experiences designed to cater to every preference:
‘Your’ Lonubo Experience
Claim your own private island for four blissful hours (11am-3pm), where you can unwind on pristine sands, swim in the crystal-clear lagoon, or simply relax beneath the shade of coconut palms. Ideal for couples looking for a secluded setting to reconnect and enjoy the natural beauty of the Maldives.
$250 per couple ($65 per additional guest)
Lonubo Private Island Escape
Elevate your island experience with a gourmet picnic lunch. Choose from a menu of freshly prepared dishes and enjoy them with your toes in the sand and the sound of the waves as your background music. Swim, snorkel, or simply bask in the sun while savouring this ultimate castaway fantasy.
$690 per couple ($65 per additional guest)
Starlit Lonubo BBQ Dinner
For an unforgettable evening, enjoy a starlit BBQ dinner curated by your personal chef. Begin with Champagne at sunset, followed by a sumptuous meal of freshly grilled specialties. Optional extras include a beachfront bonfire, gourmet canapés, or a private movie screening. A private boat will take you to Lonubo at 5:30pm, where dinner will be served from 7pm.
$1,750 per couple ($190 per additional guest)
Enhance your experience further with optional add-ons, such as a log fire under the stars, Taittinger Brut Reserve Champagne paired with canapés, or a private surf and turf dinner featuring one-kilo Maldivian lobster and 500g of Black Angus tenderloin, expertly prepared by your private chef.
OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort now invites guests to discover the unrivalled luxury and tranquility of Lonubo Island. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful daytime retreat or an evening of romance under the stars, Lonubo promises a bespoke experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Excursions
Marine encounters: spinner dolphins at Canareef Resort Maldives

At Canareef Resort Maldives, one of the most popular experiences for guests is the dolphin tour. The abundant presence of dolphins in the surrounding waters ensures that each cruise offers a remarkable encounter with these marine creatures, creating lasting memories for visitors.
Every dolphin tour at Canareef provides an opportunity to observe pods of dolphins gliding and leaping across the waves. Guests often describe the sight of spinner dolphins darting through the clear ocean as a defining image of the Maldives’ natural marine beauty.
Morning cruises and sunset tours alike are guided by experienced staff, who share insights as dolphins appear in their natural environment. Many guests recount moments when dolphins swim alongside the boat, a spectacle that creates a unique sense of connection.
The activity is regarded as more than just an excursion; it is considered a celebration of nature and a highlight of a stay at Canareef. It allows guests to experience the Maldives in a way that underlines why dolphins are seen as ambassadors of the islands.
For travellers seeking encounters with dolphins amid turquoise waters, Canareef presents an ideal opportunity. The resort also offers seasonal promotions, including early booking discounts for the remainder of this summer, next winter, and summer 2026.
Featured
Maldives beaches rated among world’s best for rest and rejuvenation

Following a rise in searches for ‘calmcations’, long-haul travel specialists Travelbag have revealed the best destinations for a tranquil escape in 2025, with the Maldives named among the world’s most serene beachside getaways.
According to Travelbag, 72 per cent of British travellers go on holiday to relax and recharge, while 47 per cent seek experiences that help them feel more grounded and mindful. Searches for the term ‘calmcation’ – holidays focused on peace, quiet, and switching off – have doubled in the past three months, reflecting a growing shift away from busy itineraries towards more restorative travel.
To identify the most relaxing destinations, Travelbag analysed 36 global locations and ranked them against key serenity indicators, including noise and light pollution, cleanliness, the quality of green spaces, and local travel congestion.
Queenstown, New Zealand, secured first place as the world’s ultimate destination for tranquillity. Framed by the Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu, the town recorded exceptionally high scores for cleanliness (91.7) and quality of green spaces (94.4), alongside low levels of travel congestion and minimal noise and light pollution.
The Seychelles followed in second position, celebrated for its unspoiled natural beauty and exceptionally low noise and light pollution score of 16.7. Its islands, including La Digue, Praslin and Silhouette, remain havens of peace and natural charm.
Cairns, Australia, rounded out the top three, combining tropical serenity with well-maintained green spaces and an impressive cleanliness score of 69.6.
Also ranking among the top global destinations is the Maldives, long regarded as one of the world’s premier escapes for those seeking peace and seclusion. With its iconic turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and private island resorts, the country continues to attract travellers in search of restorative experiences.
According to Travelbag’s analysis, the Maldives achieved an impressive average beach rating of 4.63, placing it alongside the world’s leading beachside destinations. Beaches such as Bikini Beach, Baros Beach, and Reethi Beach were highlighted as examples of the country’s serene appeal.
Danny Hugill, Destination Executive for the Maldives at Travelbag, commented: “The Maldives is one of our most cherished destinations – an idyllic collection of tiny islands that offer unmatched opportunities to unwind. Long celebrated as a top honeymoon destination, it remains the ultimate place to escape, slow down, and enjoy the tranquillity of nature.”
The findings underline the Maldives’ continued appeal in a market increasingly shaped by wellness, mindfulness, and relaxation. While destinations such as New Zealand and the Seychelles excel in specific indicators of serenity, the Maldives’ unique combination of luxurious seclusion, natural beauty, and consistently high-rated beaches ensures its position as a global ‘calmcation’ favourite for 2025.
Featured
October at Soneva: culinary journeys, wellness retreats and world-class guests

As the golden light softens the edges of the day and autumn arrives in the Maldives, Soneva’s resorts are inviting families to embrace a slower pace. Surrounded by settings where jungle meets shoreline and barefoot living is part of everyday life, October brings immersive experiences, diverse dining and guest appearances designed to create memorable moments.
Soneva is renowned for its sense of space – and this October, that space is offered as a place to connect, explore and dream. Guests are accommodated in expansive villas, whether set above the water or nestled within the forest, with each generation free to follow their own rhythm. Younger visitors are welcomed at The Den, where activities include chocolate-making, coral reef discovery and storytelling beneath the stars. Adults are offered opportunities such as sailing excursions, wine tastings by the beach and relaxed days defined by a tropical tempo.
The Soneva Stars programme in October features a notable guest line-up. Tennis player Andy Murray will lead sessions on the courts, Olympic swimmer Therese Alshammar will conduct family swimming classes, and British astronaut Tim Peake will introduce guests to stargazing alongside stories from his career in space. The atmosphere is intended to remain relaxed, with experiences that are both engaging and uncommon.
Culinary experiences remain central to the Soneva offering. October’s highlights include Michelin-starred chefs joining the Soneva Stars programme: Tim Siadatan of Trullo and Padella will appear at Soneva Fushi for the first time, while Chet Sharma of Bibi will prepare a Diwali dinner at both Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani. Dining venues range from Flying Sauces, a treetop experience reached by zipline, to So Hands On by Chef Akira, an intimate six-seat sushi counter crafted in sake-finished pine. At Soneva Secret, each villa includes a private chef, offering a personalised dining experience.
For guests seeking tranquillity, October also marks the return of the SOUL Festival at Soneva Fushi, taking place from 9 to 13 October. This retreat gathers global figures in wellness, movement and transformation, offering barefoot rituals, sunrise breathwork and reflective discussions.
October at Soneva is framed by golden hours and starlit nights, with experiences designed to be shared across generations.
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