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Veligandu Island Resort: where even the sun comes to recuperate

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By Hamza Khaleel

Maldives Promotion House – In the traditional Maldivian language of Dhivehi, the word “Veligandu” means gathered sand or sand dune. In the pretext of Veligandu Island Resort it signifies the white sandy, elongated beach of the island resort. Veligandu is a picturesque example of natural island beauty of Maldives, that is not rivaled anywhere  else in the world.

The moment you take off from the seaplane at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, the aerial sights of Maldivian islands greet you. After the 15 minute ride your plane sets down at the floating dock of  Veligandu. 

Walking along the jetty and towards the front office you cannot but notice the white sandy beaches stretching across, with crystal clear waters pampering it, with gentle waves. When you get to the reception, it is a cozy traditional roofed counter where the staff are extremely well spoken and warm. The rooms of your choice from Beach Side rooms to Water Villas to Jacuzzi Water Villas are available for your choosing.

The resort of  Veligandu has the most laid back and relaxing environment that one would dream of sitting in a busy office, somewhere in the western hemisphere. The coconut palms and beach side greenery surrounds the, lean but long, island of Veligandu. Since the island is so narrow, the gentle sounds of breaking waves can always be heard in the background, where ever you are on the island. Maldives is proud to boast warm sunny weather (except for monsoon season) through out the year, hence Veligandu offers you sunny sunbaths, wonderful snorkeling,exciting scuba diving, adrenaline pumping water sports and just laziness, simply lying on the beach experience; for the busybodies on holiday.

The sports and recreational facilities of Veligandu are more than adequate to fill up your day with some outdoor or indoor games activities. The indoor games room offers pool, Foosball, table tennis and much more. If you wish to do a little shopping for friends and family, there is a small gift shop that offers a wide range of traditional handicrafts, jewelery, ornaments and the odd gifts.

On the island of  Veligandu you simply cannot complete the relaxation experience unless you have been to the Spa. The Spa has 5 treatment rooms that over look the vast ocean and a sauna and shower facilities. The treatment rooms offer the choice of enjoying it with your partner and spouse or all by yourself, if that is what you desire. The body heals not with the oils and the gentle massaging techniques of the professionals alone, but also with the site of nature and the tranquility the island offers.

The resort also has a lovely swimming pool located on the beach on the east end of the island, along with a  kids pool nearby. If the salt water is too much or if you simply wish to lie in the sun with a drink at hand the poolside offers deck chairs and sun beds. It is the ideal place to read that favorite book you just had not had time for.

Veligandu is located in the North Ari atoll of Maldives,which has some of the best scuba dive spots to offer. An hour and half away, is the famous “Maya Thila”, which hosts hammerhead sharks during certain periods of the year. Diving might not be for everyone but anyone with basic swimming skills, with snorkeling gear on, can enjoy a lovely afternoon splattering across the house reef watching diverse  species of mysterious fish and colorful coral gardens.

For the full-board guests (which most guests prefer) breakfast lunch and dinner is laid out in the main restaurant on the eastern beach of the island. The restaurant overlooks the main swimming pool and gazes into the distant horizon. Guests are served tables on a first come first serve basis, so that the early bird, can get a closer view to the ocean or sit in the sun beside the pool. The food on Veligandu is quite reminiscent of a larger establishment, and the menu more diverse than the average resort. Enjoying your favorite drink at the bar that overlooks the long stretching southern sandy tail of the island with the sun setting, one can easily immerse in the depth of relaxation. At night there is crab racing where you can succumb to your chances to win a free drink by guessing the winning crab or sit at the bar enjoying soothing music or simply sit by the pool and count the endless stars.

The beautiful island of  Veligandu definitely is great value for money. While it might not be the upper class luxury resort, what it does offer, is the natural beauty of Maldives, served with the cultural traditions of good hospitality and wonderful memories of a life time. The dedication of the management, to service the rooms and facilities regularly is key for  Veligandu to always guarantee the perfect room for the guest.  Veligandu offers a taste of warmth and hospitality with affordable prices and a simplistic but natural approach, that is signature to the Maldivian island resort, leisure experience.

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Sun Siyam Olhuveli invests in staff wellbeing with upgraded sports facilities

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Sun Siyam Olhuveli has unveiled newly upgraded volleyball and futsal grounds for team members, reaffirming its commitment to employee wellbeing while advancing responsible, future-focused operations. The renovated volleyball grounds were officially inaugurated on 14 February, while the upgraded futsal ground opened earlier this year—together creating dedicated spaces for recreation, connection, and healthy competition across the island.

Designed to encourage regular physical activity and camaraderie beyond the workplace, the improved sports facilities represent a thoughtful investment in social infrastructure. They reflect a belief that wellbeing is fundamental to long-term performance, nurturing morale, teamwork, and a strong sense of belonging among team members.

Alongside these developments, the resort has implemented NO BIN DAY every Tuesday, a practical initiative aimed at minimising food waste across operations. By encouraging mindful planning and responsible consumption, the initiative challenges teams to rethink habits around food—transforming sustainability into a shared, everyday discipline.

“Taking care of our people and the environment must go hand in hand. By investing in spaces that support our team’s wellbeing and introducing simple disciplines like NO BIN DAY, we are building a culture where responsibility is lived every day—naturally, collectively, and with purpose,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli.

Both initiatives form part of Sun Siyam Care, the group’s corporate social responsibility platform, and align with the Social Infrastructure and Responsible Consumption and Production pillars under the GDS framework. Together, they reflect a people-first approach to sustainability—where everyday actions create lasting impact for teams, operations, and the wider community.

Sun Siyam Care is committed to creating a positive impact for people, communities, and the environment through responsible operations, social investment, and long-term sustainability actions across its destinations in the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Guests are encouraged to learn more about these initiatives by visiting the Sun Siyam Care website at sunsiyam.com/sun-siyam-care.

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Sheraton Maldives Full Moon celebrates sixth anniversary of Reefscapers collaboration

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Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa marks the sixth anniversary of its partnership with Reefscapers on February 19, 2026, reaffirming its commitment to protecting and restoring the Maldives’ fragile reef ecosystems. Since launching the partnership in 2020, the resort and Reefscapers have worked together to restore coral habitats, support marine biodiversity, and engage guests in meaningful conservation experiences. The milestone also marks one year since the successful relocation of approximately five tons of coral to the resort’s house reefs — one of the partnership’s most significant conservation initiatives.

Over the past six years, the partnership has become a defining pillar of the resort’s sustainability journey, blending scientific restoration with purposeful guest engagement. To date, the initiative has resulted in the planting of 898 coral frames, supporting approximately 33,000 coral colonies now growing across the restoration sites. Through coral propagation, reef monitoring, and awareness programmes, these efforts continue to regenerate reef structures while deepening understanding of the essential role coral ecosystems play in sustaining marine life and protecting coastlines. Each thriving coral frame reflects a shared dedication to preserving the natural wonders that make the Maldives one of the world’s most extraordinary marine destinations.

“What makes this partnership special is seeing how small, consistent actions turn into real change underwater. Watching the relocated corals settle, survive, and begin to grow over the past year has been incredibly rewarding for us and the guests who return and witness how they’ve helped restore a living reef,” shares Katelyn, the resort’s Marine Biologist.

A defining achievement of the collaboration has been the coral relocation project, which carefully transferred coral colonies from Ras Malé, also known as the Maldives Eco City, to the resort’s dedicated restoration site, safeguarding them from potential threats linked to land reclamation activities in the Fushi Dhiggaru Lagoon. One year on, these corals continue to flourish beneath the surface, strengthening reef resilience and contributing to the long-term health of the surrounding ecosystem.

At the heart of the partnership lies the resort’s Adopt a Coral programme, part of the Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy initiative, which encourages guests to travel with intention through meaningful environmental experiences. Through this hands-on activity, visitors can adopt and name a coral frame while learning directly from marine experts about coral ecology and the importance of protecting marine habitats.

To deepen this connection beyond the stay, guests receive growth updates on their adopted corals every six months, allowing them to follow the progress of their living contribution to the reef. As these corals grow over time, they become enduring symbols of renewal and shared responsibility, transforming a holiday memory into a lasting environmental legacy, and reflecting how travel can positively support local ecosystems and communities.

“Our island is surrounded by a remarkable marine environment, and protecting it is a responsibility we take seriously. Our partnership with Reefscapers reflects our belief that hospitality should go hand in hand with stewardship. Seeing the reef restoration progress over the past six years, and the involvement of our guests and associates in that journey, makes this anniversary especially meaningful for all of us,” comments Greg Allan, General Manager of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa.

Through its continued collaboration with Reefscapers, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa remains dedicated to advancing marine conservation while creating purposeful guest experiences rooted in sustainability, education, and connection to nature.

To discover more about the resort’s sustainability initiatives, join the Adopt a Coral programme, or plan a stay that supports reef conservation, visit sheratonmaldives.com or contact the reservations team at Sheraton.Maldives@sheraton.com.

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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef unveils expanded marine excursion portfolio

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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Sun Siyam Privé Collection, has introduced an expanded portfolio of water-based experiences designed to showcase the natural environment and marine life of the surrounding atolls. The enhanced programme combines exploration, activity and moments of calm, offering guests new ways to experience the Maldives through curated ocean journeys and personalised excursions.

Building on established activities such as Jet Car rides, SeaBob adventures and windsurfing, the resort has expanded its watersports offering to include private speedboat journeys and bespoke marine experiences. These additions are tailored for small groups seeking intimate and meaningful encounters with the ocean.

Available daily from the resort’s Watersports Centre, the new private speedboat excursions provide a personalised way to explore the hidden marine sites of Dhaalu Atoll. Designed for one to four guests, each journey offers flexibility and individual attention. Guests may choose from four-hour, five-hour or full-day itineraries, all of which include a freshly prepared barbecue lunch. From coral gardens to secluded sandbanks, the excursions highlight the region’s diverse marine landscapes.

The programme’s centrepiece is the Full Day Adventure Trip, which offers an extended exploration of key marine locations. Highlights include the Coral Garden, known for its biodiversity and reef formations; Turtle Point, where sea turtles are frequently sighted; and Nurse Shark Point, which provides opportunities to observe nurse sharks in their natural environment. The experience concludes with a beachside lunch on a private sandbank, set against uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean.

For guests seeking a balance between activity and relaxation, the Waves of Adventure and Calmness experience combines a private two-hour snorkelling safari or Jet Ski safari with a full-body massage at the resort. The programme is designed to transition smoothly from ocean exploration to restorative island time, reflecting the relaxed pace that characterises Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.

As part of the Sun Siyam Privé Collection, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef continues to focus on personalised service and experiences rooted in the natural setting of the Maldives. Through its expanded watersports offering, the resort invites guests to engage with the marine environment while enjoying a sense of privacy, discovery and connection to the Maldivian seascape.

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