The Maldives’ Fari Islands archipelago came alive from 13–15 August as the second edition of the Fari Islands Festival unfolded across Patina Maldives and The Ritz-Carlton Maldives. Guided by its ‘One Festival, Every Sense’ philosophy, the festival welcomed an international community of artists, cultural voices, chefs, musicians, wellness practitioners and conservationists, including headline contributor Rosamund Pike and acclaimed designer Sean Wotherspoon.

The three-day celebration of creativity, connection and discovery invited guests to experience the Fari Islands through every sense, from mindful mornings and ocean experiences to creative workshops, culinary discoveries, thought-provoking conversations and music beneath the Maldivian sky.

At the heart of this year’s festival was Rosamund Pike, the Golden Globe, Emmy and Olivier Award- winning and BAFTA and Academy Award-nominated actor and humanitarian. Pike opened the festival with a charity dinner supporting MAG (Mines Advisory Group), the humanitarian organisation dedicated to clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance from conflict zones around the world. Throughout the weekend, she explored the relationship between creativity, performance and the roles we choose to play in life through a solo address, before leading guests through a guided meditation in partnership with Lumenate, the psychedelic meditation app. Pike also embraced local culture through an intimate Maldivian cooking class at Patina Maldives’ newly launched Kandu restaurant.

Globally recognised designer and cultural tastemaker Sean Wotherspoon led a collaborative art residency, bringing his vibrant, sustainability-focused aesthetic to the islands. Throughout the festival, Wotherspoon worked alongside guests on a large-scale, reef-inspired sculpture, built collectively across the festival.

The completed sculpture will become part of ongoing coral regeneration efforts in the Fari Islands lagoon, where it will continue to evolve as marine life takes hold. Wotherspoon also transformed the Fari Art Atelier into a dedicated festival pop-up, showcasing an exclusive Fari Islands merchandise collection and limited pieces created especially for festival guests.

Wellness and movement provided a constant rhythm throughout the three days, with the Maldives’ leading running community, iRunners, bringing guests and participants together for a 5km Charity Island Run as part of the festival’s ‘Protect the Reef’ campaign. The run raised USD 5,000, which was donated to Save the Beach in support of marine and coastal conservation.

Meanwhile, Wellness by Bamford returned for a second year, with sound healer Stephanie Waxberg and aromatherapist Louise Riby leading immersive wellness experiences, joined by Noble Panacea for sessions centred on longevity and holistic wellbeing.

This year’s programme also welcomed Malin Fezehai, a National Geographic Explorer, offering guests a unique opportunity to explore the natural world through the lens of observation, storytelling and conservation. Alongside Olive Ridley Project, experiences throughout the festival centred on the Maldives’ remarkable marine ecosystems, biodiversity and ongoing conservation efforts.

As the sun set, French musician and creative icon Sébastien Tellier mesmerised festival goers with a live piano performance, while Thai multidisciplinary artist NOTEP wove together music, nature and storytelling. The festival culminated in a beachfront celebration led by acclaimed Dutch DJ and producer FS Green, one of Amsterdam’s finest talents.

Food and drink became an essential part of the ‘One Festival, Every Sense’ journey, inviting guests to slow down and savour new flavours. Michelin-starred chef Samuel Lee, founder of Parisian neo-bistrot SENsation, joined Tokyo-born dining collective WAGYUMAFIA for a series of distinctive culinary experiences, while Dry Wave Cocktail Studio, ranked No. 5 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, joined Michter’s Whiskey for narrative-led cocktail experiences, alongside curated spirits sessions from Sei Bellissimi’s Danilo Pozone.

With its second edition now wrapped, Fari Islands Festival continues its evolving reputation as an annual gathering where creativity, culture, wellbeing and conservation meet the natural beauty of the Maldives. Following the success of the 2026 edition, Fari Islands Festival will return in 2027, inviting a new generation of artists, thinkers, chefs, performers and cultural voices to Fari Islands for its next chapter.

The Fari Islands Festival is set to return from 8-10 July in 2027. Stay up to date and reserve a stay at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives or Patina Maldives. For more information visit fari-islands.com.

Joy Island has announced its third year anniversary celebration.

The week-long celebration will start from 28 September to 4 October 2026, bringing together a vibrant programme of wellness, entertainment and island experiences designed to create memorable moments for all guests.

The celebrations will begin on 28 September with Sunrise Energy Flow Yoga, setting the tone for a week of joyful experiences. The opening evening will feature spectacular fire shows and a tropical welcome, inviting guests to come together and celebrate the beginning of this special milestone.

The main anniversary celebrations on 1 October will feature a series of signature experiences, beginning with Golden Sunset Cocktails, where guests can unwind and enjoy refreshing drinks as the sun sets over the island. This will be followed by the Anniversary Gala Dinner, hosted by Chef Koyi Tanabe offering a unique culinary experience.

The highlight of the evening will be the much-anticipated Anniversary Party, featuring live music, entertainment and an energetic atmosphere as guests come together to celebrate three years of Joy Island.

Throughout the week, guests can enjoy a vibrant programme of activities, includingJoy Beach Olympics, Stand-Up Paddle Relay Fun, Sunset DJ Sessions, Family Fashion Show, Mixology Competition and White Party. Younger guests can take part in bracelet-making, kite flying, pizza tossing, beach games and a Farewell Tree Planting Ceremony. Together, these experiences will create a vibrant celebration filled with fun, creativity, connection and unforgettable island memories.

The celebrations will also welcome distinguished guest personalities, adding an extra touch of culinary and wellness excellence to this special milestone at Joy Island Maldives. Among the featured guests will be Chef Koyi Tanabe, Executive Chef of Salvaje Dubai and Arrogante Dubai joining as the visiting chef, and Imran Zulfikar, a Wellness and Lifestyle Coach specialising in deep-tension release therapy joining as the visiting practitioner.

“Joy Island’s third year anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the memories we have created together with our guests, partners and team members,” said Bandula Thilakarathne, Resort Manager at Joy Island. “This milestone reflects our continued commitment to delivering genuine hospitality, meaningful experiences and moments of joy that stay with our guests long after their holiday. We look forward to welcoming everyone to a celebration filled with happiness, connection and the vibrant spirit of Joy Island.”

As Joy Island celebrates 3 years of creating memorable experiences in the Maldives, the resort looks forward to welcoming guests to an anniversary week filled with laughter, discovery, relaxation and celebration. At Joy Island, the spirit remains simple: “Keep Calm and JOY Your Life.”

In the rarefied realm of the MICHELIN Key, with nearly 500 bestowed worldwide across a multitude of extraordinary properties, true distinction is found not in abundance, but in scarcity. OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI is counted among just 15 resorts in the Maldives to receive this coveted honour, a distinction that speaks volumes about its unwavering commitment to excellence.

While international hospitality superpowers have long staked their claim on the Maldives, there remains room for something more intimate, a vision both all-encompassing and uncompromising. THE OZEN COLLECTION, an exclusive luxury brand within the island nation, has nurtured a flagship that stands shoulder to shoulder with the most recognisable names in the region. OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI commands its own private island and lagoon in the South Malé Atoll, where a curated collection of suites, villas, pavilions, and RESERVES redefines the art of refined Maldivian living.

The MICHELIN Key serves as a powerful endorsement of the brand’s philosophy of refined elegance, one where every aspect of the guest journey is meticulously curated, from the moment of arrival to the final farewell. At its heart lies the signature RESERVE™ Plan, a comprehensive paradigm of all-encompassing indulgence that ensures a seamless continuum of bespoke experiences: unlimited gourmet dining across multiple specialty restaurants, a curated selection of premium international beverages, and the dedicated service of a private Hiyani butler who anticipates every desire with discreet precision.

Beyond the table and the villa, the resort offers dedicated sanctuaries for wellbeing and connoisseurship. The award-winning ELE|NA Elements of Nature Spa invites guests into transformative wellness journeys. Meanwhile, the exclusive CUVEÉ wine library, housing over 300 prestigious labels, offers a sophisticated enclave for curated tastings, where rare vintages and expert guidance converge.

Speaking on the recognition, Abnash Kumar, General Manager of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, remarked: “To retain the MICHELIN Key is a profound honour. It is not simply an award, it reflects the passion and dedication that our team brings to every guest, daily. It speaks to our commitment to creating experiences that go beyond expectation, where every detail matters, every moment is meaningful, and every guest feels genuinely seen. This recognition belongs to them, and to the guests who inspire us to keep raising the bar.”

Each element of the island converges to create something rare: a holiday that feels both boundless and intimately yours. As OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI looks ahead, it does so with quiet confidence, continuing to redefine what it means to experience the Maldives at its most extraordinary.