News
SIX & SIX introduces HIRIGAA private island at DHON MAAGA MALDIVES
Some words hold more than meaning. In Dhivehi, Hirigaa is such a word. A porous coral stone, once lifted from reef and shore, was shaped by hand and set with care. With it, Maldivians built faalan, raised Miskiy, and gave homes their foundation. Admired for its beauty, chosen for its strength — the name held within it a sense of permanence, of labour, of memory.
Now the word has returned. Not as artefact, but as a secret place. HIRIGAA is the private island within DHON MAAGA, part of the SIX & SIX portfolio opening in late 2026. It is not a third island, but the soul of the second — a sanctuary folded into DHON MAAGA’s larger story, where privacy is not absence, but stillness.
In Maldivian tradition, the Maavadin were master craftsmen, their knowledge spanning reef stone, wood, and ornament. They understood how to work with stone and wood — shaping each line with instinct, proportion, and purpose. Their role was not only to create, but to ensure that what was made endured: a philosophy of permanence, carried through every line and joint. Step inside the oldest Miskiy in the Maldives and their presence remains. Chisel strokes on stones. Timber beams worked with patience. Carvings filtering light and shadow across walls that still stand. What they built endures because it was shaped not for spectacle, but for continuity.
HIRIGAA carries that essence forward. Its architecture rests rather than rises. Lines are measured, spaces allowed to breathe. Not built to impress on arrival, but to hold, to last, to belong.
At DHON MAAGA, villas rise in two elemental forms — TERRA, drawn from land, and AETHR, suspended above water. Within HIRIGAA, these signatures are echoed in three colossal villas: one oriented toward the sunset on its own private beach; and two elevated above waters at equal height, each with panoramic views that embrace the horizon.
Beyond the villas, the island offers two distinct dining experiences, each reflecting a different expression of island life. The first is an overwater pavilion, where meals unfold above the water, light moving gently across the surface. Complete with a pool and slide, it balances playfulness and refinement. Dining flows seamlessly into leisure — a subtle reflection of shared feasts, where generosity is effortless and warmth lingers softly.
The second is a secluded dining space set within the island, shaded by palms and cooled by ocean breezes. Tables rest beneath the canopy, lanterns casting soft light across sand and timber. This is dining in its most intimate form — a private ritual, where conversation lingers and connection to place is felt in every detail.
A spa offers treatments in harmony with the island’s natural rhythm, complemented by a steam room and sauna. A private gym and a study provide space for retreat, while a large living area amplifies the sense of privacy and scale. Behind these visible spaces lies the unseen rhythm of a self-sufficient island: a full-service kitchen designed for ceremony as much as preparation, where the abundance of dishes reflects a spirit of giving; a dedicated service building with living quarters for four Edhurun; discreetly placed storage and laundry; and a private faalan hidden among the foliage for effortless arrivals. Nothing is excessive. Everything is considered.
Hospitality is lived through the Edhurun — intuitive Maldivian mentors whose presence is enduring yet quiet, guiding through memory and care not by instruction. They do not manage guests. They remember them. A light adjusted before dusk. A dish returned without request, recalled from a celebration long past. The Edhurun are part of the Rayyithun — the People of the Islands — whose philosophy shapes every SIX & SIX property. Presence is not performance. It is translation. It is memory, carried forward.
The Rayyithun continue to shape island life: Masverin bringing in the catch, women preparing over fire, Beruverin keeping rhythm, Raaverin drawing sweetness from the palms, children’s voices carried on the wind at dusk. They are the living soul of the islands.
Each island in the SIX & SIX collection reveals a different expression of this philosophy. RAH GILI MALDIVES, opening in Q1 of 2026, introduces guests to the Rayyithun in their most welcoming form. Here, the way of life is shared. Guests join the rhythm directly — dining at the Maakeyolhu restaurant, where a malaafaiy stretches wide with dishes to share, replenished as naturally as the ocean’s flow. The day’s catch rests alongside recipes passed through generations, each bowl an act of welcome. Drums rise at dusk, rituals unfold at the water’s edge, and the spirit of community is open and inclusive.
At DHON MAAGA, that same philosophy is amplified. Abundance takes monumental form, drawn from the cornucopia — a symbol of continuous giving that informs the island’s spatial rhythm. Line-caught tuna is elevated alongside refined pairings, dishes presented with elemental flair, and architecture itself becomes a vessel of offering. Not opulence for display, but a way of showing that giving has no end.
Within HIRIGAA, abundance becomes more intimate still. Meals unfold in silence: a table set on the deck at sunset, an overwater pavilion with water moving gently below, a dish remembered and returned without asking. Dining is not performed but anticipated — a ritual of presence shaped by memory. Privacy is freedom, and freedom allows abundance to arrive quietly, in its own rhythm.
Guests of the private island may fully experience the resort, with access to all eight dining venues, immersive wellness rituals, and curated encounters — their stay never limited, only enriched. Or they may choose to remain within their sanctuary, surrounded by complete privacy.
Laith Pharaon, Co-Founder and CEO of SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS, said: “HIRIGAA is more than a name. It is a word that carries the weight of Maldivian heritage — the craft of the Maavadin, the rhythm of community, the quiet strength of memory. In choosing it, we recognise our responsibility to preserve what is foundational while translating it into an experience that speaks to today’s traveller. Every island in our collection must embody not just beauty, but meaning. HIRIGAA reflects that belief — that true luxury endures when it is rooted in culture.”
Marc Gussing, Director of Operations, added: “When we place a name like HIRIGAA within our portfolio, we are not simply naming a destination — we are safeguarding a legacy. Each island must embody a character that is distinctive, respectful, and true to its cultural environment. By giving this name to the private island at DHON MAAGA, we ensure that Maldivian heritage is experienced, not only remembered.”
The Maldives has long been described in metaphor: an island shaped like a turtle, wise and unhurried. Another compared to a pearl, hidden and rare. Others imagined as havens, untouched and still. HIRIGAA does not compete with these. It does not need metaphor. It is foundation itself — a word that predates the industry, safeguarded and returned to living use.
Each island in the SIX & SIX collection stands on its own, yet all are guided by a shared rhythm — where time moves without rush, culture is held with care, and design is intentional.
RAH GILI MALDIVES: community and rhythm.
DHON MAAGA MALDIVES: scale and form.
HIRIGAA at DHON MAAGA: privacy, shaped to endure.
Not one alike, but all aligned — not through uniformity, but through meaning.
HIRIGAA is more than a private island. It is a legacy of the Rayyithun. It remembers the Maavadin who guided others in the shaping of stone and wood, who worked with mastery and care. It honours fishermen who read the current, women who welcomed with fire, children who carried rhythm into tomorrow. It affirms that permanence lies not in wealth or invention, but in the memory of care.
This is not branding. It is remembering.
HIRIGAA is part of DHON MAAGA MALDIVES.
It is privacy with presence. Stillness with scale. Memory with meaning.
Not a third island, but the grounding of the second.
Something older.
And something that will remain.
Villa Resorts has launched a new Villa Air seaplane service to Villa Park Maldives, offering an arrival experience that begins in the air with views across the Maldivian archipelago.
Operated by the sister brand Villa Air, the seaplanes serving Villa Park are fitted with some of the widest panoramic windows used in the Maldives. This allows passengers to observe reefs, sandbanks, and islands almost continuously from take-off to landing. Travellers see the colours of the ocean shift from deep blue to lighter turquoise and can trace the shape of atolls and lagoons well before reaching the resort.
The size of the windows ensures that most seats offer wide views, enabling couples, families, and groups to experience the scenery together without needing to change places. Capturing photographs and short videos becomes straightforward, and for many visitors this forms their first impression of the Maldives while still above the islands.
A notable feature of the Villa Air service is the experience of taking off from and landing on water. The gradual ascent from the lagoon near Malé and the final descent beside Villa Park bring a sense of calm and mild adventure, particularly for those new to seaplane travel. The sound of the floats touching the water and the sight of the resort appearing ahead create a natural transition to the island.
With unobstructed views, a relaxed pace, and the experience of stepping off an aircraft that has just landed on the ocean, the new Villa Air seaplane connection ensures that a stay at Villa Park effectively begins from the moment passengers depart Malé and follow the chain of islands south.
Awards
Kuda Villingili ranked 5th in Condé Nast Traveller Middle East’s top overseas leisure resorts 2025
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been ranked fifth in the Top Overseas Leisure Resort (Global Category) at the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards 2025. The accolade, decided by readers across the region, is one of the most recognised distinctions in the luxury travel sector.
The resort also earned a place among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveller US Readers’ Choice Awards 2025, marking its second Condé Nast recognition within the same year. Together, the awards underline Kuda Villingili’s growing international profile and its focus on consistent service delivery across different markets.
Commenting on the achievement, Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili, said: “To be recognised twice in a single year by two global editions of Condé Nast Traveller is a profound honour for us. Being voted among the world’s top leisure resorts by Middle Eastern readers is especially meaningful, as this region remains central to our guest community. These accolades reaffirm our dedication to delivering tailored luxury and unforgettable island experiences.”
The latest recognition further consolidates Kuda Villingili’s position as a preferred Maldivian destination for Middle Eastern travellers seeking privacy, space, and curated stays. The resort is located a 30-minute speedboat ride from Malé, which has contributed to its popularity among guests from the GCC due to direct international connections, short transfer times, and ease of access.
Kuda Villingili’s island layout and natural setting support a range of stay types, including privacy-focused holidays, multigenerational travel, couples’ escapes, wellness breaks, and family stays. Its accommodation portfolio includes a mix of overwater villas and spacious beach-based villas, residences, and retreats ranging from two to four bedrooms. These units are designed with generous indoor–outdoor living areas, private pools in selected categories, and direct access either to the beach or lagoon, offering flexibility for families and groups travelling together.
Dining is a central part of the Kuda Villingili experience, with eight signature venues serving twelve cuisines. Guests can choose from Mediterranean, Japanese-Peruvian (Nikkei), Teppanyaki, contemporary Asian and surf-and-turf concepts.
SPICE, the resort’s Indian–Arabic restaurant, led in collaboration with the fifth-generation Qureishi brothers, has built strong appeal in the GCC market. Its menu is inspired by Indian, Middle Eastern and charcoal-grilled traditions and is designed around familiar flavour profiles presented with a refined approach. The overall culinary programme at Kuda Villingili combines range with attentive, personalised service.
The resort’s facilities extend beyond accommodation and dining to a variety of leisure and wellness experiences. Its 150-metre freshwater swimming pool, one of the largest in the Maldives, forms the focal point of the island. A dedicated private island spa with eight treatment villas provides a setting for restorative therapies and wellness-focused programmes.
Adventure and sports are also an important part of the offering. Kuda Villingili is located close to Chicken’s Break, one of the world’s best-known left-hand surf breaks, and has positioned itself as a surf-luxury destination for enthusiasts from the region and beyond. Additional experiences for families and couples include ocean excursions, watersports, and tailored activities that encourage time together.
Kuda Villingili has expressed its appreciation to Condé Nast Traveller Middle East readers for the 2025 recognition and to Condé Nast Traveller US readers for the parallel honour in the Indian Ocean category. The resort continues to invite new and returning guests to explore its “Time and Space Redefined” philosophy through its accommodation, service, and range of experiences.
This festive season, ELE|NA at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI invites guests to embrace a period of reflection, renewal and mindful letting go with the arrival of Dr Amit Kumar (Eknath), a globally respected holistic wellness practitioner and master of yoga, meditation and sound healing. Set on one of the Maldives’ most serene private islands, the residency transforms the traditional holiday atmosphere into a sanctuary for clarity, rest and meaningful reconnection. Spanning the festive period and continuing through January, it offers guests the opportunity to reset and realign mentally, emotionally and physically as they welcome the year ahead.
From 15 December 2025 to 31 January 2026, Dr Kumar will guide a deeply immersive program that blends ancient healing arts with modern mind-body practices. Through sacred sound, intuitive movement and restorative therapies, he supports each guest in slowing down, tuning in and rediscovering a sense of inner steadiness. His approach reflects ELE|NA’s Wellness Your Way™ philosophy, empowering guests to shape their own journey toward balance and well-being. This may include sunrise practices, evening sound journeys or personalised therapeutic sessions created according to individual needs.
Signature Experience: The Divine Sound Bath
At the heart of the residency is Dr Kumar’s renowned Divine Sound Bath, a multisensory immersion using Himalayan singing bowls and refined vibrational techniques. The experience guides guests into deep stillness, calming the nervous system and inviting emotional clarity. Many describe this session as a complete energetic reset, emerging grounded, refreshed and more connected to their inner calm.
Complementing this signature offering is a curated selection of transformative experiences including intuitive massage rituals, meditative yoga flows, chakra-inspired energy work and ancient beauty therapies. Each session is intentionally designed to help guests step away from external noise and reconnect with their natural rhythm. The serene surroundings of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI enhance this process, with its peaceful ambience and spacious private villas ideal for rest and reflection.
“At ELE|NA, we believe wellness should be personal, intuitive and alive,” says Heidi Grimwood, Senior Vice President of ELE|NA. “Dr Kumar brings a presence that perfectly reflects this philosophy. His sessions allow guests to move beyond relaxation and rediscover harmony through sound, movement and mindful awareness.”
With the soothing rhythm of the Indian Ocean as its backdrop, ELE|NA offers an environment where wellness becomes an immersive and transformative experience. Guests are invited to step into the New Year with intention, supported by clarity, calm and a renewed sense of inner balance.
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