News
Fari Islands Festival adds Milind Soman, Sean Wotherspoon and National Geographic
The Fari Islands Festival returns from 13 to 15 August 2026, bringing together Patina Maldives, Fari Islands and The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands for a second edition. The festival expands its 2026 programme with the addition of Milind Soman, DJ FS Green and National Geographic, joining festival headliner Rosamund Pike alongside an exceptional collective of artists, chefs, designers and cultural voices from around the world.
Spanning three days and two resorts, the festival continues its exploration of art, wellness, gastronomy and nature, moving through a natural daily rhythm from sunrise rituals and ocean experiences to thought-provoking conversations, communal gatherings and performances into the night.
Sean Wotherspoon
Globally recognised designer and cultural tastemaker Sean Wotherspoon—known for iconic collaborations with Nike, Adidas, Porsche and Gap—will lead a collaborative art residency during Fari Islands Festival, bringing his vibrant, sustainability-focused aesthetic to the islands.
At the centre of the residency is a large-scale, reef-inspired sculpture, built collectively across the festival as guests contribute to the piece under Sean’s direction. Once complete, the installation will be placed in the Fari Islands lagoon as part of ongoing coral regeneration efforts—continuing to evolve as marine life takes hold over time.
Sean will also take over the Fari Artist Atelier with a dedicated pop-up, featuring an exclusive Fari Islands merchandise collection alongside limited pieces designed especially for festival guests from both resorts.

Milind Soman—Festival Wellness Collaborator
Joining Sean is the endurance icon Milind Soman – a national swimming champion turned one of India’s most recognisable public figures, Soman has spent three decades pushing at the edges of what endurance means.
For the Fari Islands Festival, he’s teaming up with iRunners, the Maldives’ leading running community, to host a morning 5km and 10km Charity Island Run on
13 August.
The collaboration centres on iRunners’ flagship event, the Maldives Half Marathon. Since 2022, it’s drawn runners from across the region and beyond to cover 21.1 kilometres through Malé, with the Indian Ocean as a constant
backdrop. But it’s never really just been about the race—the volunteers, supporters and local residents lining the course make it feel more like a citywide celebration. Each edition runs under iRunners’ Protect the Reef campaign, and in 2026, proceeds will fund a coral restoration project in Villingili—so every kilometre run ends up doing something for the marine environment that makes the Maldives worth visiting in the first place.

2026 Festival Lineup
Joining this year’s music programme alongside Sébastien Tellier and NOTEP is internationally acclaimed Dutch DJ and producer FS Green, one of Amsterdam’s finest talents. He began making beats at the age of 15, quickly developing a serious career that saw him win the StateAwards for both ‘Best Producer’ and ‘BestDJ’in 2010. Rooted in hip-hop, his sound moves fluidly between electronic music, Afrobeats, dancehall and house, with a versatility that has made him a specialist across genres–from UK bass to Jersey club. His production credits include collaborations with artists such as Mahalia, Blanco, Sevdaliza and Major Lazer.
FS Green will headline the final evening with a special beachfront performance, transforming the shores into an open-air celebration beneath the stars. Also featured is Thai multidisciplinary artist NOTEP, whose immersive performances blend music, nature and storytelling to create moments of reflection and connection.

This year’s programme also welcomes a visiting 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 will centre on the Maldives’ remarkable marine ecosystems, biodiversity and ongoing conservation efforts.
The festival’s culinary and wellness programme brings together an equally impressive line-up. Michelin-starred chef Samuel Lee of Parisian neo-bistrot SENsation joins Tokyo’s WAGYUMAFIA for standout dining experiences, while Dry Wave Cocktail Studio—No. 5 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025—joins Michter’s Whiskey for narrative-led cocktail experiences, alongside curated spirits sessions from Sei Bellissimi’s Danilo Pozone.
Wellness by Bamford returns as the festival’s wellness partner for a second year, with sound healer Stephanie Waxberg and aromatherapist Louise Riby leading immersive wellbeing experiences, joined by Noble Panacea for sessions centred on longevity and holistic wellbeing.
Together, these collaborations reinforce the festival’s ambition to create experiences that extend beyond entertainment, encouraging guests to engage with ideas, people, and the place in meaningful ways.

“The festival has always been about curiosity – bringing together remarkable people whose work inspires fresh ways of thinking and connecting,” says Anthony Gill, General Manager, Patina Maldives.
“Asthe festival draws closer, the excitement continues to build,” says Oscar Postma, General Manager of The Ritz- Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. “This year’s exceptional programme has come together beautifully, and we can’t wait to see it all come to life across Fari Islands as we welcome guests for another unforgettable edition.”
Reserve a stay at Fari Islands Festival at The Ritz Carlton Maldives or Patina Maldives.
Action
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef introduces guest-led coral restoration initiative
Surrounded by one of the Maldives’ most vibrant house reefs, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, is inviting guests to leave behind more than memories. This World Nature Conservation Day (28th July 2026), the boutique island retreat officially launched its signature ‘Adopt-a-Coral’ initiative, giving travellers the opportunity to play an active role in restoring one of nature’s most precious underwater sanctuaries.

Driven by Sun Siyam Resorts’ overarching sustainability program, Sun Siyam Cares, this initiative provides a hands-on opportunity to safeguard the fragile aquatic landscapes of the South Nilandhe Atoll. Guests become active participants in the restoration process, carefully attaching live coral fragments onto specially designed nursery frames under the guidance of the resort’s marine experts. These structures are then carefully placed in nursery zones across the lagoon to flourish and rebuild vital habitats.

To commemorate the launch, guests enjoyed an interactive morning event featuring bespoke refreshments and a symbolic frame planting ceremony. Long after returning home, guests continue receiving personalised updates, allowing them to witness the growth of the very coral they helped restore, creating a lasting connection with the island and its surrounding waters.

“Our reef is the heart of our island, and protecting it is a responsibility we proudly share with every guest who visits us,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager. “By giving our guests the opportunity to plant coral, we offer them a meaningful way to leave our sanctuary even better than when they arrived. It is a genuine privilege to empower our visitors to play a direct role in building a more resilient ecosystem while forging a lifelong bond with the Maldives.”
The Adopt-a-Coral initiative forms a key part of Sun Siyam Vilu Reef’s long-term sustainability vision, seamlessly combining luxury island hospitality with meaningful conservation efforts, guest participation, and community engagement. The resort’s spectacular house reef is home to an extraordinary diversity of coral formations, tropical fish, turtles, and countless other species, making its protection essential for future generations.
Action
Fushifaru Maldives offers access to Lhaviyani’s manta ray hotspot
One of the Maldives’ most anticipated marine spectacles has arrived – manta ray season is returning to Lhaviyani Atoll. As plankton-rich waters attract these gentle giants, the atoll transforms into a haven for unforgettable underwater encounters. Graceful, curious and inspiring, manta rays can often be spotted gliding effortlessly through the turquoise waters, creating magical moments for both snorkelers and divers.
Whether you’re taking your first plunge beneath the surface or you’re a seasoned ocean explorer, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of swimming alongside these incredible creatures in their natural habitat. Think vibrant coral reefs, abundant marine life and crystal-clear lagoons. Manta ray season offers an unforgettable experience that captures the true wonder of the Maldives.
One of Lhaviyani Atoll’s most renowned manta ray sites is Fushifaru Thila, located just three minutes by boat from Fushifaru Maldives. This protected dive site is home to a natural manta cleaning station, where cleaner wrasse and other small reef fish remove parasites and dead skin from the mantas. Watching these gentle giants gracefully circle the cleaning station as they pause for their underwater “spa treatment” is a truly remarkable sight and one of the highlights of diving in the Maldives.
News
Baros Maldives invites guests to slow down with ‘Baros Pause’ weekly wellness programme
Known for its intimate island setting, timeless Maldivian charm and experiences that encourage guests to reconnect, Baros Maldives has introduced Baros Pause, a complimentary weekly wellness programme designed to help guests step away from the pace of everyday life and embrace moments of stillness, movement and meaningful connection.
Launching on 20 August, Baros Pause will take place every Thursday from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Serenity Spa, with sessions hosted on the tranquil Overwater Villa Deck or at the Indoor Pavilion should the weather require an alternative setting.
Designed around the natural rhythm of island life, Baros Pause invites guests to put aside digital distractions and reconnect with what truly matters — themselves, the surrounding nature and the people they share their journey with. Each 60-minute session combines mindful practices such as meditation, breathwork, yoga and island-inspired rituals, offering guests a simple yet meaningful way to enhance their stay at Baros.
The programme follows a four-week cycle, with each week offering a different approach to wellbeing:
Week 1: Reconnect with Self
Mind • Breath • Stillness
A calming journey inward, this session focuses on restoring balance and creating a sense of inner calm through guided meditation, breathwork, gentle yoga and mindfulness practices. Ideal for guests looking to reset and enjoy a moment of personal reflection.
Week 2: Reconnect with Nature
Earth • Water • Island Energy
Inspired by the beauty and tranquillity of Baros’ natural surroundings, this experience encourages guests to connect with the island through outdoor yoga, mindful beach walks, ocean-inspired breathing exercises and sunset or moon rituals. A celebration of the healing energy found in nature.
Week 3: Connect with Each Other
Couples • Presence • Shared Moments
Created with Baros’ romantic island setting in mind, this session offers couples an opportunity to reconnect through shared experiences including partner yoga, breathwork, connection meditation and mindful rituals. A meaningful addition for honeymooners, anniversaries or simply those wishing to spend quality time together.
Week 4: Connect with Energy and Flow
Movement • Vitality • Balance
A gentle and uplifting session designed to awaken the body and restore energy. Combining flow yoga, mobility stretches, chakra balancing and mindful movement, this practice supports relaxation, circulation and a renewed sense of wellbeing.
At Baros Maldives, wellbeing is found not only within Serenity Spa, but throughout the island itself — from quiet moments on the Piano Deck to barefoot walks along the beach and time spent surrounded by the beauty of the Indian Ocean. Baros Pause reflects the resort’s philosophy of creating authentic experiences that allow guests to reconnect and fully immerse themselves in island life.
Baros Pause is complimentary for all resort guests and takes place every Thursday from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Serenity Spa.
Endless Summer at Baros provides timeless elegance at exceptional value. Guests may enjoy a complimentary upgrade to half board, special rates on speedboat transfers from Velana International Airport and enhanced privileges. Valid for stays between 01 May 2026 to 31 October 2026. For booking enquiries, please contact reservations@baros.com or call +960 664 2672.
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