News
Torsten Richter becomes Ironman of the Maldives 2014, striving for the community
Maldives.net.mv – Anantara and Naladhu Maldives Cluster General Manager Torsten Richter has successfully completed the IronMan Malaysia challenge, with a personal best time of 12:47 hrs and raising USD 10,000+ for a Maldivian cause.
“I worked with a personal trainer from the UK, who sent me my training schedule every week and provides online support and dietary recommendations. Some days it’s hard to motivate myself at 10.30pm to sit on a stationary bike and give the training session all my energy, but once I get into it the initial exhaustion of the day filters away,” says Torsten.
Living in paradise and training for a physically demanding IronMan race is no easy combination. 10:30 pm on the idyllic resort islands of Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu Maldives and most guests are enjoying their last glass of wine for the day or have already descended into a slumber of dreams. For Cluster General Manager Torsten Richter, it’s the time he enters the gym with an hour on the bicycle ahead of him, and at 5:00am his alarm wakes him for another gym session before his work day begins around 7:15 am.
Ironman challenges comprise a 3.8km swim, followed by a 180km bike ride and a 42.2km marathon run, all in within the cut-off time of 18 hours. Training for an Ironman race on a Maldivian island with no roads, just a 20m lap pool in addition to the ocean to swim and no wide and well paved roads to cycle along isn’t the most obvious choice location. Instead of measured tracks for running, Torsten run on sandy paths under tropical palm trees across the two of the three island resorts he manages.
“I participate in half-marathon races in Male and we organise an island run a couple of times a year at our resorts, just 35 minutes by speedboat from Male. Outside of the gym, Kayaking, swimming and running around the resorts on my day off, as well as during the week before the guests wake up, keeps me fit and on track. It’s far from the ideal training conditions for the endurance challenge of an Ironman, but I’m not looking to be the first across the finishing line, I just want to complete it within my personal best time.”
Having previously completed Ironman challenges in Zurich in just over 13 hours, and Ironman 70.3 (half distances) in Phuket and Bintan, the Langkawi challenge on September 27th was the second such title Torsten accomplished, but the first in a tropical climate and still managing to beat his personal best time. Along the way, he has raised USD 10,000 to contribute towards new facilities for the Home for People with Special Needs on Guraidoo island.
“The race itself was a personal goal I wanted to fulfill, but to be able to raise money and really make a difference to people’s lives in the process makes it all the more meaningful. The Home for People with Special Needs was brought to my attention originally through one of our associates, who was previously a patient there for a short while. After visiting the home I was inspired to do more to help and this was an obvious choice.”
To learn more about the Home for People with Special Needs from their website www.homeforspecialneeds.com
Family
Reethi Faru Resort celebrates Halloween with family activities and costume party
On 31 October, Reethi Faru Resort invites guests to discover a different side of the Maldives, as the island transforms into a tropical Halloween escape filled with family fun, creative costumes, music, themed dining and unforgettable island moments.
Set against the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Halloween at Reethi Faru brings together the playful spirit of the season with the natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere of a Maldivian island. From afternoon activities for younger guests to an evening costume celebration, the programme offers something for everyone.

Halloween Fun for Little Ones
The celebrations begin with a dedicated afternoon of Halloween fun for younger guests. Children can get into the spirit of the occasion with face painting, themed games and specially curated activities designed to encourage creativity, imagination and plenty of laughter.
Families are invited to embrace the occasion together, with little ones transforming into their favourite Halloween characters before enjoying an afternoon of playful island adventures.
A Night of Costumes, Music and Celebration
As the sun sets and the island takes on a different atmosphere, the celebrations continue with the Halloween Costume Party.
Guests are invited to dress up and join an evening of DJ music, dancing and Halloween entertainment, with the island providing a unique tropical setting for creative costumes and festive fun.
From mysterious characters to imaginative creations, the costume party brings guests together for an evening where the unexpected feels right at home in paradise.
A Halloween Feast with a Tropical Twist
Food is at the heart of every celebration, and Halloween at Reethi Faru is no exception.
The resort’s culinary team will create a specially themed Halloween buffet, featuring a selection of international and local flavours presented with a creative seasonal twist. From the buffet to the bar, the Halloween spirit continues with specially prepared Halloween cocktails, adding a playful finishing touch to the evening.

Halloween Under the Maldivian Sky
Celebrating Halloween in the Maldives offers a setting unlike any other.
As darkness falls, the sounds of the ocean replace the bustle of everyday life, while the moonlight reflects across the lagoon and the island’s tropical surroundings create an atmospheric backdrop for the evening’s celebrations.
This combination of Halloween tradition and Maldivian island life makes the experience at Reethi Faru distinctive. The result is a celebration that feels festive and familiar, yet entirely at home in paradise.
Whether travelling with family, enjoying a romantic escape or simply looking to experience the Maldives in a different way, guests can join the festivities and create their own Halloween memories on the island.
A Different Kind of Halloween
On 31 October, Reethi Faru Resort invites guests to leave the ordinary behind and experience Halloween where tropical island life meets the spirit of the season.
With creative activities, costumes, music, cuisine and the beauty of the Maldivian night providing the backdrop, Halloween at Reethi Faru offers a celebration that is playful, atmospheric and uniquely island-inspired.
News
Nova Maldives invites independent travellers to reconnect during Solo Traveller Month
With solo travel increasing year on year, and more independent travellers seeking purpose, flexibility and meaningful connection, Nova Maldives opens its shores to the solo spirit for a late summer reset.
Following PADI AWARE Week centered on marine conservation and ocean stewardship, the month is set to take an inward turn for the return of Solo Traveller Month, dedicated to holidays for one, with thematic practitioner-led sessions and holistic experiences that can be enjoyed alone, or with newfound company.
A Weekend of Coming Home to Yourself
From 25-30 September, the resort will welcome Pika Dubey, award-winning ELLE Mental Wellness Expert 2025 and founder of The Head Space Lab to host three workshops open to all guests, designed to form a journey that promotes self-discovery, anchoring, and release:
- Notes to Self: Guided Journaling & Reflection: With prompts and helpful tips for guests to discover where they are, pause and reflect, and reconnect with what matters most to them.
- The Reconnection Circle: A heart-to-heart workshop on emotional wellbeing, boundaries and life transitions, using psychological frameworks, closing with a “letter to your future self” exercise to put insights into words.
- The Ritual of Release: A symbolic fire ceremony that turns reflection into action, letting burdens go and making space for what comes next.
Pika is an experienced professional who has dedicated her career to progressing mental health education and awareness across India. Having partnered with organisations to extend mental health access to underserved communities, and as an alumna of the National Healthcare Academy, Yale and Harvard, she brings a wealth of hands-on experience to equipping people with the tools to build resilience and cultivate inner peace at every stage in life.
The Journey Continues, At Your Own Pace
Beyond these sessions, travellers can also sample additional experiences at Nova that fosters stillness, with a chance to experiment with a retreat-style experience without signing up to a fixed schedule. The resort weekly programme ranges from group yoga across various modalities: from Vinyasa to Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) and Hatha, to sound baths with singing bowls, gongs and ocean drums, and Bodu Beru drumming classes rooted in Maldivian tradition, a meditative practice that encourages bonding through shared beats and vibrations.

Elsewhere on the island, solos can graze on plant-based Maldivian small bites at Soul Kitchen’s all-day dining, or slip beneath the surface to snorkel and dive alongside whale sharks and manta rays. For something more private still, curated sandbank escapes offer guests a slice of paradise entirely their own, after which they can settle into Mizu, the resort’s overwater pavilion, for a Teppanyaki dinner inspired by seafood and seaweed under the open sky.
These experiences reflect Nova’s belief in conscious connection, prioritising quality over quantity, where casual gatherings and shared moments create a natural setting for like-minded travellers to meet and connect over common interests.
Whether venturing out for their first solo trip or their tenth, Nova invites travellers to embrace a softer escape and experience the beauty of the South Ari Atoll. Beach Villas are available to book from £363/night and Water Villas from £439/night on Full Board, with up to 50% off room rates on nova-maldives.com.
News
Sun Siyam marks Golden Week across Iru Veli, Vilu Reef with dining and island experiences
This Golden Week, Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, two of Sun Siyam’s Privé Collection retreats in the Maldives, invite guests to celebrate one of the year’s most anticipated holiday periods with seven days of island experiences centred around togetherness, gastronomy, wellbeing and discovery.
From 1 to 7 October 2026, both resorts will bring their own character to the occasion, combining thoughtful Chinese-inspired touches with the warmth, natural beauty and sense of place that define a Sun Siyam escape. From sharing memorable meals and slowing down at the spa to discovering the Indian Ocean together, couples, families and friends can experience Golden Week at their own pace.

Golden Week at Sun Siyam Iru Veli
At Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Golden Week is shaped around time well spent together, with gastronomy and shared experiences at the heart of the programme.
Chinese-inspired flavours and hotpot experiences bring a familiar taste of the occasion to the island, while lantern-lit evenings by the beach combine dining with live entertainment and the sound of the Indian Ocean. Maldivian touches are woven throughout the week, adding a strong sense of place and allowing guests to experience the destination alongside the celebration.

Beyond the table, the programme creates plenty of opportunities to slow down, reconnect and explore. Ocean Spa brings a restorative element to the week with a special herbal rejuvenation offer, while younger guests can enjoy playful cultural activities at Turtle Kidz Club.
For those looking for adventure, the waters surrounding Dhaalu Atoll offer another side to Golden Week. Guests can set out in search of whale sharks, discover the underwater world through scuba diving, or take to the lagoon with flyboarding and extended Jet Car rides.
Whether spent exploring beneath the surface or simply enjoying time together by the ocean, the week is designed to leave guests the freedom to experience the island in their own way.

For more information and to view the detailed programme of Sun Siyam Iru Veli, please visit the resort’s website.
Golden Week at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef
At Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, Golden Week takes on a spirited ocean-inspired character, bringing together vibrant dining, family experiences, wellbeing and aquatic adventure.
The culinary journey moves from dedicated Chinese live-cooking stations to seafood barbecues beside the Indian Ocean. For a distinctly Maldivian experience, Golden Catch & Grill invites guests to head out onto the water, catch their own fish and enjoy it freshly prepared in traditional island style.

The celebration continues beyond the dining table. The Spa offers restorative wellness rituals for guests looking to slow down, while Island Movie Magic brings families together for cinema by the sea.
Out on the water, family dive journeys, guided Seabob experiences, introductory scuba excursions and the snorkelling adventures offer different ways to discover the surrounding marine world. As the day draws to a close, Golden Hour Jet Car rides bring an exhilarating finish to the afternoon against the colours of the Maldivian sunset.

For more information and to view the detailed programme of Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, please visit the resort’s website.
Two Islands, Two Ways to Celebrate
While Iru Veli and Vilu Reef each bring their own personality to Golden Week, both reflect the spirit of Sun Siyam’s Privé Collection: intimate island escapes where experiences feel personal, days unfold naturally and the Maldives remains at the heart of every stay.
From sharing a hotpot beside the ocean and discovering Maldivian flavours to exploring tropical reefs or simply watching the sunset together, the programmes are designed around what matters most during Golden Week, having the time and space to reconnect with the people who matter.
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