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Fairmont Maldives offers new marine-inspired experiences for families
Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi has curated a new menu of experiences designed to entertain and inspire families.
After embarking on a boat trip to discover local marine life or snorkelling the expansive coral house reef, travellers can take inspiration from their verdant island environment and create their own marine-inspired masterpiece; paint, sculpt or draw in the beachside art studio, under the watchful eye of a resident artist.
The on-site Art Studio offers all of the tools and materials for art-enthused travellers to try their hand at coconut, canvas and wood painting, sculpturing, and an array of crafting activities; from designing a dream catcher and weaving authentic Maldivian rugs, to crafting bespoke jewellery from seashells. Here, guests are encouraged to create unique keepsakes inspired by the tropical island surroundings to treasure for a lifetime in the Art Studio, or even in the privacy of their own villa.
Fairmont Maldives also offers an array of immersive activities to promote eco-education. Having initiated a coral regeneration project, the resort has created unique semi-submerged sculptures constructed from non-toxic, pH neutral material, which encourage the settlement of underwater life and act as an artificial reef patrolled by manta rays and over 250 species of tropical fish. Aiming to educate the next generation of eco-conscious travellers, Fairmont Maldives also offers undersea exploration, coral and coconut tree planting, turtle release programmes and exploration of the manta ray cleaning station, all guided by the resort’s resident marine biologist.
Additionally, adventure loving families can head out on a sunset dolphin tour, sail to an uninhabited island for a castaway picnic, snorkel the thriving coral house reef or head out on a traditional Maldivian dhoni for a sunset fishing experience, before immersing themselves in the local island culture with a family cooking class and cultural tours. Tiny travellers can participate in thrill-seeking activities offered at the Kids Club and Teen Club, ‘Majaa’, from kayaking or jet-skiing the lagoon and cycling sandy walkways, to making a splash in the resort’s 200m infinity pool – the largest in the Maldives.
The New Family Holiday Package starts from USD1,450++ and includes:
- Round-trip transfers for two adults and two children (below 12 years old) by seaplane from Male airport to Fairmont Maldives
- Daily breakfast in Raha Market for two adults and two children below 12 years old
- Dinner for two adults and two children below 12 years old. Choice of buffet dinner in Raha Market or three-course meal at Kata or Azure.
- A day in the Art Studio with the Arts & Crafts team.
- Ocean discovery programme with marine biologist, including a marine life educational presentation and turtle protection activity
- Family cooking class at Raha Market
- Family activities: 20-minute dolphin and snorkelling trip by speedboat, 20-minute fun tube and 20-minute fishing excursion on board a Dhoni. This is a one-time activity during the entire stay.
- Complimentary access to the Kids Club
- Complimentary kids’ amenities
- Baby-sitting facilities are provided upon request
Embodying an earthy elegance, flowing from the shore to every detail of design, the resort is constructed to stimulate creativity. Fairmont Maldives is home to 112 lavish villas with private pools, authentic Maldivian furnishings and a designated Villa Host on hand to cater to guests’ every need. Families can stay in the Overwater Villas with see-through floors and oversized copper bathtubs, perched overlooking the Indian Ocean, Beach Villas with luxurious outdoor bathrooms and private tropical gardens, or in the new Tented Jungle Villas for a true castaway experience in the heart of the Maldivian jungle.
Having opened its doors in May 2018, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi is an idyllic island paradise dedicated to reinventing family holidays in the Maldives, and inspiring both the artist and adventurer in every traveller.
Fairmont Maldives is located in the northern Shaviyani atoll. The resort is accessible by domestic flight in 50 minutes from Male International Airport followed by speedboat from Hanimaadhoo Airport to the resort. Alternatively, guests can book a 50-minute scenic seaplane flight directly to the resort.
The New Family Holiday Package by Fairmont Maldives requires four nights minimum length of stay, with blackout dates from December 20, 2019 to January 10, 2020. For reservations, please email reservations.maldives@fairmont.com or contact +960 654 8888. Visit www.fairmont-maldives.com for more information.
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Simply summer at Milaidhoo: Invitation to slow living in the Baa Atoll
In a destination often defined by excess, Milaidhoo Maldives offers a different summer narrative: one of restraint, rhythm and rare stillness. Introducing Simply Summer, a seasonal escape that celebrates the art of slowing down within the UNESCO-protected waters of the Baa Atoll.
An intimate island sanctuary, Milaidhoo is designed for travellers who value time as the ultimate luxury. Days unfold unhurriedly, beginning with relaxed oceanfront breakfasts and shaped entirely by choice, from sunrise yoga and snorkelling in pristine coral gardens to long, private hours spent within the calm of one’s villa. Evenings are defined by elegant à la carte dining, inspired by seasonal flavours and served with effortless grace.
The Simply Summer offer enhances this experience with considered privileges rather than excess. Guests are invited to explore the Maldives’ natural wonders through manta ray encounters in the legendary Hanifaru Bay, indulge in restorative rituals at the overwater Serenity Spa, or discover the atoll through curated island adventures, all with exclusive seasonal savings.
A chilled bottle of Ruinart Champagne awaiting guests in their villa sets the tone on arrival, while flexible early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability) ensures that time is never hurried. Dining remains a central pleasure, with daily breakfast and à la carte dinners at Ocean Restaurant, complemented by generous dining credits across the island’s culinary venues.
Available for stays from 1st May to 31st October 2026, with a minimum stay of four nights, Simply Summer is an understated invitation to experience the Maldives at its most refined, quietly luxurious, deeply personal and guided by the gentle pace of island life.
Simply Summer – Key Inclusions:
- Daily breakfast at Ocean Restaurant
- Daily à la carte dinner at Ocean Restaurant
- USD 65 per person, per night dining credit (food-only) at other restaurants
- 30% savings on manta ray snorkelling in Hanifaru Bay (group excursion)
- 30% savings on selected treatments at Serenity Spa
- 30% savings on curated group excursions and island experiences
- Exclusive benefits when booking direct
Begin your Simply Summer at Milaidhoo.
Excursions
Manta season experience returns as InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau announces 2026 retreat
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has announced the dates for its 2026 Manta Retreat, following the programme’s strong reception in recent years. The retreat will take place from 24 to 27 March 2026, coinciding with the Maamunagau manta season, when juvenile manta rays are commonly sighted in the resort’s lagoon just offshore.
The resort will once again partner with The Manta Trust, one of the world’s leading manta ray research organisations, to co-host the retreat and offer guests an immersive, educational experience centred on marine conservation. The programme is designed for travellers seeking purpose-led experiences and a deeper understanding of manta rays within their natural environment.
Located on the edge of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and adjacent to a known juvenile manta ray aggregation site, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau provides direct access to key research and observation areas. During the retreat, guests will be able to participate in guided reef snorkelling, manta excursions led by The Manta Trust, coral restoration and planting workshops, and a series of educational sessions. Participants will also have the opportunity to adopt and name a manta ray as part of the conservation initiative.
The partnership between InterContinental Maldives and The Manta Trust has been in place since 2019. The retreat will be led by The Manta Trust’s base leader, Meral Hafeez, who will guide guests through manta ray encounters while sharing insight into the organisation’s ongoing research and conservation efforts in the surrounding waters. The programme offers participants a behind-the-scenes look at the daily work of the research team, including observing and recording manta ray behaviour.
In 2023, Maamunagau Lagoon was recognised as an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA), identifying it as a vital habitat for manta rays and a priority conservation site. The lagoon continues to serve as a key research area for The Manta Trust, allowing guests to observe manta rays in their natural environment within close proximity to the resort. Certified divers are also catered for, with access to dedicated dive sites where manta ray cleaning stations can be observed, highlighting the complex marine ecosystems of the Maldives.
Beyond the retreat activities, guests can enjoy the resort’s overwater villas, unwind at AVI Spa, or explore its range of dining experiences.
The participation fee for the Manta Retreat is USD 1,550++ per night, per room, based on double occupancy, with a minimum stay of four nights. The package includes one manta ray research trip, guided house reef snorkelling, manta ray adoption, educational workshops, and accommodation in a luxury villa or residence on a half-board basis.
Featured
Ten years of turtle conservation: Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Olive Ridley Project milestone
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, part of the boutique island resort collective Coco Collection, is marking ten years of partnership with the Olive Ridley Project (ORP), celebrating a decade-long commitment to marine conservation in the Maldives.
The partnership reached a significant milestone in 2017 with the opening of the Maldives’ first veterinary-led Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, pioneering specialised sea turtle care in the country. Since its establishment, the centre has treated and released 152 injured turtles, achieving a rehabilitation success rate of nearly 60 per cent. The facility plays a critical role in caring for turtles impacted by human activities, including entanglement in marine debris and ghost nets.
Beyond rescue and rehabilitation, the Olive Ridley Project leads long-term sea turtle research across the Maldives, collecting data on nesting activity, population trends and threats to marine life. This work contributed to the country’s first National Red List Assessment of Threatened Species, published in 2022. Supported by a network of citizen scientists, ORP’s Maldives research team has documented more than 45,000 sea turtle encounters nationwide. Over the past decade, Coco Collection has been a major contributor to this effort, recording nearly 3,500 encounters and reinforcing its position as one of ORP’s most significant research partners.
Guests at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu are invited to engage directly with these conservation initiatives through weekly marine talks, educational sessions led by the resort’s resident Marine Educator, and opportunities to witness rehabilitated sea turtles being released back into the ocean.

Commenting on the milestone, Siraj Waseem, General Manager of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, said that celebrating ten years of partnership with the Olive Ridley Project was a source of pride for Coco Collection. He noted that what began as a shared commitment to protecting marine life has evolved into a long-term collaboration rooted in education, conservation and meaningful guest engagement, adding that the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre continues to grow in strength with ORP’s support.
Dr Martin Stelfox, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Olive Ridley Project, said the decade-long partnership reflects a pioneering collaboration and significant progress in sea turtle conservation in the Maldives. He highlighted advances in conservation medicine and research achieved together, as well as the impact of inspiring guests and Maldivian interns to care for and protect the country’s marine environment.
Over the past ten years, the ORP Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu has hosted ten veterinary surgeons, each contributing to the development of sea turtle conservation medicine in the Maldives. Through the Sea Turtle Veterinary Trainee Programme, the resort and ORP have trained 29 veterinary professionals from 12 countries, helping to strengthen a global network of sea turtle clinical care across the Indian Ocean and beyond.
Alongside its conservation work, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu continues to offer a wide range of experiences for guests, from water sports such as water skiing, surfing and parasailing to sailing, paddle-boarding and kayaking in the surrounding lagoon. Visitors can also explore Maldivian culture through curated Coco Experiences that highlight local island life and heritage. As the resort marks ten years of collaboration with the Olive Ridley Project, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu continues to demonstrate how meaningful conservation efforts can coexist with memorable guest experiences.
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