Long celebrated as a quintessential romantic escape, the Maldives is now enchanting travellers of every age — from families with children and teenagers to couples and solo adventurers. The JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa presents a setting where guests can share extraordinary experiences and create lasting memories, whether they are seeking exhilarating marine encounters, exceptional dining, or a tranquil wellness retreat.

The resort’s JW Little Griffins Kids Club, among the largest in the Maldives, offers a captivating world for younger guests. Designed around the theme of a beachside pirate shipwreck, the outdoor space features a 13-metre-long pirate ship, a dedicated children’s pool, and miniature amenities such as sun loungers. Over 100 engaging activities are on offer, including pizza-making classes, island discovery walks, kite flying, sandcastle building, and the JW Beach Olympics. Children under the age of 12 dine free of charge. Teenagers aged 12 and above have access to a private pool and lounge, as well as indoor entertainment such as PlayStation gaming and karaoke — ensuring a tailored experience for every age group.

For those drawn to the ocean, the resort’s Dive & Water Sports Centre offers a comprehensive array of aquatic experiences. From snorkelling vibrant coral reefs and scuba diving to dolphin spotting and deep-sea fishing, activities are designed to suit all interests and skill levels. Adventure-seekers can indulge in jet skiing, parasailing, wakeboarding, water-skiing, and kite surfing, while guests preferring a gentler pace can opt for kayaking, paddleboarding, or a traditional banana boat ride. The resort’s experienced team ensures each encounter with the ocean is both safe and unforgettable.

Those in pursuit of serenity can unwind at the overwater SPA by JW, where contemporary design harmonises with the soothing rhythm of the sea. Guests may select from a variety of rejuvenating treatments, including restorative massages, crystal facial therapies, and invigorating body rituals — all designed to promote inner and outer balance. A tranquil swim in the outdoor pool, framed by sweeping ocean views and gentle breezes, completes the experience.

Culinary exploration at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa is nothing short of exceptional, with five distinctive restaurants offering flavours from across the globe. Fiamma serves beloved Italian classics, while Kaashi offers Thai cuisine high in the treetops with panoramic sea views. Hashi presents refined Japanese teppanyaki over water, and Shio provides premium meats and seafood in a fine dining atmosphere. Aailaa offers a global dining experience throughout the day, with live cooking stations adding an interactive flair. Guests may also enjoy cocktails at Wabi Sabi, rare aged rums at Rum Baan, and a selection of curated wines from the resort’s expansive cellar. For more intimate occasions, private Destination Dining options include an eight-course Indian tasting menu at RIHA or bespoke meals under the stars or in-villa.

Solo travellers are equally well catered for, with the resort offering a unique combination of seclusion and luxury. Without the need to accommodate group plans or shared schedules, guests travelling alone are free to tailor their stay as they wish — from early morning yoga overlooking the Indian Ocean to private snorkelling sessions guided by marine biologists. The resort’s spacious overwater villas provide a peaceful refuge for reading, journaling, or quiet contemplation. Private dining options allow solo guests to enjoy gourmet cuisine in complete privacy, and the dedicated Thakuru (butler) service ensures every detail is attended to with care.

If the terms ‘peak performance’ and ‘breathwork’ are not yet part of one’s vocabulary, they are likely to be after five days at SOUL Festival 2025. Set to take place from 9th to 13th October at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, this year’s edition marks the highly anticipated return of Jamie Wheal and Julie Webster, co-founders of the Flow Genome Project and two of the most prominent figures in the world of transformational wellness.

Following their captivating sessions at last year’s festival, the pair return with a newly curated programme of immersive experiences designed to enhance movement, mindset and emotional wellbeing. Mornings begin barefoot, awakening the body; days are enriched with science-based insights into the brain’s most powerful states; and evenings are grounded in restorative practices that leave participants centred, clear, and recharged. The Flow Genome Project’s methods, which are followed by elite athletes, creatives, CEOs and even special forces operatives, will once again be brought to life amidst the serene meeting point of jungle, ocean and refined luxury.

Throughout the festival, guests can expect movement practices that reconnect them with their bodies, workshops aimed at fostering greater ease in relationships, and breathwork sessions that promote nervous system recovery and a deep sense of calm. The experience is a journey in learning how to attune, release, and rediscover one’s natural rhythm.

Joining Jamie and Julie this year are Sanctum founders Luuk Melisse and Gabriel Olszewski, Nathalie Schyllert of Bodyism, Peigín Crowley of Ground Wellbeing, and a host of leading names in holistic health and performance, including Tim Gray, Dr Timm Golueke, Roses Gabor, Frida Redknapp, Kirsten King, Adrienne Adhami, Dong Juan, Anika Lefebvre, and Nils Behrens.

SOUL Festival is Soneva’s annual celebration of visionaries, seekers, and innovators from across the globe. This year’s programme is ambitious, the setting is extraordinary, and places are limited. Guests booking before 31st August 2025 will enjoy a 10% saving with the SOUL Festival early bird offer.

Returning home unchanged may not be an option.

Seventeen resorts across the Maldives have united in a pledge to protect the country’s vital seagrass habitats, forming the #SeagrassIndustryLeader Circle through a collaborative initiative led by Maldives Resilient Reefs (MRR) and the Blue Marine Foundation. The launch ceremony, held on Dhiffushi Island, recognised the participating resorts for their leadership in marine conservation and commitment to sustainable tourism practices.

Seagrass meadows play an essential role in the Maldivian ecosystem. They support fisheries, stabilise coastlines by absorbing wave energy, bury carbon, produce oxygen, and provide habitats for marine life such as green turtles. Despite their ecological value, these underwater ecosystems are frequently undervalued and have come under threat due to removal associated with tourism developments and land reclamation, leading to a decline in their extent across many regions.

In response, the initiative calls on resorts to protect at least 80% of their baseline seagrass areas. The 17 early adopter resorts have pledged to recognise the ecological importance of these meadows, to cease harmful activities, and to lead the way in promoting ocean conservation within the tourism sector. Their commitment not only benefits biodiversity but positions them as leaders in sustainable tourism, setting a precedent for others to follow.

Since 2019, MRR and the Blue Marine Foundation have championed seagrass conservation in the Maldives, presenting these habitats as both a natural asset to the tourism industry and a crucial ally in the global fight against climate change. The joint effort represents a significant step forward for marine preservation and the future of environmentally responsible travel in the region.

The resorts that have made this commitment include:

• Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort
• Anantara Veli Maldives
• Naladhu Private Island Maldives
• Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
• Dhawa Ihuru
• Angsana Velavaru
• Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu
• Coco Bodu Hithi
• Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
• Kurumba Maldives
• LUX* South Ari Atoll
• Niyama Private Islands Maldives
• Siyam World Maldives
• Six Senses Laamu
• Six Senses Kanuhura
• Taj Exotica Resort & Spa
• Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa.

Lawrence Menz, Director of Sustainability at Six Senses Laamu, one of the early pioneers in seagrass protection since the 2019 #ProtectMaldivesSeagrass campaign, noted that their efforts have resulted in nearly a two-fold increase in sightings of sharks and turtles. This enhancement to marine life has become a key attraction for guests, positively impacting both the environment and the resort’s revenue, thereby creating a beneficial cycle of conservation and tourism.

Shaha Hashim, Executive Director of Maldives Resilient Reefs, emphasised that the project supports resorts in mapping their seagrass areas and developing educational materials for staff and guests to raise awareness and appreciation. Annual reviews will be conducted to track progress, and resorts failing to meet their commitments will have their logos removed from the project’s website. She encouraged more resorts to recognise the value of seagrass as a tourism asset and a critical component of marine conservation.

Muhusina Abdul Rahman, Director of Protected Areas at the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism and Environment, highlighted the role of seagrass in achieving the nation’s 30×30 marine protection target under the High Ambition Coalition. She stressed that beyond the numerical area targets, ecological representativeness and connectivity must be taken into account. Protecting all habitats used by endangered species, such as the seagrass feeding grounds of turtles alongside their nesting beaches, is essential to meeting this global commitment effectively.