Featured
Say ‘I do’ in idyllic surrounds with Soneva’s bespoke wedding packages
Soneva, the world-leading luxury resort brand, has announced its latest bespoke wedding packages at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives. From intimate blessing ceremonies on the beach to grand family weddings taking exclusive use of the tropical island resorts, Soneva’s award-winning barefoot hideaways each offer romantic settings in secluded sanctuaries for a dream destination wedding.
Set on remote islands in the Maldives, Soneva’s nature-inspired luxury resorts are breath-taking in their natural beauty and unique in their exquisite design. Each Soneva resort brings its own, inimitable charm to the celebrations: toes-in-the-sand luxury, surrounded by unspoiled nature at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives’ Baa Atoll, and iconic over-water elegance amidst a sparkling turquoise lagoon at Soneva Jani in the Maldives’ remote Noonu Atoll.

From ceremony to cuisine, Soneva’s wedding coordinators ensure the smallest details are taken care of, while its new specially tailored wedding packages promise luxurious stays and unforgettable experiences for the soon-to-be-married couple and their guests. Each bespoke package also includes a wedding celebrant to guide the couple through the ceremony; delicate bouquets with handpicked flowers; ceremony decorations with candles, jungle foliage and local coconuts; a framed wedding certificate and photograph of their wedding day; a wedding cake made to the couple’s desires, and a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine to celebrate their union.
For those who prefer to celebrate in complete privacy, entire island and resort buy-outs are also available, providing the ultimate Soneva experience. And because happy memories tell a story that lasts a lifetime, every wedding celebration is captured for eternity by the talented team of Digital Storytellers at each Soneva resort, upon request – from traditional wedding shoots to drone videography and remarkable underwater footage.

Soneva Fushi
The Maldives’ original desert island hideaway, Soneva Fushi is nestled within lush tropical foliage and within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Indian Ocean. Imbued with romance, mystery and adventure, every experience here inspires the imagination.
Setting the mood for a lifetime of love and romance on a grand scale, Soneva Fushi’s exclusive wedding package offers an unforgettable ceremony at the sandbank, on the beach or in the garden of one of its luxurious villas. Additionally, each package also includes Maldivian drummers, a classic Bodu Beru band to lead the couple into the ceremony and celebrate with them afterwards; a private BBQ dinner on the sandbank for two; and a 60-minute couple’s spa treatment.
Soneva Jani
Located on the stunning island of Medhufaru, Soneva Jani is an archipelago hideaway set within a private lagoon; an awe-inspiring azure spectacle that inspires a sense of calm. Here, the embrace of nature is enhanced by the caress of luxury.
Highlighting its breath-taking surroundings, Soneva Jani’s wedding package features a ceremony on the beach with a natural wedding pavilion on the sand; a classic Maldivian Bodu Beru band; plus a romantic private beach dinner and pampering day in the spa for two – including a facial, massage, and manicure and pedicure.
Featured
Noku Maldives unveils long-term Sea Turtle Conservation Programme
Noku Maldives, Vignette Collection, has announced the launch of a dedicated Sea Turtle Conservation Programme, developed in partnership with the Atoll Marine Conservation Centre (AMCC). Beginning on 25 November 2025, this long-term initiative strengthens the resort’s commitment to the Vignette Collection pillar Means for Good, reflecting a considered approach to environmental stewardship and responsible hospitality.
The waters surrounding Noku Maldives support a naturally thriving ecosystem, characterised by extensive seagrass meadows, coral-rich shallows, and warm lagoons that provide an essential refuge for sea turtles. In recent years, the island has recorded multiple nesting events along its shores — a rare and significant indicator of the health of its marine environment. The new programme aims to safeguard and enhance this natural heritage.
As part of the collaboration, a full-time AMCC marine biologist will be stationed on the island to lead a comprehensive portfolio of conservation activities. This will include monitoring the local sea turtle population, assessing reef and coral health, supporting long-term scientific research, and conducting fieldwork and outreach initiatives across neighbouring islands.
The programme will also enhance guest engagement through educational talks, guided snorkelling experiences, and hands-on conservation workshops, offering visitors the opportunity to connect with the underwater world in an enriching and meaningful way.
The initiative complements Noku Maldives’ growing suite of Means for Good activities, which already include reef conservation studies, coral restoration projects, cultural experiences, and community-led programmes. Together, these efforts underpin the resort’s commitment to delivering stays that are rooted in authenticity, responsibility, and deep respect for the natural environment.
“Our lagoon has always been a peaceful refuge for sea turtles and marine life,” said Hussain Shahid, General Manager of Noku Maldives. “This partnership with AMCC reflects our dedication to protecting these waters and ensuring they continue to flourish. By bringing conservation, community involvement, and guest education together, we hope to create meaningful and lasting impact for the atoll.”
Featured
From spa rituals to sunrise yoga: Angsana Velavaru champions mindful living
Surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of South Nilandhe Atoll, Angsana Velavaru invites guests to embark on a holistic journey of renewal that nurtures both body and mind.
At the centre of this experience is the award-winning Angsana Spa, inspired by the timeless essence of Asian wellness traditions. Here, the healing power of touch, scent, and nature come together in harmony. Guests can enjoy a range of treatments designed for both relaxation and family bonding, including restorative massages, revitalising body polishes, and signature rituals that incorporate natural ingredients such as coconut, honey, and tropical herbs. Each therapy aims to rejuvenate, soothe, and restore a deep sense of inner calm that reflects the island’s natural rhythm.
Wellness at Angsana Velavaru extends far beyond the spa. The resort’s approach to wellbeing embraces movement, mindfulness, and meaningful connection. Its modern tropical fitness centre provides a tranquil setting for guests to stay active while remaining close to nature. Activities such as aqua aerobics in the Kuredhi Pool and sunrise yoga on the beach combine physical vitality with mindful awareness.
Across the island, guests are encouraged to slow down and reconnect with their surroundings. Guided meditation, breathwork sessions, and sunset yoga create opportunities for reflection and relaxation. These practices are seamlessly woven into the resort’s environment, offering a sense of serenity that lingers long after the stay.
Under the guidance of Wellbeing Director Artemasius Harefa, Angsana Velavaru’s holistic programmes align with Banyan Group’s Eight Pillars of Wellbeing, with a focus on rest, movement, mindfulness, and connection. The result is a collection of experiences designed to inspire balance and renewal, giving guests the opportunity to embrace a more mindful way of living.
“Modern travellers seek more than rest; they seek renewal,” said Artemasius Harefa, Wellbeing Director at Angsana Velavaru. “Our goal is to create experiences that help guests reconnect with themselves and the natural world, turning wellness into a meaningful way of life.”
At Angsana Velavaru, wellbeing is not a moment but a continuous journey shaped by nature, connection, and the healing spirit of the Maldives.
Awards
Trans Maldivian Airways named World’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2025
Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), the world’s largest seaplane operator, has once again strengthened its position as a global aviation leader with new accolades at the World Travel Awards 2025. The airline was named the World’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2025 and the Indian Ocean’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2025, acknowledging its continued contribution to air connectivity across the Maldives. The 32nd Annual World Travel Awards ceremony took place at Exhibition World Bahrain and was attended by more than 300 leaders from the international tourism industry.
Established in 1993, TMA has played a central role in shaping the Maldives’ aviation and tourism sectors. Operating the world’s largest seaplane fleet with 65 DHC-6 Twin Otters and serving over 80 resort destinations, the airline provides vital connectivity across the archipelago with a focus on safety, reliability, and operational efficiency. Conducting more than 400 flights daily, TMA remains essential in enabling access to resort islands nationwide.
Commenting on the achievement, A.U.M. Fawzy, CEO of Trans Maldivian Airways, said: “This prestigious recognition from the World Travel Awards, year after year, reflects the trust placed in our team by our partners and guests, and the responsibility we carry as the primary air service provider connecting resort destinations across the Maldives. At TMA, our focus remains on continuous improvement and building on decades of service excellence. As the tourism industry in the Maldives continues to evolve and grow, we will continue strengthening our operations and supporting the long-term development of the Maldives as a world-leading destination.”
TMA continues to enhance its operational capabilities through ongoing investments in fleet upgrades, infrastructure, staff training, and technology-driven improvements, ensuring it meets rising demand while maintaining its hallmark of dependable service.
As the Maldives prepares for further growth in visitor arrivals, Trans Maldivian Airways remains committed to working closely with industry partners, supporting national tourism objectives, and ensuring a seamless and reliable travel experience for guests visiting the country’s island destinations.
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