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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives introduces National Geographic Explorer and award-winning shark scientist Gibbs Kuguru

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Committed to environmental education and as part of the resort’s ‘Visiting Heroes’ programme, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands will introduce National Geographic Explorer and award-winning Kenyan shark scientist Gibbs Kuguru from 27th March to 12th April. An inspired educational residency will include exclusive guest experiences from shark snorkelling to Q&As with Gibbs, while the deployment of new equipment and shark tagging will support ground breaking conservation research to protect Blacktip Reef Sharks in the Maldives.

The seafaring explorer and scientist will undertake key fieldwork as part of his Doctor of Philosophy in Genomics at Wageningen University, revealing the causes behind a rare skin disorder affecting Blacktip Reef Sharks in the Maldives. A series of events will engage both guests and scholars, inviting Natural Science students of the University of Maldives to join the shark tagging programme and analyse data from the scientist’s inaugural visit. Gibbs will also install a Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) to monitor long-term the Blacktip Reef Sharks in their native habitat.

Led by Gibbs, guests of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to snorkel up close and personal with some of the Maldives’ 26 species of sharks, and a chance to witness the gentle and sometimes elusive Blacktip Reef Shark inhabiting the shallow reefs surrounding the resort. Exclusive insights into the scientist’s latest research will be shared in intimate talks and workshops hosted at the dive centre – home to the resort’s Jean-Michel Cousteau Ambassadors of the Environment Program – and sundown debriefs at the resort’s Beach Shack restaurant.

Gibbs Kuguru has honed his shark wrangling and seafaring skills working with Great White Sharks, Hammerheads, Threshers, Blues, and Sand Tigers. Studying the DNA of sharks, Gibbs is using genetic research to better understand the unique elements in DNA that shape the populations of sharks in the blue wilds of the world. His work on the reefs of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands may reveal insights into how these animals survive in the face of extinction, threatened by overfishing and climate change. Gibbs was honoured just last year with the 2022 National Geographic Wayfinder Award.

The work of Gibbs joins a progressive research community whose impact can be experienced by guests through The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands’ Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Program. Designed for adults and children, this exclusive programme led by marine naturalists, collaborates with world-renowned oceanographic explorer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau, and leading global scientists, to provide unique activities with the preservation of our planet at its core. Guests are able to explore the ocean depths in the legacy of the great Cousteau and join newly formed research teams in their ground-breaking work to monitor ocean plastics with drone technology. The programme inspires guests to discover, explore and engage in nature not just beneath the water, but through the fascinating fauna of the Maldives, and high above sea-level to the wonders of the galaxy.

For more information, click here or visit ritzcarlton.com/Maldives.

Awards

Sirru Fen Fushi secures top spots in Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2025

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Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has been honoured in the prestigious Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, securing top rankings in two highly sought-after categories:

  • #2 Best Resort Pools in the Maldives
  • #4 Best Resort for Families in the Maldives

These accolades underscore the resort’s unwavering commitment to providing immersive, meaningful, and luxurious experiences for guests of all ages.

Celebrated for its expansive villas tailored with families in mind, Sirru Fen Fushi offers serene sanctuaries in beach, jungle, and overwater settings. Accommodations include the unique Safari Tented Villas, Sirru Residences, and spacious two- and three-bedroom villas, along with deluxe family lodgings—each offering privacy, ample space, and direct access to either the lagoon or beach.

Beyond its thoughtfully designed accommodations, the resort presents a range of family-friendly experiences. Guests can enjoy an interactive Kids’ Club, curated cultural and nature-based activities, hands-on art and sustainability workshops, and unforgettable marine adventures such as turtle discovery, snorkelling safaris, guided dolphin cruises, and stargazing. Each offering is crafted to inspire connection, learning, and joy across generations.

Ranked as the #2 Best Resort Pools in the Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi features an awe-inspiring 200-meter infinity pool that spans from the island’s eastern to western shores, symbolically linking sunrise to sunset. Framed by soft white sands and boundless ocean views, the pool has become an iconic centerpiece of the resort—captivating photographers, influencers, and leisure seekers from around the world.

Nestled on a pristine, untouched island, Sirru Fen Fushi seamlessly blends the quintessential Maldivian experience with sustainability, artistic expression, and cultural immersion. With this latest recognition, the resort continues to set new standards for modern luxury through meaningful travel and exceptional hospitality.

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Travel + Leisure Asia Pacific awards Villa Nautica Best Resort Pool in Maldives

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Villa Nautica’s signature infinity pool has been awarded the title of Best Resort Pool in the Maldives by readers of the Travel + Leisure Asia Pacific Luxury Awards 2025. More than just an architectural feature, the pool serves as the heart of the resort—a tranquil expanse of water that seamlessly mirrors the sea beyond and transforms swimming into a meditative experience. Here, thoughtful design blends effortlessly with the natural environment, creating a space where the boundaries between land, water, and sky dissolve into serenity.

Located in the North Malé Atoll, only a short speedboat ride from the capital, Villa Nautica’s 1,350-square-meter pool is both a focal point and a design statement. It does not clamor for attention but draws it gently, extending confidently toward the horizon and creating the illusion of merging with the open ocean—while still offering the comfort and stability of land.

What distinguishes this pool is not merely its size or the flawless infinity illusion, but the way it quietly becomes part of the guest’s daily rhythm. Sun loungers are thoughtfully spaced and positioned, offering just the right amount of shade and always seeming to face the light at its most flattering angle. From morning sunbathing to lazy midday naps and sunset refreshments, the space is designed for lingering.

Adjacent to the pool is Press & Pot, a favoured spot among guests who enjoy pairing their swim with an artisanal coffee. The scent of freshly brewed espresso mingles with the sea breeze and the subtle aroma of sunscreen. Here, pastries come warm from the oven, tropical fruits are sliced to order, and coffee is served to a standard that rivals any urban café—with the added luxury of an uninterrupted ocean view.

Villa Nautica’s approach is not one of ostentation but of elegance. Its luxury lies in the details: the coolness of the stone underfoot, the soft rustle of palm leaves, and the way the water reflects the sky like glass as dusk approaches. It is an environment where nature and design exist in perfect, understated harmony.

This is what set Villa Nautica apart and earned it top honors. Among a competitive field of exceptional Maldivian resorts, the Travel + Leisure panel identified a timeless quality here. This is not simply a pool to swim in—it is one to experience. A space that encourages guests to pause, disconnect, and simply be.

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Global recognition for InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort at 2025 T+L Luxury Awards

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InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has been named the #1 Best Resort for Families in the Maldives and secured the #7 position in the Best Resorts in the Maldives category at the T+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, held on 19 June at Capella Bangkok.

Organised by Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau, the T+L Luxury Awards celebrate excellence in luxury travel across the Asia-Pacific region. Voted on by readers, these prestigious awards honour outstanding hotels, resorts, and destinations throughout the region.

This recognition underscores the resort’s dedication to providing enriching, multi-generational experiences through carefully curated family-friendly offerings. Highlights include the Planet Trekkers Kids Club, Teen Escapades, and Family Beach Pool Villas, along with educational programmes such as the Junior Marine Biologist experience in collaboration with the Manta Trust. These features reflect the resort’s unique approach to combining luxury with meaningful and age-inclusive activities.

General Manager Reinhold Johann expressed pride in the achievement, noting that the accolades represent the team’s commitment to creating memorable experiences for guests of all ages in a breathtaking setting.

Nestled in the remote Raa Atoll and surrounded by the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort offers a rare blend of expansive space and barefoot luxury—ideal for family getaways, special celebrations, and immersive island adventures.

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