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3 Maldives resort to make your travel more meaningful
The Maldives is all about the sun, the sand, and the sea, right? Yes, and no.
It is a tropical paradise known for its luxurious and idyllic setting, pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and abundant marine life. Attracting visitors worldwide, it is a popular destination for honeymooners, beach lovers, and diving enthusiasts.
But besides all the glam and glory, the Maldives is also where you can embark on meaningful adventures and positively impact the local environment and communities.
In recent years, the Maldives has faced environmental challenges due to rising sea levels and coral bleaching. The government has been actively promoting sustainable tourism and protecting the fragile ecosystem.
You can be a part of responsible travel and sustainable tourism with these three resorts at the Maldives. They offer different eco-activities that can make your travel to the Maldives more meaningful and memorable.
Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa
Best for: animal and marine life lovers
The resort has partnered with its dive partner, Sub Oceanic, to produce a range of immersive conservation initiatives, led by the resort’s marine biologist. Through these programmes, you can learn about key environments that make up the Maldives’ delicate ecosystem. You’ll be awarded a certificate when you complete four out of six hands-on modules: Seagrass Hopper, Mangrove 101, Reef Explorer, Turtle Quest, Ray Bay, and Build A Coral Reef.
Your participation in the programmes will contribute to the ongoing research required to conserve and care for the delicate ecosystem. This includes identifying coral, turtles, rays and sharks, and monitoring their health over time.
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa
Best for: snorkelling and diving enthusiasts
In partnership with Reefscapers, the resort has a coral-fragment plantation activity that promotes reef habitats. Coral reefs are not only a beautiful sight, but they are also essential in providing food and protection for marine life. But due to climate change and rising sea temperatures, these coral reefs are losing their vibrancy to bleaching and are gradually deteriorating and dying.
By planting coral fragments on a frame, you are essentially aiding corals’ reproduction as they mature into new colonies in the resort’s lagoon. You can also snorkel to visit the underwater sites of the coral programme to see the marine life flourishing around these coral frames.
In addition, your participation in the coral-fragment plantation activity will provide employment for 250 local inhabitants on an island in Baa Atoll called Fulhadhoo, where the coral frames and designed and made.
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort
Best for: culture and traditions fanatics
The resort is offering Liye Laajehun (Maldivian lacquer handicraft) workshops with the help of local craftsmen, where you can try your hand at the intricate craft. Traditional arts and crafts, like wood carving, are on the verge of disappearance as industrialisation and diminished interest overtake the current society. The number of artisans who practise these traditional art forms is getting scarce.
But you can help keep such traditional art forms alive by joining the workshop, where you can observe the craftsmen work and work on your own lacquerware. This will help to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Liye Laajehun for future generations. You can also buy crafts and support the local economy.
Coco Collection, a Maldivian-owned resort brand, has invited guests to experience a more conscious approach to luxury at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Coco Bodu Hithi.
Across its two island resorts, Coco Collection has incorporated environmental responsibility into the guest experience through its Coco Cares philosophy. From nature-led experiences inspired by the islands’ ecosystems to culinary offerings based on fresh, locally grown ingredients, the resorts have been designed to reflect the natural setting of the Maldives while integrating sustainability into daily operations.
At Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, this commitment is reflected in the Maldives’ veterinary-led Marine Turtle Rescue Centre, which is operated in partnership with the Olive Ridley Project. As a founding partner of the facility, the resort provides care for injured sea turtles and supports marine conservation awareness. Since its establishment, the centre has treated and released 152 injured turtles, with a rehabilitation success rate of 60%. The resort also continues seagrass preservation efforts aimed at protecting marine habitats and supporting biodiversity in the surrounding waters.
Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu also applies low-waste practices, mindful sourcing, and resource-conscious operations across the resort. This approach extends to Coco Farm, where homegrown produce, handcrafted preserves, and garden-to-table dining experiences are used to bring local flavour and seasonality to the table.
At Coco Bodu Hithi, the same approach is reflected in its food and beverage offerings. To mark Earth Day, the resort has introduced a green-inspired cocktail experience focused on eco-conscious mixology, using fresh ingredients grown on the island.
The resort said its low-waste approach informs all aspects of the guest experience, with attention given to responsible resource use. From the choice of herbs and fruits to preparation and presentation, the offering is intended to reflect respect for the natural environment.
This approach also extends across the resort’s wider culinary programme, which focuses on locally sourced ingredients, house-made preserves, and dishes inspired by the Maldives’ natural produce. Through seasonal menus, conscious sourcing, and resource management, Coco Bodu Hithi aims to offer an experience that combines hospitality with environmental responsibility.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
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