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Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas launches stunning scientific based book on island’s unique coral reef ecosystem

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After two years of extensive research and studies, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is launching the ‘Wonders of Kihavah,’ – a ground-breaking research-based publication unveiling the breath-taking beauty and rich biodiversity of the island’s renowned house reef. This is the first time a resort in the Maldives has undertaken such an extensive reef assessment and scientific research-based study.

The publication, combining a scientific approach, compelling narrative, and stunning visuals, showcases the enchanting underwater world of Anantara Kihavah’s pristine marine ecosystem which was recently crowned as the Best House Reef in the Maldives in the 2023 Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Southeast Asia.

The study, led by Australian Marine Conservation Society’s Director, Dr. Selina Ward, alongside fish and coral experts, Dr. Storm Martin and Dr. Hannah Markham, all who have conducted extensive research work on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, worked on the book highlighting the spectacular array of Kivavah’s marine life and the delicate equilibrium of the reef and the urgent need for marine conservation efforts, especially in the age of global warming.

Regarding the hospitality industry’s role, Dr. Ward stresses the utmost importance of urgently reducing carbon emissions to save coral reefs for the future. “In the period until emissions reductions become effective, we can work towards enhancing reef resilience, improving water quality, addressing land use impacts, removing threats such as overfishing and destructive fishing practices, and engaging in innovative restoration techniques for priority areas, such as beloved locations around resorts and essential regions serving as sources for coral and fish larvae. There are many innovative restoration techniques now that require the use of very small volumes of existing corals and targeted use of reared coral larvae.”

Dr. Ward emphasises the severity of marine heatwaves as a threat to coral reef health and survival worldwide, causing bleaching events with potentially devastating consequences. Reef recovery is possible, but the frequency of heatwaves is critical for their effectiveness. Intensified cyclones, sea level rise, and ocean acidification also damages and hinder reef growth.

Among the study’s fascinating findings is the recording of an astounding 300 fish species on Anantara Kihavah’s house reef, proving its status as the best for snorkelling, where guests can encounter different species every time they enter the water. The study also includes a comprehensive fish index, indicating the areas around the island where these species are found.

Another captivating aspect is that as many as 160 of these species can be observed from the resort’s SEA Underwater Restaurant in a single day, providing non-divers with a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the mesmerising fish and coral sights. With different fish species being most active at various times throughout the day, diners are treated to an ever-changing display through the restaurant’s windows, making dining at SEA an unforgettable bucket list experience.

The publication also features the reef’s renowned Yellow Wall, a major attraction for divers and a contributing factor in making the reef a sought-after destination for diving enthusiasts in the region. Beyond the resort’s shores, the Baa Atoll offers countless world-class dive sites, and the chance to swim with manta rays in Hanifaru Bay is a must-try, once-in-a lifetime experience.

By showcasing the beauty and fragility of Anantara Kihavah’s house reef, “Wonders of Kihavah” aims to inspire budding conservationists and serve as an inspiration for ongoing marine conservation efforts, emphasising the need to protect the wonders of Kihavah and other reefs around the world for generations to come.

Anantara Kihavah offers a complimentary e-version of the publication for download on their website, while physical copies are exclusively provided for guests during their villa stay. Take-home copies are available for purchase at the resort, with a portion of the proceeds allocated to Anantara’s ‘Dollar for Deeds’ programme, with the resort matching each donation to support marine and coastal protection, environmental education, and community welfare.

Discover the underwater realms of Anantara Kihavah and witness the wonders for yourself. Villas start from USD 1,700++ per night with breakfast and lunch. For more information or to book, call +960 664 4111, visit us at www.anantara.com/kihavah-maldives or email reservations.maldives@anantara.com.

Honeymoon

10 ways Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is redefining the modern Maldives honeymoon

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Today’s honeymooners are looking for more than candlelit dinners and flower-filled villas; they seek meaningful experiences and personalised adventures uniquely theirs. Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has quietly evolved its honeymoon approach to meet this new generation of luxury travellers, positioning the resort around the opportunity to create a completely individualised celebration.

Here are 10 ways Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is setting the benchmark for the modern romantic getaway.

1. Curate Your Own Honeymoon

Every couple brings a distinct dynamic to their celebration, and the Ultimate Honeymoon Signature Experience allows newlyweds total flexibility to co-create a stay around their individual style. A handwritten love letter can be placed in the villa before arrival, or the team can craft a tailored island treasure hunt woven around their personal journey. From an underwater commitment ceremony to a scenic seaplane flight over Noonu Atoll, each moment is chosen to fulfil their unique bucket list.

2. Personal Butlers That Anticipate Every Moment

The dedicated multilingual butler team creates quiet surprises and effortless magic throughout the stay, ensuring couples feel seamlessly cared for. They focus on small, unscripted gestures, noticing a preference for plant-based dishes or organic herbal smoothie at breakfast, arranging an impromptu cocktail setup on the beach, revealing quiet spots across the island to watch the sunset, or subtly decorating the villa with a guest’s favourite quote and wedding picture.

3. Creative Moments for Romance

To help honeymooners slow down and remain fully present, the resort turns island activities into intentional rituals. A morning might begin with a quiet Maldivian breakfast in the lagoon, feet in the water, followed by a snorkelling excursion along the reef of a deserted island. An evening might unfold as a private cinema screening of a favourite film aboard a traditional Dhoni, drifting gently across the lagoon. These shared moments deepen connection, transforming travel time into emotional anchors.

4. Private Sanctuaries for Unhurried Days

Designed as quiet sanctuaries for couples after months of celebration, the resort’s 221 villas offer secluded open-air living and an unhurried approach to island life. The Water Villa with Pool is perfect for floating champagne breakfasts served in complete privacy, tailored for long, relaxed mornings together. In the Sunset Horizon Water Villas with Pool, couples can unwind over a Sunset Aperitif at dusk, relaxing in their elegant over-water seating beside their private pool.

5. Sincere, Tasteful, and Sensory Culinary Moments

Dining together on honeymoon is about far more than just the cuisine; it is a sensory journey of discovering new flavours together. Sun Siyam Iru Fushi orchestrates a generous and refined culinary scene across 15 restaurants and bars, and features curated dinners deeply appreciated by epicureans. Moments range from intimate dinners bathed in the glow of hundreds of candles on the beach, with a private chef preparing a bespoke menu, to starlit seafood gatherings, interactive hotpots, and sommelier-guided wine tastings in The Cellar, further enriched by seasonal culinary residencies hosted by Michelin-starred chefs. As part of the 24-Hour Premium All Inclusive Dine Around, a selection of sixty-six fine wines and champagnes from around the world elevates the entire gastronomic experience.

6. Restorative Rituals, Side by Side

Few experiences are as quintessential to a honeymoon as a shared spa journey. Rather than a standard treatment menu, the Honeymoon Escape ritual inspired spa invites couples into an unhurried restorative journey featuring aromatic flower baths, organic botanical polishes, and soothing massage time together. For a deeper connection with the destination, therapies incorporate locally prepared coconut oil and fresh, exotic spices.

7. Immersive Maldivian Moments for the Curious Couple

Modern honeymooners seek far more than a beautiful backdrop; they look for a genuine, personal connection to place. Beyond its idyllic setting, the resort presents cultural encounters tailored to each couple’s taste. Guests can experience a Maldivian Roots dinner structured around their favoured local flavours, arrange an intimate cooking class, or explore island music and traditional craftsmanship. Each night, the in-villa Signature Turndown Journey is customised with touches of Maldivian heritage from hand-selected local delicacies to custom herbal infusions inspired by their day. In this way, every day spent on the island becomes a deeply personal celebration.

8. Discovering a New Passion Together

For couples eager to embrace a new adventure together, the calm, warm waters of Noonu Atoll provide a serene and safe environment for diving. Guided by the resort’s multilingual dive team, couples can discover the Maldives’ extraordinary marine life before capturing the memory with an underwater photograph at the iconic Nemo Garden heart installation.

9. Connecting with Nature

As one of the Maldives largest natural islands, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi boasts a mature canopy of native flora, winding pathways, and vibrant wildlife. Nature-loving couples can explore the island grounds with resident nature experts before planting their own mango, coconut or papaya tree to mark their honeymoon, a living piece of their story that grows on the island for years to come.

10. Quiet Gestures Woven into Your Stay

From arrival to departure, celebration is marked rather than expected amenities, but by genuine care. Softly lit in-villa bubble baths prepared after a long journey, bespoke welcome gifts from the executive chef, and thoughtful moments serve as continuous, quiet reminders of the warm and sincere Maldivian welcome.

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Meditation

Four Seasons Kuda Huraa introduces ŪRJĀ, a new naturopathy wellness island

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Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa has unveiled ŪRJĀ Naturopathy Island – the next evolution of holistic healing in the Maldives. Named after the Sanskrit word for vitality, ŪRJĀ is a wellness destination with a difference. Its programme balances naturopathic principles with scientific expertise, shifting the focus from surface-level relaxation to meaningful restoration.

ŪRJĀ was created with a clear intention: to move beyond the sameness of many modern spa experiences and offer something deeper. A space where ancient knowledge, natural healing and personal empowerment come together in harmony. Beyond buzzwords, trends and quick fixes, ŪRJĀ is designed for genuine, ongoing healing, not momentary escape.

Many treatments at ŪRJĀ feature AION A®, the powerful healing mineral discovered in an ancient Roman quarry in Würenlos, Switzerland by visionary Swiss naturopathic researcher Emma Kunz (1892–1963). Named it after the Greek for “without limitation”, AION A® supports detoxification, soothes inflammation, and encourages healing via positively charged ion exchange.

A Grounded Vision of Wellbeing

Rather than chasing the latest wellness protocol, ŪRJĀ takes a holistic path rooted in knowledge, education and integrity. In a world defined by stress, digital overwhelm and physical fatigue, it asks: what do guests truly need now?

The answer is timeless: Naturopathy, practicing for centuries what the modern world now calls ‘biohacking’, restores balance, supports natural healing, and guides enduring, sustainable habits.

Rooted in this philosophy, ŪRJĀ’s programmes unite nutrition, movement, detoxification and energetic realignment, for lasting wellbeing. The imparting of knowledge is central to the experience. Guests learn about the body’s innate intelligence, the importance of rhythm and nourishment, and how small, consistent changes can restore vitality. Diagnostics, consultations and personalised guidance empower them to return home with deeper understanding and practical tools for everyday wellbeing.

ŪRJĀ’s philosophy also recognises the growing need for stillness. In a world of constant stimulation, moments of silence and reflection become powerful therapeutic tools. Experiences encourage guests to reconnect with nature, their breath, and the peace found within.

ŪRJĀ invites guests to rediscover something simple yet profound: the body already knows how to heal. Sometimes it simply needs the right environment, guidance and silence to remember.

Naturally Inspired

Accessed from the Resort’s main jetty via a small Maldivian dhoni, ŪRJĀ offers a deep immersion in elemental rhythms – a living reflection of its ethos of vitality through nature. Over-water treatment suites, open-air rituals and the pulse of the surrounding ocean immerse guests in natural rejuvenation.

The spa’s pioneering approach centres on individualised wellness. At its heart are four core naturopathic pathways: Rest & Rebalance, Cleanse, Nourish, and Reconnect. Each pathway offers a collection of therapies and rituals to align mind, body, emotions and intellect, awakening self-healing. Every journey begins with an expert Naturopathic Consultation to craft a bespoke programme of therapeutic care. Optional micronutrient scans, iris diagnosis and postural mapping offer deeper insight into internal balance and vitality.

Signature treatments include Mud Therapy, Heliotherapy, Life-Force Healing, Magneto Therapy, and Sound Healing. Complementing these are Yoga Therapy, and traditional naturopathic practices such as fasting, acupuncture and full-body alignment rituals. Highlights include the ‘Vagus Reset’, a centring ritual that activates the vagus nerve, and the Night Spa Ritual, a celestial open-air experience aligned with the rhythms of the cosmos.

ŪRJĀ also offers specialised programmes guided by the team of onsite Naturopathic Doctors to address root causes of imbalance through therapies, coaching and nutrition. From Sleep Enhancement to Liver Detox and Joint Care, each is designed to restore and sustain lasting health.

Healing Geometry

ŪRJĀ’s approach is complemented by the work of visionary Swiss naturopath and artist Emma Kunz. Four Seasons has exclusive access to Kunz’s geometric drawings – believed to emit healing energy and reflect universal principles – which illustrate ŪRJĀ’s treatment menu.

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Cooking

VARU by Atmosphere celebrates Maldivian cuisine with new Kaagé cookbook

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VARU by Atmosphere has unveiled the Kaagé Progressive Maldivian Cookbook, bringing the flavours and culinary heritage of the Maldives to life through an immersive new experience. As part of the island experience, guests can enjoy private cooking masterclasses, offering a hands-on connection to authentic local flavours and the opportunity to take home the beautiful cookbook as a memento.

At Kaagé, the award-winning speciality restaurant, guests embark on a culinary journey through the history and traditions of the Maldivian islands. Time-honoured local recipes are paired with modern culinary techniques, allowing the distinctive flavours of the Maldives to be recreated in kitchens around the world.

Held on 20th August, the exclusive cookbook launch event brought together journalists, culinary influencers and resort guests, who joined the resort’s chef team for an interactive masterclass. The session explored local ingredients including skipjack tuna, coconut and fiery Scotch bonnet chillies, offering participants an authentic taste of Maldivian culinary traditions.

“These immersive cooking classes are now a permanent part of your resort experience. Kaagé is a tribute to the vibrant culinary identity of the Maldives,” says Maurice Van Den Bosch, General Manager at VARU by Atmosphere. “Through our cookbook and masterclasses, we invite you to connect deeply with island culture. We look forward to sharing these traditions with you.”

VARU by Atmosphere is a naturally Maldivian island escape in North Malé Atoll, just a 45-minute speedboat journey from Malé. Blending authentic Maldivian culture with contemporary elegance, the resort offers an intimate island experience centred around warm hospitality, vibrant dining, wellness and immersive experiences. From its distinctive overwater villas and unique overwater cellar to its island-inspired cuisine and commitment to sustainability, VARU by Atmosphere celebrates the essence of the Maldives while offering a refined and relaxed tropical retreat.

The Kaagé Progressive Maldivian Cookbook is available exclusively to participants of cooking masterclass. To discover more or reserve your spot, visit www.varu-atmosphere.com or contact reservations@varu-atmosphere.com.

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