News
Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives and EnChroma partner to enhance colorful experiences for color blind guests
In honor of International Colour Blindness Awareness Month, Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives, renowned for its vivid and captivating surroundings, has teamed up with EnChroma to offer color blind guests a groundbreaking opportunity to witness the Maldives’ dazzling landscapes in all their vibrant glory. This pioneering initiative includes the use of specialized glasses designed for color blindness, innovative snorkel masks, and EnChroma sunglasses, allowing visitors to experience the world in an entirely new light.
EnChroma, known for its patented lens technology, has developed these cutting-edge solutions, which are exclusively available at Seaside Finolhu.

A World First: Seeing the Maldives in Full Color
Among the groundbreaking innovations, EnChroma’s color blind glasses stand out, granting individuals with color blindness the ability to perceive the world in its true spectrum of colors. Additionally, snorkel masks have been crafted to enhance underwater adventures, enabling color blind guests to appreciate the Maldives’ vibrant marine life more vividly than ever before.
This remarkable offering is a world-first and can only be experienced at Seaside Finolhu.
Unlocking a World of Color
Color blindness affects approximately 350 million people globally, with 30 million residing in Europe alone. This condition predominantly affects men, with one in 12 individuals impacted. While those with normal color vision can perceive over one million shades and hues, color blind individuals typically see only about 10 percent of this range.
For red-green color blind individuals, colors may appear muted and indistinguishable from one another. Common color confusions include green and yellow, grey and pink, purple and blue, and red and brown. This limitation can hinder color-blind individuals from fully immersing themselves in vibrant experiences during their travels, affecting both work environments and social interactions.

A Colorful Paradise Beckons
At Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives, color blind guests not only have the opportunity to witness the myriad blues of the Baa Atoll but also to explore one of the most visually captivating hotels in the Maldives, with its kaleidoscope-inspired interiors.
Steven Phillips, General Manager at Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives, shared his excitement about the partnership: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with EnChroma on this exciting new initiative. Travelling the world is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but imagine doing so and only experiencing ten percent of color. That’s like only seeing two colors of the rainbow. Or not witnessing the true blue of the ocean or the hundreds of hues of a sunset.”
“As someone who is color blind myself, I know all too well the realities and impact this can have, so I’m delighted to see this collaboration come to life. We can’t wait to welcome color blind guests – both adults and children alike – to experience this unique technology and see our piece of paradise in all its glory!”
Erik Ritchie, CEO of EnChroma, expressed his enthusiasm about the project: “The Maldives, and Seaside Finolhu, are arguably two of the most breathtakingly beautiful and colorful places on earth. I’m a divemaster and have been SCUBA diving for most of my life, so I can appreciate how much more spectacular and special it will be for color blind divers to experience the amazing array of vibrant colors the ocean has to offer. We are also thrilled that color blind guests will be able to experience more color when they are not diving by borrowing our glasses at the resort.”
Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives and EnChroma are poised to make the Maldives’ vibrant beauty accessible to all, transcending the boundaries of color blindness and offering a life-changing experience for those who embark on this captivating journey.
News
Fushifaru Maldives blends cultural experiences with new in-house activities
Fushifaru Maldives has introduced a refreshed programme of guest activities and experiences as it enters 2026, combining cultural elements with new forms of entertainment across the resort.
The boutique resort has expanded its in-house activities to cater to a wide range of age groups. New offerings include circus-style sessions for children, hula hoop classes, aerial performances, fire shows and CYR wheel displays, aimed at providing structured entertainment for both families and adult guests.
The resort marked the end of 2025 with a Gatsby-themed farewell event, featuring a cocktail evening where guests were invited to dress in period-inspired attire. New Year’s Eve celebrations centred on a dinner service prepared by the resort’s culinary team, with a menu that included beef ribs, roasted turkey, grilled lobster, salmon and oysters, alongside seafood selections, Japanese dishes, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, and live cooking stations. The evening concluded with desserts and tropical fruit offerings.
For 2026, Fushifaru Maldives has also updated its daily activity schedule. Themed dinner nights continue to form a core part of the guest experience, with a Maldivian-themed dinner held every Friday. This includes a live cooking demonstration based on traditional Maldivian preparation methods, highlighting the step-by-step process of making local curries.
According to the resort, the updated programmes are designed to strengthen guest engagement while maintaining links to Maldivian heritage. The focus remains on offering structured experiences that reflect both cultural practices and contemporary resort entertainment.
Fushifaru Maldives stated that it plans to continue developing its activity and dining concepts throughout the year, with further updates to be shared with guests and industry partners.
Action
Niyama Private Islands enhances surf lifestyle with stylish new surf venue
Niyama Private Islands Maldives now offers what is considered the most luxurious surf experience in the Maldives, enhanced by the introduction of its new Surf Shack — a stylish beachfront hangout serving gourmet bites, drinks, sunset views and lively parties.
Known as Nature’s Playground, the resort has long attracted surf professionals from around the globe. Located in the southern Maldives, where swells are at their strongest, it is a preferred base during peak surf season. Waves break directly on shore, with additional surf spots accessible within minutes by speedboat.
Niyama’s signature waves roll in at Vodi Point, situated on the westernmost tip of its twin islands. It is here that the resort has unveiled the new Surf Shack, designed to make time off the waves equally appealing. The thatched-roof venue encourages a barefoot, relaxed atmosphere, offering an upper deck for sunset viewing and picnic-style seating below. Reflecting Niyama’s sustainability ethos, Area Chief of Engineering Michael Patrick Slevin notes that 75 per cent of construction materials were repurposed, blending beach casual with environmentally conscious design.
Guests can enjoy gourmet dishes served from service windows, with a menu inspired by iconic surf destinations worldwide: Australian fish and chips, Indonesian satay, Mexican nachos and Japanese takoyaki. The drinks list pays tribute to rum, featuring an extensive collection and signature cocktails inspired by renowned surf breaks.
While the Surf Shack maintains a laidback feel during the day, the beachfront transforms at dusk as the tides shift and the DJ elevates the atmosphere. The resort’s rum and reggae Sundays have already become a celebrated weekly event.
Surfers at Niyama can design their days as they wish — chasing waves or relaxing ashore. The Surf Centre offers equipment and guidance, while Drift by Niyama provides recovery treatments to soothe muscles, repair sun-exposed skin and restore energy. Resident professional surfers remain available to advise on technique and wave conditions.
“The new Surf Shack forms part of the renewed Niyama experience, which includes significant refurbishments across the resort, inventive culinary additions and a greater emphasis on active living and wellness,” said Hafidh Al Busaidy, General Manager of Niyama Private Islands Maldives. “With more developments on the way, we look forward to sharing what comes next.”
Featured
Intimate island experiences shape Valentine’s Day at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
This Valentine’s Day, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites couples to celebrate love through a collection of carefully curated experiences designed to unfold in intimate moments across the island.
Framed by the natural beauty of Maamunagau Island, the resort’s Valentine’s programme centres on a series of limited-edition dining and wellness experiences created exclusively for the occasion. From private beachfront dining and moonlit dinners along Café Umi Beach to an elevated Valentine’s evening at the signature Lighthouse venue, romance is conveyed through setting, atmosphere and thoughtful detail rather than elaborate gestures.
Culinary experiences sit at the heart of the celebration, with bespoke Valentine’s menus intended to be savoured slowly, paired with curated wines and accompanied by uninterrupted ocean views. Each dining experience is crafted to feel personal, whether enjoyed beneath the night sky or in one of the island’s more private spaces.
Beyond dining, couples are encouraged to reconnect through shared wellness experiences at AVI Spa. Signature rituals and indulgent treatments offer a quieter expression of romance, giving guests the opportunity to unwind together in a calm, oceanfront environment. Those seeking complete privacy may opt for bespoke in-villa treatments, allowing the occasion to be marked within the comfort of their own surroundings.
Throughout Valentine’s Day, subtle touches across the resort—from crafted cocktails to curated wine moments—enhance the celebration without overwhelming it, reflecting InterContinental Maldives’ belief that genuine luxury is rooted in balance, intention and authenticity.
At InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, Valentine’s Day is shaped not by excess, but by considered, enduring moments that create shared memories long after the day has passed.
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