Marine experiences at Sun Siyam Iru Veli begin just beyond the island’s shoreline, from its house reef in Dhaalu Atoll to the waters of Faafu, Meemu and South Ari Atolls. For guests, this geographical reach means the underwater journey can take many forms, from a first guided snorkel close to the island to more advanced diving and encounters farther across the atolls.

The Big Encounters

Among the most notable journeys beyond the waters of Iru Veli is the Whale Shark Excursion to the South Ari Marine Protected Area. The guided snorkelling experience takes guests in search of the world’s largest fish, with the chance to snorkel alongside them when conditions allow. The same waters also offer manta encounters, another remarkable way to venture farther afield and see these graceful ocean giants in their natural environment.

Across the Atolls

The journey continues across Meemu and Faafu Atolls, where full-day explorations move between open-water encounters, quieter lagoons, coral reefs and uninhabited islands. Around Makunueri, guests can snorkel vibrant reefs with the chance to encounter turtles, sharks, rays and a variety of reef life. For those seeking a more exclusive experience, private journeys offer a way to discover coral gardens and lesser-visited stretches of ocean, with some also providing a first introduction to scuba in calm waters.

The House Reef, in Daylight and After Hours 

Closer to Iru Veli, the house reef tells a different story. By day, guided snorkelling invites guests to coral formations and resident marine life directly around the island. After sunset, the same waters take on an entirely different character as nocturnal species emerge. The guided night snorkelling offers the chance to encounter nurse sharks and experience the reef from a whole new perspective with the help of fluorescent and blue lights.

A Different Side of the Water

For those looking for something less conventional, the SSI Mermaid programme brings a playful side to underwater exploration. Guests can swap fins for a mermaid tail and learn the techniques needed to move comfortably and confidently through the water. Combined with underwater photography and video, this experience offers a chance to explore a more imaginative side of underwater exploration at Iru Veli.

A Lasting Impact

The marine discovery at Iru Veli also extends beyond observation. Through the resort’s coral planting initiative, guests can contribute to the continued restoration of the house reef and leave a lasting connection beneath the surface. Back on land, the weekly Marine Night brings these stories together, sharing more about marine life, reef conservation and underwater environments surrounding the island.

Beyond the many ways to explore the ocean from the surface, the SSI-certified dive centre at Iru Veli offers adventures for seasoned divers and complete beginners alike. Certified divers can continue exploring the surrounding dive sites with the resort’s professional team, while first-timers can start with an introductory scuba experience. Guests looking to go further can also earn SSI certification during their stay, turning their holiday into the start of a new diving journey.

From the house reef to some of the Maldives’ most remarkable marine encounters, Sun Siyam Iru Veli reveals an island experience shaped as much by what lies beneath the surface as by what surrounds it.

Discover more marine activities, explore the latest Sun Siyam Iru Veli offers.

There are places in the Maldives where a holiday is measured not by how much you do, but by the moments in between. Waking to the sound of the ocean, discovering life beneath turquoise waters, watching dolphins at sunset, or simply finding time to reconnect with the people who matter most. Set within the South Nilandhe Atoll, Angsana Velavaru offers an island escape shaped around these moments, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Indian Ocean.

From exploring the vibrant house reef and enjoying marine adventures to unwinding with wellness experiences and leisurely days by the pool, guests can experience the island at their own pace. With villas both on the island and over the lagoon, Angsana Velavaru brings together the diverse experiences of Maldivian island life with Angsana’s warm and vibrant hospitality.

As Angsana Velavaru celebrates its anniversary, the resort is marking the occasion by inviting travellers to create their own island memories with the Angsana Velavaru Anniversary Sale, available exclusively for direct bookings through the Angsana website from 15–18 October 2026.

The celebration comes with 50% savings on selected stays, alongside a collection of added benefits designed to make a Maldivian getaway even more memorable. Whether travelling as a couple, with family or simply seeking time to reconnect with nature, guests can enjoy more time to experience the island and everything that surrounds it.

Anniversary offer highlights:

• 50% savings on Best Available Rate (BAR) Half Board, Full Board and All-Inclusive rate plans.
• Complimentary return seaplane transfers for two for stays of five nights or more.
• 25% savings on return seaplane transfers for two for four-night stays.
• USD 50 Resort Credit per villa per night, applicable to spa body massages and selected recreational activities.
• Complimentary Floating Afternoon Tea once per stay for stays of five nights or more.
• Up to two children aged 11.99 years and below stay and dine complimentary, on the same meal plan as the accompanying adults.

The Anniversary Sale is available for stays from 15 October 2026 through 31 October 2027, offering travellers an opportunity to experience

More than a celebration of another year, the anniversary reflects the moments that make an island escape memorable — time spent together, new experiences discovered along the way, and the simple pleasure of being surrounded by the sea.

For those looking to rediscover the Maldives, Angsana Velavaru offers an invitation to slow down, reconnect and create another chapter of island memories.

Bookings are available exclusively through the Angsana website during the promotional booking period of 15–18 October 2026. For bookings and enquiries, please visit www.angsanavelavaru.com or contact the resort at reservations-velavaru@angsana.com.

Vietjet will launch a new service connecting the Maldives with Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s biggest city and commercial hub, via Colombo from 5 December 2026, giving travellers in the Maldives a new way to explore Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and beyond. Bookings are now open, and the airline is rolling out a three-day sale featuring Eco tickets from USD250 one-way (including taxes and fees) and 20% off Deluxe base fares on the new route.

From now until 21:30 on 10 October 2026 (Maldives time), travellers can enjoy these special deals when booking Maldives–Ho Chi Minh City flights via www.vietjetair.com and the Vietjet Air mobile app. Passengers can book Maldives–Colombo and Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City sectors separately. The promotion also applies to other routes across Vietjet’s network, for travel until 30 September 2027 (blackout dates may apply).

The new Maldives–Ho Chi Minh City service will further strengthen Vietjet’s presence in South Asia and bring Malé into its international network. Operating three round trips per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the route provides more options for travellers from the Maldives to explore Vietnam and Sri Lanka in a single journey, while also opening up opportunities for visitors from both countries to combine their travels with a getaway to the world-renowned island paradise.

The new route brings together three distinctive destinations. Colombo offers access to Sri Lanka’s beaches, tea country and wildlife, while Ho Chi Minh City combines a dynamic modern skyline, vibrant food scene, and historic landmarks, serves as a gateway to Southeast Asia. Through Vietjet’s hub in Ho Chi Minh City, passengers can also connect to destinations across its flight network, including Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Vietjet is Vietnam’s largest private airline, operating a modern fleet of 135 aircraft and an extensive network of more than 250 routes across Asia-Pacific and, soon, Europe. Vietjet was recently named “Asia’s Leading Airline Brand 2026” at the World Travel Awards ceremony in the Maldives, while CAPA – Centre for Aviation honored it as “Asia Low Cost/Hybrid Airline of the Year” in its 2026 Aviation Awards for Excellence. According to Brand Finance, Vietjet’s brand value rose 117% to USD 906 million in 2026, making it the world’s fastest-growing airline brand and placing it among the world’s Top 50 most valuable airline brands for the first time.

On every Vietjet flight, passengers can enjoy a selection of freshly prepared Vietnamese and international specialties, including pho, banh mi and Vietnamese iced milk coffee, served by the airline’s professional and dedicated cabin crew. Vietjet also brings cultural and artistic experiences to the skies at 10,000 metres, adding a distinctive touch to every journey. In addition, members of the Vietjet SkyJoy loyalty programme can earn and redeem reward points across Vietjet services and more than 250 partner brands spanning travel, dining, shopping and lifestyle.