Latest Maldives News, Resort Openings & Travel Guides

Gourmet Week with Andrea Berton in You & Me Maldives in MayDuring May, 02 – 09 2026, a gourmet week with Andrea Berton, one of the most outstanding chefs in the whole world, will take place in You & Me Maldives, a luxurious resort dedicated exclusively to adults and located in Raa Atoll of Maldives. This week of top-class culinary is organized on Maldivian cuisine islands giving visitors unique chances to taste excellent food in an incredible setting.During the gourmet week, there are two dinners cooked by the famous chef Andrea Berton, offering you the unique experience of visiting the world of gastronomy. They will take place on 04 May in the Green Carpet Restaurant and on 06 May in the Sand Restaurant. Besides delicious dinners, Gourmet Week in You & Me Maldives is much more than just a week of food, it is about combining high-class cuisine with superb venues and impeccable service offered in Maldives. You & Me Maldives hides in the mysterious corners of Raa Atoll maldives and provides the necessary degree of privacy and romanticism, becoming a natural place for such a novel approach. Due to the resort's outstanding ideas of dining offered, this destination has become one of the best culinary destinations in the Maldives."Gourmet Week" is another link in the endless chain of the truly unique experiences provided by the resorts included in The Cocoon Collection. Undoubtedly, resort's reputation associated with providing guests with privacy, romance, and individual approach becomes the reason for choosing the resort as a partner in the event. The most striking characteristic of this location is the extraordinary idea of dining offered by the resort, which consists in having dinner in the unique H2O underwater restaurant. Therefore, people will be able to enjoy their dinner below the water surface and surrounded by various species of marine animals. Such a novel experience will be the best illustration of how The Cocoon Collection resorts offer unusual experiences that go beyond luxurious.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands Launches Summer Collective 2026 ExperiencesWe would like to announce our new project for the year 2026 called the Summer Collective at the Ritz Carlton Maldives Fari Islands, which is organized annually by collecting various workshops, events, and collaborations that will help to experience something special in relation to nature, wellness, culture, and creativity at the most fascinating place on Earth.The month from June to August is full of opportunities for guests to take part in a variety of events including meetings with famous professionals in wellness and culture (art, cooking, activists). These events will provide an opportunity for communication and exchange of information about the ecosystem of our resort.June – Environmental Awareness, Wellness, and the Resort's AnniversaryApart from different activities, this month will offer environmental awareness events, wellness events, as well as events that mark the resort's fifth anniversary. Other activities will include a series of bar takeovers. Bar takeover activities will run from June 6 to June 8 and include bars The St. Regis Bar Jakarta, Punch Room Tokyo, and Bar Sathorn. The theme of sustainability persists with interactive workshops, guided tours, and educational sessions conducted by the Naturalists of the resort that help in understanding marine conservation and island ecology. The eco-journalist Sarah Roberts makes a visit from June 10 to June 14, along with continuing efforts of the resort towards environmental conservation in partnership with the Olive Ridley Project.Wellness becomes a priority through the launch of Deep Blue Presence, the core philosophy of the resort. This is marked by an immersion experience of three days, from June 20 to June 22, conducted by the yoga practitioner Anabella Landa, comprising sunrise yoga, breath work, sound therapy, and rejuvenating spa sessions to celebrate International Yoga Day in Maldives.July – Surf, Movement, and Ocean AdventureJuly becomes the month of movement, surfing, and ocean exploration. The famous surfer Nic von Rupp will return to conduct the Surf Retreat, which takes place from July 1 to July 11.The program itinerary on the island recognizes this kind of dynamic energy by providing a range of activities for the tourists to choose from such as turtle snorkeling tours, shark encounters, and sunset dolphin tour cruises.Land activities include a wide selection of games, including tennis, padel, pickleball, beach volleyball, rigorous workouts, and even painting your surfboard and eco-art.August – Arts, Culture & The Fari Islands FestivalArts, culture, and gastronomy related activities will bring the Summer Collective event to a close in August. Some of the events that will be taking place between August 13 to August 15 include the Fari Islands Festival that features some thrilling activities, such as the Wagyu Mafia Beach Dining, as well as Tomislav Topic's artistry.Further collaborations with Bamford, which features Jessica Hunt, provide customized well-being and beauty treatments, with conservation projects that see visiting experts from the Olive Ridley Project joining forces.The guest activities during the summer month include various creative and learning events, such as making ceramics, creating mosaics, marine-inspired art, and much more. The wellness aspect also prevails, featuring daily yoga sessions, meditations, and beach workouts.Summer Offer for the ResortAs part of the Summer Collective initiative, the resort has prepared another exclusive offer for visitors, namely, the Embrace Island Life package valid until December 23, 2026. As part of the luxury escape vacation, the package comes with breakfasts and dinners and return transfers and requires at least a four-night stay at the resort.

Sun Siyam Olhuveli Launches Adopt A Coral Frame Initiative for Earth DayOn the occasion of Earth Day, Sun Siyam Olhuveli Resort & Spa, which belongs to the Lifestyle collection of House of Siyam, presented a new marine life project that will allow guests to adopt their own coral frame named “Adopt A Coral Frame” experience. This event took place on 22nd April during a morning ceremony at Milano Beach, Dream Island. The adoption program is an integral part of the hotel’s work in marine ecosystem protection. Guests have a unique chance not only to become a participant of coral conservation but also to make a contribution to reef restoration. Guests are offered to take part in reef restoration procedures that involve adopting coral structures that will grow thanks to specially constructed frames. The main feature of this program is to provide guests with the possibility to choose and adopt one of coral frames, attach fragments of corals to it and plant into the lagoon.The coral fragments are selected via a very detailed selection procedure carried out by the marine biologist of the resort. Once the fragments are selected, these are attached to the coral frame and positioned in such places within the resort’s coral garden where they can grow in order to help foster marine biodiversity. The guests who adopt the coral frame will get periodic updates every six months about the coral frame’s status; this will include pictures documenting its growth. As mentioned by the resort, the primary objective behind this initiative is to make the participants aware about the importance of coral for the health of marine species and the oceans. Apart from that, it gives them an enjoyable experience.Chaminda Upul, Group Sustainability Manager of Sun Siyam, shed light upon the motive behind this program saying, By implementing this program, we intend to make our guests participate and learn more about corals. Every step matters on Earth Day, Upul added, saying, And with our Adopt-A-Coral Frame' initiative, we wish to give our guests an opportunity to leave their imprint on the ocean. General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli, Hassan Adil, elaborated upon the motive behind the program.At Olhuveli, we feel that the best memories are those which stick to you even after leaving us. The Adopt-A-Coral program enables guests to become part of an experience that is unforgettable, while at the same time supporting the conservation of nature that characterizes this resort,” he explained. Some of the revenue generated from the sale of the coral adoptions will go towards Sun Siyam Care, which is the sustainability arm of the organization.With the launch of this initiative, Sun Siyam Olhuveli Resort continues to integrate both memorable experiences for the guests and sustainable practices within their island resort.

Nautilus Maldives unveils Ocean Discovery Week eventThe Nautilus Maldives is set to organize the event called Ocean Discovery Week between 2nd and 8th of August, 2026, which will allow visitors a chance to explore the marine life in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Baa Atoll. Organized according to the schedule based on the tides in the sea, the event is supposed to integrate ocean discovery, photography, story-telling, and family involvement into one event. The featured speaker at this year's Ocean Discovery Week event will be Tobias Friedrich, an experienced underwater photographer, and author who will participate in this event together with his wife Isidora and two sons Kian and Dorian. The entire family brings family-related approach into this programme being passionate about scuba diving, marine environment protection and sharing their experiences.Tobias Friedrich is an underwater photographer who is also serving as a jury member in Underwater Photographer of the Year competition. Friedrich takes photos of marine environments in different places including tropical coral reefs, but also Arctic waters. The second family member Isidora, PADI AmbassaDiver, shares her experience with others in connection with ocean exploration and diving safety. Over the course of the week, the guests will get an opportunity to engage in a variety of activities that include manta rays encounters in Hanifaru Bay, night dives, and guided snorkelling sessions in the house reef. At the same time, there will be photography classes taught by Tobias Friedrich that would cover topics like underwater composition, storytelling, and photography. They would be divided into poolside basics for the beginners and more advanced sessions for the advanced photographers. Also, Isidora will facilitate storytelling and engagement sessions as well as guide children's activities. In addition to that, evening entertainment programmes would be comprised of outdoor movie showings about different underwater phenomena as well as presentations that will expand guests' knowledge about the underwater world.On the territory of Naiboli, an Ocean Gallery will present some artwork created by Tobias Friedrich in form of calendars and books; some pieces will be available for sale. A certain amount of funds will be allocated to marine conservation projects. In addition to all of the mentioned above, children will experience Ocean Discovery Week in their very own programme called Young Wonderers. 

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Global Wellness ExperienceSun Siyam Iru Fushi, a property that is under the umbrella of Sun Siyam Luxury Collection, has introduced an exclusive Wellness Reset Programme which will be taking place during the Global Wellness Week from June 15th to 21st. The program has been developed in partnership with Regina Gimranova, who is a health coach and biohacker with functional longevity, inner balance, and sustainable energy being the key themes in the Maldives location. As a result of the retreat, participants will be able to transition from a "city mindset" to a more expansive, serene and balanced state of mind, leaving the retreat with a feeling of freshness, new knowledge, and techniques on how to remain in a wellness state. The program caters to people aged 18 years and above and can be tailored according to their level of experience.The schedule includes Yoga practice sessions, starting at 8:00 to 9:00 AM depending on the theme of the session and style of the activity (from yin to power flow). Educational classes that aim at teaching about managing stress, emotions, and gaining mindfulness will be carried out between 5:00 and 6:30 PM on the beachfront. Other themes include cortisol control, emotional intelligence, neuroplasticity, and perception. The participants get the opportunity to participate in breathwork sessions and other relaxation activities like the “Ocean of Calm”. Integration is one of the highlights of this programme. Participants get to learn various activities that help in calming down their minds, such as quick morning reset activities.In addition to the wellness programme, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi provides a comprehensive wellness package. Among the services provided are those at the resort's spa, which has one of the largest spas in the country. With over 20 treatment rooms, Spa by Thalgo provides over 160 types of massage, among which include marine, traditional Maldivian Cuisine and innovative hydrotherapy massage. In addition, there are experts on yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese medicine in the resort. Wellness-oriented meals form another pillar of wellness at the resort. About 30% of the meals at the restaurants are vegan or plant-based, as per the resort’s concept of Plant-Based Bliss. Mr. Abdulla Atham, the resort manager, noted that contemporary customers have developed a greater interest in self-care activities and connecting with nature.

Experiences on COMO Cocoa Island are created based on natural influencesWhen you arrive at COMO Cocoa Island, you will experience the change for yourself. The pace slows down; you find yourself in an environment where time seems to stop, and the horizon opens up to reveal the only sounds coming from the tides under your villa. At COMO Cocoa Island, guests get the chance to unwind and explore new experiences that allow them to reconnect with a slower pace of life dictated by water, light, and intuition. On the island, guests can see the reefs located just a few steps away from their villas. They can enter the water and become part of the vibrant marine ecosystem where they can witness the life of colorful parrotfishes, reef sharks swimming from afar, and the graceful movements of turtles.In more advanced diving trips, guests can come close to nurse sharks swimming within the atolls surrounding the island. Divers are also welcome to explore the exciting underwater topography comprising caves, channels, and coral walls.Diving into StillnessA personal sandbank rises from the horizon without a single soul around—the pristine sands impossibly white. Lunch is enjoyed against a backdrop of only the sound of the waves breaking. There are no distractions, no agendas. Just the feeling of floating between the waters and the sky. As nightfall draws closer, the dhoni boats sail through the Saii lagoon Maldives. The lighting shifts. Gold gives way to amber before becoming deep blue. On some occasions, there are dolphins too—never a show, just part of the rhythm of the day.Wellness, No WallsAt COMO Cocoa Island, wellness does not have any boundaries. It lies in the gaps. Yoga classes begin with a view of the ocean. Inhaling and exhaling synchronize with the tides while meditating at the sandbanks becomes intuitive—dictated by the wind and warmth and the ever-present ocean.The COMO Shambhala Retreat adds more depth through treatments that are meticulous yet intuitive—they aim to heal rather than change you.A Philosophy of Less, Reflected PerfectlyCocoa Island hasn’t ever been about doing more – it’s about experiencing more, with less,” says Peter Nilsson, Managing Director, COMO Maldives. It lies in this restraint that makes Cocoa Island unique. We aren’t all about filling up our days with more activity but giving time to the ocean, to being still, to being authentic. Our guests go away not because they have done enough but because they have truly lived it all.”Rather than an endless checklist of activities, COMO Cocoa Island gives you something that is harder to find in many other inclusive resorts in maldives—the memory of your experience. The memories aren’t of what you did, but of the feelings associated with them.

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Launches Wellness Reset Program for Global Wellness WeekSun Siyam Iru Fushi, an upscale island resort, has come up with a unique Wellness Reset Program for its clients during the Global Wellness Week taking place from June 15 to 21. This Wellness Program has been developed by the fitness trainer and biohacker Regina Gimranova and includes advanced wellness methods in addition to the natural healing abilities of Maldivian islands.In this program titled 'Exhale to Expansion', people can shift from stressful urban living to healthy living. All individuals above 18 years of age can avail themselves of this program regardless of their physical abilities. This program is intended to boost energy, develop self-awareness, and promote wellness.Scientific & Wellness Exercises EverydayDaily exercises will comprise morning outdoor yoga sessions from 08:00 to 09:00; unique yoga sessions based on biological differences such as Yin yoga, power flows, etc., will be held. Optional visits to beach science classes are conducted daily from 17:00 to 18:30.Guests can also practice special somatic exercises in the form of breath work classes and relaxation exercises such as The Ocean of Calm. As part of the program, there is also a final integration class during which guests learn techniques for how to maintain high energy and awareness on their own, including through short five-minute morning exercises.A Holistic Wellness ResortBut it does not end there. In addition to the special program itself, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is built specifically to become the guest’s personal spa and center for well-being. There is a luxury spa resorts in maldives at the by Thalgo, which is one of the biggest spas in the Maldives with more than 160 treatments performed in 20 rooms. Supporting the health theme, the resort has also adopted mindful eating, incorporating the Plant-Based Bliss concept, which means that no less than 30% of their dishes will be vegetarian-friendly.A Focus on Sustainable TourismWith the increasing interest of tourists in activities that provide opportunities for reflection and spiritual enlightenment and connect them with the environment, the resort continues to invest in sustainable practices. Resort Manager Abdulla Atham highlighted their goal to create memorable visits for guests, inspiring them to have a positive effect on their lives.

Exclusive Dining Offer with Shangri-La Circle Rewards in JEN Maldives MaleJEN Maldives Male presents its guests the opportunity to indulge themselves in an exclusive dining offer with Shangri-La Circle rewards. The promotion is available from April 1st till December 31st, 2026 and will make every dining occasion a truly unforgettable experience with many perks. Please be informed that the offer does not apply to the purchase of tobacco products, special themed buffet dinners, as well as other promotional activities. Free membership entitles everyone to earn points from the very beginning. After becoming a member, each individual gets a chance to benefit from a 15% discount on his/her first dining visit. No matter whether guests opt for leisure lunch, sun-setting cocktails, or romantic dinner, they will definitely enjoy an extra portion of discounts for every single meal enjoyed there.Enrollment process in the Shangri-La Circle is extremely easy and straightforward via the mobile application. In this way, members will immediately gain access to numerous advantages. They will enjoy continuous 15% discount on all their dining occasions as well as earning of reward points for every eligible purchase. They will have a chance to redeem these points for further dining sessions or even for a luxurious hotel stay at Shangri-La hotels in various destinations. Shangri-La Circle program has been created for all those individuals who seek high-quality services accompanied by rewarding options. It will help guests transform regular meals into enjoyable dining experiences packed with comfort, pleasure, and unique benefits.What makes this loyalty program so valuable is the fact that it demonstrates how Shangri-La Maldives cares about its loyal guests. It provides them with many perks as a reward for being its guest. All guests should do to benefit from these discounts and rewards is to show their digital membership card at the billing point when they pay for their order. The Shangri-La loyalty program is actively promoted via social media pages, on-site banners, and online platforms to make it easy for guests to join in.

Eco-Friendly Luxury at Coco Collection ResortsA Maldivian company-owned brand, the Coco Collection, invites its guests to be more conscious of what they do when staying in its two resorts Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Coco Bodu Hithi.  Each element of the resorts' infrastructure is created with the purpose of conveying a deep reverence for nature and being guided by the philosophy of "Coco Cares." Every aspect of the resorts is made to create an eco-friendly experience from enjoying nature-based activities to having meals based on local products. All elements are aimed at creating the feeling of naturalness of the Maldives. It is crucial for Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu Resort because the establishment of the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre, which is one of the first veterinary-based centres of this kind in the Maldives, working together with the Olive Ridley Project, was conducted. In other words, the resort, being the founder of such a centre, promotes marine conservation and helps turtles heal, go back to their habitat and learn about the importance of this process. As for the results achieved during this period, it should be noted that 152 turtles have been treated with the rehabilitation success of 60%. Besides, there is an ongoing seagrass conservation which is important both from environmental and biological perspectives.The next point related to the issue of sustainable development is low waste generation by the resort along with sustainable production, when it is managed properly to make it comfortable and satisfying but environmentally-friendly. Moreover, this process becomes even more interesting due to the fact that the Coco Farm allows tasting fresh vegetables and herbs. The concept of Coco Bodu Hithi remains the same when it comes to luxury that is not only sustainable but highly innovative. This resort features its bars in a manner that supports the idea of sustainable luxury. There are eco-conscious cocktails created by the bar specialists using local organic fruits and vegetables available in the area. In addition, the resort introduced such a cocktail bar during one of the Earth Day celebrations, which means that the concept of sustainable luxury is implemented here innovatively, while it includes taste, design, and sustainability at the same time. It is important to understand that Coco Bodu Hithi takes sustainability very seriously when it comes to its operations. Everything from the use of herbs and fruits to preparation and presentation follows this concept.

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives strengthens recycling collaboration with Secure BagHoliday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives recently finished its first quarter of waste collection for the year, in collaboration with Secure Bag Maldives, as part of its sustainability initiatives. Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives reported that the recent weight-in and collection were indicative of the success of its collaboration, which began back in August last year. The project aims to recover, process, and reuse the discarded material as raw material in the production of new products.Secure Bag Maldives has been running operations based on the principles of recycling, upcycling, and resale using sustainable lifecycle management solutions.According to Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing & Sustainability at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, the Secure Bag, as well as the resort’s team, agreed that the majority of the resources had some kind of residual value after their first usage. According to her, the resources that would otherwise be thrown away could be converted into sustainable products by using recycling methods. According to Sharon Garrett, although earning money from waste sounds strange, this concept is common worldwide and represents a change in resource management. She explained that it was encouraging for the resort to witness the concept gaining momentum in the Maldives. As part of the agreement, the resort claimed that it was capable of recycling a wide variety of materials, including metal, compacted paper, batteries, motors, crushed glass, aluminum cans, air conditioning parts, lubricating oils, and cooking oil.According to Garrett, she and the sustainability officer at the resort, Krisel, felt optimistic about the amount of waste being recycled away from landfills. During the last three months, the resort has recycled iron scrap weighing 3.7 tonnes, motor and compressor components weighing 1.4 tonnes, aluminum cans weighing 544 kilograms, air-conditioner components weighing 565 kilograms, and lubricants and cooking oils totaling 3,200 liters. The resort stated that such an initiative would enable them to cut down their environmental footprint and contribute to the concept of a circular economy where there is reuse and added value.

There is a moment that almost every first-time Maldives traveller does not expect. You land at Male International Airport, clear immigration, collect your bags and then someone tells you that your seaplane left an hour ago and will not fly again until tomorrow morning.It happens more than the resorts like to admit. A late flight from Dubai, a delay out of Singapore, an arrival time that nobody thought to cross-reference with the seaplane schedule. One night in a Male hotel, one missed day at a resort that cost a significant amount of money, one start to a holiday that nobody planned.Velana International Airport IATA code MLE  is the only international airport in the Maldives. Every visitor passes through it. Understanding how it actually works is not optional preparation. For a trip this significant, it is essential.What Kind of Airport This IsVelana International Airport sits on Hulhule Island in North Male Atoll a separate island from Male city, two kilometres across the water. It handles everything that moves in and out of the Maldives by air: international arrivals, international departures, domestic fixed-wing flights to the regional atolls, and seaplane transfers to dozens of resort islands across the central and northern parts of the country.Three terminals operate from the same island. They are not the same building. After landing and clearing immigration in the international terminal, guests heading to a seaplane-access resort walk or transfer to the seaplane terminal. Guests connecting to a domestic flight head to the domestic terminal. Knowing which one applies to the booked resort and where it is relative to arrivals is the first practical thing to understand before landing.IATA Code: MLE Location: Hulhule Island, North Male Atoll From Male city: 10-minute ferry or speedboat From Hulhumale: connected by road via Sinamale BridgeThe International Terminal ArrivalsLanding at Velana is straightforward for most nationalities. The immigration card distributed on the aircraft should be completed before landing having it done saves time in the queue. Visas on arrival are granted free of charge to most nationalities for stays up to 30 days. No advance application is required.Immigration during normal arrival volumes is generally efficient most travellers clear within 20 to 40 minutes of landing. During peak season December through April simultaneous arrivals from multiple long-haul flights can extend that to an hour. Building this into transfer planning is sensible.After baggage reclaim and customs, guests exit into the arrivals hall where resort transfer representatives meet them with name boards. If a resort representative is not immediately visible, the information desks inside the hall provide assistance.Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for travellers arriving from countries where yellow fever is endemic. This requirement applies regardless of nationality.The Seaplane Terminal The Most Important Part of This AirportThe seaplane terminal at Velana International Airport is operated by Trans Maldivian Airways the world's largest commercial seaplane operator and it is the departure point for transfers to resort islands across the central and northern atolls of the Maldives.For most resort guests, this terminal is where the critical decision plays out.Seaplanes operate only in daylight. The transfer window is broadly 6am to 5:30pm daily, varying slightly with seasonal light conditions. International flights arriving after approximately 3pm carry a genuine risk of missing the last seaplane departure of the day. This is not an edge case it is a consistent reality that catches underprepared travellers regularly.The solution is simple but requires advance planning: confirm whether the chosen resort requires a seaplane, check the international arrival time against the seaplane window, and if there is any doubt about making the connection, book a night in Hulhumale or Male and take the first seaplane the following morning. The cost of a planned overnight is significantly less than the cost of an unplanned one both financially and in terms of the experience.The seaplane terminal waiting lounge has comfortable seating, refreshments, and a viewing area overlooking the seaplane apron. For most guests, the wait here is between 30 minutes and two hours before departure. The seaplane journey itself 15 to 45 minutes depending on the destination atoll is consistently described by first-time visitors as one of the best parts of the whole trip. The view of the atolls from low altitude, the turquoise against the dark blue of the deep ocean, the tiny islands below it sets the tone for what follows in a way that no speedboat transfer quite matches.Luggage restrictions apply. Seaplane transfers have weight and size limits typically around 20kg of soft baggage per person. Hard-shell cases create problems on seaplanes. Packing in soft bags and staying within the weight limit avoids delays and potential additional charges on arrival day.The Domestic Terminal - For Distant Atoll ResortsGuests travelling to resorts in the northern and southern atolls Haa Dhaalu, Raa, Noonu, Laamu, Gaafu Alifu, Addu, and others connect via the domestic terminal to fixed-wing flights operated by Maldivian Airlines and Island Aviation Services.The domestic flight is followed by a speedboat transfer from the regional airport to the final island destination. This transfer type avoids the seaplane's daylight restriction for the main leg of the journey, though domestic flight schedules have their own timing requirements.When connecting from an international arrival to a domestic departure, allow a minimum of two to three hours between landing and the domestic flight. This is not excessive it reflects the realistic time needed to clear immigration, collect baggage, transfer between terminals, and check in for the domestic leg.Airlines Flying Into Male International AirportVelana International Airport is served by a strong network of international carriers connecting the Maldives to major hubs across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.Emirates operates multiple daily flights from Dubai  one of the most commonly used routing points for travellers from Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The frequency and connection options from Dubai make Emirates the most versatile single-carrier option for reaching the Maldives from most parts of the world.Qatar Airways connects through Doha with similarly strong frequency and extensive onward connections. For travellers from European cities with good Qatar Airways service, Doha is often the most direct routing to Male.Singapore Airlines and Scoot connect from Singapore the preferred hub for travellers from Australia, Southeast Asia, and parts of East Asia. Singapore to Male is a four-hour flight and Singapore Changi is one of the most efficient transit airports in the world, making this routing particularly smooth.Sri Lankan Airlines connects through Colombo the closest major city to the Maldives at under two hours flying time. For travellers from South Asia specifically, Colombo offers the most frequent and most affordable connections to Male.Turkish Airlines connects from Istanbul, providing access from across Europe, Central Asia, and Africa for travellers who route through a Turkish Airlines hub.IndiGo and Air India operate direct flights from multiple Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai making the Maldives more directly accessible from India than almost any other major international destination.Getting From Male Airport to Your ResortThe transfer method from Velana International Airport to the final resort or island destination near male airports is determined entirely by the location of that destination. There is no single answer and understanding which applies to a specific booking is one of the more important pre-trip planning steps.Speedboat connects the airport to resorts in North Male Atoll and South Male Atoll. Journeys range from 10 minutes for the closest properties to around 45 minutes for those further into the atoll. Speedboats operate at any hour. There are no luggage restrictions. Transfer costs are a fraction of seaplane prices. Resorts accessible by speedboat Baros, Velassaru, Kurumba, Gili Lankanfushi, One & Only Reethi Rah, Anantara Veli are available to arriving guests regardless of what time the international flight lands.Seaplane connects the airport to resorts across the central atolls Ari Atoll, Baa Atoll, Lhaviyani Atoll, Dhaalu Atoll, Noonu Atoll, and others. The flight is 15 to 45 minutes and operates only in daylight. International arrival timing must be coordinated with the seaplane window. Transfer costs are higher than speedboat typically several hundred dollars per person round trip depending on the destination.Domestic flight plus speedboat connects the airport to the most distant resorts and local islands in the northern and southern atolls. The domestic flight from Velana to a regional airport is followed by a speedboat from that airport to the final destination. This is the most time-consuming transfer type but covers parts of the Maldives that neither seaplane nor speedboat from Male can reach directly.Getting Between the Airport and Male or HulhumaleFerry to Male - A public ferry runs between the airport jetty and Male throughout the day and early evening. Crossing time is approximately 10 minutes. Cost is minimal. Ferries stop running late at night, at which point speedboat taxis from the airport are the practical alternative.Speedboat taxi - Available 24 hours from the airport arrival area to Male and Hulhumale. Journey time under 10 minutes. Fares are fixed and displayed at the taxi desks in the arrivals hall.Road to Hulhumale - The Sinamale Bridge connects Hulhule Island to Hulhumale by road. Taxis from the airport can reach Hulhumale directly without a boat crossing practical for travellers with significant luggage.Airport FacilitiesDuty free is available in both the arrivals and departures sections of the international terminal perfumes, spirits, tobacco, electronics, cosmetics, and Maldivian crafts and souvenirs.Dining and coffee in the departures lounge and seaplane terminal waiting area covers cafes, fast food, and sit-down restaurants. The quality is adequate for an airport sufficient for a full meal or a long transit wait.Currency exchange and ATMs operate inside the terminal. US dollars are the most practical foreign currency for the Maldives accepted across the tourism sector and easier to use than Rufiyaa in a resort context. Rufiyaa is useful for ferry fares and local island purchases.Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal buildings and in the seaplane terminal lounge. Reliable enough for messaging, email, and video calls during transit waits.Luggage storage is available for travellers who need to store bags during a transit period or overnight stay in the area.Overnight Options Near the AirportHulhumale is the most practical overnight base for travellers dealing with late arrivals before a seaplane departure. Modern, clean, and connected to the airport by road, it has a growing selection of hotels at mid-range price points. The morning connection to the airport is straightforward and quick 10 minutes by road across the bridge.Male city is a 10-minute ferry across the water. It offers a wider range of accommodation and restaurants, and the old town the Friday Mosque, the fish market, the waterfront is worth a few hours for any traveller curious about the real Maldives beyond the resort islands. For a planned overnight rather than a forced one, Male is genuinely interesting.On the airport island itself Hulhule a small number of hotels operate for travellers who want the minimum possible distance between the bed and the departure gate.Departure From Male AirportCheck-in opens two to three hours before international departure. The process check-in, baggage drop, security, immigration, departures lounge follows the standard international format. The departures lounge has duty-free, dining, and comfortable seating.The practical note for resort guests: the seaplane or speedboat back to Male from the resort must be timed with enough buffer before the international departure. Seaplanes run on schedules that are weather-dependent, and delays while uncommon do happen. Most resorts build appropriate buffer into the return transfer arrangement. Guests should confirm the planned departure time from the island and cross-reference it against the international flight time when arranging the return journey.

Celebrating excellence driven by guests at COLOURS OF OBLU and Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts in the MaldivesAtmosphere Core would like to congratulate their five resorts in the Maldives – VARU by Atmosphere, Atmosphere Kanifushi, OBLU SELECT Sangeli, OBLU SELECT Lobigili, and OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO – for being awarded the distinguished British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award 2025. The award recognizes consistent levels of customer satisfaction amongst hotels with excellent services, facilities, and holiday experiences. Available to only 8% of the world’s hotels, the award is an indication of the brand strength in their wide range of holiday offerings, including holiday plans and adult-only getaways to immersive island vacations inspired by nature.Through Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, the resorts VARU by Atmosphere and Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives keep pushing the boundaries when it comes to hospitality. The VARU by Atmosphere resort provides the guest with an up-to-date island getaway that includes everything from start to finish, with added bonus of Maldivian hospitality. The other resort from the same group, Atmosphere Kanifushi, is famous for its large grounds and lush tropical environment, where a lot of experiences can be offered to both families and couples. From the COLOURS OF OBLU resort collection, the properties OBLU SELECT Sangeli, OBLU SELECT Lobigili, and OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO offer unique island getaways. OBLU SELECT Sangeli is a modern design resort located in an elegant environment. OBLU SELECT Lobigili is a romantic resort dedicated only to couples and their enjoyment together. OBLU NATURE Helengeli offers amazing marine life, house reef and all kinds of water activities.We are immensely honored to be the recipient of the British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award for various resorts under our management. This award, based on actual guest feedback, is an indication of the efforts of our passionate teams that always strive to give their best and exceed expectations when it comes to creating memorable experiences for guests,” stated Ashwin Handa, Chief Operating Officer of Atmosphere Core. The award marks Atmosphere Core’s continuing role as one of the premier hospitality brands in the Maldives, built upon guest-first service, innovation, and genuine island experiences.

Anantara Veli Maldives Resort wins British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award for 2025The British Airways Holidays Customer Excellence Award for 2025 has been awarded to the Anantara Veli Maldives Resort. The award acknowledges the level of guest service, facilities provided, and guest experience based on the reviews of genuine customers. The award is given based on regular good reviews, rather than an occasional outstanding one. In the case of Anantara Veli, it relates to their attentiveness and personalisation. They have received five stars out of five from guest reviews, which is quite rare.The resort is about 30 minutes away by speedboat from Velana International Airport. It is an adults-only resort that provides various villas both overwater and beachfront. Their villas blend the features of traditional Maldivian architecture and modern facilities. The award is indicative of how the management of the hotel strives to maintain consistency and offer personalization to its customers, according to Jason Kruse, who is the General Manager of Anantara Veli Maldives Resort.According to Mark Hall, the Head of Product and Sourcing of British Airways Holidays, this is indeed an important time for the brand, which is celebrating 70 years of operations and ten years of their Customer Excellence Award. According to the award criteria, based on independent reviews amounting to more than 100,000, only a selected few hotels are recognized. In addition, it should be noted that the demand for holiday experiences where comfort is balanced with a unique atmosphere continues. For this reason, the Anantara Veli Maldives Resort is still a part of the traditional range of holiday destinations offered by the Maldives to adults.

The Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences have received great acclaim at the Experientialist Awards 2026, winning one of two awards in the category “Most OutThere Initiative in Inclusive Travel”. Such an award becomes an important landmark in the development of the hotel, especially after last year’s “Highly Commended” nomination in the same category. The Experientialist® Awards, hosted by the OutThere organisation, recognises people and companies that revolutionise the world of travel through their innovative achievements. The awards put special focus on inclusiveness, individuality, and guests’ experience, showing the best examples of luxury and travel that transcend traditional boundaries.The category “Inclusive Travel” rewards those who create opportunities for people of all backgrounds and preferences to travel. It evaluates the inclusivity not only of facilities but also the overall travel experience. Here at Amilla Maldives, inclusivity does not simply get treated as an afterthought, and it is embedded in our approach from the very beginning until the time a guest leaves the resort. When booking stays here, guests receive personalized attention from our team members as we make it our point to know what each client may need during their stay at the resort.Our efforts here are driven by the Inclusiveness philosophy we have at Amilla Maldives Resort & Villas, known under the banner of "In Harmony with Purpose". Guests here will enjoy thoughtful designs of accessible villas, convenient and carefully planned walking paths, and a diverse range of adapted activities, including swimming in the sea, snorkelling in our lagoons, as well as attending various wellness sessions. As one of the IncluCare verified resorts, we take our work seriously. We constantly gather feedback from our guests to improve upon our offerings. We collaborate with industry experts in the field to make sure we always have something new to offer to our guests.When it comes to the recognition, Morgan Martinello revealed that this award is based on the success achieved last year. It is thanks to the continuous work that goes into creating an inclusive atmosphere, where each and every visitor can feel comfortable. Being recognized once again by OutThere only enhances the reputation of Amilla Maldives as a progressive resort. It goes beyond being another award and turns out to be one of the steps towards making luxury travel more accessible and enjoyable.

ELE|NA Elements of Nature at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI Celebrated as Best Spa Resort for 2026 Global Spa AwardsELE|NA Elements of Nature at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI is awarded as the Best Spa Resort of the year at the 2026 Global Spa Awards organised by The Luxury Spa Edit. It signifies that the resort takes great pride in offering high-quality services for wellness and spas. Global Spa Awards, considered one of the best awards in the field of wellness, acknowledge the excellence of spas, wellness resorts, clinics, and brands of the spas all over the world. Candidates are chosen after being evaluated by industry experts while winners are decided based on a global online vote.Located within the beautiful surroundings of Maldives, ELE|NA Elements of Nature has wellness ideology comprising the use of ancient means of healing combined with the contemporary methods of therapy and senses experience. Wellness Your Way™ is the most important element of this philosophy, meaning the customization process where guests have the liberty of creating a tailor-made wellness program according to their preferences. The wellness program can be facilitated at various different facilities present in the spa. There are numerous features offered by the spa, including Vihaara that is an alchemical garden having sustainable features and giving guests the chance to heal themselves using herbal and plant rituals. There is also a Zen Garden along with a meditation area in the spa.Some of the signature treatments that make the spa special include OceanFlow Therapy, energy healing session, and the Visiting Practitioner Program. The overwater treatment rooms are also part of what makes this place unique in facilitating wellness among visitors. However, according to Heidi Grimwood, the core idea behind the concept of Wellness Your Way™ has never been forgotten. Indeed, the recognition not only highlights the efforts made by the ELE|NA team to create individualized experiences for each of their guests but also confirms the mission that the brand tries to achieve.