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Maldives

Sheraton Maldives 🐚 Coral Propagation & Water Bottling Initiatives

Posted on March 9, 2022

My long-planned babymoon in the Maldives was unfortunately cancelled last minute due to a Zika outbreak in the islands, but aside from missing out on those baby blue waters and looking forward to relaxing in island life for a long weekend, I was most looking forward to seeing the re-growth of this resort’s marine ecosystem. Famed for its picturesque underwater scenery, Maldives has been hard hit by climate change in the last 10 years. Ocean warming is the main pressure on the local reef systems. The ocean acts as a carbon sink, absorbing vast quantities of carbon dioxide emitted by GHG’s. Passed its capacity to filter it all out naturally, ocean acidification is the resulting reaction which leads to coral bleaching and ultimately death.

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has just witnessed a coral spawning, which is a milestone in the resort’s coral propagation initiative that started in February 2020. To date, over 6,000 coral fragments from 15 different species of corals have been transplanted to their artificial reefs.

These coral colonies were rescued from Gulhi Falhu in 2020 and relocated on coral pyramids at the Sheraton Full Moon Resort & Spa to give them a second chance to thrive. Now healthy and strong enough to spawn after the relocation, the coral shows how important restoration is for the future of these archipelago’s.

The aim of coral restoration is to ensure a proactive take on transplanting more coral fragments on the frames that will spawn and restore coral reefs around the Maldives once they are mature enough. Coral spawning increases genetic diversity and is a sign that reefs are slowly recovering from previous massive bleaching events.

As one of the largest man-made coral structures in the Maldives, the resort has teamed up with Reefscapers, a coral propagation organization appointed by the Maldivian Government to protect the marine habitat. The program also echoes back to Marriott International’s “Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy” initiative across Asia Pacific, providing first-hand connections with local communities and the environment.

Guests can also get involved and adopt a frame and get involved personally to plant new corals (prices starting at $170 per frame).

As well as their underwater achievements, the resort runs its own ‘water bottling plant initiative’ which is dedicated to removing large amounts of plastic bottles from the resort. This initiative is an important aspect of the property’s commitment to protecting and preserving their environment through day-to-day operations.

The new water bottling facility uses reverse osmosis technology by eliminating the need to transport water from the mainland. This advanced technology utilizes high pressure to clean and purify seawater by driving it through an eco-friendly water filtration system. The water is then mineralized, chilled and bottled in reusable glass containers ready to be enjoyed by guests.

Dedicated to making its operation self-sustainable and preserving the island’s natural environment, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is also removing all disposable plastic straws and stirrers. This particular objective is to reduce landfill waste by 45% and responsibly source its top 10 product purchase categories by 2025.

… I will definitely be visiting in the late summer to see these beautiful reefs for myself.

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Niyama: The Ultimate Wellness Weekend

Posted on February 18, 2018

A weekend away in the Maldives is a special adventure, whether you’re headed to a divers paradise, honeymoon hotel or even embarking upon a working retreat, the azure blue of the sea is as mesmerising out of the plane window as it is from the island itself. A short sea-plane ride from the capital lies Niyama, an island that’s got plenty for you to explore with 4 km’s of jungle and beach, that you can wander around by bicycle.

From the beach villas, looking out on your private pool is as postcard-worthy as it is stepping out beyond onto your slice of beach. You could get lost watching the waves gently take back some of their land with every kiss of the beach, as the sun slowly dips below the horizon, casting an electric orange glow across the open ocean that lies in front of you. If like me you’re only missing an umbrella-clad coconut from this picture… rest assured there’s plenty around.

A whole host of restaurants dot the shoreline that vary from themed a la carte offerings to bespoke fish markets with plenty of fresh catch to choose from. The reef fish is a must-try, a little disconcerting if you’ve just been snorkeling with them at sunset mind but you’ll soon learn to adjust to island life.

What’s totally unique if you’re not too keen on getting to grips with the marine life the more traditional way (by getting wet) is their underwater restaurant, located on it’s own little sunset hotspot just off the island’s coast. A quick pontoon ride away and you’ve landed at ‘Subsix’ which turns in to a nightclub and a bit of a glow party once the sun goes down. Dancing with the fish is a new one on me…

The pièce de résistance for me is the newly opened a fully functioning surf bar at the very tip of the island. A shoreline entry with some beautifully cresting waves on the most impossibly clear water. Don’t be surprised if a turtle pops his head up to say hello too!

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Dhigali: The Maldives Unfiltered

Posted on October 1, 2017

I just love the Maldives, the blue open waters interspersed with these idyllic little islands that offer seclusion, peace and the ultimate retreat. Dhigali is one of the newest resorts to open in the Raa Atoll, welcoming the world only since May this year.

It’s modern and minimalistic designs attract the younger travellers and families who are looking for a little more luxury and a little less fuss. 5 star’s by all accounts, the newness of this island helps to give an almost untouched appeal to its surrounding crystal reef’s and sands. With only 180 rooms in total, 5 restaurants and 2 bars give you enough places to hideaway and enjoy the sunset from, without lacking atmosphere or losing out on your favourite seat.

An excursion list full of aquatic adventures and island hopping discoveries, there’s plenty to do both on and off Dhigali itself. It’s the perfect place to pick a sport and give it a go, as the pier drops straight onto the reef itself. Looking for a little adventure? Discover more about neighbouring Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where the largest seasonal groupings of manta rays are waiting amidst UV corals and the occasional whale shark too.

The highlight of this gorgeous hotspot is the bird’s nest bar – Haali, from which the sun sets directly in your eyeline, dipping below the horizon in a stunning display of shadows and light that only the Maldives is renowned for. Sitting below is a bar with swing seating that will give even the most travelled, the ‘wish you were here’ feels.

At 18.5 hectors, Dhigali is a large island for the area and the resort’s 8 room categories are all fully equipped, contemporary hideaways that offer seducing views of the Indian Ocean.

Dhigali’s dip away from the norm also extends to its various cuisine options (there’s no Teppanyaki tables here…) from exploring the spices of Asia, to the classic tastes of Europe and traditional Maldivian flavours, with a real focus on fresh Asian dishes at the infamous Battuta.

There’s a real jungle vibe throughout the island, having only relocated 30% of its natural foliage during the build, the Dhigali Spa is a hidden amongst the trees in a lush sanctuary with 12 treatment rooms all offering indigenous therapies and healing traditions. This is the ultimate place to lay back and start paying back your body.

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Huvafen Fushi: An Island of Idyllic Proportions

Posted on June 13, 2017

The Maldives never get old…

Visiting another one of these exquisite islands is nothing but a privilege and landing on Huvafen Fushi, (Fushi means island) we were greeted with an entire Maldivian marching band! it’s a much smaller island to navigate than others i’ve visited, with believe it or not, even more honeymoon corners to explore. It’s the first time we’ve come across an island that’s a bit more health-conscious too, with a healthy breakfast bar and plenty of seafood specials in the evening.

When your only goal is to relax, a unique 200* glass paneled, underwater spa is your ultimate destination for a little R&R. You can enjoy all their beautiful house reef has to offer; an abundance of turtles and black tips to lionfish and eagle rays, there’s always something to get your go-pro going. What’s even more exquisite is re-visiting the spa at night with their resident marine biologist Beth, who’ll show you around the underwater world with a black light. This is where the giant GT’s and moray eels prefer to say hello and with bioluminescent corals giving off fluorescent ‘sunscreen’ colours, it’s an entirely different paradise.

If you’re like me and prefer to get a little more hands-on, then hang around the beach at sunset to meet ‘Cutie’, ‘Holly’ and a whole host of personality filled giant stingrays that like clockwork will swing by to say hello! Dream come true!

The water villas are exceptional, infinity pools off the deck, Jacuzzi tubs facing the sunset and a glass floor in the middle of the living room to make sure that when those rays swim underneath, you don’t miss a thing! You really only leave the villa to remind yourself that you aren’t alone on the island, although we barely saw any other guests in the fully booked out resort. It’s truly the kind of island that helps give the Maldives its honeymooner reputation!

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Kuramathi – The People’s Island

Posted on April 18, 2017

So far on my travels to this beautiful blue archipelago, the island’s have been one beautiful breathe of fresh air and nothing but relaxation awaiting you. They all persuade you with a wide array of sandy, tropical and underwater sanctuaries to explore and all have a similar variety of cuisine on offer, with copious luxury-laden opportunities for you to fully enjoy your weekend away. Kuramathi is however, without doubt, the island you could quite happily move to more permanently. Kuramathi went through major refurbishment in 2009, where more than a third of the rooms were completely redone and environmentally friendly methods implemented across the island.

It is the Maldives but on a much larger scale, boasting 1.8km from tip to tip, it’s the largest one I’ve visited so far. It houses 4 different water villa complexes and it’s actually fairly easy to get a little lost in the midst of all their footpaths. I was a bit affronted by the golf buggies tearing up and down the island as their main mode of transport, because I wanted nothing more than to remain barefoot and enjoy the jungle trails as I had done on the past few islands. Here however, they are more of a necessary evil, especially welcomed when the giant fruit bats start flying about in the canopy and you can’t quite see what’s making all the noise!

One of the nicest traits the island has is the full community vibe in the middle of it, where staff are kept almost hidden in other areas, here there’s frequent football and cricket matches held in the middle of the island for their 1000+ employees. Amidst such a big community, it’s a welcome sight to see the sustainable hydroponic garden producing all the deliciously fresh produce and plant life across the island.

If you’re looking for a longer trip then this is the perfect place for you to enjoy getting lost in. Not only is there plenty to do above the water during the day, the evening’s are well covered with restaurants like Reef – the local seafood restaurant, with a substantial wine cellar, that boasts nothing but 100% fresh catch where nothing goes to waste – all set to the sound of absolutely no music, so that you are settled solely by the waves all around you in their open dining hotspot.

Looking for a way to explore the reef’s but finding the water a little chilly? We’ll there’s two options for you here… Kuramathi offers a unique diving experience like no other – in a submarine! Expect to be fairly surface-side most of the time, so it’s ok for those who are a little claustrophobic like me. If you’d rather get a tan in the process too, take out the monokini– a see through canoe – for the afternoon. It’s a great way of being able to drift across the reefs and spot all the fish below without getting wet. But if you are a diver… this island has a full Hyperbaric Chamber available to you too – especially if you’ve been out on one of their early morning boats to Hammerhead Shark Point – only 8 minutes by boat from Kuramathi and these gorgeous creatures can be seen all year round!

If you’re an early bird like me, there’s a sunrise yoga session that’s sure to stretch you out, after all, it’s hard doing almost nothing ☺ If that’s not for you however, the spa certainly will be! Treat yourself to the signature massage (which I’ve checked – differs from island to island) and enjoy the post-relaxation thrum of the jungle around you.

Because it’s such a vast island, the eco-sanctuary and marine station have a much bigger job of keeping it all growing. We spoke with their resident biologist who’s having a tough time with the thorny crown fish in the area, attacking what’s left of their mostly bleached reefs. It’s not a total loss though as if it’s even 10% of the Maldives at their best, it’s still 100% better than most other places in the world!

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Kurumba: An Underwater Haven

Posted on March 31, 2017

If it’s the fish you fancy most about the Maldives and its abundant blue ocean, then the underwater world at Kurumba is for you. Named Vihamanaafushi after the word for coconut, this diver’s paradise opened back in 1972 and is one of the longest running resorts in all the atolls. Kurumba began with just 30 rooms that were all constructed using local materials with walls made from coral stone and roofs composed of palm thatch. It’s close to Male airport in the North, which makes it even more appealing for the weekend warrior.

There’s a much more relaxed and casual atmosphere here, as apposed to the other often-intimidating 5* resorts in the area, it’s perfect for families or for the solo traveller looking for a bit of winter sunshine.

Currents and reef at this time of year bring with it an abundance of fish feeding on plankton – the current moves around the island with a strong pull and limits your efforts snorkeling so you wont get exhausted quickly, you can just enjoy the ride and take in the array of aquatic action.

The reef here is less damaged than the rest of the Maldives, with less bleaching affecting the corals as apposed to the more southern atolls. Sky blue lagoons and darker reef drops are visibly different in vibrancy to the deeper turquoise shallows elsewhere.

Expect to get up close and personal with the local black tip sharks, barracuda, eels and a few house reef turtles too. There’s an app in the Maldives that’s used by the marine biologists across the islands to help identify turtles, whale sharks, manta’s and stingrays, with just a couple of close up shots, you can determine if you’ve stumbled across a newbie (which you get to name) or if they’re locals and have been named before!

For those looking to keep their head above water for a bit longer to enjoy the beautiful weather… the spa on Kurumba is a breathe of fresh air. Take in a signature massage for an hour to truly enjoy your time off. If like me you’re looking to stay a little more active in between your snorkeling sessions, sign up for a sunrise yoga with their dedicated island instructor and wake up with a little extra good energy.

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Kandolhu Maldives: A Boutique Escape

Posted on March 3, 2017

Hopping around the Maldives has to be on pretty much every traveller’s bucket list, so spending only a day at this lovely boutique resort in the North Ari Atoll was bittersweet. Only 70 kilometres south west of Male, it’s the smallest of all the islands i’ve visited, Kandolhu and has around 30 luxury retreats, including 11 on the water. This lovely little hotspot can be reached by boat or seaplane and is the quintessential, Maldivian slice of island paradise. They say that even in the Maldives, an island as perfectly formed as this one is rare.

The only thing on my mind as we pulled up to their wonderfully turquoise waters was to jump straight it, so wasting no time with luggage, we embarked on a guided snorkel safari in search of house reef turtles, and we weren’t disappointed either…

The house reef here is teaming with tropical fish, but they noted that there’s a bit of a problem keeping it that way. The thorny-crown starfish is apparently become a plague and as it eats the coral that most fish live in and thrive on, it’s starting to wreak havoc on the reef. Its only known predator is few and far between so the resident marine biologist injects vinegar into them one by one to try to kill them off as eco-friendly as possible. Here’s hoping it works long term too!

Kandolhu is a small, quaint resort that is perfect for those who want an active daytime and yet want to feel like they are the only ones on the island too. We barely noticed the other guests and as the seaplanes and boats were kept off shore to reduce noise, we were free to listen to nothing but the waves rolling up on the beach, and the occasional fruit bat in the coconut trees barking at each other.

You won’t be stuck for cuisine either as food wise, with 4 restaurants servicing only 30 villas, there’s plenty of choice, including the Maldivian standard Tepanyaki setup (seriously each resort has a Tepanyaki restaurant… onion volcano and all).

The water villas and beach villas too are exquisite! With a whole host of amenities and modern furnishings having been only recently remodeled, they are incredibly comfortable with all the latest gadgets, perfect for a little working retreat. Go-Pro’s are soon to be available in each room too which is a great idea as more than half of the best scenery is below the surface in the Maldives!

Top Tips:

– Take a guided snorkel safari around the house reef in search of the camouflaged creatures
– Take a tour behind the scenes to see where everyone lives
– Relax on the white sandy beaches with a cocktail and watch the sun set

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Dreaming of A Luxury Escape: Hurawalhi

Posted on February 10, 2017

With V-day around the corner, it’s no wonder i’m feeling a little lovey-dovey at the moment. Bombarded by all the luxury gift ideas and cheesy cliche’d cards, it’s starting to feel a little too hallmark for me. So what do you get for Valentines day? I vote buying yourself a little treat by investing in a little romantic escape… somewhere warm, surrounded by blue seas and with plenty of ‘me-time’.

Sitting pretty on the reefs of Lhaviyani Atoll, Hurawalhi is the Maldives’ newest island resort, just a 40-minute seaplane flight from Male. There’s space to explore too, bursting with beautiful areas to discover across the island, and you’ll have the option to stay in one of 90 villas, including 60 ocean villas and 30 beachside hotspots. A must-see undersea restaurant, a tropical champagne pavilion and don’t worry about being disturbed either, there’s no other resorts as far as the eye can see and for those looking to leave the kids at home, an over 15s-only policy.

It’s not all glitz and glam though, if you’re like me and want to find something a little more green about the resort, it’s great to know that 60% of the island runs on sustainable solar energy, with the majority of the villas actually being powered by solar panels. There’s absolutely no plastic bottles on the island either – the island has its own water bottling plant so recycling here is key.

One of my favourite places to visit in the Maldives though is actually below the surface of their crystal clear blue waters, and this resort boasts some of the best diving with nearby manta rays, nurse sharks and world-class dive sites all around. Their in-house marine biologist will help fill you in on their new collaboration with WiseOceans, the marine conservation and education specialists that are helping to preserve the island’s underwater habitat as a nesting site for green turtles.

But if you’re looking to experience this without getting wet, welcome to ‘5.8 Undersea’, the world’s largest underwater restaurant sunken to 5.8 meters under the sea. Here’s where it gets really romantic… every table is set for just two so expect it to get a little gushy below the water.

If you’re looking to keep off the extra few pounds after all that delicious food though, don’t fret, you don’t have to just sit there soaking up the sun (although why wouldn’t you) there’s tennis, badminton and beach volleyball and a whole load of water-sports too like; para-gliding, water-skiing, wakeboarding, paddle boarding, windsurfing, kayaks and catamarans.

See you at the bar!

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Maafushivaru – The Adventure Awaits

Posted on January 10, 2017

When you read about the Maldives, the thing you don’t necessarily realize is just how many different options there are here. With over 330 resorts amongst 1000+ islands, how do you choose your perfect Maldivian getaway? Most of the islands are under 15mins wide (walking distance) and with their very friendly staff; you can so easily get comfortable here. I’ve been extraordinarily lucky this trip to be able to try out a variety of different resorts, and test their levels of adventure, nature and aquatic experiences.

One white-knuckle seaplane transfer from Male airport later and we’ve landed at our new atoll, Maafushivaru. Straight off the boat onto the pontoon we’re greeted with sea turtles and juvenile lemon sharks basking in the shallows, so I knew from the start this was going to be my kind of island.

It’s got a very casual feel to the place, compared with our previous resort. It’s a smaller resort and as there’s less people at any one spot, it feels a bit more private. The weather had been threatening us all morning and during our lunch we first got a taste of its infamous tropical climate as we sat and enjoyed a very fuss-free buffet meal. It feels a bit like a luxury diving resort, it’s the kind of place that travelling solo, you’d feel totally at ease.

This island has its own private island too, if you’re feeling like you want a bit more of a castaway experience (VIP of course) you can check into a separate atoll that’s completely yours for the night. Perfect for families or even a hen do! It’s got a restaurant on the island for when there’s no bookings though so you can still visit it during the day and hang out on an old dhow.

After lunch we were invited on a private manta ray excursion, where we were also told whale sharks had been spotted in the area too! Not wanting to waste any more time at the dinner table, we all got our equipment ready and headed out with their on-site marine biologist to a nearby sandbar. The weather was determined to keep us guessing but unfortunately that meant the visibility had dropped.

We didn’t hesitate to see what was beneath the waves (which had started picking up so for those of you who suffer from sea sickness… the best cure is really just to jump in!). Armed with a Go Pro and a snorkel, the water was actually a much warmer place to be than staying in the boat! Wearing paddle suit from The Upside at Sun & Sand Sports

We toured the reef for all of about 30 minutes, with a few turtles popping up to say hello, amongst a bevvy of colorful fish. What was extremely noticeable amongst all the islands is the global El Nino phenomenon that’s hit them hard. There’s nothing locally that can be done, it’s a weather phenomenon that makes the shallow waters too warm to sustain the plant life.

From corals and reef-beds that used to line the coasts with colours in the Maldives, it’s estimated that over 60% has been lost. You can see a lot of broken corals, white and bare, covered in algae, to the point that live corals or anemones were few and far between. It’s not as bad as Australia of course who’s rumored to have lost up to 90% of their beautiful reefs!

No manta’s or sharks were spotted on our trip, but that gives me even more reason to come back! If you’re looking for more of an aquatic adventure, this island will make sure you get what you came for.

Top tips:

– Take a Go-Pro!
– Enjoy some table-cooked Teppanyaki on the boardwalk
– Even if it rains, swim!

Adventure travel

Velassaru Maldives – A Tropical Paradise

Posted on December 22, 2016

Having never been to the Maldives before, I was completely convinced (thanks to instagram) that it was purely a honeymoon destination, which saw only couples really being able to enjoy its offerings, so hopping onto a plane to check it out with Adonis Marketing, I was slightly dubious about whether or not i’d be a little lonely on a small island. I’m not one for being able to sit still all day long, an hour here or there by the pool definitely, or seashell hunting along the shoreline, for sure, but if you tell me we’re here to ‘switch off’… well I just can’t.

We landed in Male, (which is basically an airport on the sea) and jumped on a waiting yacht to an island only 20 mins from the airport itself. We passed water villa upon water villa on each coast of the island’s resorts, all looking like they just leapt off a postcard. Each atoll in the 1000+ Maldivian archipelago has a variety of luxury resorts (approx 300 in total) and each of them surrounded by bluer than blue waters (no camera truly does it justice) with a mixture of over-the water and beachfront villas.

Landing at Velassaru, we’re welcomed by what felt like the whole crew. Ever-so-friendly staff were waiting to help us to our villas so that we could rest after the trip. As it was only 4 hours though, I decided to remain awake and jump in the pool to freshen up. Straight off the bedroom was my very own piece of paradise. Infinity in style and plunge in depth, the pool was the perfect temperature so I made myself at home. The moody skies juxtaposed with the turquoise tiles reminded me so much of Thailand at first, but there’s something totally unique about it here, a smell in the breeze that just feels clean, calming almost.

We headed straight for their ‘Chill Bar’ to grab some mezze after our refresh, readying us for the much needed spa session to come. After an hour long Swedish escape, to which I don’t mind admitting I totally fell asleep in – which is a massive accomplishment as I’m never that relaxed, even during a massage. We then spent an hour savouring the indefinable pool to sea perspectives from their relaxation deck.

I spoke with Sri my spa therapist and asked her why she chose the Maldives. “There’s a lot of opportunity here for those who are looking to learn from the best and that’s what I always wanted… to keep learning and bettering my ability.”

So I’ll admit… there’s definitely something to this off-switch.

The spa was followed by my first dip in the ocean, which was pleasantly bearable I have to say, I was however a bit put off about the sand… I assumed looking at all the images of these pristine white beaches that the sand would be baby soft, but in fact, it’s ground down corals so there’s a little sharpness underfoot. Either way, the completely glass clear waters made it difficult to leave, what with sturgeons and parrot fish happily basking in the shallows nearby. No sharks or manta rays spotted yet but eagle rays and turtles often make an appearance under the water villas.

Post- post downtime, we headed out onto the sand to experience the typical Maldivian style dinners on the beach. Executive Chef Costa Exprua, joined us to talk about his original flavour for French and Californian cuisines, but having had a hand in each of the menu’s across the variety of restaurants on the resort, Indo-Asian cuisine has become more of his forte since moving to the island. Featuring a stand-alone, open-air Tepanaki suite, it’s really easy to see why these islands make such good instagram fodder.

What I loved most about my first trip to this tropical haven is that I’ve realized I’m 100% content (and haven’t forgotten how) to just be still and as a yogi, get back to my breathing. I did mention about a wake-surf plate for their wake-board only boat but we’ll see when I return… and I will!

Top tips for those looking to visit:
– Wake early for some sunrise yoga looking out across the archipelago
– Enjoy the local fish dishes
– Put your phone down, at least for a little bit – the sea life is everywhere under your feet and the clouds are dancing just as brilliantly above your head.

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