Category Archives: Private Islands

If you were lucky enough to take a tropical beach vacation more than 30 years ago, you were likely amazed at the underwater world you could explore with a snorkel and mask. Since then, underwater enthusiasts often find reefs are a disappointment, with bleached, broken, and dead corals more prominent than live colorful ones.

Coral restoration projects are making a difference. Theyre not just for guests of the hotels that sponsor them but make a difference for the entire planet. As you plan a post-pandemic beach vacation, lend the oceans a helping hand by choosing a resort that participates in coral reef restoration programs.

Dead coral reefs in shallow water which were killed during the mass coral bleaching event, related ... [+] to climate change. Bleaching of coral colonies is caused by warming of sea temperature and most likely combined with other environmental stresses causing coral to expel symbiotic zooxanthellae algae, which could even lead to coral death.

Due mainly to climate change, but also to problems like over-fishing and even tourists wearing the wrong sunscreen, the worlds corals are dying at an accelerated rate. Experts say that in the last 30 years, 50 percent of the worlds coral reefs died. They predict that 90 percent of corals will die within the century without interventions, chiefly reducing the temperature of the oceans by controlling global warming.

Snorkelers and scuba divers have a vested interest in the health of the worlds coral reefs. But so does every inhabitant of the planet, regardless of where they live or what they like to do on their vacations.

Healthy coral reefs are essential to humans, both directly and indirectly. In her TEDTalk, biologist and TED senior fellow Kristen Marhaver describes how corals are security guards, chemists, and even artists.

Ocean waves and coral reef from above, Grand Baie (Pereybere), Indian Ocean, north-west coast, ... [+] Mauritius

Corals protect coastlines from erosion and storm damage; keep the oceans carbon dioxide levels in check; filter ocean water making it clearer and cleaner; are a source of key components of new antibiotics and cancer drugs; and are nurseries for many of the fish humans eat and for the food chain that sustains them. And, of course, corals are a source of beauty and a key contributor to the tourism industry. In the U.S. alone, its estimated that coral reefs are worth $3.4 billion each year and that they prevent $94 billion in damages from flooding annually.

Coral restoration, Viking Bay, Phi Phi Le, Krabi province, Thailand. Sony mirrorless camera in ... [+] underwater housing, Iron Z330 strobe lighting.

Slowing climate change and reducing global warming is essential for protecting the planets coral reefs. Coral restoration projectsmany sponsored and supported by beach hotelshelp too.

Basically, corals are grown in nurseries and then transplanted onto reefs at risk. Most corals grow very slowly and scientists are doing much work to determine the ideal conditions to encourage coral reproduction and development to get the worlds reefs back to health.

Coral restoration at Kokomo Private Island

When you choose to stay at a resort that supports coral restoration, you help revitalize reefs. Some resorts welcome you to see the coral nurseries with your own eyes and even help out.

At Kokomo Private Island Fiji, marine biologist Cliona OFlaherty established a coral restoration project in 2018 (heres more on OFlaherty and her work). So far, 1,200 corals have been planted in the nursery and 200 transplanted back onto the reef. Stay at one of Kokomos 21 villas or five residences and you can swim over the coral garden and get hands-on experience helping with coral selection, fragmentation, and transplantation. Divers can also visit nearby Walker Restoration Reef, the reef Kokomo adopted under PADIs Project Aware sustainability program.

Kokomo Private Island Fiji's healthy house reef.

Boutique resort Harbour Village Beach Clubon the island of Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbeanalso has a coral restoration program, via the Harbour Village Reef Foundation. Divers can help maintain the underwater coral nursery and get their PADI Reef Renewal Certification. Bonaire created the Caribbeans first protected marine park and, according to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Bonaire has the most pristine reef environment in the Caribbean. This is thanks to its location outside the hurricane zone and conservation actions by the government and resorts like Harbour Village Beach Club.

Baa Atoll, Indian Ocean, Maldives (Photo by Reinhard Dirscherl/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

In the Maldives, the health of the reefs surrounding the countrys 1,192 islands is essential. Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhuone of the Coco Collection resorts in the protected Baa Atollwas one of the first Maldives resorts to have a resident marine biologist. Coral replanting as well as initiatives to protect manta rays, turtles, and sharks are key elements of Coco Collections sustainability work. Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is another great choice for travelers wanting to help coral reefs while they take a vacation.

The Mnemba atoll on the east coast of Zanzibar

You can even support coral reefs when you take a safari by relaxing on the island of Zanzibar before or after seeing Africas land-based wildlife. Zanzibar is well known for its spectacular scuba diving and snorkeling sites, in its warm waters with underwater visibility often exceeding 100 feet. You can snorkel and dive year round (and even watch the gentle giants of the sea, whale sharks, eat tiny plankton off protected Mnemba Atoll from September to December).

Coral Reef Care began its coral restoration work in Zanzibar in 2012 (theyll happily accept your donations too). Alluring Africas The Zanzibar Collection and Zuri Zanzibar are two Zanzibar hotels that support coral restoration.

Wherever you take your ocean-side vacation, choose hotels that support coral restoration projects.

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Coral Restoration And Why You Should Choose Hotels That Support It - Forbes

AN island 4km off the West Cork coast has gone up for sale with plenty of redevelopment opportunities.

West Calf Island, the most westerly of the three Calf islands in Roaringwater Bay, has hit the market for an undisclosed sum. Up for grabs is the 62-acre island with several derelict farm and out houses.

The island is uninhabited and selling agents Private Islands say there is good potential for redevelopment under the Cork County Development Plan.

Current planning guidelines suggest that if some form of economic benefit can be offered to the local community, either by directly employing locals, or through improved tourism facilities, then redevelopment would be looked upon favourably. There is a freshwater lake traditionally used for livestock on the island so perhaps Alpacas might add the necessary spice.

West Corks Horse Island sold last year for 5.5m, although it included luxury accommodation.

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Chance to make a moo-ve on West Calf island - Southern Star Newspaper

A Marine from Los Angeles who was killed in November 1943 during combat in World War II was honored Tuesday with a procession as his remains were returned to Southern California.

U.S. Marine Private Jacob Cruz was killed in action Nov. 22, 1943 while he faced battle with Japanese forces on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Cruz died on the third day of a battle that left about 1,000 Marines and sailors dead and more than 2,000 wounded.

He was 18 years old.

Cruz was reported to be buried on the island in Row D of the East Division Cemetery, later renamed Cemetery 33. In 2019, archaeologists with the nonprofit History Flight located remains and turned them over for identification to the forensic lab at the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

One set of the remains were confirmed to be those of Private Cruz.

Local news from across Southern California

A flight carrying the remains arrived Tuesday morning at LAX from Hawaii. They were transported to a mortuary in Montebello in a procession that included veterans and a salute from law enforcement officers.

Cruz's name is in the Court of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicated he has been found.

Private Cruz served in Company D, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.

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Remains of SoCal Marine Arrive Home Nearly 77 Years After He Was Killed in World War II - NBC Southern California

From an international party island to a paradise ghost town, Indonesias Gili Trawangan is still left waiting for the return of tourists.

When I left central London in February 2020 for six months of traveling around Indonesia, I didnt quite anticipate spending those entire six months (and more) on one tiny, remote island in the Lombok Strait with 40 other ex-pats as company.

Gili Trawangan, a famed party island thats a two-hour speed boat away from Bali, was one of the first Indonesian islands to close its border at the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic. From March 2020, Gili T, as its colloquially known, became exit-onlythose who decided to leave werent allowed to set foot back on the island.

I arrived excited to enjoy the islands endless beach clubs, international restaurants, and incredible scuba diving. Gili T is a place to have fun: pre-COVID, it was impossible to cycle around the islands one main road without being tempted by some kind of excursion or experience. At this point, the word corona was a distant threat, a far-away virus that would never work its way over to Indonesia, I naively thought.

Those conversation-starter questions of What would you bring to a desert island? Suddenly we were playing the real-life version.

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Everything changed overnight when the threat of the virus was suddenly thrown into the forefront of the worlds issues. Tables full of international backpackers suddenly emptied out to a select handful of us who weighed up the odds and considered this paradise island to be a better alternative to our home countries.

It was a gamble. Those conversation-starter questions of What would you bring to a desert island? Suddenly we were playing the real-life version.

Those who wished to leave the island tackled a speedboat to Lombok, a two-hour drive to the airport, and a plane back to Bali, before domestic flights between the two almost entirely stopped. Then, the only consistent mode of transport was the slow ferry across the Lombok Strait. After one ferry sank and the following ones spent upwards of 12 hours waiting to dock in the port, staying put on Gili T became an even more inviting prospect.

Such a remote location has its pros and its cons. Isolating Gili T from the rest of the world was relatively effortless, considering the only entry point is via the sea.

But even the protection of Gili Ts sea border couldnt put minds at rest at the start of the pandemic. Everyone split into smaller groups and went into hiding for a fortnight. This already-eerily quiet island became a ghost town, with one designated person from each quarantine group leaving their accommodation every so often to go to the store and buy food.

At this point, we went into emergency mode, taking large amounts of cash out from the ATMs in case they ran out, stocking up on instant noodles in case we couldnt access food supplies from Lombok, and spending at least a few moments each day wondering whether wed all made the wrong decision to stay put.

Relaxing in paradise was relatively easy, as long as I didnt think too hard about the lack of hospital, doctors, or other emergency supplies within easy distance.

After a 14-day quarantine period, which ensured the island was entirely free from COVID, lockdown restrictions were loosened and life continued in a new sort of normal. Slowly, Gili Ts lively spark began to flicker.

Relaxing in paradise was relatively easy, as long as I didnt think too hard about the lack of hospital, doctors, or other emergency supplies within easy distance. So, of course, this was around the time I caught dengue fever.

One mosquito bite turned into multiple mosquito bites that turned into a disease that struck me down within 30 minutes of feeling a slight headache. And I wasnt the only one. No amount of DEET could stop resident after resident on Gili T from dropping like, well, flies.

At its best, dengue fever promises achy bones, a fever, rash, and a general feeling of malaise. At its worst, it requires hospitalization from dengue hemorrhagic fever where your blood leaks from your veins. A night of hallucinating and being too weak to do more than crawl on the floor to get a glass of water for 45 minutes placed me somewhere in the middle.

The fear of a trip to the nearest hospitalwhich required catching a horse and cart to the harbor, a private speedboat to Lombok, and a two-hour drivewas definitely a bigger fear than COVID. And that was while keeping in mind that, if I did need to leave the island, there was a high chance I wouldnt be able to re-enter, back to my community of new-friends-turned-family.

Dengue passed, along with day-after-day of this newly relaxed pace of life. People cautiously started socializing, first by popping over for socially-distanced drinks before relaxing and finally hanging out as normal. Well, as normal as an island that usually greets as many as 1,200 tourists per day can be when reduced to a tiny group of long-term residents.

Safe from tourists and the fear of catching COVID, the island became a private playground.

While the rest of the world was staying home, we had relative freedom. Safe from tourists and the fear of catching COVID, the island became a private playground. Days were spent scuba diving and hanging out with the turtles who dared to come closer thanks to the lack of boat traffic.

Empty white sand beaches and a deserted main street became my daily view. Cycling around the island and watching the waves crash against the boat-free ocean was a stress-relieving, cardio-inducing workout that simultaneously chilled me out and eased my stress levels.

Month after month passed on Gili T and I settled into an easy routine. A weekly schedule of ever-changing parties swapped for a fortnightly socially-distanced bingo game. The islands most popular restaurants and exclusive hotels quietly became local hangout spots for never-ending card games between friends. The horses and carts that could previously be heard clip-clopping in the background dropping tourists around the island lazily grazed on grass, enjoying an accidental school holiday from their daily duties.

Those whod been living on the island for a few years werent hugely phased by a lack of tourists to begin with. Because Gili T is used to disaster. When a series of huge earthquakes struck Lombok in 2018 and the surrounding islands were plunged into darkness with no electricity or running water, the island clubbed together every evening, using up whatever food was going off and splitting into groups to make sure anyone who needed help could access it.

What no one took into consideration was the prospect that this time around, those tourists who left so quickly a year ago would be yet to return. While the earthquake brought Gili T to a halt within a matter of hours, it promised a return of normality a month later. This time around, the island is still waiting for life to go back to normal.

And no one knows when that will be. Although domestic travel is now allowed with a negative COVID test and some tightly-enforced social distancing requirements, the Indonesian border is yet to reopen. As time has passed, more and more businesses on Gili T have temporarily closed.

Those that remain open are making the best of a bad situation for domestic tourists: offering upgraded rooms, cheap bicycle rental, and low-price excursions to prove that Gili T is still a magical place to be. With true Gili Trawangan spirit, optimism remains with open arms for when tourists are finally allowed back.

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What it's Like to Live on a Remote Island in Indonesia During a Pandemic - Fodor's Travel

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Puerto Ricos government on Monday was granted access to more than $900 million in federal education funds less than two weeks after reopening dozens of public and private schools for the first time since the pandemic began.

The $912 million is available immediately, but the US Department of Education will work with Puerto Rico officials to identify how the money would be used to address the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of students in the US territory, according to a spokeswoman for Jenniffer Gonzlez, the islands congressional representative.

Further details, including whether the money could be used to buy things including computers or face masks, were not immediately available. Officials with Puerto Rico's education department did not return a message for comment.

The money comes as Puerto Rico struggles to recover and rebuild from the 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria and a string of strong earthquakes that began in late 2019 and destroyed or damaged dozens of schools in the islands southern region. Then the pandemic hit, forcing hundreds of private and public schools to close for nearly a year as teachers and students alike struggled with power outages and spotty or nonexistent internet connections amid virtual learning.

Our students have been through too much, said Governor Pedro Pierluisi. They deserve a semblance of normalcy.

Pierluisi authorized the reopening of certain public and private schools this month to some students, but scarce attendance was reported amid fears of contagion as less than 100 of Puerto Ricos 858 public schools reopened nearly two weeks ago for the first time in a year. For now, only kindergarteners, special education students, and children in first, second, third, and 12th grades are allowed to return to school. They attend in-person classes only twice a week and are dismissed before noon.

The release of federal education funds comes as Puerto Rico pursues a new relationship with the administration of US President Joe Biden, with local officials hopeful that funding delays common under the former Trump administration will dissipate.

The department understands the urgency to access vital federal education funds to meet the needs of Puerto Rican students who are experiencing compounded trauma, US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement.

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Puerto Rico awarded $900M to help boost islands education - The Boston Globe

World Rugby (WR) is set to spend 1.2 million pounds ($1.65 million) annually over three years on two Pacific Island teams to help them join Super Rugby in 2022, the sport's governing body said on Thursday.

The support package will include administrative help to facilitate the entry of Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika into the competition, subject to New Zealand Rugby Board approval and key conditions being met.

Both franchises will also be supported by their respective unions and private equity funding.

"From a strategic perspective, it provides the best-possible platform and pathway for the islands to reach their potential," WR chairman Bill Beaumont said in a statement.

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"On a human level, this is absolutely the right thing to do. It's great for the players, allowing them to make the choice for the first time to be part of a local professional team at the top level of elite club rugby."

Fijian Drua, launched in 2017, competed in the Australian National Rugby Championship and they won the title in 2018.

An invitational Moana Pasifika squad were beaten 28-21 by the Maori All Blacks in a one-off match last year.

The COVID-19 pandemic put paid to the intercontinental Super Rugby competition last year, prompting New Zealand and Australia to introduce domestic tournaments - Super Rugby Aotearoa and Super Rugby AU.

South Africa had voted last year to pull its four major franchises from Super Rugby and explore expanding their presence in the European PRO14 competition.

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World Rugby to help Pacific Island teams join Super Rugby in 2022 - ESPN

Weve heard the terms remote and isolation aplenty over the past year, and buying your own private island in Quebec might be just the cure for the ultimate quarantine.

If you have more than $1.8 million at your disposal, why not splurge on your own island?

Because having a home is one thing, but having an entire island to yourself is totally badass.

Major Island inLac-des-les of the Laurentians is up for grabs. According to a listing from Private Islands Inc., the 412-acre island is completely non-developed and ready to be inhabited.

Located three hours north of Montreal, the property has been surveyed and subdivided into 20 shorefront lots, some of which can be further subdivided to include even more individual lots.

According to the listing, the island has enough room for hiking, golf courses, and a resort. It also has its own private landing strip.

Ownership of the island grants legal access to a mainland dock, beach, and parking and Major Islands surrounding Lac-des-les is a fishermens dream, says the listing, home to many species including walleye, muskie and pike.

Nearby Mont-Laurier is a 15-minute drive away and offers a wide range of facilities and services, including golf, skiing, cycling, a cinema, a hospital, and shopping.

Private Islands Inc.

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This entire Quebec island is on the market for $1.8 million (PHOTOS) | Urbanized - Daily Hive

Private islands in the Maldives to escape to post-vaccination and their plan to roll out a visit, vaccinate and vacation programme

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With vaccination programmes continuing apace, the prospect of having a vaxicationa term coined to describe the first trip people take after getting their jabsis closer to becoming reality. The Maldives is best placed to receive an influx of travellers as its border has been open to international tourists since July 2020 and its set-up allows for natural social distancing. The local travel industry has also been quick to implement protocols including rapid testing upon arrival and before departure as well as when transferring resorts.

See also: 3 Hotels That Are Perfect In This Social Distancing Era

Apart from welcoming vaccinated travellers, it was recently reported that Dr Abdulla Mausoom, the Maldivian minister of tourism, has confirmed that theyre working on a 3V initiative, which stands for visit, vaccinate, and vacation.

It aims to offer travellers two doses of Covid-19 vaccines several weeks apart encouraging weeks-long stays in the island nation. The minister did highlight the shortfall in supply as a potential road bump and stressed that the countrys immunisation programme that began in February still prioritises residents with workers in the tourism industry getting inoculated first.

See also: Covid-19: How Digital Health Passports Could Help Us Travel Again

With this positive news, it surely doesnt hurt to daydream about lazing on a sandy atoll and there are plenty of new places to choose from. One is IthaafushiThe Private Island, the latest addition to the Waldorf Astoria Maldives resort, which at nearly 345,000 sq ft makes it the largest of its kind in the country.

In Dhivehi, the local language of the Maldives, its name means Pearl Island, which befits this crown jewel of Hiltons luxury portfolio in the region. The expansive private island has a two-bedroom overwater villa, a three-bedroom beach villa and a four-bedroom residence that together accommodate a total of 24 guests, who can spend their days relaxing by the myriad pools or snorkelling in the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean.

See also: The Most Idyllic Luxury Holiday Resorts In Malaysia

Ithaafushi - The Private Island has a 24-hour personal concierge and a separate wellness concierge to attend to every whim, from organising elaborate sundowner parties to arranging bespoke fitness training and spa treatments. Guests familiar with our Waldorf Astoria hotels have come to expect the most personalised service from our dedicated team of personal concierges each time they stay with us. At Ithaafushi - The Private Island, this is taken to a whole new level, says Nils-Arne Schroeder, vice president of luxury and lifestyle for Hilton in the Asia-Pacific.

See also: CMCO & RMCO: Private Retreats In Malaysia For A Post-Quarantine Staycation

Those staying at Ithaafushi also have access to the many amenities and restaurants of the main resort, including The Ledge, a modern grill by Dave Pynt of Burnt Ends, the Singapore chophouse that ranked number five on Asias 50 Best Restaurants 2020 list. The private island is also a breeze to get to, only requiring a 40-minute yacht ride or 15-minute seaplane flight from Male Airport.

Come summertime, said to be the best season to visit the Maldives, travellers can choose not just a new resort, but a completely new hotel brand. Singapore-based Capella Hotel Group is opening the inaugural property of Patina Hotels & Resorts in a few months.

Patina Maldives is part of the Fari Islands archipelago on the North Male Atoll. The Fari Islands is comprised of four different islands, two of which will be home to other luxury hotel brands The Ritz-Carlton Maldives and Capella Maldives.

See also: Are These The Coolest Hotel Pools In Asia?

The first-ever Patina hotel features 90 one- to three-bedroom villas and 20 studios designed by Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan of Studio MK27, who adhered to the principles of biophilic architecture resulting in spaces defined by a calming, natural feel. Guests can freely move to and from the various islands within the archipelagochoosing from the total privacy of their suite or heightened interaction at the nearby Fari Marina Village and Fari Beach Club. Only a 50-minute boat ride from Male, Patina Maldives is an ideal place for an extended holiday or a luxurious work-from-hotel arrangement.

See also: 6 Stunning Beaches In Malaysia To Visit In 2021

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"Vaxication" In The Maldives: What To Know About Vaccine Tourism - Tatler Malaysia

With more Americans getting vaccinated, the virus-incubating vacation option of choice, cruise ships, are preparing to start operations again this June. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line announced on Friday that 7-night experiences are available for those who have been inoculated against COVID-19.

Royal Caribbean's statement said the entire crew will be vaccinated, and only vaccinated adults may board. (Keep those little jab cards with your passport.) Those who are under the age of 18 with negative test results will be allowed to sail.

"The vaccines are clearly a game changer for all of us, and with the number of vaccinations and their impact growing rapidly, we believe starting with cruises for vaccinated adult guests and crew is the right choice," Michael Bayley, CEO (Fleet Admiral?) of Royal Caribbean said. The workers at the facilities of the quasi-private islands where cruise ships often stop for a day of sun and surf will be vaccinated as well.

"This is truly a new day for tourism. It should inspire many small- to medium-sized businesses, tour operators, taxi drivers, restaurants and retailers to prepare for brighter days ahead, the best we have ever had," said The Most Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line controls nearly one-fifth of the worldwide cruise market and maintains the four largest cruise ships on the seven seas. (Some of these ships are, indeed, larger than aircraft carriers, and they have better dining options, too!)

Though the announcement will no doubt bring confidence to consumers, it comes just as HBO prepares the release of The Last Cruise, essentially a real-life horror film that collects captured footage from passengers and crew on board a luxury liner just as the coronavirus outbreak began.

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Royal Caribbean Readies Cruises to the Bahamas and Mexico for June - Vanity Fair

When it comes to bucket list travel destinations, the Maldives are never a bad idea. Known for its crystalline turquoise waters, powder white sparkling sand, over the top luxury villas and best-in-class butler services, it is the ultimate dream of luxury and tranquility. And as many of us are plotting our current, and post-pandemic escapes, its top of mind for many.

Made up of more than 1,000 islands peppered across the Indian Ocean, this tiny nation is located to the south and west of India and Sri Lanka. And when its borders reopened to travelers from all countries on July 15, 2020, it instantly became Instagrams favorite socially distant travel escape (with the exception of its capital city of Mal, which is off-limits to visitors).

As a family and couples destination that rivals only the likes of lavish escapes such as Bora Bora and Fiji, the Maldives are most notably known for luxury hotels set on private islands and the occasional celebrity sighting. But even more so than that, its known for peace and tranquility, which, after the year weve all had, will need it in our next vacation.

As you map out bucket list worthy destinations to plan your next vacation, here is what you need to know about planning the Maldives getaway of your post-quarantine dreams.

Preparation

The Maldives, like many other countries, has its own travel procedures amid the COVID-19 pandemic. For starters, all travelers must present a certificate of a negative PCR test carried out within the 96 hours prior to departure, clearly showing the name and address of the laboratory, as well as the date of the sample taken.

Next, youll complete a health declaration form and upload your negative test result within 24 hours of your departure flight. Once complete, youll be issued a QR code that allows airport officials to verify your information and approve your stay in the Maldives.

Then youre asked to make some very important decisions via a digital questionnaire from your resort. For Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, this is taken very seriously as you unlock the next level of luxury on your soon-to-be Maldives vacation. And seriously, when we talk about luxury, were talking about what kind of pillows you want on your bed (there are about a dozen options) and snacks youd like waiting for you upon arrival.

Getting There

There are quite a few options to get to the Maldives, but a flight on Emirates will be your best option. Whether flying from New York City, Washington D.C. or Los Angeles, or connecting in Dubai through its stopover program, Emirates is top of the line when it comes to luxury, and will enhance your visit to your dream destination. Not to mention, the airline has prioritized safety measures for passengers, making it a reliable (and safe) airline for such a long-haul flight.

Once you arrive at the airport, youll have a QR code from your Maldives Health Declaration form which youll probably be asked to show a few times before you board the flight. As you board the plane, youll be given a hand sanitizer wipe and ushered to your seat. If youre lucky (which many are in the wake of COVID) youll have a whole row to yourself, and feel safe knowing all the other masked passengers had a negative COVID-19 test, too. The biggest thing with Emirates is that you have to wear both a face shield and a face mask. The shields are provided by the airline and are mandatory on both flights.

Once you arrive in the Maldives capital city of Mal, there will be a Soneva host waiting for you to escort you to your Trans Maldivian Airways seaplane flight to transfer you over to the resort. From there, youre shuttled over to Sonevas private lounge and offered snacks, beverages and light refreshments, before boarding your short 30-minute stopover flight to the resort. From there, a boat ferries guests to the resorts private island, Kunfunadhoo.

Accommodations

If youre going to go all out, you may as well choose a resort brand that is frequented by the likes of Queen Beyonc herself, along with Katy Perry and Gwyneth Paltrow and thats Soneva. Offering up two options Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani theres a resort that suits every type of traveler.

The first, Kunfunadhoo Island, is an untouched island in the western Maldives Baa Atoll which comprises Soneva Fushis plush accommodations, and has seen increased demand for guests during COVID. And obviously for good reason. These beautiful beachfront villas and overwater bungalows feature butler service, outdoor bathrooms, upscale amenities, and perks such as sliding right into the Indian Ocean from your room. A network of winding jungle pathways connects the many restaurants, bars, spa, tennis court, gym, outdoor theater, and other amenities, making it the perfect option for seclusion from the rest of the world (because if youre going to quarantine, why not quarantine in style?). Not to mention, the spa is to be enjoyed here, along with the observatory and outdoor movie theater with free screenings. With a remote island location, plenty of privacy, and castaway-style luxury, its no surprise that celebrities are drawn to Soneva Fushi.

After youve enjoyed all that Soneva Fushi has to offer, hop on over to its sister property one of the expensive resorts in the country, Soneva Jani. Its made up of over 50 over-water villas, split between Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 (Chapter 2s twenty seven new Water Reserves opened just this December and have been designed to maximize a sense of space, privacy and seclusion). In fact, while hotels and resorts around the world have shut down due to border closures and plummeting demand, Soneva Jani not only remained open, but recently debuted these luxurious villas and an all-inclusive pricing model dubbed Soneva Unlimited. The best part about them both offer up the largest one-bedroom over-the-water villas in the Maldives.

Prefer to stay on land? Both Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani offer up land retreats, well away from the other accommodations, offering the same benefits of the over-the-water retreats, but set in the jungle.

Dining

On the Maldives, restaurants and bars are limited to whichever island you are dining on. At Soneva Fushi, guests can eat in a treetop, nest-like bamboo pod at a restaurant called Fresh In The Garden. Naturally distanced nests seat two or more guests, and the central open kitchen gives you front-row seats to the action, or while at Soneva Jani, enjoy lunch at The Crab Shack where you can try the Sri Lankan Mud Crab curry, or the Alaskan crabs that rotate through the week.

Activities

If you love the water, then you will definitely be overjoyed by all of the water activity options in the Maldives. Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani both offer snorkeling and diving in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, making it a once in a lifetime aquatic adventure. These excursions include a visit to Hanifaru Bay, and if youre lucky youll be able to swim among manta rays and whale sharks. Also, free non-motorized water sports rentals such as sailboats, kayaks, and snorkels are available for guest use at any time. And those who want more of a retreat on land, can enjoy free yoga classes and free loaner bicycles around each of the islands for more exploration.

Of course, if you choose to travel during COVID, its not a decision to make lightly. Assess your own risk, make plans for pre- and post-trip testing, read up on the local rules and regulations, as well as what regulations you have to follow upon return to your home state.

Editors note: Due to COVID-19, there are restrictions on international travel, and some areas are still under lockdown. Travel at your own level of comfortability and always follow local health advice. A regularly updated list of available accommodation, sights, and transport can be found on the Visit Maldives website.

Original post:

Here's How To Plan The Maldives Trip Of Your Post-Quarantine Dreams - Essence